Dining in Havana

Overview

Dining in Havana for the first-time medical tourism traveler can be a disheartening experience.  Cuban food is not renowned for its variety or flavor, and strict government controls over the serving of premium foods in private establishments makes a bad thing worse.  It’s also quite common to have mediocre food priced above what the quality is worth.

Dining Establishments

Your best bet for good food are the paladares, or private restaurants run inside homes.  Bound by strict regulations (including restrictions on seating), these paladares are subject to the whims of the government.  This instability has meant the closing down of many paladares whose owners find it hard to cope with the task of satisfying customers under strict state supervision.  In spite of this, a few of them have established a reputation for good food and high quality service in Havana.  In fact, the dining and ambience at state-run establishments tend to pale compared to these paladares.

Havana is also beginning to see a number of fast food chains sprouting around town.  There’s also a selection of bakeries featuring croissants, cakes, pastries, sandwiches, and fresh baked breads.

International Cuisine

Sadly, the variety and quality of global cuisine in Havana can be disappointing.  There are a handful of Chinese and Vietnamese eateries, but the food is decidedly unimaginative.  If you are at an all-inclusive resort, you’ll find a better selection of flavors from back home.

Remember that dining throughout Cuba can be something of a challenge.  If you plan to spend the entire day out and about, it’s always advisable to pack some food, because you can’t always be certain of the quality of cuisine at the restaurants you end up at.  It is usually quite safe but not always very tasty.

 

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