Habáname

Style of food: Diner/Snacks

Cost: Cheap

Type of place: Paladar (private)

Food
Ambience
Service
Value

Best for: A quick bite when you are passing by. People watching from the terrace.

Worst for: Inside room feels claustrophobic.

Calle 23 entre G y H, Vedado

(+53)7832 - 2454

Open noon-11pm

This is really a relatively small walk-by place rather than a destination restaurant. This is not to be dismissive since we actually quite like the place and were several hundred of these types of places to spring up around Havana, it would add to the character of the city and make it infinitely easier to get a good meal.

Owner and chef Javier Martínez characterizes the place as open, flexible, different and eclectic, the same as the city of Havana. This seems fair, and sitting on one of the three small tables outside, watching the world go by, is interesting and pleasant if you are in the mood or simply want a break from walking around the city. There is an inside air-conditioned space but with the door shut, this seems a little claustrophobic for us.

I expected to be disappointed with the food but was pleasantly surprised. Each customer gets Torta de Casabe (thin cassava cake)) and Tamal en Cazuela (crushed maize with seasonings in casserole) on the house, which are both excellent. In fact, Javier may have been hiding his light under a bushel since six of the dishes on the menu are exclusive creations of his and two of them have been prizewinners at Havana’s International Trade Fair.

The prices are very reasonable and if you are in the neighbourhood, you really could do a lot worst than getting a bite here.