The Best Restaurants in Cuba: a Guide to Eating on the Island

I am a participant in affiliate programs, so basically I earn a small commission if you use any of the affiliate links on this post - at no extra cost to you! Dope right?

It is a common rumor that Cuban food, especially at restaurants in Cuba, is terrible. It was probably the only thing I had heard about Cuba before my trip, and even then, there wasnt much details on why it was bad.

Was the food just a bit bland? Or did it actually taste disgusting? Were there a shortage of restaurants to choose from, or are they just hard to find? Were the restaurants in Cuba lacking in variety, was the quality not worth the price??

COME ON PEOPLE GIVE ME DETAILS!!!

After spending two weeks in Cuba myself, I can definitively finally answer this question for you: Is the food in Cuba good?

Answer: Yes! And…well, also no.

I KNOW I KNOW, now im just talking in riddles too. But let me explain.

Where all da flavor at???

The US embargo against Cuba definitely isn’t helping the food scene. Among other factors, the import of foods, equipment, and diversity of goods is limited for the average Cuban restaurant owner. And on that note, I want to add that Cubans operating their own restaurant is itself a new situation.

After the fall of the Soviet Union, Cuba acted to reform their economics, which led to the legalization of privately owned restaurants. This was barely 25 years ago y’all!! And even then, there were EXTREME limitations. It wasn’t until 2010 when the limitations were loosened and more private restaurants in Cuba opened. These privately owned restaurants are called paladars. In contrast to the government run restaurants, the paladars are lightyearrsss ahead in quality. AND – you’re supporting the Cuban people by eating there instead of at government restaurants!

But is there a way to tell which restaurants are private and which are government run? Well, it’s not always black and white. And not all paladars are created equal. My first night in Cuba, I went to a restaurant down the street and – surprise – it was bland. When I returned to my casa and mentioned it to my host, she laughed and said, “well, you should have gone to the paladar right next to it!”

Yeah. Would have been nice to know about that before.

BUT THAT IS WHAT THIS BLOG POST IS HERE FOR! So hopefully, you won’t have to endure the same disappointment. Because HONESTLY, there’s some bomb food to be found here! Here are my top tips for avoiding terrible restaurants in Cuba.

Does it have the world Paladar on the outside?

If it says Paladar, you’re already off to a good start. Remember, a paladar is a privately owned restaurant. I don’t want to draw any conclusions on why, but in general, they have better food and better service than government run restaurants. HOWEVER, not all paladars have the word ‘paladar’ in the restaurant’s name. So in that case….

Is there a greeter outside?

Chances are, if there is a greeter outside a door in Cuba, its a privately owned restaurant. Even higher chances if the greeter is friendly and enthusiastic. Bonus points if they offer you a menu! Fair warning, it’ll probably be a bit more expensive. By that, the equivalent of a nice restaurant in the US, ~30cuc. But I’m not a budget traveler, so I happily pay for some plate licking dishes. But maybe you’re not down to visit a restaurant where the greeter wears a tux. Sooo…..

Is the waiter attentive?

Piggybacking off the previous point. If the waiter takes half a century to plop down a menu, and then even LONGER to come back to take your order, it’s not going to be a good meal. Get out.

Are there TVs with ads playing?

You KNOW it’s state run. Probably not worth your time. Well, unless it’s the Sloppy Joe Restaurant in Havana, but more on that later. Okay, so maybe you’re in a situation where you STILL can’t tell if it’s privately owned, or a government run restaurant in Cuba. What do you do now?

Check their TripAdvisor rating

If the restaurant has their TripAdvisor posted right at the entrance, that tells you two very good things. One, that they have reviews you can check. Two, they are proud of those reviews.

A thing to know about Cuba: TripAdvisor is a lifeline for entrepreneurs in Cuba. That’s why everyone (from tour guides to casa hosts) will leave you with a business card, often with the link to their TripAdvisor profile. People trust reviews, and businesses in Cuba rely on that earned trust to keep running.

If you’re on the fence about a restaurant, check their TripAdvisor. That’ll tell you real quick if it’s worth your time. And if you like them, leave your own review! Help out your fellow travelers! But restaurants have bad days too. In that case….

Eat at your casa

If you want guaranteed good food EVERY. SINGLE. TIME – then just eat at your casa particulares . Most casas offer both breakfast and dinner options, usually around 5cuc and 13-18cuc respectively. Already, that’s a great price. Also the best option if you have any dietary restrictions, as your host can accommodate to your preferences more easily. Casa cooking has NEVER let me down. In fact, when I was staying in Varadero, 3 out of the 4 days, I didn’t eat dinner at a restaurant. AND IT WAS AMAZING. Trust me on that. But no matter where you eat…

Be understanding

I’m gonna tell you right now, the menus in Cuba be lying. You’ll see a delicious looking pork chop, only to find out that the restaurant is out of pig. Or chicken. Or – basically whatever. Food options can be scarce. You can read more about Cuba’s agriculture here!

It’s Cuba, sometimes you gotta just roll withe punches. Certain spices and sauces aren’t readily available (or accessible) to everyone. Bring ya own Sriracha packets and Tajin bottles. And on that note, my final word of advice for avoiding bad restaurants in Cuba…

Take recommendations from locals with a grain of salt

Normally, locals are the first people you turn to for food recommendations when traveling. I’m going to tell you why this method doesn’t really work in Cuba. The first reason is because a lot of Cubans are in cahoots with specific restaurants. Some locals act almost as ambassadors to certain restaurants (or tour guides, or taxis, or casa particulars), and they get a small percentage of the profit in return for the endorsement. To be honest, it isn’t malicious, it’s just business. That’s why your casa host will have a certain driver on speed dial, or can hook you up with a room reservation  in another city.

In terms of restaurants tho, it doesn’t guarantee taste, so be weary. Sometimes, Cubans will even approach you in the streets and ask if you need food recommendations. It’s the same deal. In this case, however, you might get scammed into buying them a drink or having to tip for their generous guide services. Ignore these guys.

The second reason is that a lot of Cubans do not have the luxury to try out fancy restaurants catering to tourists. I love paladars, ESPECIALLY THE NICE FANCY ONES, but the fact is that they are a commodity for tourists. My casa host in Havana recommended a few places for lunch, but for some she led with the disclaimer “I heard…” or “…it’s supposed to be good.” If you’re eyeing a fancy place or hotel restaurant, just be aware that you won’t be eating next to locals.

Now that you’ve gotten through all my tips, you probably just want some ACTUAL recommendations, huh? Because that’s all you really want. Alright, alright, I got chu.

Restaurant Recommendations

Here is my list of the best restaurants in Cuba. Well, at least the West side of the island! I have yet to go out East! I apologize in advance for the bad quality food pics, y’all know I’m terrible with food pictures. Especially at night *cry emoji*

V – Vegetarian Options

VE- Vegan Options

GF – Gluten Free Options

Havana

• La Guarida – $$$. V, VE, GF
• Otramaneralahabana – $$$. V, VE
• Habana Mia 7 – $$$. V, VE
• Paladar Los Mercaderes – $$$ (this was my favorite more-expensive restaurant)
• Casa Mia Paladar – $$
• Restaurante Paladar Decameron – $$. V
• Mas Havana – $$. V
• La Esquina de Cuba – $$. V
• San Juan Bar & Grill – $$
• Mojito-Mojito – $$
• Somos Cuba Restaurant – $
• Oasis Nelva – $
• El Cafe – $
• Los Tres Chinitos – $
• Mambo – $
• Sloppy Joe Bar – $. I KNOW, its v obviously government owned, but its soooo gooood I am too weak. Also! They are the ORIGINAL creators of the sloppy joe sandwich.

Complete travel guide for Havana

Varadero

• Bistro Bar Atlantida – $$$. V, VE, GF
• Xanadu – $$$.
• Waco’s Club – $$$.
• Salsa Suarez Restaurant y Bar – $$$. V
• Varadero 60 – $$$.
• La Gruta – $$.
• Terraza Cuba – $$.

Complete travel guide for Varadero

Viñales 

• Cubar – $$. V, VE, GF
• Finca Agroecologica El Paraiso – $$. V, VE, GF
• Restaurante El Cuajani – $$. V, VE
• Agroecological Sunset Restaurant – $. V, VE
• Jardin del Arte Sano – $.
• El Paraiso La Meyor Ofertaz – $.
• Tareco’s – $.
• La Casa Verde – $.
• Paladar Bella Vista – $.

Complete travel guide for Viñales 

Trinidad

• Restaurante Museo 1514 – $$$.
• Taberna La Botija – $$
• La Redaccion Cuba – $$
• Paladar Sol Y Son – $$. V, VE
• Cubita Restaurant Bar Santander – $.
• Restaurante Taberna Ochun Yemaya – $. V

Cienfuegos

• Paladar Ache Bar Restaurante – $$. V, VE, GF
• Camila’s Restaurant – $$. V
• D’Carmelina – $$.
• Rancho Cristal – $.
• 2212 Restaurant and Bar – $.

Santa Clara

• Cafe-Museo Revolucion – $$. V, VE
• El Sol – $$.
• Saborearte – $.

Matanzas

• Amelia Del Mar – $$.
• Chef Bahia Restaurant Bar – $$.
• Restaurante Romantico San Severino – $$.
• El Bukan – $.
• Bar-Restaurant Jardin Pelusin del Monte – $.
• Cafe Mambo Jambo – $.

I hope this guide has helped you become more independent on navigating Cuban cuisine without falling prey to the unfortunately bad restaurants in Cuba.

Sharing is caring!