Restaurants in Cuba
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A
La Toscana
Interior designers are, apparently, rarely recruited to lend Santa Clara's eateries any va-va-voom. La Toscana seems to aspire to an American Midwest out-of-town-retail-park look: soulless, in a word. The pizza's all right, though.
reviewed
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B
La Bamba
An old-school, rough-around-the-edges Tunero paladar with big portions of comida criolla, including the reliable (lobster) and the rare (rabbit).
reviewed
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C
Kiki's Club
Delicious pizzas served with innovative toppings like shrimp are the hallmarks of this place, which sports a terrace and a good cocktail menu: a haven from the overriding blandness of the peninsula's western edge.
reviewed
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D
Gioventu
A popular pizzeria with the standard Cuban-Italian offerings. The spacious terrace means you can also feast on the Benny Moré statue and general Prado life.
reviewed
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E
El Recreo
Looking more like a day centre than an eatery, El Recreo nevertheless attracts the crowds and delivers the goods (burgers) – without a smile.
reviewed
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El Marinero
reviewed
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F
El Alba
The town's best peso restaurant is a block east of Parque Vidal. It's a deservedly popular joint. Seating is limited, but comfy sofas and cozy decor eases the wait for a table and the food comes in copious quantities. Go for the fish if it's available.
reviewed
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G
Restaurante Plaza
Bayamo's finest hotel (the Royalton) also hosts one of its best restaurants; nothing legendary mind you, but with an excellent setting including options to sit outside overlooking one of Cuba's most pleasant squares. Food is generously labeled 'international' with a strong meat, rice and beans bias. Service is officious on a bad day, quietly polite on a good one.
reviewed
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H
Coppelia
What, a Coppelia with no queues? Set above the new shopping complex in Parque de las 8000 Taquillas, Varadero's ice-cream cathedral is bright, airy and surprisingly uncrowded.
reviewed
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La Casa del Veguero
Just outside Viñales toward Pinar del Río, this ranchón (rural restaurant) serves mediocre à la carte items (from CUC$5). It's a Viñales bus tour stop; there's a secadero (drying house) adjacent.
reviewed
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I
Le Select
This minicomplex – complete with swimming pool, boutiques, bars and restaurant – is spread across the grounds of a 1950s Miramar mansion that was used after the revolution by a certain Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara. Reopened a few years back to serve the neighborhood’s affluent diplomatic community (what would Che have said?), the fancily named Le Select hasn’t yet lived up to the hype. While the architecture might be quasi-Italian Renaissance, you’ll get far better food elsewhere.
reviewed
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J
El Gran Dragón
First on the left as you enter Cuchillo from Calle Zanja, this place offers wonton soup, chop suey, chow mein and fried rice and is a good place for vegetarians.
reviewed
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K
Biki
This place near the university, on the border between Centro Habana and Vedado, is a peso vegetarian buffet with a few meat selections thrown in. It’s laid out cafetería-style; grab a tray and pick from several fresh juices and salads, veggie paella, fried rice, stuffed peppers and desserts. It all costs peanuts.
reviewed
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L
La Concha
Easily top of the state-run eateries is this posh (well, relatively) spot on the outskirts of town. It does a good trade in capturing the coach parties on their way to and from the Che memorial. There are some classy lunchtime bands here, though the highlight is generally considered to be the cheap but tasty pizza (from CUC$4).
reviewed
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M
Restaurante Vegetariano Carmelo
Selling itself as a vegetarian restaurant, this place, opposite the Teatro Amadeo Roldán, offers scant fare and legendary brusqueness. Prices are in Cuban pesos.
reviewed
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N
Paladar Amistad de Lanzarote
Paladar Amistad de Lanzarote charges CUC$6 for most meals. The portions are large, the staff speak English, and you can enjoy your pork and rice amid the cheerful clutter of crowded Centro Habana.
reviewed