Dining

Dining in Cuba can be a pleasant experience because of the versatility of the Cuban culinary art. One can relish black beans, yucca garnished with chopped parsley and onion with lemon, malanga or corn fritters, banana patty and tomato salad with lettuce.

Plantains, ropa vieja (beef) Cuban bread, pork with onions, tropical fruits, black beans and rice commonly known in Cuba as morosy cristianos (or moros for short) are some staple dishes of a Cuban diet. Authentic Cuban dishes also include Fried sliced banana, garlic marinades, boiled Yucca plant. Spices like garlic, cumin, oregano and bay leaves are used in most preparations. Cuban food does not have too much of seasoning. Olive oil and garlic marinades are used as sauces with most of the dishes.

Cuban cuisine is largely a blend of Spanish and Caribbean food culture. Cubans use Spanish spices and sometimes even Spanish cooking procedures in their recipes. Caribbean influence is evident in the use of spices and flavor of Cuban food.

Beverages include beer or simple cold water while the desserts include guava marmalade with yellow cheese slices and yucca crullers in anise flavored syrup.

In traditional Cuban culinary system, all the food items are served at the same time and on the same plate. Cuban style of dining includes beer like Bucanero or Crystal with food.

A. Top Restaurants

Restaurant La Bodeguita del Medio

Address: Calle Empedrado No. 206 Ciudad de La Habana

Tel: (53 7) 867-1374-867-1375

This tiny restaurant is worth visiting for its mouthwatering Cuban dishes, tasty Mojitos and also for its tasteful décor .The restaurant was built in the year 1942 and for this reason has a historical charm.

A unique feature is that the guests can have their names written anywhere inside the restaurant. The interior is decorated with traditional Cuban musical instruments. The menu includes dishes such as Frijoles, Roasted pork and Negros Dormidos (sleeping black beans) to give a taste of local cuisine. The restaurant is open from 12:00 to 00:45 hrs.

La Casona de 17

Address: Calle 17 No. 60, Vedado. Ciudad de La Habana.

Tel: (53 7) 33-4529

The restaurant is famous for both International and typical Cuban cuisines. Its signature specialty is Paella Casona. The restaurant is open from 12:00 to 02:00 hrs.

Vuelta Abajo

Address: Hotel Conde de Villanueva, Ciudad de La Habana

Tel: (53 7) 862-9293-863-9294

This restaurant has been built by renovating a three hundred year old building. The interior of the restaurant has a typical colonial atmosphere influenced by the architectural style of 1712. It is famous for its grand ambience and 19th century traditional Creole recipes. Its signature dish is Fonguito that is an exquisite steamed plantain with little salt. The restaurant is open between 07:00 to 23:00 hrs and can accommodate 30 guests at a time.

El Floridita

Address: Calle Obispo No. 557 esq. a Moserrate, Ciudad de La Habana.

Tel: ( 53 7 ) 876-1300 al 867-1301

The restaurant is famous for its relaxed atmosphere and superb cuisine. The reputation of this restaurant rests on the excellent Gulf Stream shellfish it serves. The place is noteworthy as American Novelist Ernest Hemingway frequented it to enjoy the Daiquiri, a cocktail that combines Cuban rum, lemon juice, sugar, drops of maraschino and frappe. It also has the distinction of winning the Best of the Best, Academy Award of the Restaurant Industry. The restaurant is open between 12:00 - 00:00 hrs

Café del Oriente

Address: Calle Oficios esq.a Amargura, Ciudad de La Habana

Tel: (53 7) 860-6686

If you want to enjoy international haute cuisine along with a trademarked Cuban cigar, then Café del Oriente is the place worth visiting. The opening hours are 12:00 -00:00 hrs and can accommodate as many as 100 people.