
La Guarida
An iconic Havana paladar housed in a 19th-century manor, La Guarida offers a magical dining experience with stunning ambiance, history, and delicious ...

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La Guarida

Highlights
Must-see attractions
An iconic Havana paladar housed in a 19th-century manor, La Guarida offers a magical dining experience with stunning ambiance, history, and delicious food.
"Experience the magic of Havana at La Guarida, where history, art, and exquisite cuisine blend into an unforgettable night."
Reservations are Key
Make reservations in advance to secure a table at this popular and highly sought-after restaurant.
Must-Try Dishes
Indulge in signature dishes like Gorgonzola croquettes, tuna tartare, and the decadent triple chocolate cake.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Cuban
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Iconic Havana Ambiance
Dine in a beautifully restored 19th-century manor, offering a unique 'shabby-chic' vintage atmosphere with stunning art and ornate decor.

Celebrity & Cinematic History
A favorite of celebrities and the filming location for 'Strawberry and Chocolate', La Guarida boasts a rich history and cultural significance.

Rooftop Bar Views
Sip cocktails at the rooftop bar offering panoramic views of Havana, especially stunning during sunset and evening.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reservations are Key
Make reservations in advance to secure a table at this popular and highly sought-after restaurant.
Must-Try Dishes
Indulge in signature dishes like Gorgonzola croquettes, tuna tartare, and the decadent triple chocolate cake.
Visit the Rooftop Bar
Enjoy breathtaking views of Havana's skyline from the rooftop bar, perfect for pre-dinner drinks.
Consider the Price
Be aware that prices for food and drinks may be higher than other local establishments.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reservations are Key
Make reservations in advance to secure a table at this popular and highly sought-after restaurant.
Must-Try Dishes
Indulge in signature dishes like Gorgonzola croquettes, tuna tartare, and the decadent triple chocolate cake.
Visit the Rooftop Bar
Enjoy breathtaking views of Havana's skyline from the rooftop bar, perfect for pre-dinner drinks.
Consider the Price
Be aware that prices for food and drinks may be higher than other local establishments.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
La Guarida is celebrated for its breathtaking ambiance, blending historic charm with a unique 'shabby-chic' aesthetic. Many diners rave about the delicious food, particularly the Gorgonzola croquettes and triple chocolate cake, and commend the professional and friendly service. However, some guests have noted that the food can be inconsistent and that prices are on the higher side for the area. Occasional complaints about slow service or issues with smoking patrons have also been mentioned.
"Went here for dinner with a group and listened to a great local band. The building is gorgeous and we enjoyed the different terrace bars. The three course dinner was delicious and the drinks were generous!"
Sandy Wada
"On our last day in Havana, we decided to visit La Guarida and it was the best decision we made on our last dinner here in Cuba! The ambience is unique and the building is a mix of romantic vintage manor house! The staff were very professional and kind and the food was delicious!! All dishes were very tasty from the starters to our main tenderloin beef!! Suggestions is the Gorgonzola croquettes and definitely the triple chocolate cake (or something like that)!! Just an amazing night!!"
T. Pavli
"Wow! What a great meal. Started off at the rooftop bar and then had dinner on the terrace. The food was fantastic, amazing wine list, and very great service. View if the water is nice as well. Tuna tar tar was my favorite item…super fresh. Garlic shrimp was also very good."
Adam Kramer
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, reservations are highly recommended due to the restaurant's popularity to ensure you can secure a table.
La Guarida is known for its unique 'shabby-chic' atmosphere within a beautifully restored 19th-century building, featuring eclectic decor and art.
Guests often recommend the Gorgonzola croquettes, tuna tartare, and the triple chocolate cake for a memorable meal.
Yes, the restaurant features a rooftop bar offering stunning views of Havana, perfect for enjoying drinks.
While possible, some solo diners have reported less ideal experiences, especially regarding seating and service compared to groups.
La Guarida is considered an upscale dining experience, and prices for food and drinks may be higher than average in Havana.
Yes, La Guarida was famously used as a filming location for the acclaimed Cuban film 'Strawberry and Chocolate'.
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MiramarOne of the most famous restaurants in all of Havana (and by extension, all of Cuba) La Guarida is NOT an airport serving the greater-NYC area. It is, however, an upscale eatery on the top floor of a dilapidated building that has become a tourist dining destination actually worth its salt. Celebrities like Sting, Jack Nicholson, and Prince Albert of Monaco (!) all stopped by on their trips to Cuba, and you can, too, so long as you make a reservation.
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The enterprising owner of the house, Enrique Nuñez del Valle, saw the opportunity to turn part of the building into his own La Guarida, a paladar - the uniquely Cuban, privately owned restaurants found in the living rooms of ordinary families trying to make an honest dollar. Given the mediocrity of the state-run restaurants, paladars are the best places to eat in Cuba, and La Guarida is regarded as the best in town.
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Long the reigning paladar in town, La Guarida is the de rigueur fuel stop for every international celebrity passing through Havana. Chalk it up to its shabby-chic setting on two levels of the dramatically dilapidated townhouse locale for Cuba’s Oscar-nominated Strawberry and Chocolate (1993). You’ll dine amid real décor from the movie, plus a Louvre-worthy collection of Cuban contemporary art.
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Still Havana's most famous paladar, La Guardia has reached almost legendary status. Enrique Nuñez and his wife, Odeysis, have transformed their early 20th-century town house into a fine paladar. It's so photogenic that scenes in Fresa y Chocolate ( Strawberry and Chocolate) were filmed here.
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Though La Guarida is Havana’s oldest, and arguably its most famous, paladar—located in an apartment where Strawberry and Chocolate (1993) was filmed—I still felt like Indiana Jones as I passed through the massive wooden portico into its grand, dilapidated entrance hall.
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The most delightful – albeit quietest – bar in town is La Barrita, a beautiful art deco affair in the gobsmackingly grand Edificio Bacardi. It is only open until 9pm.
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Shabby chic bars like La Guarida’s stylish hub, or the high-end Hotel Gran Manzana by Kempinski offer up some of the most stunning views of the city skyline.
Located at one corner of Plaza Vieja, this … marina hixson tn 26 of the Best Restaurants & Bars in Havana, Cuba 7 Of The Best Bars In Havana – Big 7 Travel Guide Nightlife in Havana: Where to Find the City THE BEST Havana Jazz Clubs & Bars (Updated 2023) - Tripadvisor WebFloridita (Spanish pronunciation: floɾiˈðita) or El Floridita is a historic fish restaurant and cocktail bar in the older part of Havana (La Habana Vieja), Cuba.It lies at the end of Calle Obispo (Bishop Street), across Monserrate Street from the National Museum of Fine Arts of Havana (Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de La Habana).The establishment is famous … marina hoang WebJan 24, 2019 · Paladar La Guarida, 418 Concordia, Havana Ambos Mundos This hotel was made famous by Hemingway, who stayed there and used the room as an office when he … marina hintze WebAug 1, 2017 · The Best Historic Bars and Drinking Spots in Havana. La Bodeguita del Medio. During the day it is hard to miss La Bodeguita … marina hochhaus gladbeck Havana, Cuba Hotel Deals.
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A ramshackle 19th-century residential neighbourhood in Centro Habana is not the place you'd expect to find some of the tastiest, most expertly prepared cuisine in the city, but La Guarida is not your average paladar. Scaling the winding staircase to the third floor of this withered apartment building, the set of the award-winning Cuban film Fresa y Chocolate, you could be forgiven for thinking you'd got the wrong place, until a door opens into the atmospheric and idiosyncratic family-run restaurant. Dine on dishes such as sugar-cane tuna glazed with coconut, or fish salad with crunchy vegetables and peanuts in one of three intimate, moodily lit dining rooms, as you take in the eclectic wall displays, from abstract art and cigar labels to pictures of Castro.
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This paladar is famous for its appearance in the film Fresa y Chocolate but I think the fame may have gone to its head as La Guarida didn’t really live up to expectations. The setting is the big draw, located in a dilapidated building in one of the more residential areas of Centro Habana, with a wide elaborate staircase leading the way up past people’s homes to the paladar, which is decked out in paintings and posters covering the walls giving the cosy restaurant a very homely yet elegant feel. We stopped off at the rooftop bar for a drink before our meal and the modern luxurious setting, complete with chaise lounge and cosy blankets, was a stark contrast to the view looking out over the crumbling buildings.
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Its appearance in the Cuban film Fresa y Chocolate isn't the only reason that discerning diners head to this hidden gem, run by husband-and-wife duo Enrique and Odeisys Nuñez, in central Havana. This paladar (a small, family-run restaurant typically located inside a home that gained legal status in Cuba in the early 1990s) is tucked up three flights of rickety stairs at the top of a dilapidated turn-of-the-20th-century residential edifice at 418 Concordia. La Guarida's whimsical setting, which stretches through three small rooms, is adorned with autographed celebrity photos.
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It is attached to the famous celebrity-trap Paladar La Guarida restaurant, one of the city's best dining spots, and gives views over Habana Centro and views through to the Malécon. You walk up through three floors of a derelict mansion, walls adorned with Revolution-based art and graffiti. The drinks menu has been created by the 2014 winner of the Havana Club Grand Prix cocktail competition and offers interesting twists on classic Cuban cocktails with an emphasis on fresh ingredients available in Cuba.
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The food scene is more and more interesting in Cuba, particularly in Havana," says Enrique Nunez, owner of La Guarida, the city's best restaurant, "but it is still very, very limited." The top places to eat in Havana may represent only a couple of hundred seats. There are now fewer good restaurants in Havana than there were just two years ago when I wrote a similar story for this magazine (for reasons I'll explain later). However, the small number that remain are getting better and better.
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On 14th July 1996, Enrique Nuñez del Valle and his wife Odeysy B. Caro used the location for the film to open the paladar named "La Guarida" (The Den). Paladares are unique to Cuba and are best described as privately owned restaurants found, at that time, in the living rooms of ordinary families’ homes, who are generally just trying to make some money. The thing is, if this were simply a quick stop to grab a quick sandwich on your way around Havana, it may not have gained much traction.
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La Guarida, an enchanting gem tucked away in the heart of Havana, is not just a cocktail bar but a cultural haven that captivates the senses. This hidden treasure, located in a crumbling yet charming old mansion in Centro Havana, has earned its place among the best cocktail bars in Havana due to its unique charm, artistic ambiance, and culinary delights. As you approach La Guarida, you’ll notice the weathered facade of the once-grand mansion that houses this extraordinary establishment.
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Having welcomed everyone from President Obama to Leonardo DiCaprio and the Kardashians, La Guarida is a must-visit culinary destination in Havana with an impressive roster of fans and a spectacular menu to support all the hype. The gorgeous historic building and rooftop with spectacular vistas only add to the experience. La Guarida highlights classic Cuban dishes and has a particularly excellent selection of seafood, with fresh fish, lobster, and octopus frequently stealing the show.
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La Guarida stands out not just for its remarkable cuisine but also for its cinematic history, being the setting for the acclaimed Cuban film Fresa y Chocolate. Its ambiance combines rustic elegance with artistic flair, making dining here an experience for both the palate and the soul. La Guarida’s approach to French cuisine involves a local interpretation that infuses traditional French techniques with Cuban ingredients, creating a unique gastronomic journey.
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Nestled in a historic building, La Guarida is a must-visit culinary destination that has welcomed esteemed guests, including President Obama and Hollywood celebrities. With an impressive roster of fans and a spectacular menu featuring classic Cuban dishes and an exceptional selection of seafood, this restaurant is sure to leave a lasting impression. Be sure to make reservations well in advance, as La Guarida is the most famous restaurant on the entire island.
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Despite being this far down on our list, there are several things that make La Guarida a must for anyone visiting Havana. First, it’s one of the oldest and most storied paladares—it was featured in the 1993 film Fresa y Chocolate, which was nominated for an Oscar—and its crumbling, labyrinthian grandeur create an ambiance that perfectly captures the contradictions of Havana. The food is always good and the views of the city from the rooftop are spectacular.
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Es uno de los primeros paladares del sector privado cubano donde comer en La Habana, y hacerlo en un local cuya historia le desborda como restaurante. Fue el set de filmación del emblemático filme cubano Fresa y Chocolate (1993, dirigida por Tomás Gutiérrez Alea y Juan Carlos Tabío) y tiene sus puertas abiertas desde hace más de 25 años. Ha sido, debido a esta razón, punto de encuentro de numerosos artistas cubanos e internacionales de visita en la Isla.
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Perhaps one of the most famous fine-dining restaurants in Havana, La Guarida is a must for your first time in Cuba, even just to see the beautiful, crumbly, grand colonial building in which it’s housed. Dinner reservations should be made at least a week in advance, but you can snag a lunch spot more easily. However, I recommend skipping the main dining area altogether and heading to the roof, which for some reason most people haven’t yet discovered.
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Housed atop a decrepit 1913 building with living quarters for 42 families, Paladar La Guarida’s (www.laguarida.com) innovative renewal of typical Cuban cuisine makes it a popular haunt for dining mavens. Upon entering the private home, or paladar, the hustle and bustle of the kitchen exudes a homely feel as the chefs whip up an endless stream of dishes. Reserve ahead for an intimate Cuban home dining experience, be it a table for two or eight.
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When the guest list features the likes of Natalie Portman and Jay Z, you know you’re onto a winner. La Guarida is a long-running Habana Centro paladar and celebrity favourite, but it may be one for those with deeper pockets – although the food is worth the above-average prices. Cuban-fusion dishes are created with originality and flavour – menu items might include papaya lasagne, watermelon soup or sugar cane tuna glazed with coconut.
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**La Guarida** has achieved notoriety beyond Cuba’s shores, having hosted celebrities and being featured in the famous Cuban film “Fresa y Chocolate.” Its setting in a dilapidated old mansion offers an ambience like no other. The entrance, a grand staircase leading up through a seemingly abandoned apartment building, sets the tone for an extraordinary dining experience. Patrons indulge in gourmet Cuban dishes with an innovative twist.
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Initially, the setting for the acclaimed film Strawberry and Chocolate, La Guarida is currently a beautiful 'Hideaway' (as its name interprets in English) for both cinephiles gastro-fans. It is tucked on the third floor of a ratty stylish private structure where regular everyday life goes undisturbed by inquisitive guests. Climb the sensational marble flight of stairs to feast among the old film gear in the three little rooms.
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Este viejo edificio que guarda la historia de una de las películas más importantes del cine cubano, Fresa y Chocolate, es también uno de los restaurantes más conocidos de La Habana. Muchas celebridades han preferido comer en este sitio acogedor que mezcla lo vintage con las raíces cubanas, en pleno Centro Habana. Entre sus visitantes más ilustres están Beyoncé, Jay Z, Robert de Niro, Jon Bon Jovi, Mick Jagger y Karl Lagerfeld.
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But, as any well-versed raven can tell you, it’s not about the book’s cover; it’s about the story within. Dubbed La Guarida, the Spanish equivalent of ‘The Hideout,’ this legendary venue has been an open secret among Havana’s glitterati since it was immortalized in the iconic Cuban film Fresa y Chocolate. Winding your way up seven flights in this former multi-family building, you may wonder if you’ve taken a wrong turn.
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Before sunset, head to the recently opened rooftop piano bar at Paladar La Guarida to enjoy another signature Cuban offering — music. The bar sits atop the ruins of a 1913 palace and offers an unparalleled view of the city, in all of its faded glory. With luck, you might catch Roberto Fonseca, one of Cuba’s most renowned contemporary musicians and one of Geoffrey Baer’s tour guides in the Weekend in Havana documentary.
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Address: Concordia No. 418, Gervasio y Escobar, Centro HabanaHours: [11:00pm – 2:00pm + 6:00pm – 12:00am | Everyday]Phone: +53 7 8669047. Last on our list is La Guarida, or as it was first described to me, "the restaurant that Jay-Z and Beyonce went to." La Guarida is the nicest of the nice in Havana. There is no restaurant more elegant, nor more expensive than La Guarida in this city, but it is well-worth the cost.
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Behind the crumbling façade of a grand building in the heart of Havana Centro lies one of the cities best and oldest paladares. Open since 1996, La Guarida was the set of the Oscar-nominated Cuban film Fresa y Chocolate. Climb up the crumbling rusted grand wrought iron staircase to the third floor where the restaurant’s dining rooms are scattered through and sit down to one of the best meals you’ll have in Havana.
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La Guarida, Cuba’s most famous and successful paladar, has become a must visit for all travelers. Opened in the 90s, the once small and cozy 3rd floor restaurant has evolved into three stories of beautiful décor and great outdoor spaces, the most recent addition being a chic bar with spectacular 360 views of the capital. Madonna celebrated her birthday here and Usher chose the location for his wedding ceremony.
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The interior of La Guarida alone will take you back in time and while the restaurant boasts authentic local cuisine, they offer international cuisine as well (vegan options also available). The New York Times, August 2002, hailed it as "the most famous of Havana's Paladares" and many celebrities have eaten here. The restaurant caters for weddings, rehearsal dinners, birthdays, corporate events and receptions.
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In the kaleidoscope of Havana’s vibrant nightlife, where salsa rhythms blend with the whispers of history and the clinking of cocktail glasses, stands a testament to timeless elegance and modern flair: La Guarida. This bar, often termed as an institution in Cuban cocktail culture, offers an experience that goes beyond mere mixology, plunging visitors into a heady mix of nostalgia, artistry, and innovation.
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Its rustic feels and decaying colonial grandeur will take you back to the romance of 1920s Cuba. Take a slow stroll up its famous stairway, stopping for the inevitable photo opp, then take a seat on one of its multiple terraces overlooking the city and enjoy their international menu, where all cravings are sure to be satisfied. Grand colonial staircase ushering visitors to La Guarida | photo by La Guarida
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The setting feels as authentically Cuban as they come: achandeliered dining room on the third floor of a crumbling mansion, with original tile and mismatched antique chairs. Request a table on the new rooftop deck, which overlooks the entire old city, and order the roasted chicken. The Cuban classic is elevated with a drizzle of honey, an ingredient that’s hard to come by in this corner of the world.
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La Guarida – this is where “Strawberry and Chocolate” was shot: a little further down the TripAdvisor list is La Guarida, I guess because it’s really not cheap to eat there. But anyone who has seen the movie “Strawberry and Chocolate” will recognize the stairs at the entrance and parts of the film equipment, for example. And for my wife, it was the best food she ever ate in Cuba – and she is Cuban!.
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If fancy hotels sound boring to you (I feel you on that), there’s a bar in Havana that culture lovers shouldn’t miss. La Guarida is more than a rooftop bar in Havana but a paladar AKA a privately-owned Cuban restaurant (although I didn’t personally try the food). This building dating back to the early 20th century was the filming location of 1993 movie, Fresa e Chocolate (Strawberry and Chocolate).
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La Guarida: Made famous due to being a filming spot for the Oscar-nominated Fresa y Chocolate, this special place is now more than just a restaurant. It’s five floors of surprises, with side terraces to eat outdoors under the stars, a super chic rooftop bar with pink lights and great music, and after more spiral stairs to the side of the bar, a tiny silent outdoor lounge perched at the very top.
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More than two decades since opening, La Guarida has become synonymous with fine dining in Cuba. As veteran Cuban customers say, “There’s La Guarida, then there is the rest.” The restaurant is huge and has several floors, but depending on the time of year we love to sit on the rooftop and enjoy a cigar after dinner. The mouth-watering and superb “new Cuban” and Latino dishes are always on point.
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In Havana, we recommend dining at La Guarida, a beautiful paladar or private restaurant in Old Havana. The excellent Cuban gay themed movie Strawberry and Chocolate was partially filmed here. Most celebrities when they visit Cuba ( Steven Spielberg, Uma Thurman, Tom Hanks, Beyonce and Jay Z, Madonna and even former President of United States, Barack Obama and his family) have also dined here.
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Finally, in Central Havana, La Guarida is famous as an early pioneer of the paladar movement and as the picturesquely distressed setting for the dissident classic Cuban film Strawberry and Chocolate. Insiders skip the overpriced restaurant and head to the new rooftop bar to sip tropical cocktails as the setting sun flares orange over the panorama of Havana and the Straits of Florida beyond.
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A popular destination for both visitors and residents alike, it has been a popular destination for years!. Several sequences from the Oscar-nominated Cuban film Fresa y Chocolate were filmed here, Rihana shot there with Vanity Fair, and numerous worldwide celebrities visit the restaurant every year. According to rumours, Usher may have celebrated his nuptials on the restaurant’s rooftop.
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It's located in Centro Havana so you'll walk through a residential doorway to get to the restaurant. The beautifully crumbling walls shelter open rooms as you climb the 2 floors to La Guarida, perplexed at how a well-known restaurant is ever going to appear. At the top, a long hallway reveals different kitchens on one side and an outdoor patio with sweeping Havana views on the other.
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This is one of the restaurants in Cuba which will surely take you back in time as the building is set in the beginning of the 20 th century. The restaurant boasts authentic local cuisine; however, they also offer international cuisine. It was ranked “The Most Famous of Havana’s Paladares” by The New York Times in August 2002, “Best Interior” and “Recommended” by Restaurant Guru 2022.
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Many great restaurants and conveniences are within walking distance from the apartment, including the famous La Guarida fine dining restaurant. If you need to take a taxi anywhere, there is a taxi stand across the street by the hotel where drivers are always available. Walking is a suitable option though because the street and surrounding area is completely safe, even late at night.
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In Havana, I met the head chef at La Guarida, and (after the most memorable meal in Cuba) I asked him what a typical day in his life looked like. Since I was in the kitchen in numerous restaurants in America, and everything was delivered to my doorstep where I could pick and chose whatever I felt like taking; I wanted to know what it was like to survive as a renowned chef in Havana.
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La Guarida – One of Havana’s longest running paladars; La Guarida is a must on most visitors lists and for good reason. La Guarida’s innovative Cuban dishes paired with classics like yucca con mojo, rice and beans, and plantains are spectacular. Arrive early for your reservation and have a mojito or gin tonic on their rooftop bar, which has some of the most striking views in town.
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La Guarida is a restaurant located in a crumbling building in Central Habana and was also the location featured in the Oscar-nominated Cuban film “Strawberry and Chocolate”. The restaurant occupies several floors of the building and can be accessed by climbing a grand marble staircase. From seafood to vegetarian options, the restauant offers a wide variety of flavorful foods.
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Given the peculiar laws regarding private commercial galleries in Cuba, restaurant-owners are offering their venues as spaces for contemporary artists to exhibit – from the kitsch, life-size statues of Marx and Christ at La Guarida - to the hanging boat installation in Bar Espacios, you’ll find that eating your way through Cuba is both a culinary and a cultural adventure!
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Search no more for an extraordinary dining experience while in Havana: La Guarida is the place to go. This popular spot offers gourmet interpretations of traditional dishes such as Lobster Ceviche or Confit Duck Leg with tamarind sauce. With its impressive wine list and captivating ambiance within an old mansion, this restaurant truly encapsulates fine Cuban dining.
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An institution of Havana, this is one of the city’s most famous and most loved restaurants. A visit to La Guarida is about more than just the food- the restaurant itself is an experience. As you enter the unassuming entrance and take the first set of stairs, you enter into a chandelier-clad ballroom that you picture being the height of grandeur in its hey-day.
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La Guarida calls itself a paladar but is really a restaurant, with printed menus, bow-tied waiters, and even a wine list. It’s located in an old, unmarked apartment building made famous by the 1994 film Fresa y Chocolate which was filmed there. The dining rooms of this converted apartment are reached by climbing three flights of run-down, poorly lit stairs.
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I’ve even put it on my blog post for TOP THINGS TO DO IN HAVANA because it’s so iconic. Cuba’s most famous movie Strawberry and Chocolate was filmed here, immortalising the already well-known restaurant This will be your high-end food experience in Havana. The prices range from 15 – 25 CUC and the menu is full of Cuban classics with a fine dining twist.
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If you’re looking for a memorable dining experience, head to La Guarida, one of Havana’s most iconic restaurants. Located within an old colonial mansion, this hidden gem provides a unique atmosphere and delicious dishes inspired by traditional Cuban recipes. Don’t miss the opportunity to savor their famous Ropa Vieja or indulge in their delectable flan.
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Arguably Havana’s most renowned paladar, La Guarida has been a private dining haven since 1996. Frequented by celebrities like Jack Nicholson and Naomi Campbell, La Guarida sits as an oasis on a central Havana street. Occupying the second floor of a once-opulent mansion, its menu boasts sliced steak, oxtail risotto, suckling pig, and lamb tikka masala.
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You can expect everything from classics like ropa vieja to exotic dishes like tikka masala on the menu. Aside from the food, the decor is straight out of a film noir, complete with crystal chandeliers and old-school photographs from the city. La Guarida is an absolute must for travelers to Cuba between the high-quality cuisine and the unique ambiance.
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This is one of the coolest dining experiences in the world, not just in Havana. La Guardia Restaurant is located on the third floor or a broken down building in Centro Habana, and can only be reached by climbing a winding staircase. The food is modern and classy, with less of a focus on traditional Cuban food than many of the restaurants in Havana.
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One of the most Instagrammable locations in Havana and entire Cuba is the famous restaurant Paladar La Guarida. This restaurant hosted pretty much all politicians and celebrities who ever visited Cuba. You might be surprised, but even though you can’t buy much in the grocery stores all around Cuba, the restaurant scene is thriving in the capital.
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Welcome to La Guarida, a place where not everybody is welcome” , the famous quote from the award-winning and Oscar-nominated film Fresa y Chocolate. La guarida is the most elegant and famous Paladar (Cuban Restaurants) in Havana. More recently it was made famous by the visit of Beyonce, and Jay-Z, who dined there as part of their tour of Havana.
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Reservations are an absolute must as this is one of the most popular paladars in Havana. Enjoy drinks on the rooftop as you wait for your table (ours wasn’t ready until 45 minutes AFTER our reserved time). While I wasn’t crazy about my pollo asado dish and my friend hated her lobster one, others really enjoyed theirs especially the ropa vieja.
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Best Views of Havana CentroIt’s easy to wax lyrical about the views in Havana. The history seeps from every once ornate, now crumbling façade and lurks in enticing alleyways where the scent from Gardenias and Butterfly Jasmine invades the air. The most attractive vantage point to survey all this living history is from La Guarida Rooftop Bar.
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This is probably one of the most famous restaurants in Havana Cuba, both for its food and its rich history. In fact, the film Fresa y Chocolate was shot here, and since then it has been visited by people from all over the world. You can find it at 418 Concordia Street, right in the city centre, and prices range from £20 to £35 per person.
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One of our favourite restaurants in all of Cuba: Paladar La Guarida. Not only a perfect insta-worthy place but also excellent food and a rooftop bar with delicious cocktails. Head up the spiral staircase one more level to reach the very top of the roof, with 360-degree views of Havana, probably alone because no one knows to go up there.
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La Guarida stood out to me the most out of all visited venues. To get here you’ll go into what feels like an old, abandoned home, climbing dozens of large, marble stairs until it opens up to a bustling old Hollywood feeling restaurant on the very top floor. Walking in it’s easy to feel like you’ve really come across something special.
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La Guarida is a renowned paladar, or privately-owned restaurant, located in Havana, Cuba. Housed in a dilapidated yet charming building, it offers a unique dining experience with its eclectic decor and delicious Cuban cuisine. La Guarida has gained international recognition and is a popular destination for both locals and tourists.
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Si aún no has visto el afamado filme cubano Fresa y Chocolate (1993), ¡ya es hora!. Es una recomendación más que te hacemos para que vivas a plenitud tu experiencia en este maravilloso lugar. La que es, sin duda, la «paladar» cubana más famosa internacionalmente, se ubica en el solar (vivienda multifamiliar) de la calle Concordia.
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Concordia street 418, T 866 9047 Have dinner in old Havana at the famous Paladar La Guarida, where the film Fresca and Chocolate (Strawberries and Chocolate) was filmed. Located on the top floor of a stunningly dilapidated mansion, the restaurant serves up amazing “nueva cocina” that is up there with Habana’s best restaurants.
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One of the coolest dining experiences in Havana is La Guarida Restaurant. It’s located in a really broken down building (perhaps more so than the others around it), in Centro Habana. There are greeters on the ground floor to let you know you’ve arrived at the right place, otherwise you might just drive on by and never know it.
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For a fancy dinner experience, head to La Guarida, which is located in a historic building and has a rooftop terrace with amazing views of the city. Another great option is El Cocinero, which is housed in a converted factory and serves up delicious food and cocktails. More amazing locations such as: Yarni Habana, and El Bleco.
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Tres leches chocolate fondant dessert at the spooky Paladar La Guarida, was really a hot fallen chocolate souffle that could have been on the menu at any good new American restaurant in NYC, or anywhere else for that matter. It was rich and chocolat-y and had the amazing light but creamy texture that a perfect souffle has.
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It’s one of the first paladares small, privately run restaurants in Havana and also where, already years ago, one was able to dine well. La Guarida became famous through the movie Strawberries and Chocolate. For some time now, the restaurant has had a rooftop terrace, with white and pink furniture and matching lighting.
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Paladares in Havana have a habit of opening and closing but some that we can recommend, or which have been recommended to us, include 5 Sentidos, Otramanera, La Guarida, Jama, Grados, Toca Madera, Atelier, El Cocinero, Café Laurent, San Cristobal, El Chanchullero, La Fontana, Dona Eutimia, Jibaro Bar & Lamparilla 361.
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This private restaurant first opened its doors in 1996 and has since served the likes of Jack Nicholson, Steven Spielberg, Sting, and Naomi Campbell. As the epitome of fine dining in Havana, La Guarida is an oasis along a shabby central Havana Street. It sits on the second floor of what was once an opulent mansion.
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Having dinner at La Guarida in Havana is an experience not to be missed. La Guarida is a popular and highly regarded restaurant known for its delicious food and unique atmosphere. The restaurant is housed in a beautiful building and features a number of intimate dining rooms, each with its own charm and character.
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The most iconic restaurant in Havana, La Guarida is a swanky former mansion that’s popular with celebrities. A grand marble staircase leads you up to the first floor where you can dine in candlelight on the balcony. Just be aware: if you don’t have a reservation, you probs won’t make it inside to get the Insta.
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Nuestra comida es como la cultura cubana, una mezcla de muchas cosas”, dice Enrique Núñez, creador y dueño de este restaurante de cocina ecléctica, abastecida con productos de los mercados más populares de la ciudad. Concordia no. 418 e/ Gervasio y Escobar, Centro Habana. Tel.: (+53) 7866 9047 | (+53) 5414 7852
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La Guarida has the reputation of being the best Paladar in Havana. Dining at this dilapidated mansion should be on everyone’s Havana itinerary because it was truly a very special experience from the moment you enter the property. Upon entering you will find a beautiful mural and rugged looking grand staircase.
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It is a renowned upscale establishment named the Best Restaurant in Cuba by the prestigious World Culinary Awards 2023. In addition, CNBC, The New York Times, Esquire, and Lonely Planet featured it in their publications. The Oscar-nominated movie Strawberries and Chocolate was also filmed in this building.
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La Guarida is probably the most famous of Havana’s paladares. Open for 20 years now, it’s located inside a magnificently grand building in Havana Centro. The faded beauty of the building with its peeling paint and rusted grand wrought iron staircase only adds to the charm of this beloved establishment.
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This hot spot exudes old Havana charm and Hollywood glamour. Did we mention it’s the set of the Oscar-nominated Fresa y Chocolate, a defining queer Cuban film?. After dinner, head down to Calle 23 for drinks and dancing at XY Bar, a chic spot known for energetic drag shows and a top-tier cocktail menu.
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This is an incredible spot, located in a crumbling building in Centro Havana. From peeling paint to a grand central staircase you absolutely need to try a meal here, even if prices are slightly higher than elsewhere. The quirky interior, unique menu and incredible city views make this a must try spot!
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La Guarida: For a taste of refined elegance, look no further than La Guarida, a culinary gem tucked away in a crumbling mansion. With its dog-friendly courtyard and innovative cuisine, this iconic restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience for discerning palates and their canine companions.
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The decor of La Guarida merely transports you backward in time. Although the restaurant offers traditional local food, it also serves worldwide cuisine (vegan). The New York Times called it “the most recognized of Havana’s Paladares” in August 2002, and several famous personalities have dined there.
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Admittedly this is probably one of these places that have already been hyped a little bit too much. I watched the film ‘Strawberry and Chocolate’ (Fresa y Chocolate),’ and I simply had to eat at La Guarida. Watch the Oscar-nominated film with Cuban actor Jorge Perrugoría as the main character Diego.
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La Guarida isn’t just famous for its food; it’s a cultural landmark in Havana. This paladar (privately owned restaurant) is known for its inventive dishes, featuring local ingredients infused with international flavors. Signature dishes include their snapper carpaccio and mouth-watering ropa vieja.
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It is the most popular and one of the first "Paladar" built in Havana, located inside an old house decorated like the style of Havana 50s. It is the usual site of artists and movie stars, distinguished Cuban and foreign figures who visit the Island. Music Caribbean Bars Night Life Clubbing Cuba
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Our food is like Cuban culture, a mixture of many things,” says Enrique Núñez, creator and owner of this eclectic cuisine restaurant, supplied with products from the city’s most popular markets. Concordia no. 418 e/ Gervasio y Escobar, Centro Habana. Tel.: (+53) 7866 9047 | (+53) 5414 7852
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La Guarida started as a small paladar (a restaurant in someone’s home) that seated twelve people. Since then, it has expanded to a full-sized restaurant that has become an icon of the food scene in Havana. They serve traditional Cuban dishes that have been elevated for a modern audience.
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La Guarida is one of Havana’s most iconic and trendy restaurants. This elegant Paladar (Cuban restaurant) offers fantastic cuisine that can be enjoyed on a lovely terrace. But for the very best views, and a more chill-out vibe, head up to the top floor rooftop bar, that has its own menu.
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In Havana, La Guarida is a wonderful spot to try your first paladar meal, with diners served imaginative Cuban dishes, such as chicken asado and black beans, in a beautifully faded mansion. There are hundreds of paladares across the country, though, many in atmospheric old buildings.
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Cuba isn’t known for its cuisine or Michelin star restaurants. It has simply not yet arrived at the stage of large-scale development, which means private enterprises –and many ingredients– are rare. But one restaurant in particular is worth a visit when you’re in Havana: La Guarida.
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La Guarida is one of the top spots in Havana and was on the top of our list to visit!. I looked for 4 other top spots to visit while in Havana, Cuba where others in our group had traveled to. The one restaurant consistently on everyone else’s list was the Paladar called La Guarida.
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Several dining rooms filled with kitschy knickknacks and movie memorabilia are constantly full of locals and foreigners. The menu, which includes a small wine list, strives for international creativity. If not a top-notch kitchen, La Guarida opened the doors to wider possibilities.
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Blue Note Travel guests will stay at the Grand Aston La Habana. Located in the heart of the Malecón, with a spectacular ocean view, the Grand Aston swill serve as a refuge where you relax and recharge while experiencing the glamour, history, and energy of its vibrant location.
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Also not to be missed is La Guarida (Concordia No.418 /Gervasio y Escobar, Centro Habana, +53 7 866 9047). On the top floor of a crumbling former mansion in Centro Habana, La Guarida recently expanded, adding a cigar bar and an ocean view terrace. You’ll need reservations.
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To end my food quest with a bang, I chose the wildly famous La Guarida as my last stop. As the film set for the famous Cuban movie Fresa y Chocolate, La Guarida hasn’t just earned a lofty reputation from being a movie location, its food is also up there with Havana’s best.
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La Guarida – we saw this restaurant on a travel show before we even planned on going to Cuba, and it been tucked away in our minds as a must for Havana. We knew we had to go, and are thrilled that we did. You do need a reservation, which we booked before arriving in Cuba.
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tel: + 53 7 8669047, +53 5 2644940 e-mail: paladar@laguarida.com Cuisine: Cuban and International. OPEN: 12:00 – 15:00 a 19:00- 00:00, everyday Wide range of wines and excellent cocktails PAYMENT: CUC. The restaurant was open for the first time in the year 1996.
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From 1996, Paladar La Guarida is one of the oldest paladars in the city. It is located in an aging mansion turned apartment building at Concordia #418 entre Gervasio y Escobar. As you climb the stairs, you see a blend of local life with that of an upscale restaurant.
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Another iconic eatery lauded by both travel experts and visitors is La Guarida, which was featured in the Oscar-nominated Cuban film, "Fresa y chocolate" ("Strawberry and Chocolate"). The former movie set became so popular that its owner turned it into a restaurant.
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Beautiful Disaster: Restored to its cinematic splendor as an artist’s “hideout” in the 1979 film Strawberry and Chocolate, lunch at Paladar La Guarida starts with lobster-enfolded papaya lasagne (above) and culminates with suckling pig (top) / Photos by Meg Baggott
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La Guarida se encuentra dentro de una antigua vivienda multi-familiar del siglo pasado, estilo palacete. Este restaurante se hizo famoso en la película Fresa y chocolate y ofrece un ambiente muy pintoresco y especial. Las opiniones sobre este lugar son variadas.
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La Guarida is one of the most famous restaurants in Cuba and has been visited by famous leaders and celebrities. Its popularity made it one of the best restaurants in Havana, Cuba. Dishes are on the pricier side, but it’s worth spending the money to dine here.
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One of the most recommended restaurants is La Guarida, located in Havana. This iconic restaurant offers an unparalleled dining experience in a historic and elegant setting. With capacity for large groups, La Guarida is ideal for weddings and corporate meetings.
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Another great option is La Guarida, considered by some to be the best restaurant in Havana. It’s known for its refreshing take on Cuban cuisine, and, if it helps convince you to go, Beyonce and Jay-Z dined here on their trip to Cuba. Reservations are a must.
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2- Visit the viewpoint at the top of La Guarida restaurant, Concordia St. nº 418. You don’t have to eat at the restaurant; just tell them you’re going to the terrace bar. When you get to the bar, ascend the narrow spiral staircases to a fantastic viewpoint.
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Translated as the hideaway, La Guarida is tucked away in the heart of the crumbling, yet majestic Centro Havana district, with a legendary reputation thanks an eccentric dining experience, intimate charm, and of course, Havana’s best cooked fresh fish.
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A classic that we already love because of the name and the place. Don’t hesitate to go up to the somewhat ramshackle house, as you enter you will find the perfect lair, well cared for and with modern aesthetics. El Litoral, in front of the boardwalk.
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In 1993, Cuba released a groundbreaking LGBT film called “Strawberry and Chocolate.” Much of the story takes place in this elegant location. In homage, La Guarida showcases some of the original props, and named its signature dessert after the movie.
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Opened in 1996, La Guarida was named by the Cuba Journal as the best restaurant in all of Cuba in 2016. It’s an institution. The restaurant has been the backdrop for several films and is known to host most of Havana’s visiting celebrities.
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In 2002 the New York Times rated La Guardia as one of the most famous paladars in all of Havana. It was so good they almost withheld the address from the public. La Guardia serves local Cuban cuisine in a classic Cuban flare atmosphere.
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The top floor of a dilapidated building is designed beautifully for the restaurant. It is the perfect place to enjoy contemporary Cuban fusion dine with old film style. It is 75 years old and remains fully booked in most of the nights.
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La Guarida in Centro Havana is also a popular spot for sunset. It is one of the most expensive restaurants in the city with meals costing only around $40 per person. Made famous by the Academy Award-nominated movie Fresa Y Chocolate.
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La Guarida, San Cristobal, and Miglis, are some of the most celebrated. Havana’s most famous music house - La Casa de La Musica - is also located in Central Havana. In fact there are 2 of these, the other one is located in Vedado.
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La Guarida is not only among the best restaurants in Havana, but it’s also a cultural icon. This famous paladar gained international recognition after being featured in the critically acclaimed movie “Strawberry and Chocolate.
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Puede resultar poco apetecible ir a un restaurante tan «masificado» pero sin ninguna duda merece la pena. El edificio se ha convertido en el emblema de este paladar. Sus paredes descascarilladas tienen un encanto que atrapa.
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The legal framework we had was very strict,” says Enrique Núñez, who opened La Guarida with his wife in 1996. “They saw you with one more chair and there was no fine—the only sanction was the withdrawal of the license.
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Down in the worn streets of Centro Habana, climb the marble stairs to the rooftop of well-known restaurant-bar La Guarida. Under a starry night sky order a neat Havana Club Selección de Maestros. Close by is Michifú.
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Have dinner at La Guarida: The city’s best-known paladar, or Cuban restaurant, is located on the top floor of a dilapidated building and reached by flights of stone steps that pass the open windows of apartments.
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La Guarida is one of the most famous restaurants in Havana, Cuba. It is also a bit Instagram famous for its old sweeping staircase. It’s also the location of a famous Cuban 90s film called Fresa y Chocolate.
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La Guarida is affectionately called the Emblem of Havana for good reason. Most locals know it and can point you in the right direction easily. It has been around for so long and has always been popular.
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This is hands down my absolute favourite restaurant and roof-top bar in Havana. La Guarida is the first paladar we dined in Havana and lets just say the bar had been set, set very high!!
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The food at this restaurant is very tasty, and it is a great experience to have dinner here. The restaurant has many Cuban dishes that are delicious. Also, the desserts here are great.
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But if you’d like a place to start, head to the elegantly ramshackle La Guarida — but don’t go inside. Instead, swing by the Cafetería El Juany, just adjacent, to grab your cajita.
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2- La Punta: iconic place at Havana’s Malecón (esplanade) right at its intersection with Avenida Prado. Many photographers meet there in the afternoon to enjoy the sunset.
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Paladar was a popular name originate on a Brasilian TV serial and used in Cuba to call the first private small... Concordia No.418 /Gervasio y Escobar.Centro Habana
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El Cocinero: Calle 26 entre 11 y 13, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba (do this for dinner and then go to the art space next door – we heard it’s supposed to be great!)
Havana, Cuba
Reservations:online (recommended at least 2 days in advance) or via. phone (+53) 78669047 / (+53) 78662354 / (+53) 54147852. Website:www.laguarida.com
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Payment Options: Cash (CUC), Cash (CUP), Cash (EUR), Cash (USD). Hours: 12pm to 4pm and 6pm to 11:45pm every day. Tip:Reservations are recommended.
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The crème de la crème of paladares is the famous La Guarida. It is so bucket list worthy that it deserves to be it’s own bullet point (see below).
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Favourite rooftops – La Guarida, Hotel Kempinski (buy a day pass and spend a day at the pool), La concordia, Jesus Maria 20, El del Frente.
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La Guarida rooftop is perfect to unwind under the stars on a warm Havana night after a long day of exploring the city.
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