One of the best things to do in Cuba is to eat, which has become popularised by home-run eateries serving “Nouveau Cuban” food. These are Cuba’s top eateries, which range from chic tapas bars to exquisite dining in lavish residences.
Top Restaurants to explore in Cuba
La Guarida, Havana
This expensive restaurant is in Habana Centro, on the topmost floor of a rundown construction. This paladar has been operating for 75 years and is still regularly fully booked. Although it has equally impressive signature dishes, including suckling pig and papaya lasagne, a trip there is worthwhile because of the city views alone. So add this place to your things to do in Cuba list.
Otramanera. Havana
While paying homage to their heritage with a Spanish-Cuban fusion menu, an artist and a couple of sommeliers moved from Costa Brava to open this fine dining establishment. A local farmer provides organic foods for the menu. Otra Manera, one of the hippest newcomers to Havana’s restaurant scene, offers seats indoors or outside in the lush garden.
Restaurant Soi Y Son, Trinidad
Sol Y Son offers charcoal-cooked seafood and meat specialties in one of Trinidad’s charming colonial homes. With fountains, a bougainvillea canopy, and candlelight, Sol Y Son’s courtyard is ideal for a romantic dinner in a town noted for its old-world beauty. Also, an energetic local band playing Cuban music enhances the ambiance.
Finca Paraiso Agroecologica, Vinales
This restaurant provides dining at a farm and serves only organic food in the Viales hills. A family owns Finca Paraiso Agroecological. It is the location where you should relax and focus on the breathtaking scenery and the superbly fresh ingredients in the meal you’re eating.
El Cocinero, Havana
El Cocinero’s loft-like dining portion and rooftop terrace house the area, formerly a cooking oil factory. It also has an art gallery and a nightclub on the list of things to do in Cuba. After ascending the spiral staircase made of iron, you can count on professional service, cutting-edge artwork, and elegant fare. They can serve grilled lobster or fillet mignon with creamed pumpkin after tuna carpaccio and duck blinis.
Restaurant Villa Lagarto, Cienfuegos
This bayside guest house in Cienfuegos has an attached restaurant that provides large quantities of jerked pork, bronchitis, and other dishes. The waterfront setting at Villa Lagarto is fantastic, with outdoor tables right at the water’s edge. It’s perfect meat dishes are grilled, steamed, or barbecued with a scattering of herbs. All of the fruit and vegetables come from organic farms nearby.
Cafe Arcangel, Havana
Cafe Arcangel’s adorable eatery operates under the charm code. You can indulge in coffee and cake with a twist famous in Cuba. Add this restaurant to your things to do in the Cuba list. There’s a house cat named Buona Fortuna (“good luck”). Also, they have vintage Singer sewing machine treadles making all the tables and a TV in the middle playing Charlie Chaplin films.
El Cafe, Havana
The restaurant serves Havana’s best breakfast, including a heavy dish of eggs, home-baked sourdough bread, tomatoes, cheese, and cucumbers. Granola and toasted doorstop sandwiches are also available. The proprietor has experience from the Allpress headquarters in London, and the fresh fruit juices and coffees are delicious.
La Redaccion, Trinidad
The French owners of Trinidad’s Redaccion use raw materials from the fisherman or farmer to prepare their constantly-changing daily menu. At the enormous communal table, travelers can share tales and develop connections. Hence, this restaurant visit is one of Cuba’s best things to do. In addition to the daily specials, a few standby choices are always available, such as lamb burgers with sweet potato chips, stone-oven-baked lobster tails, and spiced pork belly.
Casa Miglis, Havana
A Swedish music video director owns this establishment, and the menu is just as oddball as the ambiance, which includes a stage fashioned out of vintage Coca-Cola advertisements and chairs on the walls supporting trinkets. Eating at this restaurant with your loved ones is one of the best things to do in Cuba.
O’Reilly 304, Havana
This small establishment has quickly become one of the most well-liked hangouts in the area because of its inventive cocktails and creative Mexican-inspired meals. This restaurant is constantly busy, whether you’re sitting at the bar or up on the mezzanine.
El Romero, Las Terrazas
This vegetarian restaurant, a rarity in the carnivorous nation of Cuba, uses organic or wild products in creative ways. Dreamy valley views and innovative veggie-heavy meals, such as tempura veggies, stuffed bean pancakes, or the house specialty boliche, are both found in the eco-village, Las Terrazas.
Buena Vista Curry Club, Havana
It is Cuba’s first-ever Indian restaurant having all the classic curry options and a few signature Cuban dishes on its menu.
The restaurant also offers some music, perfectly spiced curries, freshly baked naans, and flaky samosas. The Buena Vista Social Club performs on the mezzanine three evenings a week, while live jazz performs on the remaining nights.
El Chiquirrin, Matanzas
It is also a thing to do in Cuba. El Chiquirrin introduced the “nouveau Cuban” style to the coastal city of Matanzas, and since its debut in 2014, it has been wowing guests with its innovative take on local cuisine. The simple appearance of this restaurant by a bridge on the outskirts of the town makes it simple to overlook. Still, once inside, the delectable seafood and expensive ambiance combine for a fantastic evening.
Paladar La Cuenca, Vinales
The seafood platter, which includes grilled fish, crab claws, octopus, mussels, and prawns covered in garlic butter, highlights the menu’s varied selection. It also has everything from Spanish tapas to a rack of lamb. It is better to add a chilled Cristal beverage.
St. Pauli, Santiago de Cuba
Cuba isn’t usually mindful of vegetables, but here you’ll discover several excellent meatless options, including aubergine parmigiana. In the glass-walled kitchen, you may watch cooks prepare other delectable delicacies, such as ropa vieja, octopus, or gazpacho. Fresh coconut ice cream served straight from the shell should not be missed.
Bistro Bar Atlantida, Varadero
It is one of the things to do in Cuba. It is famous for its friendly, multilingual staff, and its extensive menu options ranging from quesadillas to carbonara are also highly praised. Many people highlight garlic shrimp and hamburgers for raving reviews.
Cafe Bohemia, Havana
This location serves as a getaway from the tourist crowds in Old Havana. I also act as a hub for creative types in Cuba. Caponata, hummus with crudités, salads, and antipasti are among the healthy alternatives on the Mediterranean-inspired menu.
El Dandy, Havana
This laid-back establishment has a vibe of relaxation and is quite famous in Cuba. The menu is more than satisfying, the fascinating artwork and tiles decorate the walls, and the furniture is all purposefully mismatched. Spend some time in the evening sipping mojitos while you snack on tapas and converse with friends.
Cafe Laurent, Havana
The exceptional seafood on Chef Dayron Aviles Alfonso’s Spanish-inspired menu includes paella and red snapper in green sauce. The space has a retro feel due to the furniture from the 1950s and newspaper clippings. Also, the balcony offers stunning views of Vedado and the sea.
Conclusion
With some Caribbean influence in spice and flavor, certain Cuban dishes incorporate different spices and cooking methods from Spanish, African, and Taino cookery. As a result, various cultural elements are present in Cuban cuisine. This article describes the best restaurants to visit in Cuba with their appearance and best-served dishes. Many of its restaurants provide authentic food with a delicious taste.
FAQs
Get the best travel tips and reviews at, Tripreviewhub
Get the best deals on booking and flights at, Booking.com