Havana Restaurant Tips by mim95

Restaurant Name: El Patio

The restaurant is housed in the Palacio de los Marqueses de Aguas Claras, which was built in 1760. It is very lively, with a band playing music by the Plaza de la Catedral. Most customers sit on the patio or on the plaza to enjoy the music.

The interior courtyard is beautiful too with a fountain in the center. There is some fish and even a turtle inside! You'll find cages of budgies, lovebirds and parakeets hanging on the walls in the restaurant. It is certainly a great place to have a break.

Favorite Dish: Many people are here for a drink by the live music. The restaurant offers various types of dishes, from chicken, beef to seafood. I had dinner here and the food was not bad.

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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Address: San Ignacio 54, Old Havana
Directions: On the west side of Plaza de la Catedral

Restaurant Name: Coppelia Ice Cream

Coppelia itself is the national brand in Cuba, with ice cream parlors in every towns and cities. Perhaps this one in Havana is the most famous one. Built in the 1960s, the main structure is shaped like a spaceship inside a park. You can sit upstairs inside or outside in the garden. The place is always jam packed with long lineups. The day I went, ppl had to wait for at least 30 minutes to get in. Of course, if you like to pay in USD, then you can skip the lineup.

There were about half a dozen flavours to choose from, and the price was determined by weight. A bowl with two scoops was about $2.75, which you must finish fast or else it'll all be melted away in no time!


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Theme: Ice Cream
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Directions: At the northwest corner of Calle 23 and Calle L in Vedado. Look for the long lineup.

Restaurant Name: Cafe Paris

It's a small cafe with about a dozen tables and no air con. There is a band that plays here in certain hours.

Favorite Dish: I had chicken and rice and a can of cola, all for about $5! The portion was quite huge too. The food quality was alright...can't really expect much.

If you don't want to sit inside, you can order takeout at the side window.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Obispo 202, Old Havana
Directions: Northwest corner of Obispo and San Ignacio