La Giraldilla

CA2
Style of food: International
Cost: Moderate
Type of place: State
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for: Dining in a posh atmosphere before dancing at Macumba.
Worst for: Somewhat sterile atmosphere and food not good enough for the price
Calle 222, esquina a 37, La Coronela, La Lisa
(+53)7273 - 0568
Open noon-midnight
  • Opinions vary at La Giraldilla. It is next to the Macumba nightclub, which is extremely popular on nights when good groups are playing. The entire complex is very upmarket featuring acres of white marble.

    The restaurant itself is another Cuban state high-end place, which we tend to feel ends up being somewhat sterile and bland with average food priced towards the high end. On the other hand, this is a seriously upmarket place, which has a lovely garden terrace. Bottom line is that if you get an invite to a party or a function, then all to the good but not really a destination place for dinner for a small group.

    
  • Le Garage

    Le Garage  LH 3

    Le Garaje is affectionately known by Habaneros as the Cuban version of Hooters. I would stream more of a Johnny Rockets burger joint, Havana-style. This is a completely new concept to Havana and has b …

    El Aljibe

    El Aljibe  LH 3

    Sergio García Macías runs one of the busiest restaurants in Havana (especially at lunchtime), El Aljibe, which features a 62-year-old secret recipe for roast chicken that has drawn the likes of Hollyw …

    Parrillada 84 y Quince

    Parrillada 84 y Quince  LH 3

    Translated Parrillada 84 y Quince means Charcoal Grill located on 84th Street on the intersection of 15th Avenue. What more do you need to know? This is really a neighbourhood place just off the busy …

    Casa Lala

    Casa Lala  LH 3+

    Havana Chef has had a makeover and a name change to Casa Lala. It has the same delicious menu (including the suckling pig that I talked about in a previous column), but with lower prices. The place is …

    Italia en Cuba (La Terraza de Miramar)

    Italia en Cuba (La Terraza de Miramar)  LH 3

    I liked the look of the place from the outside. This really merits the name, the Terrace of Miramar. Located on the second floor with a nice view you wonder just where all these houses come from. It i …

    Barlovento

    Barlovento  LH 3

    Barlovento is a Mediterranean themed restaurant opposite the popular El Sauce nightclub. ‘Pepín’ who, while a mechanical engineer by trade always had an affinity for the kitchen, opened this new palad …

    El Bacura

    El Bacura  LH 3+

    El Bacura is a great option coming back from a day out at the beach. This is a farmhouse-cum-restaurant and you are welcome to wonder around back where there is a weird and wonderful assortment of ani …

    La Casa de la Parra (Hanoi)

    La Casa de la Parra (Hanoi)  LH 3

    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 …

    La Casa Sarasua

    La Casa Sarasua  LH 3

    If you want an opportunity to chat with an interesting paladar owner, then look no further than this friendly and welcoming paladar overlooking leafy Calle 25, near the university. The décor is provid …

    Las Marías

    Las Marías  LH 3

    Las Marías is a small charming outdoor terrace in the heart of Miramar, which re-opened on Christmas Eve 2011. More to the point, it is a family affair between María Ofelia, her daughter Marilé and gr …

    « 9 of 14 pages »