Cuban Food Havana
Keeping Cuban Food Traditional. Cuban food is delicious and has some surprises in store for you. Before privately owned restaurants opened, the government ran those institutions, and quite frankly, the restaurants were terrible. Since then a culinary scene has begun to form, and there are a variety of places to choose from. One item you'll see on the menu quite often is pork, and let me tell you it's good.
Another Item you'll see is fresh shredded salad with cucumbers and tomatoes, maybe some green pepper or other veggies. This is a typical side dish as is beans and rice. Usually an oil and vinegar are served with the salad. As far as food goes, I do not recommend the steak. As Americans we are spoiled in what we expect, and chances are you won't enjoy it. Pork, chicken and seafood are almost always a good choice.
Please don't ask for a Cuban Sandwich. It's not Cuban at all, except for the fact It was Invented In Ybor City, Florida for the Cubans and other immigrants making cigars. I ordered this and received something like a ham sandwich with ketchup. Plantains are delicious and prepared in a variety of different ways. Be sure to try some of these during your visit.
Mojo Criollo, Ropa Vieja and Pescado, Gambas y Camarones are all popular dishes. A famous place in Key West will give you a good idea of delicious Cuban food. It's called El Meson de Pepe
My favorite Cuban Desserts are Arroz con Leche (Rice Pudding), Flan, anything with guava (Guayaba in Cuba), churros, Pastelitos (Cuban Pastries) and Tres Leches
Another Item you'll see is fresh shredded salad with cucumbers and tomatoes, maybe some green pepper or other veggies. This is a typical side dish as is beans and rice. Usually an oil and vinegar are served with the salad. As far as food goes, I do not recommend the steak. As Americans we are spoiled in what we expect, and chances are you won't enjoy it. Pork, chicken and seafood are almost always a good choice.
Please don't ask for a Cuban Sandwich. It's not Cuban at all, except for the fact It was Invented In Ybor City, Florida for the Cubans and other immigrants making cigars. I ordered this and received something like a ham sandwich with ketchup. Plantains are delicious and prepared in a variety of different ways. Be sure to try some of these during your visit.
Mojo Criollo, Ropa Vieja and Pescado, Gambas y Camarones are all popular dishes. A famous place in Key West will give you a good idea of delicious Cuban food. It's called El Meson de Pepe
My favorite Cuban Desserts are Arroz con Leche (Rice Pudding), Flan, anything with guava (Guayaba in Cuba), churros, Pastelitos (Cuban Pastries) and Tres Leches
Cuban Alcoholic Beverages and Softdrinks
Alcoholic Beverages
If you haven't had a mojito in mind when you were making your reservation I'd be surprised. Mojitos are very fashionable with visitors, especially at the Hotel Nacional, however the national drink of Cuba is the Cuba libre. It celebrates Cuba's independence and is made with cola, rum (typically Havana Club) and lime. It's a must when visiting Cuba, and you may find the way they make it quite appealing.
Other drinks you'll be able to find are Margarita's Pina Coladas and more. If sitting at a nightclub table, It's very appropriate to buy the bottle of rum which will usually come with the cola, and it's all yours. Ordering individually is a hassle and just not how it's done in a group. A daiquiri is one of my favorites and it's not usually red, it's yellow because they make it with lemon or lime juice and mint. Highly recommended.
Rum is going to be your most common drink, so please don't expect an extensive wine list anywhere. The best rum is going to be from Santiago, not Havana. Dayron will fill us in on the details of the different levels and they're very good.
If you haven't had a mojito in mind when you were making your reservation I'd be surprised. Mojitos are very fashionable with visitors, especially at the Hotel Nacional, however the national drink of Cuba is the Cuba libre. It celebrates Cuba's independence and is made with cola, rum (typically Havana Club) and lime. It's a must when visiting Cuba, and you may find the way they make it quite appealing.
Other drinks you'll be able to find are Margarita's Pina Coladas and more. If sitting at a nightclub table, It's very appropriate to buy the bottle of rum which will usually come with the cola, and it's all yours. Ordering individually is a hassle and just not how it's done in a group. A daiquiri is one of my favorites and it's not usually red, it's yellow because they make it with lemon or lime juice and mint. Highly recommended.
Rum is going to be your most common drink, so please don't expect an extensive wine list anywhere. The best rum is going to be from Santiago, not Havana. Dayron will fill us in on the details of the different levels and they're very good.
Soft Drinks
This is an important section because I'm going to bring this up right away. Always drink bottled water, not the tap. Claims have been made that the tap water is fine, but I don't drink it anywhere, not even Europe. Bottled water will be available just about everywhere. For soda, you'll see all kinds of flavors, just not Coca Cola. They have tuKola and I think it's great. Soda is a common drink with kids and adults. Don't expect ice, and if you need some you'll have to ask for it. Likely they'll give you a cube or two.
Coffee of course is one of many Cuban specialties and we should have some while we're there. I recommend an espresso just the way they make it, plain. Once you've had it that way, then start adding sugar or cream.
This is an important section because I'm going to bring this up right away. Always drink bottled water, not the tap. Claims have been made that the tap water is fine, but I don't drink it anywhere, not even Europe. Bottled water will be available just about everywhere. For soda, you'll see all kinds of flavors, just not Coca Cola. They have tuKola and I think it's great. Soda is a common drink with kids and adults. Don't expect ice, and if you need some you'll have to ask for it. Likely they'll give you a cube or two.
Coffee of course is one of many Cuban specialties and we should have some while we're there. I recommend an espresso just the way they make it, plain. Once you've had it that way, then start adding sugar or cream.
