Varadero
This place was one-time favorite of Buena Vista Social Club luminary Compay Segundo, and the man obviously had taste. All dishes, including the pork…
Must-see restaurants in Cuba
Villa Clara Province
Roll up on a boat (there's no road connection) to this traditional wooden abode above Embalse Hanabanilla where the men will be out back cutting down…
Ciego de Ávila Province
Despite its strategic geographical position, Ciego isn't oozing good private restaurants – yet. For some respite, pop into this modest little place three…
Trinidad
An exquisite colonial house, meticulously polished period furniture and highly courteous waitstaff. Food is not always consistent, but you can look…
Habana Vieja
Back in the Castro era this was one of Havana's few decent Italian restaurants, but in recent years it has been overtaken by better private competition…
Ciego de Ávila Province
City-center joint on the 12th floor of the rather ugly Doce Plantas building on the western side of Parque Martí. Excellent city views, with a terrace and…
Sancti Spíritus
Quiet colonial ambience in the impressive central courtyard of the Hotel del Rijo or on the lovely terrace. Choose from an international menu with filet…
Habana del Este
A small bar-restaurant reached via a raised boardwalk that overlooks Laguna Itabo, a small lagoon abutting Playa Boca Ciega, Mi Cayito is a quiet spot…
Ciego de Ávila Province
This bucolic finca (farm) has a bar-restaurant where you can sample guarapo (pressed cane juice) and order lunch. A steam train chugs in here from the…
Habana del Este
Forgive it the kitschy name – Chicken Little could yet make it big. Defying Guanabo’s ramshackle image, this deluxe restaurant has polite waitstaff with…
Granma Province
The most appealing restaurant in town, even if blaring reggaeton, it's your best option for reasonably priced fare. A decorative, typically Manzanillan…
Matanzas Province
Industrial-film-themed private cafe in Cárdenas’ main square that’s a bit hip and very local. Grab a pew amid the metal sculptures and rescued movie…
Matanzas Province
A favorite with Guamá-bound tour buses, this huge place is set up for big groups, but retains fancy decor with lots of stained glass. Prawn, lobster and…
Cienfuegos
A highly economical Cienfuegos restaurant that serves what is perhaps the largest and quickest seafood paella you'll see in Cuba. It has a couple of air…
Santiago de Cuba
Santiago's ice cream cathedral is a little out of the center, not that this lessens the queue length. Yell out ¿Quién es último? (who is last?) and take…
Santiago de Cuba
This convivial upstairs restaurant just off Parque Céspedes turns out consistently high-quality seafood favorites including grilled lobster, pasta dishes…
Ciego de Ávila Province
An atmospheric, open-air corner joint known forever as 'La Fonda' and now a government-run affair, this is a great lunch spot to watch street life go by…
Sancti Spíritus
Serving a variety of quality Cuban food and Cuban-style Italian favorites, Al Medio offers excellent value on classics like ropa vieja (shredded beef) and…
Matanzas Province
Overlooking Parque Echeverría, the lovely Don Ramón woos you with its old-style colonial charm. For a varied sit-down meal, there's nowhere better in…
Viñales
Born as a quick walk-up cafe several years back, the 'little corner' has grown bigger as the service has become concurrently slower. No matter: it's still…
Villa Clara Province
The lobster in this Gaviota-run restaurant might not be the cheapest in Cuba, but it's undoubtedly the freshest, courtesy of the on-site lobster nursery;…
Isla de la Juventud
Modest private restaurant up a staircase above Nueva Gerona’s main drag (Calle 39) that serves the Cuban basics with a little more panache than the state…
Ciego de Ávila Province
The restaurante flotante (floating restaurant) is raised on stilts above the waters of Embalse La Turbina in Parque de la Ciudad, Ciego's commendable…
Camagüey
A handsome, state-run place set in beautiful colonial digs on Plaza San Juan de Dios that sells mainly chicken dishes. Ruminate on Camagüey life by one of…
Baracoa
A lovely family-run paladar with the owner's paintings adding to its slightly offbeat vibe, Sabor Taíno serves up delicious, reasonably priced Baracoan…
Pinar del Río Province
Long-standing paladar (privately owned restaurant) serving up liberal helpings of simple comida criolla (Creole food), heavy on the rice and beans, with…
Villa Clara Province
Deep into the fjord-like lake lies this simple country-style restaurant that also acts as the starting point for several of the area's hikes. Dine under…
Havana
In McDonald's-free Havana, Pan.com is about as fast as food gets. This small, state-run Cuban chain does hearty sandwiches (on proper Cuban bread!), cheap…
Santiago de Cuba
A small, pleasing paladar (privately owned restaurant) with seating indoors or on a pleasant elevated terrace. The food is classic Cuban, the setting…
Varadero
If it's not raining, the 'pink cow' is worth an evening of your time. The place is set on an atmospheric rooftop terrace and serves surf and turf dishes,…
Cayo Coco
Seafood in a paradisaical beachside setting, but hotel construction nearby has recently dented the 'paradisaical' tag. As with most indie restaurants on…
Ciego de Ávila Province
Plaza-abutting Don Ávila impresses with its regal ambience, on-site cigar outlet, old-gents-style bar, typically friendly avileño service and cheap prices…
Villa Clara Province
Santa Clara and Remedios would love a restaurant like this; the all-inclusive crowd have to pay extra for the pleasure of eating here, so generally don't…
Habana Vieja
Nao occupies a 200-year-old building near the docks and its decor plays on the appropriate seafaring theme. The small upstairs space is good for main…
Cienfuegos
The usually busy Mamparas is named for the antique swing doors found in Cuba's colonial houses. There aren't many in evidence here, but the ambience is…
Valle de Viñales
A large, but reasonable rural restaurant typical of the Viñales area, Finca San Vicente serves a slap-up CUC$10 lunch. If there are enough people, it…
Villa Clara Province
Remedios doesn't have many private restaurants, making this 1st-floor haven of good taste especially welcome. Three-course meals such as surf and turf…
Isla de la Juventud
Lobster fresh off the grill for CUC$6 and a guitar duo serenading you as you dine? Sound too good to be true? It all happens at Toti, a deliciously modest…
Ciego de Ávila Province
This restaurant at the entrance to Laguna La Redonda is good for comida criolla or a drink with a lake view. Try the house specialty, a fillet of fish…
Santiago de Cuba
Occupying a block just down from the casco histórico en route to the port, this garden is devoted to ornamental plants and great ice cream (which comes…
