Lamparilla 361 Tapas & Cervezas
Habana Vieja
Havana’s best tapas bar might also be its finest all-round eating establishment, with food, presentation and service down to a fine art. Inside the loungy…
Must-see restaurants in Cuba
Habana Vieja
The secret at Doña Eutimia is that there is no secret: just serve decent-size portions of the best Cuban food. Expect the likes of ropa vieja (shredded…
Havana
La Fontana, encased in a hard-to-find but beautiful house in Playa, is one of the best restaurants in Havana, a position it has enjoyed pretty much since…
Roy's Terrace Inn Roof Garden Restaurant
Santiago de Cuba
If only the rest of Cuba could harness this formula: quality homemade food, caring service and excellent atmosphere. Reserve one day ahead for one of only…
Habana Vieja
Not every restaurant has a wine sommelier and a cigar sommelier, but this is Havana, and El Rum Rum (the name references both the drink and Cuban slang…
Havana
Only in Havana! The entrance to the city's most legendary private restaurant greets you like a scene out of a 1940s film noir. A decapitated statue lies…
Habana del Este
There are, arguably, two reasons to come to suburban Cojímar: 1) to pursue the ghost of Ernest Hemingway and 2) to visit this farm-to-table restaurant…
Viñales
One of the best restaurants in Cuba outside Havana, Tres Jotas is Viñales’ original tapas bar that has since been copied by all and sundry. Its inviting…
Varadero
Rivaling anything Varadero's five-star resorts can cough up, this 'five-star' fine-dining establishment exudes an aura of refinement not seen since Benny…
Habana Vieja
When the owners of O'Reilly 304 wanted to expand their increasingly popular restaurant a few years back, they opened another one directly across the…
Santiago de Cuba
A well-respected, good-quality option, Madrileño occupies a classy colonial abode in Vista Alegre with interior patio dining with chirping birds. Contrary…
Viñales
Viñales' most popular restaurant, as the happy buzz of conversation will testify, serves tremendous lasagna and pasta dishes, backed up by other Med…
Vedado
Talk about a hidden gem. The unsigned Café Laurent is a sophisticated fine-dining restaurant encased, incongruously, in a glaringly ugly 1950s apartment…
Sancti Spíritus
With an excellent riverside location, wine cellar and wonderful service, there's reason to linger at this pleasant state-run restaurant. Sure, you might…
Trinidad
A slick private option perched on a lovely terrace above Trinidad’s red-tiled rooftops – enjoy unobstructed 360-degree views from the top terrace. Run by…
Restaurante Las Terrazas Casa Nilson
Baracoa
Up above Hostal Nilson on a spectacular two-level terrace decorated in quirky Afro-Caribbean style, the chef serves some of the best authentic Baracoan…
Pinar del Río Province
Before you write off Pinar del Río as an itchy nexus for bored Cuban men peddling fake cigars, make sure you slurp a coffee in this salubrious streetside…
Restaurante San Salvador de Bayamo
Bayamo
Who isn't in the mood to be serenaded by violins in a splendid colonial place? Thanks to the knowledgeable owner, dishes avoid the obvious to tap into…
Varadero
With possibly the most all-encompassing menu of Varadero's private restaurants, Salsa Suárez impresses with its salubrious greenery-covered patio and…
Santa Clara
The Florida has been Santa Clara's best restaurant for at least a decade. The food is as good as the experience. Diners eat in a colonial, plant-festooned…
Isla de la Juventud
A superb rooftop restaurant above the La Isla, El Galeon serves Havana-worthy Cuban classics off a smoking charcoal grill. Service is friendly and fast,…
Matanzas
A pianist plays on a baby grand, chefs work artistically behind a glass partition in the kitchen, and a waiter carves Chateaubriand at your table. New…
Camagüey
Locals line up for strudel and decadent cakes at this Austrian-run cafe. After so much comida criolla (Creole food), travelers embrace the international…
Trinidad
Contrasting its colonial style with a cleverly titled menu and excellent service, this French-run offering provides a dose of comfort for travelers with…
Las Tunas
Among provincial Cuba's best eats, this private home with a leafy courtyard serves up stunning Cuban classics. Crisp plantain shavings, fragrant pork stir…
Habana Vieja
Eschewing colonial splendor for a French bistro feel, the Monk blends seamlessly into the increasingly chic Loma del Ángel quarter, with a bright-white…
Ciego de Ávila Province
Maité is a highly creative cook whose international dishes, prepared with mucho amor, will leave you wondering why insipid all-inclusive buffets ever got…
Santiago de Cuba
In a city of no great culinary tradition, St Pauli arrived like a hurricane. Walk the long, mural-decorated corridor to a bright room featuring blackboard…
Holguín
Count this elegant wood-trimmed colonial among Cuba's best offerings. Guests tuck into thick steaks as if it were their last day on earth. There's also…
Isla de la Juventud & Cayo Largo del Sur
A rather fetching beach bar amid the Playa Sirena palm trees, with Latino Tom Cruises tossing around the cocktail glasses. Good food is also served here,…
Trinidad
With a prime location on the cobblestone plaza, this elegant restaurant serves well-prepared Cuban fare. It differs from the competition with specialty…
Playa Girón
The best in a quartet of private places in Playa Girón, this family-run joint, known colloquially as Carlito’s, serves what might be the cheapest lobster…
Cayo Coco
Named unofficially after a Canadian tourist and regular patron, Lenny's is a beautiful open-sided thatched rondavel on hotel-free Playa Prohibida…
Cienfuegos
Arguably the best of the town’s private restaurants, Nora’s inhabits a 1st-floor suite and balcony in a typical neoclassical edifice on the Prado. Tying…
Matanzas Province
Don Qko is a well-executed and quietly sophisticated restaurant hidden in Cárdenas, otherwise tatty street grid that serves classic Cuban dishes in a…
Holguín Province
On a rocky promontory of land at the far western end of Guardalavaca beach, this glass-walled restaurant is a fine spot to spend a few hours dining and…
Guantánamo Province
With a discreet entrance on a busy avenue, this locals' favorite features good service and quality Caribbean chow. Go face-to-face with the whole fried…
Holguín Province
Gibara's eating scene becomes imaginative with this private place that grows its own herbs to garnish those grilled meats. It even has a small farm. There…
Trinidad
Word is out on this handsome restaurant serving fresh grilled snapper, sweet potato fries and frozen limeade. It's among the town's best. Servers weave…
Camagüey
Finally, a private restaurant with all-day hours, plus a funky interior and an enviable Plaza del Carmen location. There's flavorful ropa vieja (spiced…
