Havana is Cuba's vibrant capital city, a place where 1950s American cars cruise past crumbling colonial architecture and revolutionary murals. The city's unique blend of Spanish colonial heritage, Art Deco buildings, and Caribbean culture creates an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the world.
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
La Guarida
Havana's most celebrated restaurant occupies a crumbling mansion made famous by the Cuban film 'Fresa y Chocolate.' Frequented by celebrities including Beyonce, Rihanna, and Mick Jagger. The creative Cuban-European fusion menu changes seasonally.
Concordia 418, Centro Habana
El Del Frente
A hip rooftop bar and restaurant with two levels of open-air terrace seating offering some of the best views in Old Havana. Known for creative cocktails and informal Cuban food in a relaxed setting.
O'Reilly 303, Old Havana
San Cristobal Paladar
A landmark paladar in a house overflowing with antiques, religious icons, and vintage memorabilia. Barack Obama ate here during his historic 2016 Cuba visit. Serves outstanding traditional Cuban cuisine in an extraordinary setting.
Calle San Rafael 469, Centro Habana
La Bodeguita del Medio
The legendary birthplace of the mojito, open since 1942. More of an experience than a restaurant, with walls covered in celebrity signatures. The food is good traditional Cuban but you come primarily for the atmosphere and cocktails.
Empedrado 207, Old Havana
El Floridita
Hemingway's favorite bar since 1817, the self-proclaimed cradle of the daiquiri. The seafood restaurant section serves excellent fresh fish and lobster alongside the world-famous frozen daiquiris. A bronze Hemingway guards his corner of the bar.
Obispo 557, Old Havana
Los Nardos
Beloved institution opposite El Capitolio, famous for enormous portions at very reasonable prices. The Spanish-Cuban menu includes excellent paella, ropa vieja, and fried whole lobster. Often has a queue but moves quickly.
Paseo del Prado 563, Centro Habana
Paladar Dona Eutimia
A tiny gem hidden in a lane off Plaza de la Catedral, serving some of the most authentic traditional Cuban food in Havana. The ropa vieja here is considered by many to be the best in the city.
Callejon del Chorro 60C, Plaza de la Catedral
Cafe Madrigal
An atmospheric bar-restaurant in a 1950s Vedado house, with walls covered in vintage movie posters and packed with local artists and intellectuals. Excellent cocktails, good food, and a genuine neighborhood vibe far from tourist crowds.
Calle 2 #1206, Vedado
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Cuban International
El Cocinero
Housed in a former peanut oil factory with a spectacular rooftop terrace, El Cocinero is the restaurant adjacent to the Fabrica de Arte Cubano. Excellent modern Cuban food and one of Havana's most stylish settings.
Calle 26 y 11, Vedado
Cafe Laurent
A chic penthouse restaurant in Vedado with spectacular city views. The creative menu changes seasonally and the cocktail list is excellent. Popular with Havana's creative class.
Calle M #257, Vedado (penthouse)
Roof Garden Restaurant (Hotel Sevilla)
The rooftop restaurant of the historic Hotel Sevilla offers panoramic 360-degree views of Havana. Open to non-guests, it's an excellent spot for sunset cocktails with spectacular city and Malecon views.
Trocadero 55, Hotel Sevilla rooftop
Waoo! Restaurant
A rooftop bar and restaurant on the 8th floor of a Vedado building with panoramic views of the city. The food is Cuban-international fusion and the atmosphere is hip and lively on weekends.
Linea y 24, Vedado (8th floor rooftop)
Restaurant Tourquino (Habana Libre Hotel)
The 25th floor restaurant and bar of the Habana Libre hotel offers some of the most panoramic views in Havana. Buffet and a la carte options with live music on weekends.
Calle L 23, Vedado (25th floor)
Seafood
Cinco Sentidos
One of the best dining spots in Havana for seafood, serving fresh fish and shellfish with an excellent international wine selection. The creative Cuban-international fusion menu is consistently acclaimed.
San Juan de Dios 67, Old Havana
La Terraza de Cojimar
The fishing village restaurant where Hemingway's fishing companion Gregorio Fuentes held court. The walls are covered with Hemingway memorabilia and the fresh seafood from the bay is outstanding.
Calle Real 161, Cojimar
Paladar Vista Mar
A seafront paladar in western Miramar with stunning ocean views and some of the freshest seafood in Havana, delivered directly from local fishing boats each morning.
3ra Avenida #2206, Miramar
El Templete
A premier seafood restaurant on the Old Havana waterfront with spectacular harbor views. One of the city's best addresses for fresh lobster, shrimp, and fish with professional service.
Av del Puerto, Old Havana
Cuban
Paladar La Fontana
A long-established paladar in Miramar's diplomatic district, known for reliable quality and generous portions of traditional Cuban food. Popular with embassy workers and businesspeople.
3ra Avenida #305, Miramar
La Casa de la Pena
A no-frills authentic Cuban eatery popular with locals, serving hearty traditional food at very low prices. The congrí (rice and beans), fried pork, and yuca are outstanding and genuinely cheap.
Neptuno 410, Centro Habana
Bar-Restaurante El Patio
Set in a beautifully restored colonial mansion directly on Plaza de la Catedral, El Patio offers alfresco dining in one of Havana's most atmospheric settings. The colonial courtyard and plaza view make up for the tourist pricing.
Plaza de la Catedral, Old Havana
Fusion
O'Reilly 304
A charming two-level paladar on one of Old Havana's most vibrant streets, with a rooftop terrace and excellent creative cocktails. The menu blends traditional Cuban with international influences.
O'Reilly 304, Old Havana
Topoly
A unique restaurant offering Iranian and Middle Eastern dishes mixed with Cuban staples. One of Havana's most unusual dining experiences, with excellent kebabs, hummus, and Iranian stews.
Calle 23 #405, Vedado
La Bodega (La Reserva Hotel)
Located in the courtyard of La Reserva boutique hotel in Vedado, this garden restaurant specializes in fresh seafood, ceviche, and modern Cuban cuisine in a romantic tropical setting.
Calle 17 #210, Vedado
Italian
Divinus Restaurant
An Italian-Cuban fusion restaurant in Miramar serving handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza, and fresh seafood. One of the few places in Havana where Italian food is taken seriously.
5ta Avenida #1808, Miramar
La Dominica
A small Italian-Cuban restaurant on O'Reilly street serving good pizza, pasta, and Cuban classics. Popular with both tourists and locals for its reliable quality and reasonable prices.
O'Reilly 108, Old Havana
Cocktails Cuban Tapas
La Guarida Bar
The rooftop bar above La Guarida restaurant offers the same stunning views and creative cocktails without the full restaurant bill. Popular with locals and travelers wanting a more casual experience at this iconic venue.
Concordia 418 (rooftop), Centro Habana
Cocktails Snacks
El Rum Rum de la Habana
A vibrant rum bar near La Bodeguita del Medio specializing in the full range of Cuban rums and classic cocktails. The tapas selection is excellent for sharing alongside rum flights.
Empedrado 256, Old Havana
Cuban Bar Food
Bar Monserrate
A classic open-air corner bar right at the edge of Old Havana serving cold beers, cheap mojitos, and simple Cuban snacks. An authentic local spot with great people-watching on the busy intersection.
Obispo y Monserrate, Old Havana
Cuban Coffee
La Guarida Coffee
A charming artisan coffee house in Old Havana serving single-origin Cuban coffee sourced from the Sierra Maestra mountains. Light snacks and Cuban pastries complement the excellent coffee.
Amargura 355, Old Havana
Cuban Coffee And Snacks
Cafe O'Reilly
A tiny sidewalk cafe on one of Old Havana's most atmospheric streets, serving strong Cuban espresso, cortaditos, and simple snacks. A favorite with locals and savvy travelers alike.
O'Reilly 203, Old Havana
Cuban Creative
Ivan Justo Chef
One of Havana's most innovative chefs operates this intimate 10-table restaurant in his home. Ivan's creative tasting menus showcase the best of Cuban produce with refined international techniques.
Aguiar 19, Old Havana
Cuban Garden
Paladar La Cocina de Lilliam
One of Havana's most beautiful paladares, set in a lush tropical garden in Miramar. Lilliam Dominguez has been perfecting traditional Cuban recipes here since 1994, making this one of the city's oldest and most beloved paladares.
Calle 48 #1311, Miramar
Cuban Nouvelle
Atelier
A stylish paladar in a converted Vedado residence with a beautiful garden terrace. Serves creative Cuban cuisine with artistic presentation. The extensive wine cellar is rare in Havana.
Calle 5ta #511, Vedado
Cuban Street Food
La Guardia
A popular street food stall in a converted Old Havana doorway serving authentic Cuban street food including pan con bistec (steak sandwich), bocaditos, and fresh tropical juices at local prices.
Aguiar 22, Old Havana
Cuban Traditional
Paladar Los Mercaderes
A cozy two-level paladar on the picturesque Mercaderes street in Old Havana, serving excellent traditional Cuban food with a welcoming family atmosphere and reasonable prices.
Mercaderes 207, Old Havana
French
Le Chansonnier
Havana's most Parisian experience, set in a beautiful Vedado mansion with a romantic interior and courtyard. The Franco-Cuban fusion menu is among the city's most sophisticated.
Calle J #257, Vedado
Ice Cream
Coppelia Ice Cream
Cuba's most famous ice cream parlor, a Vedado institution since 1966. The revolutionary government built this as a people's ice cream palace - locals queue for hours for the cheap Cuban peso ice cream. A quintessential Havana experience.
Calle 23 y L, Vedado
Japanese
Jama
An unexpected gem serving expert sushi, sashimi, and tuna tataki in Old Havana. The Japanese-Cuban fusion concept works remarkably well with fresh local fish.
Obispo 256, Old Havana
Organic Cuban
Otramanera
Havana's most innovative farm-to-table restaurant, sourcing ingredients from their own organic garden. The creative seasonal menu changes daily based on what's available, with a strong focus on vegetables and sustainable proteins.
Calle 35 #1810, Miramar
Soviet Cuban
Nazdarovie
A fascinating Soviet-themed restaurant and bar on the Malecon celebrating the era of Cuban-Soviet friendship. Serves Russian-Cuban fusion dishes alongside excellent vodkas. The terrace overlooking the Malecon is spectacular.
Malecon 25, Vedado
Traditional Cuban
El Aljibe
Famous for its all-you-can-eat pollo asado (roast chicken) with unlimited black beans, rice, and fried plantains. A Havana institution since 1947, beloved by locals, diplomats, and tourists alike.
Av 7 y 24, Miramar
Various Cuban
Mercado de San Jose
Havana's most famous handicraft and food market in a restored waterfront warehouse. Food stalls inside serve fresh fruit, juices, snacks, and simple Cuban meals at local prices.
Av del Puerto y Obrapia, Old Havana
Food tours & tastings in Havana
Eat your way through Havana with a guide.
Browse food experiences in HavanaWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Tipping practices vary — check local customs. Service charge is often included.
Restaurants may close between lunch and dinner. Plan meals around local dining hours.
Popular restaurants may not take reservations — arrive early or be prepared to wait.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5-15/meal | Street food, local eateries, and simple restaurants. |
| Mid-range | $15-40/meal | Sit-down restaurants with good service and varied menus. |
| Upscale | $40+/meal | Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences. |