A Guide to Eating and Drinking in Havana
- Havana Information
- Eating & drinking in Havana
- Night life in Havana
- Getting around in Havana
- Things to do in Havana
- Where to stay in Havana
- Havana street map
Cuban food is, on the whole, simple and tasty without being particularly refined. Havana itself may not have much of a reputation for fine dining but you’ll find that, away from the main tourist drags, a good meal is remarkably cheap and hearty.
Many of Havana's restaurants are owned by the state as a way of ensuring that the maximum tourist dollars filter up. In these often elegant surroundings, you’ll be able to pay by credit card and are marketed as being top of the range but it's rarely authentic.
For a true taste of the Cuban cuisine there is no better option than to head for one of the city's many 'paladares'. These are restaurants located in individuals' homes - still regulated, licensed and taxed by the state but allowing that all-important personal touch lacking from the state-run restaurants.
They are small, intimate little places (officially they should cater for no more than twelve) and this intimacy is a perfect way to allow you to chat with your fellow diners or, better still, your hosts. Although there’s a (frequently ignored) ban on serving shrimp or lobster in paladares, they are allowed to offer beer and cocktails.
In general, Creole food has strong African and, unsurprisingly, Spanish influences. Traditional dishes to try include the national dish of 'congris' or, as it’s more often known, ‘moros y cristianos’. This is a rice and black bean dish which is generally served with pork. Other Cuban, or Creole, specialties include roast pork and yucca or deep-fried banana known as ‘tostones’.
Another great thing about the paladares is that you can call ahead (or drop round during the day) and make special requests, such as requesting a vegetarian option. This can otherwise be a little hard to come by, as much Cuban food is meat-based or cooked in animal fat. Should you get tired of the local fare, Havana’s Chinatown offers a tasty and incredibly cheap alternative.
There are several great things about eating in Havana: the friendliness of the people, the sound of music drifting in from outside, the feeling of excitement as the evening lengthens… And it’s this ambience that essentially makes dining in this remarkable city so unforgettable.
