Havana

El Rum Rum de la Habana in Havana, Cuba

Pollo Salteado con Piña en Aroma de Cúrcuma y Jengibre, El Rum Rum de la Habana in Havana, Cuba

El Rum Rum de la Habana is a typical Cuban restaurant and paladar located in the heart of La Habana Vieja, Havana’s old town. Managed by owner Osiris Oramas Oliver, El Rum Rum has become popular for its large menu featuring meat dishes, seafood, pastas, cocktails, and more. You might be wondering what a paladar is. A paladar in Cuba refers to a family-operated eatery that offers traditional local dishes. While prohibited until the 1990s, these privately-owned establishments have since …

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Antojos: Lunch in Havana, Cuba

Grilled Chicken (Pollo Grillé), Antojos, Havana, Cuba

Antojos is a hip and trendy restaurant serving classic Cuban fare, located on the edge of Habana Vieja, Havana’s old town. This area, located near the Museum of the Revolution, is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Havana to explore. Here, you will find narrow alleyways lined with historic buildings housing small restaurants and bars. One of these alleyways, Espada Alley, is where you will find Antojos. It’s hard to miss the restaurant with red parasols lining its exterior and …

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Mojito Mojito: Lunch near Plaza Vieja in Havana, Cuba

Fresh Chicken with Shrimp and Fruits (Pollo Fresco con Camarones y Frutas)

When I travel to new destinations, I usually only visit restaurants after doing some prior research or reading reviews. Additionally, even though I am a tourist, I avoid eating at establishments that cater mainly to tourists. Therefore, when I came across Mojito Mojito, located near Plaza Vieja in Old Havana, Cuba, I had reservations about the place. While I don’t consider myself a foodie who enjoys fancy or costly cuisine, I assume that eateries located in touristy areas will be …

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O’Reilly 304: Trendy restaurant in Havana, Cuba

O'Reilly Tacos (Tacos Mixtos), O'Reilly 304, Havana, Cuba

In 2016, I took my first trip to Havana, a city that was entirely unfamiliar to me at the time. Havana felt like a whole new world. As I walked around the city, everything seemed exotic, from the busy streets to the colorful buildings and vibrant culture. While exploring the charming streets of Havana, I stumbled upon O’Reilly 304, a trendy but casual restaurant located in the heart of Habana Vieja, Havana’s historic Old Town. Despite its small size, my …

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Doña Eutimia: Paladar in Havana, Cuba

Masas de cerdo Doña Eutimia, Havana, Cuba

Doña Eutimia is a paladar, or small restaurant, situated in a tranquil alleyway near Cathedral Square (Plaza de la Catedral) in Havana, Cuba. Despite being situated in the center of Old Havana (Habana Vieja), a bustling and touristy area, the restaurant’s location seemed calm and peaceful. Paladar is a term used in Cuba to describe a small, family-owned restaurant that serves local cuisine. Although they were once illegal until the 1990s, today these privately owned establishments are a popular dining …

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El Aljibe in Havana, Cuba: Famous Restaurant Serving Roast Chicken

Roasted Chicken, the specialty of El Aljibe

A few miles west of Old Town Havana is El Aljibe, a state-owned, open-air restaurant popular with tourists for the family style roast chicken, served the same way for over 60 years. The first time I heard about El Aljibe was while watching Anthony Bourdain’s show ‘Parts Unknown’ when he visited Havana, Cuba. When I saw Anthony eating perfectly roasted chicken marinated in a secret orange sauce and luscious black beans, I knew I had to try this place. If …

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