Cactus (Los)

Beautiful casa and a great local food but not fast

• Address: 33 e/ 34 y 36, Playa

Café La Mina

This popular place has a privileged location right on the Plaza de Armas. There's covered seating in three separate patios, with ferns and arbors and caged parakeets providing additional atmosphere, as well several dining rooms spread through the interior of a couple of connected buildings. The food is typical and acceptable tourist fare. The combo Caribeña La Mina is a sauté of chunks of chicken, pork, and shrimp in a tasty sauce with a hint of rum.

The Traditional Cuban Combo comes with a mojito, black beans and rice, some grilled pork in mojo, and dessert. This is a good place to while away a few hours midday, or to take a break while walking around Habana Vieja.

• Address: Calles Obispo and Oficios, Plaza de Armas, La Habana Vieja Tel: 7/62-0216
• Open: Daily 24 hr

Café del Oriente

Thanks to its luxuriously decorated dining rooms, with their mirrors and antique paintings, this restaurant offers the conscientious diner a taste of nineteen-fifties, pre-revolutionary Havana. However, decor is not everything, for in the best restaurants service and presentation of dishes also need to reach high standards, which this establishment fulfils handsomely.
	The atmosphere is intimate, aided in part by the use of candle light and the dark tones of the surroundings. There is a full à la carte international menu that includes a number of Cuban dishes: these last should both please and surprise. And to accompany your meal, there is also a fine selection of wines.

• Address: Calle Oficios 112, esquina Amargura La Habana Tel: +53 7 666686
• Open: Midday-1am daily

Café Taberna (Cafe Beny More)

This lively joint is housed in a beautifully restored 18th-century building with high ceilings, just off the Plaza Vieja. Photos of Beny Moré and other popular mambo acts adorn the walls, and there's a long bar with an impressive wall of booze stacked behind it.
	The food is standard and uninspired fare, but this is one of the few places in Habana Vieja that won't break your bank for a simple meal. The outdoor seating seems like an afterthought, and feels a little too far removed from the action and ambience.

• Address: Calle Mercaderes #531, esquina a Brasil (Teniente Rey) Tel: 7/861-1637
• Open: Daily noon-midnight

Cafetería La Calesa

It is quite unusual to find a cafeteria and bar operating in the same establishment, but here you have it, right in the heart of Havana. There is a good feeling about the place, aided by the live music performances, in a small, simply decorated area, furnished with wooden tables and chairs. On the food side there is an assortment of burgers, sandwiches and other like snacks; cigarettes are also available. The bar is normally stocked with excellent local rum and serves a variety of cocktails.

• Address: 60 Boulevard Centro Habana La Habana 10600 Tel: +53 7 631095
• Open: 9am-2.30am daily

Cafeteria El Portal

The El Patio restaurant complex has a handful of dining options, and this is the only one really worth a visit. With seating on the large covered patio, and a couple dozen small tables set right on the Plaza de la Catedral, it's hard to find a spot with more character in Habana Vieja. The menu is small, but this place is big on atmosphere. The only real splurge here is the lobster and shrimp medallions in a light vinaigrette, which, although small, is a decent deal at CUC 10. If you're hungrier, you can have a Cuban sandwich or a small steak, both of which will fill you up and come with french fries. The mojitos here are acceptable and will run you CUC 3. The outdoor tables start getting some shade around 2pm, and all night long they provide wonderful views of the Cathedral's lighted bell towers. This is a great spot for a drink and light meal day or night.

• Address: Calle San Ignacio 54 Tel: 7/867-1034
• Open: Daily 24 hr

Cafetería del Teatro Karl Marx

This huge restaurant-cafeteria, situated in the building of the Karl Marx theatre, has been inaugurated in 2004.
	Its menu, the fast food type, provides an assorted selection of sandwiches, hamburgers, pizzas, scrambled eggs, tortillas and some meat dishes. Quality is quite good. Ideal for a quick snack at any time of the day. It is open non-stop during day and night time. Decoration, light and sound are well chosen. Friendly prices!

• Address: Teatro Karl Marx. 1ª entre 8 y 10, Miramar. La Habana

Caribeño (El)

Serving the public since the 1940s, this restaurant has a limited menu but with the advantage that you can eat cheaply and well. In spite of the name, you are more likely to find Cuban and international food than genuine Caribbean delicacies. The house specialises in chicken dishes, such as the popular “Pollo Cordon Bleu. Beverages include a selection of beers, spirits and soft drinks, and everything is charged in Cuban pesos. On Fridays and Saturdays, from 8pm until midnight, there is a cabaret show called “El Rincón de la Mora, performed by local singers, comedians and musicians.

• Address: Calle 21 esquina N Vedado La Habana 10400
• Open: Midday-midnight daily

Carmelo

Inaugurated in april 2002, this establishment has specialized in vegeterian meals and has been a great success. Cuban people crowd it. As for the tourists, they find this restaurant cheap because prices are established in the national currency. It has a very good location too, next to the theatre "Teatro Amadeo Roldán".

• Address: Calzada esquina a D. Vedado

Casa de Castilla y León (La)

In this regional Spanish house, there are meals of an acceptable quality and with cheap prices. It is easy to find a vacant table because the place is not very-well known, so take adavantage of it.

• Address: Calle Neptuno entre Campanario y Lealtad. Centro Habana

Casa de la Amistad

Beautiful nicely decorated restaurant in Vedado. Best to call before you go there. Lots of Cubans use this place for the party of the celebration of the 15th birthday.

• Address: Paseo #406, e/ Calle 17 y 19, Habana Tel: (7)303114 Fax: (7)333015

Casa de Olga (La)

Located in the Bahía district, far from the centre, it has been established as a success paladar among the public, specially the cubans who come from all points of the town. The cookers, Royble and El Guajiro, propose a right criolla menu in which the mutton in wine, the tasajo of mutton and the smoked chiken outstand.

• Address: Calle 15 nº 14 entre 2ª y 4ª, Reparto Guiteras

Casa Paladar (La)

• Address: Calle 30 # 865, e/ 26 y 41, Habana Nuevo Vedado

Casona de 17 (La)

Before they were called Don Agamenón. This beautiful building is located near the Malecon. The type of cooking is difficult to define. Their price are for this area ok ... ot cheap not expensive

• Address: Calle 17, entre M y N

Castillo de Farnés (El)

A commemorative plaque on the corner of Monserrate and Obrapía testifies to the age of this restaurant –founded in 1896– where you can certainly find most of the more typical plates from the Iberian peninsula.
	However, food is not everything, which is why the surroundings are decorated in the best Spanish tradition, aided by a group of musicians who perform well-known songs from Spain. This restaurant is not only one of the oldest in the city, it is also one of the most popular, which is why it is normally full.

The walls still have a colonial air about them, and are adorned with Spanish paintings, posters of famous bullfighters and scarves hanging from racks. All the more typical Spanish dishes are available, including “fabada which is a type of stew based on pork and beans, and “cocido that includes chickpeas and pork, among other ingredients.

• Address: Avenida de Bélgica (Monserrate), esquina a Obrapía Tel: +53 7 671030 Fax: +53 7 338694
• Open: Midday-midnight daily

Cecilia (La)

This restaurant is named after the novel La Cecilia by Cuban author Cirilo Valverde and it offers a great selection of traditional dishes. It is located in the exclusive Miramar area. There is a good selection of fine wines and an increasingly popular cabaret.
	The food is superb and carefully prepared with a menu consisting principally of sea food and traditional creole dishes such as Congrí rice and roast suckling pig. The atmosphere is peaceful, and the restaurant is surrounded by tropical plants. At the back there is a rustic wooden hut to provide the appropriate setting for the traditional Creole cuisine.

• Address: Avenida 5 Nº 11010 entre 110 y 11 Miramar La Habana 11300 Tel: +53 7 241562
• Open: Noon-midnight Wed-Sun

Centro Cultural Habana (Breakfast & Brunch)

The pleasant Havana Arts Centre (Centro Cultural Habana) is a good place to buy Cuban music tapes, souvenirs, handicrafts, books about the island and postcards. You may take a break in their small cafeteria, which serves a selection of tasty sandwiches, desserts and soft drinks.
	This is the meeting place for Havana artists and an arts gallery for young talents to exhibit their latest work. The centre also includes a photocopying service. All items are charged for in CUC convertible pesos. Cuban pesos are not accepted.

• Address: 256 Boulevard Centro Habana La Habana
• Open: 10am-11pm daily

Chansonnier (Le)

This long-standing (although itinerant) paladar serves French-inspired criolla cuisine, in a homey setting. High ceilings, antique clocks, and a huge crystal chandelier give this place plenty of charm. Start things off with some of the homemade paté or eggplant gratin. The chicken in mushroom sauce and Dijon pork chop are both good, but if you want something special get the duck in a red wine-and-olive sauce.

There's a small selection of fairly priced French and Spanish wines. There are only five tables here in their somewhat new digs, but when I last visited the owner was talking about moving to an even bigger house nearby, and maybe adding lunch.

• Address: Calle J #257, entre 15 y Línea Tel: 7/832-1576
• Open: Daily 7pm-midnight

Chan Li Po

Opened in 2002.All the restaurants in the Chinese district usually prepare unsophisticated and economic food but this is one of those that offer the most quality. From its menu you can choose between Chinese, Cuban and Italian specialities but we suggest you to order fish or the fine “Pizza de camarones”. It also offers a correct selection of cocktails and a very personalized service which we appreciate.

• Address: Calle Campanario nº 456. Barrio Chino. La Habana.

Cineccittá

Since the 1960s this restaurant has been named after an important Italian cinema school, and it uses the same theme in all its publicity material. Probably one of the best restaurants in the Vedado district that charges in local pesos, it offers a wide selection of Italian food. There is a bar with footstools at the back, or if you wish, you may sit at one of the tables outside the front entrance, separated from the street by plant boxes. Not surprisingly, the indoor decoration is also inspired by the world of cinema, and the proximity to the Cinemateca (Cuban Film Institute), with collages of famous faces from the film world. On the menu there is a choice of pizzas, lasagnes, cannelloni, spaghetti and other Italian dishes, along with cocktails, spirits, beers and locally produced soft drink.

• Address: 23 esquina 12 Vedado La Habana
• Open: Midday-10pm daily

Club Habana - El Gourmet

Fancy Restaurant of the exclusive Club Havana. No need to be a member; people pay to enter the club. The International menu offers a variety of dishes. Food preparation is not good maybe because diners are few. Prices are not low nor high as the sky.

• Address: 5ta Ave e/ 188 y 192, Playa. Tel: (7)245700. Fax: (7)245705

Cochinito (El)

This is one of the more popular restaurants in the Vedado district, offering customers a choice of cafeteria, barbecue and restaurant service. The dining room is spacious, and there are also tables on the porch and patio where you can enjoy your meal under the shade of trees. The menu offers a good selection of traditional Cuban dishes, normally based on chicken and pork cooked in various ways and accompanied by different garnishes and fresh salads. The chefs also prepare an excellent fricassee, as well as all sorts of typical desserts. To drink, there is a choice of beers, spirits, soft drinks and fruit juice. Meals are charged in Cuban pesos, and are generally good value.

• Address: 23 entre I y H Vedado La Habana 10400 Tel: +53 7 326256
• Open: Noon-midnight daily

Cocina de Lilliam (La)

The elegant softly lit outdoor garden seating here would be enough to recommend this family-run paladar, but the food's excellent as well. Lilliam Domínguez has a deft touch.
	Try the garbanzo, ham, and onion appetizer, and then opt for a piece of fresh fish, usually grouper or snapper, simply grilled. The menu varies, but if they've got it, order the traditional ropa vieja, made with lamb here instead of the traditional beef. This place is getting quite popular so reservations are essential.

• Address: Calle 48 #1311, e/ 13 y 15, Playa. Tel: 7/29-6514
• Open: Daily noon-3pm and 7-11pm

Comedor de Aguiar

It is a classic and luxurios Restaurant in The Nacional Hotel. An attractive international menu, an efficient service and a place to relax is offered. Prices are too high.

• Address: Hotel Nacional de Cuba. O esq. 21, Vedado. Tel: (7)333564

Comodoro Grill

Located on the ground floor of Hotel Comodoro, this restaurant does not receive many people and it is a pity because the cuisine is good, especially meat, and the decoration is smart, inviting to relaxation. It is worth being more visited.

• Address: Hotel Comodoro 3era esq. 84, Miramar. Tel: (7)245551

Conejito (El)

The name means "little rabbit," but there's more than just a little bit of rabbit on the menu here: grilled, baked, a la criolla, or ali oli (in garlic mojo, or gravy) are just some of the treatments our furry friend gets.
	Not to mention rabbit sausage, rabbit terrine, and rabbit ham for starters. Almost all the rabbit dishes are reasonably priced at under CUC7. Avoid the house specialty, rabbit financiera, which comes in a busy yet bland sauce, and stick to simpler preparations.

There are also more traditional meat and seafood options, but I'd go with the bunny. The place is modeled on an English Tudor pub, with brick walls and heavy dark interior beams. There's a small attached bar that is usually pretty quiet.

• Address: Calles M and 17, Vedado, Vedado & The Plaza De La Revolucion Area Tel: 7/832-4671
• Open: Daily noon-11pm

Cubanito (El)

In this nice hut with wood, cane and palm tree roof,"El Cubanito" it is elaborated a delicious Italian and Native food. They offer several kind of meats, among them we have the "Suprema de pollo". Its weakness, the fishes, very few. The treatment is very warm.

• Address: Ave. Este nº 360, Casino Deportivo. La Habana. Tel: (7) 403497

Cubano (El)

Opened in 2002, this complex counts with several restaurants, grill and bar. A nice place, good food and modest prices. For its being near to the beaches its adequate for those who go to take sun baths. It is usually very crowded and lively.

• Address: Boca Ciega, Playas del Este. La Habana