{"id":1760,"date":"2018-01-20T15:27:10","date_gmt":"2018-01-20T14:27:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/guid"},"modified":"2020-12-29T23:30:46","modified_gmt":"2020-12-29T22:30:46","slug":"best-restaurants-in-havana-also-for-vegetarians","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ready-steady-travel.com\/en\/best-restaurants-in-havana-also-for-vegetarians\/","title":{"rendered":"Best restaurants in Havana – vegetarian approved!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Let\u2019s face it: Cuba is not famous for its food and it is far away from a culinary trip<\/strong> – and this is totally reasonable. Vegetarians might even face serious problems. The good news is that there is always black beans and rive. The bad news is, there are hardly other vegetarian dishes<\/strong>. <\/span>That is why I take you on my culinary journey through Cuba’s capital and show you the best restaurants in Havana.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Just be aware when going to Cuba: Your trip won\u2019t be a culinary dream.\u00a0<\/span>Which is ok. <\/span>The cocktails will make up for it – I promise \ud83d\ude09<\/strong> You will never like a Pi\u00f1a Colada anymore except in Cuba after tasting this original coconut creamy dream of a cocktail with a pinch of cinnamon.<\/span><\/p>\n

Anyways coming back to the food: First of all, I\u2019d like to show you which vegetarian dishes there are:
<\/span>Rice and black beans
<\/span>Steamed veggies
<\/span>Fried malanga.
<\/span>And that was it already. <\/span><\/p>\n

The good news is that Cubans seem to like Italian,<\/strong> thus you\u2019ll find Italian restaurants once in a while as well as pasta dishes on many menus of the best restaurants in Havana.<\/span><\/p>\n

Luckily Havana\u2019s restaurant scene starts bursting<\/strong> and few places with delicious food and also seafood or vegetarian options exist and I\u2019m gonna show you the best ones. Nevertheless, these are mostly not real Cuban places, meaning they are totally dedicated to tourists and influenced by Mexican and Italian cuisine. But believe me, in Havana you don\u2019t want to eat at the real authentic Cuban places because this means eating low-quality food in dark, dirty corners of shabby houses. Don\u2019t get me wrong. Normally I prefer authentic places and I know that in Sri Lanka or Thailand the shittiest looking places offer the best and most authentic food. This is not the case in Cuba – you will be closer to stomach problems than to a culinary experience<\/strong> due to lack of hygiene and fridges in many of these basic local places. Feel free to try of course (and let me know about it).<\/span><\/p>\n

In the following I want to show you the best restaurants in Havana Vieja<\/strong>, the old quarter of town (btw don\u2019t mix up Havana Centro and Havana Vieja – these are two different districts, meaning that Havanna centre is not the same as Havana Vieja).<\/span><\/p>\n

Best restaurants in Havana? O\u2019Reilly 304!<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

On place one of the best restaurants of Havana is my favourite one<\/strong>, O\u2019Reilly 304, as well as its little sister \u201eEl Enfrente\u201c, which means \u201ethe one on the other side\u201c. The last mentioned belongs to the same owner and was opened after O\u2019Reilly 304 became popular and the owners realized that there are not enough seats for all the people.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why I love this place: Because the cocktails are good, fresh, big, strong and cheap<\/strong>. Don\u2019t miss to try the mango mojito with fresh mango pur\u00e9e<\/strong>! And because there are many seafood and vegetarian options on the menu. The cuisine is a mix of Cuban, Mexican, Spanish and Italian<\/strong>. Plus there are daily changing offers. The food was very very delicious and high above Cuban standard. There are not many seats on this little two-story restaurant. So whenever it is full, make yourself comfortable at the bar and observe the barkeeper mixing exotic cocktails, or just go to the restaurant on the other side of the street El Enfrente.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

How to get there:
<\/b><\/span>address: O\u2019Reilly street 304, La Habana
<\/span>(parallel street to busy Obispo street)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

El Del Frente.<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

This place is a little bigger than O\u2019Reilly 304 and located on the first floor of the building on the other side of the street. The menu is almost the same as at its bigger sister that is why it is definitely also on the list of the best restaurants in Havana. The great thing is that this restaurant also has a rooftop terrace on the second floor which is perfect for having a drink after dinner and enjoying a chilly place under the sky.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

How to get there:
<\/b><\/span>address: on the other side of the street of O\u2019Reilly 304, La Habana
<\/span>(parallel street to busy Obispo)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you need a rest from the heat during a busy sightseeing day I recommend to go to Plaza Vieja<\/strong> (Old Square) which hosts some of the best restaurants in Havana. There are three beautiful restaurants to choose from. Two caf\u00e9s or restaurants on the first floor with shady balconies with a light breeze – plus a wonderful view on Plaza Vieja. These places are great to observe the happenings on the square: the beautifully dressed fortune-tellers<\/span> trying to read the future for tourists and Cubans, waiters trying to drag people in their restaurants or the school classes practising sports lessons on the square.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Don Eduardo Alegre<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

My favourite place at the Old Square is this little stylish caf\u00e9 or lounge bar on the upper floor<\/strong> of a Colonial building of Plaza Vieja. Th<\/span>e shady little balcony is great for lunchtime. You might even feel like in a Parisian terrace<\/strong> due to the brass balcony railing a<\/span>nd the small round tables squeezed on little space.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

Inside the big comfortable lounge sofas, all with a view on Plaza Vieja, are not a bad option either to rest. The menu is rather international than Cuban (thank god!) and various from decent breakfast options, to crepes, fruit shakes, light lunch dishes and some vegetarian dishes.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

And the best of this place: You have a great view on whole Plaza de Vieja<\/strong> and can observe the happenings – and therefore definitely one of the best restaurants in Havana.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

How to get there:
<\/b><\/span>Address: Muralla, La Habana
<\/span>in the southern blue building of Plaza Vieja (Old Square) <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

El Azucar<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

A similar option is this restaurant also located on the upper floor of Plaza Vieja. The view seems to be slightly less spectacular than in Don Eduardo Alegre but the place itself is really stylish and the Menu international as well. If you don\u2019t get a seat on the 4 tables on the balcony of Don Eduardo, El Azucar might be a great alternative.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to get there:
<\/b><\/span>address: Mercaderes 315 Teniente Rey & Vieja., Muralla, La Habana, Cuba
<\/span>on the western side of Plaza Vieja (Old Square) in the yellow building, over Caf\u00e9 Escorial<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Caf\u00e9 Bohemio<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

Another very chilly place at Plaza Vieja<\/strong> is Caf\u00e9 Bohemio. This restaurant which serves Cuban, as well as international food, has some tables directly on the square which makes you close to the live music there often is as well as to the hustle bustle of the square. But I\u2019d rather recommend choosing the more quite tables in the shady and also pretty backyard<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span>Great to cool down on hot summer days.<\/p>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

How to get there:
<\/b><\/span>Address: San Ignacio, La Habana, Cuba
<\/span>on the eastern side of the Old Square in a white and blue building<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

La Vitrola<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

La Vitrola is another international option at Plaza Vieja. The interior resembles an American Diner<\/strong>, bright colours, red furniture, full of American posters and vinyl discs on the walls, staff with red bow ties and Cuban live music every evening. The service is very good and the staff friendly and always up for a chat. They offer Cuban as well as international food for a good value for money. After having dinner there don\u2019t miss to try Havana\u2019s own brewed beer at La Factoria just next door.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

How to get there:
<\/b><\/span>address: Crossing San Ignacio and Muralla, La Havanna
<\/span>At the southwestern corner of the Old Square (Plaza Vieja)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lamparilla Tapas & Cervezas<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

Another fancy, American-style restaurant<\/strong> is La Lamparilla Tapas & Cervezas in the street of the same name. As the name describes already you can get Spanish Tapas and beer there, as well as many other international options and outstanding cocktails. Especially the service and the staff is worth to mention in this tiny, a bit overstuffed restaurant – for my taste.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

How to get there:
<\/b><\/span>address: Lamparilla 306, La Habana<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you are looking for a romantic place to eat in the evening<\/strong>, Plaza San Francisco de As\u00eds with two upper class restaurants might be a suitable option.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Restaurant and Caf\u00e9 del Oriente<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

This restaurant is located at Plaza San Francisco de As\u00eds, a very pretty square at night time and definitely should be on the list of the best restaurants in Havana. The church and the buildings around the square are lighted and create a very romantic atmosphere<\/strong>. There are two restaurants worth to mention on this square with tables outside. Caf\u00e9 del Oriente and Caf\u00e9 el Mercurio (see next paragraph). Caf\u00e9 del Oriente is a bit posh<\/strong> and serves French and Caribbean cuisine such as lobster, goose-liver p\u00e2t\u00e9 and steaks. Nevertheless, the prices are ok and the atmosphere at the tables outside on the square very beautiful and calm.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

How to get there:
<\/b><\/span>Address: 112 Oficios, La Habana<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Caf\u00e9 el Mercurio<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

A very similar place just opposite of Caf\u00e9 del Oriente is Caf\u00e9 del Mercurio. It is a bit less posh, with very friendly waiters and a great place to enjoy a lobster for little money.<\/strong> The menu varies from Cuban dishes to seafood and international meals – all for a good value for money.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to get there:
<\/b><\/span>Plaza de San Francisco, La Habana<\/span><\/p>\n

I hope you liked my list of the best restaurants in Havana? <\/strong>Also check out my must-do list for Cuba!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Havanna is a great place to wander around. Take one afternoon without busy sightseeing plans and just stroll through the streets – it’s worth it.<\/p>\n

Never stop exploring!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

\"\"
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