Caribbean restaurants in Cuba
-
A
Paladar Salón Tropical
The city’s best paladar is a few blocks south of Hotel Las Américas on a pleasant rooftop terrace with fairy lights and decent views. The food is plentiful and tasty with a varying menu of succulent smoked pork, chicken and sometimes lamb, served with congrí (rice flecked with black beans), salad and plantains (green bananas) and delicious yuca con mojo (starchy root vegetable with garlic lime sauce). Reservations are a good idea as this is a favorite spot for young Cuban women who come here with their 50-plus-year-old foreign sugar daddies.
reviewed
-
B
El Sabor Latino
Santa Clara’s only real paladar is easily trumped by many of the city’s casa particular chefs, but still lures plenty of clients into its well-maintained midst with its improbable Rolling Stones’ ‘Glimmer Twins’ logo. The menu offers complete pork or chicken meals with rice, salad, tostones (fried plantain patties) and bread for CUC$10 (or fish for CUC$12).
reviewed
-
C
El Barracón
El Barracón opened its doors to reignite the roots of Afro-Cuban culture and cuisine. The restaurant’s interior, a mix of atmospheric Santería shrine and cimarrón (runaway slave), is intriguing and the creative food is even better. Try the delicious tostones (fried plantain patties) filled with chorizo and cheese.
reviewed
-
D
Paladar Estela
You can choose the dining room or pretty rear garden to take your meals in this popular place located above the Plaza Mayor (the owner also rents rooms). Cordero (lamb) served shredded is the house specialty, and the portions are large.
reviewed
-
E
Don Cuba
A visit to Parque Lenin can be combined with a trip to ExpoCuba at Calabazar on the Carretera del Rocío in Arroyo Naranjo, 3km south of Las Ruinas restaurant. Opened in 1989, this large permanent exhibition showcases Cuba's economic and scientific achievements in 25 pavilions based on themes such as sugar, farming, apiculture, animal science, fishing, construction, food, geology, sports and defense. Cubans visiting ExpoCuba flock to the amusement park at the center of the complex, bypassing the rather dry propaganda displays. Don Cuba , a revolving restaurant, is atop a tower. The Feria Internacional de La Habana, Cuba's largest trade fair, is held at ExpoCuba the first…
reviewed
-
Restaurante El Morro
A gleaming, white plate mounted in a glass case on the wall announces that Paul McCartney once ate here during a whistle-stop 2000 visit (he flew in for four hours from the Turks and Caicos). According to the waiters, the world’s most famous vegetarian made do with an omelette. For meat-eaters, the complete comida criolla lunch (CUC$12) is a better bet, a filling spread that includes soup, roast pork, a small dessert and one drink. The spectacular cliff-side location offers occasional views of breaching whales.
reviewed
-
Quinta Santa Elena
Quinta Santa Elena ‘Old clothes’ is a name that has never really done justice to Cuba’s famous shredded-beef dinner (ropa vieja). There’s certainly nothing ‘old’ or ‘clothes-like’ about the dish here, or the equally tasty shrimps in red sauce for that matter. While the Mesón has the edge on food, the Santa Elena wins the Oscar for location, set on a charming riverside patio in front of the city’s famous packhorse bridge.
reviewed
-
F
Restaurante Don Antonio
Plaza Dolores is a case of nice location, shame about the food. The best of a bad bunch is Restaurante Don Antonio, next to Cafeteria Las Enramados, which offers everything from mixed grill to lobster. Next door is Restaurante La Perla del Dragón, offering chop suey and chow mein with a rather painful Cuban twist. Beyond that is Restaurante Teresina, with inexpensive pizza and spaghetti. These places never seem to have customers. Hmmm.
reviewed
-
G
Restaurante Zunzún
Dine in bygone bourgeois style in this urban mansion-turned-restaurant. Zunzún, in the once upscale Vista Alegre neighborhood, has always been one of Santiago’s best restaurants when it comes to food and ambience. Exotic dishes include chicken curry, paella or a formidable cheese plate and cognac. Expect professional, attentive service and entertaining troubadours.
reviewed
-
H
Restaurante Covadonga
Legend has it that Castro and his guerrillas ate here in January 1959 during their triumphant march to Havana. The food probably tasted delicious after two years up in the Sierra Maestra but, if you’ve just flown in from Canada, you may not appreciate the rubbery fish. Enjoy a relaxing sunset cocktail and see if the paella’s on offer. If not, head elsewhere.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
I
Mesón del Regidor
A cafe-cum-restaurant with a friendly ambience and a revolving lineup of local musicians, including the town’s best trovador, Israel Moreno, who’ll drop by during the day and serenade you with a song over grilled cheese sandwiches and café con leche (coffee with milk). Savor the surprise.
reviewed
-
J
Restaurante La Bodeguita
A Palmares joint, meaning that it’s a better bet than the usual peso parlors. You’ll get checkered tablecloths here, a limited wine list and what the Cuban government calls ‘international cuisine’ – read spaghetti and pizza. Try the chicken breast with mushroom sauce for around CUC$5.
reviewed
-
Mesón de la Plaza
The best food in town and the best location. Encased in a 19th-century mansion that once belonged to a rich Spanish tycoon you can tuck in to classic Spanish staples such as potaje de garbanzos (chickpeas with pork) and paella here while appetizing music drifts in from the Casa de la Trova next door.
reviewed
-
K
Cafetería Las Américas
A local hangout of sorts, on the traffic circle near Hotel Las Américas, this cafetería terrace does good basics: chicken, spaghetti and pork for under CUC$2. Inside is the affiliated restaurant with decent full meals of comida criolla (Creole food, usually rice, beans and pork) for CUC$5.
reviewed
-
L
1869 Restaurant
Cienfuegos’ best city-center dining experience can be found in this elegant restaurant in the La Unión hotel. Although the food doesn’t quite match the lush furnishings, a varied international menu makes a welcome change from rice/beans/pork staples offered elsewhere.
reviewed
-
M
El Castillo
This peso find cooks up quality meals of pork, chicken or liver with congrí (rice flecked with black beans), and salad. The twist is that you eat standing at a counter flanked by marble pillars, stained glass and mosaic tiles.
reviewed
-
N
Paladar Aché
At the time of writing, Cienfuegos' only operating paladar was situated near the pediatric hospital. Fresh, filling criollo (Creole) meals, cost varies depending on whether you come solo or with a jinetero (tout).
reviewed
-
O
Paladar Las Gallegas
This place has been here for donkey’s years in Santiago-paladar terms, bashing out OK potions of pork, chicken and sometimes carnero (lamb). There are a couple of tables on a narrow balcony overlooking the street.
reviewed
-
P
Restaurante El Jigüe
Stunning setting with less-than-stunning food. Bank on the house specialty, the aptly-named pollo al Jigüe; it’s baked at least, offering savory flavors distinct from the usual frito (fried).
reviewed
-
Q
Paladar Bodeguita del Centro
Voluminous dishes on offer include red snapper. The dimly lit atmosphere and graffiti-covered walls here mimic Habana's Bodeguita although once seated you'll feel more like you're in someone's front room (you are!).
reviewed
Advertisement
-
R
El Cubano
This is a spick and span place with a full wine rack (French and Californian), checkered tablecloths and a good version of Gordon Bleu (chicken stuffed with ham and cheese).
reviewed
-
S
Paladar El Mesón
This long-standing paladar serves chicken, pork and fish in a pleasant colonial atmosphere. Main plates start at CUC$5 with side dishes extra; the service is efficient and friendly.
reviewed
-
T
Paladar La Roca
The pick of the bunch, for its luscious leg of lamb in gravy, a rarity in Cuba and something akin to a desert mirage in Las Tunas. Order it while you can.
reviewed
-
El Ranchón El Paso
A simple, breezy place high above the Río Canímar, 8km east of Matanzas. Good pork or chicken meals cost under around 4. There's a full bar.
reviewed
-
U
Paladar La Coruña
Eager-to-please and friendly staff at this no-frills paladar serve chicken and pork, and the occasional fish.
reviewed
