Guidebook for La Habana
Food Scene
This restaurant and bar was made famous by Ernest Hemming- way who frequented here to consume his beloved Daiquiries.
The cocktail is served in dozens of varieties for $6. The novel- ist’s seat is preserved as a shrine (a chain prevents anyone from
sitting on it).
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El Floridita Bar
ObispoThis restaurant and bar was made famous by Ernest Hemming- way who frequented here to consume his beloved Daiquiries.
The cocktail is served in dozens of varieties for $6. The novel- ist’s seat is preserved as a shrine (a chain prevents anyone from
sitting on it).
Ernest Hemmingway’s favourite watering hole is half a block
west of the Cathedral. There is a bar at the front with quite
a good restaurant at the back. The house drink is the mojito.
Adorning the walls is an impressive collection of photos of fa- mous visitors.
743 locals raden deze aan
La Bodeguita Del Medio
EmpedradoErnest Hemmingway’s favourite watering hole is half a block
west of the Cathedral. There is a bar at the front with quite
a good restaurant at the back. The house drink is the mojito.
Adorning the walls is an impressive collection of photos of fa- mous visitors.
Serves Spanish and criollo food, and Spanish wines at 2CUC per glass. It features free flamenco shows 1-3pm
and 9pm daily ($4-$18, Mercaderes e/Amargura y Brasil - Old
Havana). Current word is that its better for the flamenco show
than for the food
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Mesón de la Flota
MercaderesServes Spanish and criollo food, and Spanish wines at 2CUC per glass. It features free flamenco shows 1-3pm
and 9pm daily ($4-$18, Mercaderes e/Amargura y Brasil - Old
Havana). Current word is that its better for the flamenco show
than for the food
Another good quality low budget option just
down from Restaurante Hanoi (Teniente Rey e/ Bernaza y El
Cristo - Plaza del Cristo). Small bohemian privately owned bar/
restaurant offering large dishes with plenty of salad and excellent drinks/cocktails. Open from 1pm to midnight.
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El Chanchullero
457 A bajos Teniente ReyAnother good quality low budget option just
down from Restaurante Hanoi (Teniente Rey e/ Bernaza y El
Cristo - Plaza del Cristo). Small bohemian privately owned bar/
restaurant offering large dishes with plenty of salad and excellent drinks/cocktails. Open from 1pm to midnight.
Concordia #418 e/Gervasio y Escobar, Centro Habana
tel: 862-4940. Noon-4pm, and 7pm-midnight, closed part of the
year. One of Cuba’s best paladars in the beautiful setting of the
Oscar-nominated 1995 movie, Fresa y Chocolate. Mains $13-$20.
Reservations essential.
617 locals raden deze aan
La Guarida
418 ConcordiaConcordia #418 e/Gervasio y Escobar, Centro Habana
tel: 862-4940. Noon-4pm, and 7pm-midnight, closed part of the
year. One of Cuba’s best paladars in the beautiful setting of the
Oscar-nominated 1995 movie, Fresa y Chocolate. Mains $13-$20.
Reservations essential.
Drinks & Nightlife
there are two of these - one in Central Ha- bana on Galiano street (officially called Avenida Italia), and one
further afield in Miramar. Both offer the same thing - big bands
playing the latest salsa. 11pm to 2am, $10-$25 depending on the
band. Afternoon sessions are a little cheaper (5 to 9pm) with low- er profile bands, and attract more Cuban punters.
427 locals raden deze aan
Casa de la Musica de Centro
there are two of these - one in Central Ha- bana on Galiano street (officially called Avenida Italia), and one
further afield in Miramar. Both offer the same thing - big bands
playing the latest salsa. 11pm to 2am, $10-$25 depending on the
band. Afternoon sessions are a little cheaper (5 to 9pm) with low- er profile bands, and attract more Cuban punters.
Sightseeing
This is an alley where local artist Salvador Gonzalez has adorned
walls with evocative murals in blazing colours inspired by Sante- ria. The alley features a Santeria shrine, eclectic art galleries, and
fantastical totemic sculptures. On Sundays (12noon to 3pm) he
hosts Afro-Cuban rumbas (be aware of pickpockets!).
390 locals raden deze aan
Callejon de hamel
Callejon de HamelThis is an alley where local artist Salvador Gonzalez has adorned
walls with evocative murals in blazing colours inspired by Sante- ria. The alley features a Santeria shrine, eclectic art galleries, and
fantastical totemic sculptures. On Sundays (12noon to 3pm) he
hosts Afro-Cuban rumbas (be aware of pickpockets!).
El Morro-La Cabaña Historical Military Park
Looming over Habana Vieja, on the north side of the harbour
channel, is the rugged cliff face of the Cabaña, dominated by
two great fortresses. Together the castles comprise the largest
and most powerful defensive complex built by the Spanish in the Americas. To get there from Habana you need to go through the
harbour tunnel (no pedestrians allowed).
Castillo de Los Tres Reyes del Morro (El Morro), the handsome castle built into the rocky palisades of Punta Barlovento, crowning
a rise that drops straight to the sea at the entrance to Havana’s nar- row harbour channel. 8am to 8pm daily, $3, guide $1.
Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña (La Cabaña)
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La Cabaña
El Morro-La Cabaña Historical Military Park
Looming over Habana Vieja, on the north side of the harbour
channel, is the rugged cliff face of the Cabaña, dominated by
two great fortresses. Together the castles comprise the largest
and most powerful defensive complex built by the Spanish in the Americas. To get there from Habana you need to go through the
harbour tunnel (no pedestrians allowed).
Castillo de Los Tres Reyes del Morro (El Morro), the handsome castle built into the rocky palisades of Punta Barlovento, crowning
a rise that drops straight to the sea at the entrance to Havana’s nar- row harbour channel. 8am to 8pm daily, $3, guide $1.
Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña (La Cabaña)
Parks & Nature
Route T3 - Playas del Este
This Route takes off from Parque Central and heads in an Eastward direction with stops at the different beaches and beach
resorts East of Havana. It then turns around and returns along the same path back to Parque Central. The round trip dis- tance is 65km. $5. This route is in a normal bus and departs Parque Central every half hour, on the half hour, from 9am to 6pm (except the 12:00 slot which doesn’t run so the driver can have some lunch).
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East Beaches
Route T3 - Playas del Este
This Route takes off from Parque Central and heads in an Eastward direction with stops at the different beaches and beach
resorts East of Havana. It then turns around and returns along the same path back to Parque Central. The round trip dis- tance is 65km. $5. This route is in a normal bus and departs Parque Central every half hour, on the half hour, from 9am to 6pm (except the 12:00 slot which doesn’t run so the driver can have some lunch).