La Casa de la Parra Hanoi

CA3
Style of food: Cuban/Creole
Cost: Cheap
Type of place: State
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for: Dreaming of Vietnam. Looking for backpacker friends
Worst for: Limited food, not as cheap as it might be
Bernaza esquina a Tte. Rey
(+53)7867 - 1029
Open noon-midnight

  • For anyone who has visited Vietnam and tasted even the street food in Saigon, the opportunity to go Vietnamese in Havana would be a treat to be savoured. Unfortunately, Hanoi Havana is just a name and the food is standard Creole fare.
    The Hanoi is one of the only fully restored buildings in the untouristy Plaza del Cristo del Buen Viaje, which dates back to 1640 adjacent to the church of the same name, also called “Calvary Chapel” because it used to be the final station for the Via Crucis procession along Amargura Street. I like the church here and there is always a good local atmosphere with local kids playing basketball/volleyball and all of the real noise of a Cuban neighbourhood as opposed to the somewhat forced beautification, which exists in the more touristy areas of Old Havana.

    This is a cheap and cheerful place (although possibly not as cheap as it could be); there is a down-at-heel scruffy feel to the place without actually being down at heel. This is the sort of place you will find backpackers looking to discover the real Cuba, of simply have a decent meal on the cheap.

    
  • La Barca

    La Barca  LH 4-

    La Barca restaurant is located next to El Templete and has also benefited from the Catalan Jordi Escarra’s inspiration and management. The site now occupied by the restaurant was once the property of …

    Hostal Valencia – La Paella

    Hostal Valencia – La Paella  LH 3+

    One of our favourite choices for dinner in Old Havana, La Paella has a relaxed, intimate and charming ambience fully in keeping with the lovely boutique hotel (Hostal Valencia). The trademark paella d …

    Unión Francesa

    Unión Francesa  LH 3

    The Unión Francesa is one of those places that seem stuck in a netherworld of not quite being sure what it is–state restaurant, association, paladar. I can never tell; it simply is not obvious. It is …

    El Baturro

    El Baturro  LH 3

    In 1919, Romualdo Lalueza, a wine and liquor wholesaler and importer from Spain, occupied the building where he had his warehouse and canteen café called El Baturro. Well into 1944, he advertised his …

    Raquel Hotel – Jardín del Edén

    Raquel Hotel – Jardín del Edén  LH 3

    The beautifully restored Hotel Raquel is another testament to the wonders being performed by Habaguanex, the Historian’s Office commercial wing. Opened in 2009, the stained glass ceiling simply takes …

    Santana

    Santana  LH 3

    Santana opened in November 2011. I love the name (Santana is a rock band based around guitarist Carlos Santana) and although it has nothing really to do with the place, it does sound nice and is easy …

    Castas y Tal

    Castas y Tal  LH 3

    Castas y Tal is located on the 11th floor of a large apartment building in Vedado, just around the corner from Hotel Presidente. The restaurant really has three discreet areas, a main dining room that …

    Al Medina

    Al Medina  LH 3

    Al Medina (The City) opened in 1983 as a Middle Eastern restaurant housed inside a lovely 17th-century building, which was formerly a boys’ school. The menu features a large collection of dishes, gril …

    Doña Blanquita

    Doña Blanquita  LH 3

    Overlooking the Prado boulevard, this has a great location and a pleasant relaxed ambience. Although it could probably do with something of an upgrade, it has been in business for many years and has a …

    Razones

    Razones  LH 3

    Razones is a mid-tier place, which attracts a middle class Cuban crowd, and tourists staying nearby in this residential neighbourhood. Even mid week there is a busy feel to the place, which is explain …

    « 9 of 14 pages »