Cuban cuisine: where and what to eat in Cuba

September 23, 2019

Eating in Cuba is very cheap and the cuisine is a mixture of Spanish and African tradition. Discover the typical dishes of Cuba, where to eat and all the types of street food available.

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Ropa Vieja, Cuban dish

Knowing the cuisine of Cuba means getting to know the soul of this Caribbean country.

Its flavors, traditional recipes and spices combine to create tasty and original dishes. Find out which are the most popular Cuban recipes, which dishes to order at the restaurant and which are the main ingredients of local cuisine.

Where and what to eat in Cuba

Eating in Cuba is very cheap and the food is a mixture of Spanish and African cooking. In the capital, but also outside, there are many restaurants specializing in Cuban and international cuisine.

The food is simple, but rich in flavor and is usually accompanied with garlic, cumin, oregano and other spices. Most Cuban dishes also include an assortment of blacks beans, chicken and beef meat, plantains, rice and tomato salasa. The price of food in Cuba is low and although tourists pay a little more than the locals, you will always pay less than eating in your country.

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Typical Cuban Ajiaco dish
Cuban Ajiaco dish.

Typical dishes

Arroz con pollo: rice and chicken, it is the typical Sunday dish, suitable for all tastes;

Moros y Cristianos: the name comes from the Moros and Christians who lived together on the island. This is an easy dish made with black beans (Moros) and white rice (Christians), full of spices;

Ropa Vieja: minced beef, vegetables in sauce, chickpeas and many spices. Often accompanied by rice. Usually the dish is eaten the day after the preparation, so the meat has more flavour;

Masitas de Puerco Fritas: fried leg of pork dressed with orange or lemon juice, accompanied by fried vegetables;

Ajiaco: the national dish of Cuba, a soup made of bananas, corn, potatoes, beef and chicken;

Cuban sandwich: a sandwich eaten by workers in the fields of cana sugar during break. Toasted bread, pork, cheese, ham and mustard;

Picadillo a la Habanera: meat served with white rice, black beans and fried plantains;

Ninos envueltos: meat served in a spicy sauce.

Best restaurants in Cuba

There are many restaurants around the island, which will satisfy even the most demanding tourist.

Recommended are Restaurante San Jose, Trinidad, offering excellent value for money, a great place to taste the local fish. The restaurant Macondo, in Havana, is a very cozy place that combines the quality of food with an exceptional atmosphere typical of the Caribbean. Large portions and great variety of dishes. In addition, in the capital there is the Cafe de los Artistas, a pleasant place to spend time in good company. Here you can taste good cocktails, spoilt by an excellent staff at low prices. Ideal for eating the famous Habanera. In Holguin there is Restaurante 1910, renowned for its innovative food and for the attention to details. A set of different flavors and foods from around the world is available at the Restaurante 1800 located outside Havana. Lunch includes a buffet of European dishes and a selection of Eastern wines, in addition to the typical dishes of the island.

Cuban street food

Street food in Cuba is fried, yet surprisingly tasty. Sold from stands, baskets, wheelbarrows, and windows, you will find it available everywhere. Be careful to only order street food from vendors whose food is clean, fresh, and cooked right in front of you.

The most famous street food includes theCuban Pizza, similar to the typical pizza; Fritters, such as churros or chicharitas de platano, availables only at some vendors' stands; Papa Rellena, rounded balls of mashed potatoes with fried meat inside; Cuban Sandwiches of different types such as the Pan con chorizo and the Pan con bistec. They are made of lightly buttered bread and can include pork, garlic, onions and paprika; Tamales, made from fresh corn scraped off the cob, accompanied with tomato, garlic, onion, cumin, green peppers and fried pork.

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Cuba libre cocktails
Cuba Libre.

Typical drinks

Cuba Libre: Rum, cola, lime;

Daiquiri: Havana Club Silver Dry, lemon juice, cane sugar;

Pina Colada: Havana Club Silver Dry, pineapple juice, coconut cream;

Rum Collins: rum, lemon juice, sugar, carbonated water.

Typical bars

La Bodeguita del Medio is a typical restaurant in Havana, as well as one of the main tourist venue of city. Here you can taste the best mojito in the city and leave your sign and mark in a place where many artists and famous people have passed. The Floridita in Havana is one of the most popular cafès in the island and one of Hemingway's favourite spots. Here good daiquiri is served and your stay is accompanied by live local music that creates a unique Caribbean atmosphere.

Private houses

Private houses in Cuba are numerous and are called Casas particulares. They are privately operated, and the owners always offer breakfast and dinner, some even lunch.

The menu and food prices depend on the requirements of the tourists, who will agree with the host family on what to eat and when. The Casa particular is definitely a good opportunity to enjoy local cuisine prepared directly by locals. Famous are the Paladares, private houses that offer dinner to the travellers.

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