Guidebook for La Habana
Food Scene
This french-themed cafe is adorable - a great breakfast/lunch spot in Centro Habana, and a great place to read a book over a glass of wine or a coffee. The service is nothing to write home about, but welcome to Cuba :)
35 locals recommend
Cafe Arcangel
57 ConcordiaThis french-themed cafe is adorable - a great breakfast/lunch spot in Centro Habana, and a great place to read a book over a glass of wine or a coffee. The service is nothing to write home about, but welcome to Cuba :)
This place almost always has a line, because its that good. Delicious, healthy, well-served meals at a totally reasonable price, and some of the coldest beers i’ve found in the city. They’ve got a rooftop bar for drinks and tapas, and 2 floors with the full restaurant menu. I suggest going before you’re starving and drinking a beer while you wait on line - trust me its worth it!
238 locals recommend
El Chanchullero
457 A bajos Teniente ReyThis place almost always has a line, because its that good. Delicious, healthy, well-served meals at a totally reasonable price, and some of the coldest beers i’ve found in the city. They’ve got a rooftop bar for drinks and tapas, and 2 floors with the full restaurant menu. I suggest going before you’re starving and drinking a beer while you wait on line - trust me its worth it!
One of my favorite restaurants in Havana Vieja - food is great, colorful, and healthy! This place is actually a gin bar and known for their delicious cocktails - be sure to try some! I always recommend a reservation on the roof deck - its a lovely place to have dinner.
177 locals recommend
El del Frente
303 e O'ReillyOne of my favorite restaurants in Havana Vieja - food is great, colorful, and healthy! This place is actually a gin bar and known for their delicious cocktails - be sure to try some! I always recommend a reservation on the roof deck - its a lovely place to have dinner.
By far the best breakfast spot in Havana! The owner, Nelson, lived in London for 10 years working in the restaurant business, and he just gets it. Delicious homemade sourdough bread, espresso and fresh juices, and the food is fantastic as well! I always order a ginger/pineapple/beet juice!
47 locals recommend
El Café
AmarguraBy far the best breakfast spot in Havana! The owner, Nelson, lived in London for 10 years working in the restaurant business, and he just gets it. Delicious homemade sourdough bread, espresso and fresh juices, and the food is fantastic as well! I always order a ginger/pineapple/beet juice!
Fancy-pants dining at its fanciest in Havana. This is an expensive, contemporary fusion paladar. Its known for its authentic, charming and intimate atmosphere, and is probably Cuba’s best known restaurant.
Great food, professional. Fancy.
617 locals recommend
La Guarida
418 ConcordiaFancy-pants dining at its fanciest in Havana. This is an expensive, contemporary fusion paladar. Its known for its authentic, charming and intimate atmosphere, and is probably Cuba’s best known restaurant.
Great food, professional. Fancy.
Drinks & Nightlife
This place is a must-see, even if it is already a little ruined by tourism (imhp). Its an art gallery/museum/bar/club/cultural center all in one. Its open only thursday through Sunday nights, and is always a good time, regardless of whether the musical programming is actually good or not. Grab some food at the snack bar in the back (they actually have quite tasty sandwiches and salads), or grab some fancy food at Tierra, the new restaurant they opened inside the VIP lounge (reservation only).
1420 locals recommend
Fábrica de Artes Cubana
& Calle 26This place is a must-see, even if it is already a little ruined by tourism (imhp). Its an art gallery/museum/bar/club/cultural center all in one. Its open only thursday through Sunday nights, and is always a good time, regardless of whether the musical programming is actually good or not. Grab some food at the snack bar in the back (they actually have quite tasty sandwiches and salads), or grab some fancy food at Tierra, the new restaurant they opened inside the VIP lounge (reservation only).
Every single night from 5-8pm there is wonderful live music (and dancing) in this very small theater in Centro Havana. I’ve heard trova, rumba, salsa, son, todo. You can't go wrong. It just looks like a cafeteria from the outside but there is a theater in the back, so pay your $5 entrance fee and head back to the doors.. There are 2 sets, so if you arrive around 6:30 you’ll catch the second set. It is usually a slightly older crowd, and thats part of the charm!
6 locals recommend
El Patio de la EGREM
410 San MiguelEvery single night from 5-8pm there is wonderful live music (and dancing) in this very small theater in Centro Havana. I’ve heard trova, rumba, salsa, son, todo. You can't go wrong. It just looks like a cafeteria from the outside but there is a theater in the back, so pay your $5 entrance fee and head back to the doors.. There are 2 sets, so if you arrive around 6:30 you’ll catch the second set. It is usually a slightly older crowd, and thats part of the charm!
One of Havana's best Jazz venues, La Zorra y El Cuervo, which has shows every night at 11pm. Look out for the red English telephone booth - thats how you enter!
Entrance is $10CUC but includes 2 drinks. Show begins by 11pm but arrive by 9:45/10ish to get in line for a good seat - the place is small and fills up fast!
358 locals recommend
Jazz Club La Zorra Y El Cuervo
Avenida 23One of Havana's best Jazz venues, La Zorra y El Cuervo, which has shows every night at 11pm. Look out for the red English telephone booth - thats how you enter!
Entrance is $10CUC but includes 2 drinks. Show begins by 11pm but arrive by 9:45/10ish to get in line for a good seat - the place is small and fills up fast!
One of my favorite bands, Interactivo, plays every wednesday night at a small spot in Vedado called Bertol Brecht. They are a salsa/funk/fusion band, and they're awesome. Crowd is young, hip, and mixed (foreign/cuban). Arrive by 11:00pm if you want to get a table, otherwise by midnight when the band begins.
155 locals recommend
Bertolt Brecht Cultural Center
One of my favorite bands, Interactivo, plays every wednesday night at a small spot in Vedado called Bertol Brecht. They are a salsa/funk/fusion band, and they're awesome. Crowd is young, hip, and mixed (foreign/cuban). Arrive by 11:00pm if you want to get a table, otherwise by midnight when the band begins.
salsa! This beautiful outdoor spot along the water in Vedado often has live salsa music and is a great place to enjoy music and dancing, whether you know how to dance or not!
144 locals recommend
1830
salsa! This beautiful outdoor spot along the water in Vedado often has live salsa music and is a great place to enjoy music and dancing, whether you know how to dance or not!
Sightseeing
Universidad de la Habana
Climb the stairs and walk around, its beautiful!
can you imagine how pristine this boulevard was in the 40s? On Saturdays there is an arts fair along this street, check it out if you have a chance.
261 locals recommend
Paseo del Prado
Paseo de Martícan you imagine how pristine this boulevard was in the 40s? On Saturdays there is an arts fair along this street, check it out if you have a chance.
Arts & Culture
Great Theatre of Havana
458 P.º de Martíabsolutely beautiful, try and walk inside if you can
Shopping
MARK tattoos
StHavana’s only legit tattoo parlor and design shop
Getting Around
Ruta Bikes
6