Havana

With the passing of Fidel Castro, the caribbean island was certainly in the limelight this week.  Cuba is an exciting place to visit, its intriguing to experience the mix of home stays, the casa particulares, or to have a drink in a retro 1970s concrete top end hotel.  I dined at some fascinating restaurants, the best places I found are run from converted living rooms or private homes, and I loved the eclectic scene of Havana. Below are some of my favourite restaurants and places.

elCocinero is not only a super cool bar and restaurant to head to in Havana, it also serves as an interesting art house.  Once inside, you could easily be in Miami rather than in state run Cuba.  Its on the outskirts of Vedado, an area close to central Havana.  Booking is essential, call +(537) 832 2355 for reservations.

One of the most intimate restaurants I came across in Vedado is Porto-Habana, which is located inside an apartment in one of the many high-rise residential blocks in Havana.  You would not spot this restaurant from the streets, but rest assured, as soon as you approach the building, some helpers usher you into the bleak lift, taking you upstairs, where you step out into this retro glamour style restaurant.

Another great restaurant to head to in Vedado, is Atelier.  Call +(537) 836 2025 for reservations. For central Havana, La Guarida has almost become an institution amongst the food scene in Havana, its an amazing theatrical place, through its firmly on the tourist map.

I stayed at the Artedel Luxury Penthouse in Havana, a superb homely place in the heart of Vedado.  Great care is taken at the Artedel to help you with all your travel needs, booking restaurants and making arrangements, which in Cuba are all down to personal contacts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other areas I explored in Cuba were Vinales and Trinidad