Havana Food
Havana is not usually known for its reputation as a food capital, which many consider is due to food shortages and a lack of opportunity for private enterprise. However, in some respects this can mean that while the traveller might not eat food they will remember all their lives, they will almost certainly have a unique cultural experience while they attempt to do so.
Many of Havana's restaurants are owned by the state. These are the ones that will allow you to pay by credit card and are often marketed as being top of the range. While this can be true from time to time, more often the reality is that the staff do not have restaurant management at heart. When this is coupled with a limited range of ingredients, you may find that once is enough.
Traditional dishes to try in these sorts of establishments include the national dish of 'congris'. This is a rice and black bean dish, which may well also contain some meat. Other Cuban, or Creole, specialties include roast pork and yucca, or fried plantain.
In general, Creole food has strong African influences as well as an unsurprisingly Spanish flavour. Cubans, much like the rest of the world, are also very fond of pizza.
However, 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, regulated, licensed and taxed by the state, but which allow a level of enterprise that has the inevitable consequence of ensuring that your food is served with love and attention.
They are necessarily small as the maximum number of chairs is 12, but this intimacy is again a perfect way to allow you to engage in conversation with either your fellow diners or even your host.
Although there is a (sometimes ignored) ban on serving shrimp or lobster in paladares, they are allowed to offer beer and cocktails. This is one of the only downsides to watch out for, as you may find that the prices for alcohol are vastly inflated.
Another advantage to eating in a private restaurant is that you can make special requests in advance, such as requesting a vegetarian option. This can otherwise be difficult, as much of Cuban food is meat-based or cooked in animal fat. However, there are a growing number of vegetarian restaurants in the city which are worth keeping an eye out for.
If you're looking for something to wash down your rice, there are plentiful opportunities in the city to indulge in some cocktails. Cocktails are part of the life and soul of Havana, so make time to try a couple of local specialities such as mojitos, cuba libres and daiquiris.
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Eating & Drinking
