Maeda Paladar

Estupenda comida criolla, la que prepara este restaurante. Destaca el "Plato Especial de la Casa", que es un lomo ahumado con arroz, verdaderamente sabroso. La decoración, sin embargo, no está a la altura y parece hecha por algún enemigo.

• Address: C. Quebec nº 115. Guanabo. Tel: (7) 962615

Maraka's  Pizzaria

Good priced Italian restaurant very popular by locals

• Address: Calle O no: 345 between 23 y 25 near the Hotel Vedado.

Margot's Pizzas

• Address: on the waterfront in Jaimanitas

Marina (La)

La Marina offers an elegant setting to eat, especially in the pretty outdoor patio, where overhead vines soak up the tropical sunshine, and soft music is played live in the background while customers dine. All meals cost less than USD 10 per head excluding drinks (only CUC convertible pesos are accepted for payment), and the establishment has around ten tables available for dinners. Highlights on the menu include a choice of fish, prawn and rib dishes, and there is also a bar with a good variety of local and imported beverages.

• Address: Teniente Reyes y Oficios La Habana
• Open: 8am-11pm daily

Marinos (Los)

Los Marinos (The Sailors) is a permanently docked, blue and white vessel that now functions as a bar-cafeteria, restaurant, ice cream parlour and karaoke bar. Admission is free, and you can buy rum, among other spirits, and various cocktails, at a stall inside. At night the whole places fills with life as customers drink and dance the night away. A sandwich in the cafeteria costs around CUC 4, while a beer in the bar will set you back CUC 1. The restaurant, on the other hand, has a choice on its menu of lobster, shrimp and numerous types of fish dish, all charged in CUC convertible pesos (local currency is not accepted).

• Address: Avenida del Puerto y Justiz La Habana Vieja La Habana
• Open: 10am-11pm daily

Marpoly

• Address: Calle K #154, e/Linea y 11, Habana Vedado

Mercedes (Las)

After some years, Las Mercedes has consolidated cuisine and clients. The good job of Jorge and his family, and the nice atmosphere gained make us visit them one time and again. Cuban cook and good prices.

• Address: Calle 18 nº 204 entre 15 y 17. Vedado Tel: (7) 806489

Mercurio (El)

In this moderately priced establishment there is not a great variety to choose from, but there are some interesting meat dishes, stuffed with fruit, olives and ham, among other ingredients. Indoors, the dining room has dark glass walls, a bar at the back and well spaced out tables, offering a good degree of privacy. Outdoors, there are more tables under sunshades, surrounded by plant boxes. The establishment advertises itself as a health food restaurant and, although not the most traditional variety of eatery in Cuba, it has become very popular during the few years it has been open.

Typical items on the menu include the Pollo Lonja del Comercio (boned chicken stuffed with ham, pork and pineapple), and “Spaguettis Mercurio. To accompany your meal there are a choice of cocktails, spirits, beers, fruit juice and soft drinks. And finally, from the outdoor tables diners have a view of the Plaza de San Francisco de Asís, with its church and colonial buildings.

• Address: Lonja del Comercio, Plaza de San Francisco de Asís La Habana Vieja Tel: +53 7 666188
• Open: 24 hours daily

Mesón de la Flota (El)

From its opening in November 2000, this hostal-restaurant shows a delicious and economic menu. The space is well decorated and transmits a relaxing feeling. The decoration that has a marine inspiration is other good shot.

• Address: Calle Mercaderes, entre Amargura y Brasil (Teniente Rey)

Mi Jardín

Also known as Casa Hernández Finamore, it offers italian, criollas and mexican specialities, and the latest take it to be one of the best paladares of the town. The topotos with cheese and spicy, the ribs in green chile sauce and the fish with garlic, are splendid. The room is a little bit small, although it has a refreshing view to the garden patio. The service is familiar and educated.

• Address: Calle 66 nº 517 esqina 5ª b, Playa Tel: (7) 234627

Mina (La) / Al Cappuccino

The light coming through the doors, inner patio, and green tones of the tropical plants all contribute to La Mina's traditional style and help make it one of the most popular restaurants in the old historic centre of Havana. Rustic stools and tables, which hardly leave any room to move around, and music played by a traditional Cuban band, add the final touch to this fine establishment, located within a former girls preparatory school. Dishes include slices of pork, tamales and shellfish, all with a hint of Cuban seasoning. There are also other local dishes as well as beer, cocktails, soft drinks and fruit juice to quench your thirst.

• Address: Calle Obispo #109, entre Oficios y Mercaderes Tel: +53 7 620216
• Open: 24 hours daily

Moneda Cubana (La)

A very busy Paladar close to Plaza de la Catedral. They have a short menu but enough to choose from

• Address:San Ignacio Y O'Really, Habana Vieja

Monguito (El)

This little joint has just five plastic tables with plastic lawn chairs in a narrow room. Plastic flowers in cheap vases, a couple of squawking parrots in the back, and some kitsch, semi-holographic nature scenes on the main wall complete the ambience. The bistec Uruguayo, a kind of deep-fried pork cordon bleu, is huge, and the pollo a la cacerola, baked chicken in a tomato sauce, is excellent. Try to get a seat near one of the fans, because--despite the massive air-conditioning unit--this place can get a little stuffy, especially midday.

• Address: Calle L, between Calles 23 and 25 (directly across from Tryp Habana Libre), Vedado & The Plaza De La Revolucion Area Tel: 7/831-2615
• Open: Daily noon-11pm

Monseigneur

Founded in 1953, this establishment still maintains a reputation as one of the most traditional in the Vedado district. During the 50s it was the venue for great Cuban musicians such as Bola de Nieve and Rita Montaner, who not only provided live performances, but also imbued the surroundings with a certain amount of character, thanks to their distinct musical style. Today elegance is still the key, and the restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes to choose from, based on meat, chicken, fish and shellfish.

Highly recommendable are the “Langosta Mariposa lobster dish, and the fish-based “Filete de pescado Grillé. There is also a fine selection of cocktails, spirits and beers. The decoration is characterised by dark curtains draped across the windows, and the general all round elegance of the dining room, in an establishment found a few steps below street level, opposite the Hotel Nacional.

• Address: 21 esquina O Vedado La Habana Tel : +53 7 329884
• Open: Midday-midnight daily

Nancy y Nelson Calderon

• Address: San Jose #266, e/Galiano Y Aguila, Habana Vieja

Nardos (Los)

If a place on this islands is crowed with cubans, than you can be sure of one thing: the food is good, cheap and rations are plentiful. Los Nardos, opened in 2002 and owned by an old company from Spanish Asturias is a perfect example. The cooks named Eduardo Barrios and Ismel Navarro created a tasteful menu, from which we recommend some delicious dishes prepared in brine, its “Langosta a la catalana” (Lobster prepared in Catalan style), the “Cazuelita del Cantábrico” (fish) and a peculiar paella (traditional Spanish rice dish).

The sommelier, Carlos Lorenzo, offers you some few good vines, the popular sangria or “tinto de verano” (red wine mixed with lemonade) and a range of cocktails. The choice of furniture and decoration, carried out by Merlis Fernández from Holguín for which she used materials like cedar, mahogany and leather, deserve our special compliments because of its authenticity and style.

• Address: Sociedad Juventud Asturiana, Paseo del Prado nº 563. La Habana. Tel: (7) 8632985

Nerei

• Address: Calle 19, esquina a L

Oasis

A simply decorated establishment, this is not one of the best-known restaurants in Havana, but it is centrally located. The background music is gentle, and allows for easy conversation, and there is a bar at the back that serves cocktails and spirits. As it is a quiet place, never likely to become overcrowded, it has a calming atmosphere and a certain intimacy about it. On the menu there are reasonably priced pizzas and some pretty basic Cuban and international dishes, along with beer, fruit juice and soft drinks to accompany.

• Address: Prado 256 entre Animas y Trocadero La Habana Tel:
• Open: Midday-11pm daily

Paco Mer

• Address:

Pain de Paris (Breakfast & Brunch)

This is one of a chain of cafés owned by the “Palmares company, which is one of the leaders in its field, with outlets all over Havana. The menu has a fairly wide selection of French-style cakes, bread and pastries, as well as other specialities normally hard to find in Cuba. Both the service and presentation, including the names and prices of different products, are immaculate. Customers can either buy as takeaway, or consume their delicacy on the premises, choosing whatever it is they wish to purchase from the display in the glass cabinet; juices and soft drinks are also available. The price of pastries fluctuates between CUC 0.30 and 2.50, while cakes cost from CUC 2 to 9.

• Address: Línea entre A y Paseo Vedado La Habana
• Open: 24 hours daily

Paella (La)

This is the premiere paella place in Havana. The paella comes with a variety flavors and all are well prepared--in fact, they claim to have won a few international prizes. Stick to a traditional paella with chicken and sausage, or splurge on a lobster and seafood special. This place used to be a real bargain, but prices have basically doubled in the past year. They also have a host of meat, poultry, and seafood items, but go with the house specialty. The atmosphere is warm and lively, with heavy wooden tables and colorful ceramic accents everywhere.

• Address: Hostal Valencia, Calle Oficios #53, esquina a Obrapía Tel: 7/862-3801
• Open: Daily noon-midnight

Palenque (El)

Inside the Expositions Pavillion PABEXPO there is this restaurant of a ranchon type which offers an acceptable criolla food with good prices. The place is nice. The success of public is complete.

• Address: Calle 17 esg. a 190, Siboney, Playa, Ciudad Habana Tel: (7) 2715513

Pan.com

Opened in 2001, this restaurant has been a success of the Palmares Company,of Cubanacan. Specialized in varied sandwiches, hamburguers and fast food, in general. The local is nice and the prices atractive. Besides it is opened 24 hours.

• Address: 7ª esq. 26, Miramar. La Habana.

Pan.com 17 y 10

After the success of the first Pan.com, the food chain decided to expand. The result is more than satisfying. As a matter of fact this Vedado area, so close to the famous and historic corner between 23 and 12, needed an economic and well organized restaurant. The quality of its sandwiches, hamburgers, toast and other kind of local snacks are as tasty as in the beginning. Something everybody feels happy about.

• Address: Calle 17 esquina 10, Vedado. La Habana.

Patio de 5ta (El)

French chef Jean Paul Culotta is in charge of the place. The luxurious dining room of Occidental Miramar is attracting high purchasing power tourists with a variety of well elaborated french and antillean dishes. Medium-high prices are reduced at noon, sometimes with a set menu.

• Address: Hotel Occidental Miramar. 5ª entre 72 y 76, Miramar. La Habana. Tel: (7) 2043585

Paulina

• Carretera Via Blanca, km 15 1/2 Playa del Este

Pelota (La) (Breakfast & Brunch)

Located on the well-known corner of 12th and 23rd Streets, this is one of the most traditional cafeterias in the Vedado district. As with most establishments that charge in Cuban pesos, the selection is rather limited and the decor simple. For many years this was THE place for baseball fans to get together and talk about the latest games, hence the name (i.e. the ball). Apart from the tables in the dining area there are also a couple outside by the entrance, and the menu offers simple Cuban dishes, sandwiches, juices, soft drinks, and locally brewed beer. There is also a catering service available.

• Address: 23 esquina 12 Vedado La Habana
• Open: 24 hours daily

Piazza (La)

This Meliá Cohiba Restaurant offers good italian food. It is an recommendable option, specially by night. Professional cooks, efficient service and atractive Cuban baseball decorations always welcome the most demanding customers.

• Address: Hotel Meliá Cohíba. Paseo e/ 1era y 3ra, Vedado. Tel: (7)333636

Piccolí (El)

Another recommendable address of Playas del Este to enjoy of a neat italian cuisine. It has a wood oven, and its terrace at the open air is very gratifying.

• Address: 7ma avenida # 48410 e/ 484 y 486, Guanabo. Tel: 962663

Piccolo Paladar

The firewood stove, the pasta just right and the magnificent work of the cooker, have taken it to become one of the best italian restaurants in Cuba. You must make a reservation.

• Address: 5ª entre 502 y 50, Guanabo. Playas del Este. La Habana Tel: (7) 964300

Plaza Habana

It is the Buffet Restaurant of Cohiba Hotel. For customer who likes to taste a great variety of food, this is the right place. Excellent offers. Red meat a la carte. It is not a homelike place but it does not intend to.

• Address: Hotel Meliá Cohiba. Paseo e/ 1era y 3ra, Vedado. Tel: (7)333636

Polinesio (El)

The chefs and waiters of this restaurant have earned themselves a high reputation throughout the whole of Cuba. Paintings beside the main entrance illustrate the establishment’s long tradition, which has conserved its original decoration since the 1950s. Both bar and dining room have a rustic-style typical of Polynesian tradition, and if you did not know where you were, you might be forgiven for believing you had gone back in time, to 1940s and 50s Havana, when it was one of the world’s tourist hotspots.

The establishment is divided by bamboo screens, and decorated with wooden carvings, percussion instruments, ethnic-looking lamps and fabrics, with a low roof and lighting that enhance the sense of intimacy. On the menu there are meat, fish and shellfish dishes, prepared according to Asian tradition, along with beverages such as beer, soft drinks, cocktails and spirits.

• Address: Hotel Habana Libre, Calle L, entre 23 y 25 Tel: +53 7 334011 Fax: +53 7 333141
• Open: Midday-3.30pm, 7.30pm-11pm daily

Portal (El)

Occupying a large part of the Cathedral Square with its tables and sunshades, this bar has become one of the most popular open-air spaces in the city, where customers often get up and dance to the sound of a live band playing Cuban rhythms such as the bolero. The party atmosphere does not only extend to the dance area, but also to the tables and surrounding area, where many passers-by stop to sing and clap to the sound of the music. Besides a wide range of cocktails, beers and spirits including, as always, the “mojito and Havana Club 7, the bar offers light meals and a wonderful view of the surrounding square, which is one of the oldest in Havana.

• Address: Restaurante El Patio, San Ignacio 54 esquina Empedrado Plaza de la Catedral, La Habana Vieja Tel: +53 7 571035 Fax: +53 7 338697
• Open: 24 hours daily

Potín (El)

Since opening, this establishment has mainly functioned as a cafeteria, building up a good customer base and offering one of the best services in its field. It charges for all of its meals, snacks and drinks in Cuban pesos. In the cafeteria section you can order sandwiches, fruit juice, soft drinks and beer, and at times there is even a wider selection to choose from. The restaurant offers some simple local dishes, such as fricassee of pork and fried chicken, at quite reasonable prices. The bar, which has both a serving counter and surrounding tables, offers a choice of cocktails and spirits. In general, ambience is supplied by the building itself, with its characteristic canopy, railings, doors and windows.

• Address: Línea esquina Paseo Vedado La Habana 10400 Tel: +53 7 37884
• Open: Noon-10pm daily

Prado y Neptuno

Housed in a recently restored building, this restaurant is found on one of the most central corners of Old Havana, and features some interesting ceramic pieces that decorate its walls. A spacious dining room has a bar at its entrance, and tables for four to six guests, who can dine listening to well-chosen background music, in an ambience best described as discreet and intimate. Although not as traditional as other like establishments, the wide choice on the menu places this restaurant among the city’s best.

The selection of dishes available is more or less the same as elsewhere, but you will generally find items to be less expensive, with a culinary offering that includes pizza, pasta, red meat, chicken, fish and shellfish dishes. To drink there are a variety of cocktails, spirits and beers.

• Address: Paseo de Martí (Prado), esquina Neptuno La Habana vieja La Habana 10100 Tel: +53 7 669636
• Open: Midday-11.30pm daily