La Bodeguita del Medio, located in Havana's Calle Empedrado neighborhood, is a small (30-seat) restaurant that opened in 1942 and boasts such famous former patrons as the late Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Neruda, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Not surpirsingly, La Bodeguita serves the best traditional Cuban dishes, such as the black bean burger, tortillas, mojitos, and Caribbean curry. The atmosphere is cozy and Bohemian. Bongos, maracas and Cuban guitars adorn its walls. To make your visit memorable, write your name on any free space you can find on the walls, a quaint tradition of this unique eatery.
La Bodeguita del Medio
Calle Empedrado No. 206
Ciudad de La Habana
Cuba
537-867-1374
labodeguita.com
El Floridita first opened its doors in 1817 in the heart of the city. Tourists and locals alike still flock to this popular restaurant to enjoy its world-famous daiquiri, a concoction of lemon juice, sugar, maraschino, frappe and Cuban rum. According to local legend, Nobel prize-winning novelist Ernest Hemingway not only frequented this establishment, he developed some of his novels while dining there or sipping on one of El Floridita's trademark daiquiris. Hemingway had plenty of company. According to a 1953 article in Esquire Magazine, back then the bar of El Floridita was one of the most popular in the world. The restaurant received a Best of the Best Five-Star Diamond Award in 1992. Well-known dishes include the Pope and Mary, Gran Plato Hemingway and the Mariposa Lobster.
El Floridita
Calle Obispo No. 557 esq. Monserrate
Habana Vieja, Ciudad de La Habana
Cuba
537-867-1300
floridita-cuba.com
Nestled between calle 13 and calle 15 in Havana's Playa district, La Cocina de Lilliam is a former private residence that owner and cook Lilliam Dominguez transformed into a popular garden restaurant. Today's patrons can enjoy their cuisine while sitting on antique furniture and viewing other decorative items that make the place homey and authentic. The restaurant serves international cuisine, and some of the best sellers include the ropa vieja and the garbanzo beans.
La Cocina de Lilliam
Calle 48 No. 1311 entre 13 y 15
Miramar Playa, Ciudad de La Habana
Cuba
537-209-6514
