La Mina

CA3
Style of food: International
Cost: Moderate
Type of place: State
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for: Great location in heart of old Havana.
Worst for: Uninspiring food, tourist trap for walk by visitors.
Obispo esquina a Oficios
(+53)7671 - 0216
Open bar and café 24hrs; restaurant 10am-midnight
  • The building that houses La Mina and which was the residence of the bishops of the nearby principal Parrish Church back in the 16th and 17th centuries was refurbished in 1985 and became La Mina Restaurant. Today, La Mina is a large rambling complex which includes a sweet shop, bar, café, ice-cream parlour and restaurant. Located opposite Plaza de Armas, the view of the square is lovely and the various eating areas light, airy and comfortable, a perfect escape form the noonday sun.

    This is classified as another Creole place that serves the standard fare of pork, chicken and fish with some variations. I have never had an exceptional meal here but you could do worse. The real issue here is that with its fabulous location, there will always be tourists passing by who come in, sustain the place, never come back but it doesn’t matter since this is a place you pass by and enter rather than especially one you would ever seek out.

    
  • El Gringo Viejo

    El Gringo Viejo  LH 3+

    El Gringo Viejo (The Old Gringo) is at its name suggests something of an old-timer being a mainstay of Vedado paladares for many years. This is one of those places that inspire loyalty from its client …

    Marakas

    Marakas  LH 3

    Once upon a time this used to one of the best pizza places in Havana. Nowadays I don’t know. Certainly it is better than it looks–don’t be put off by the cheap tables and the pictorial map of Italy o …

    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 …

    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 …

    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 …

    Torre de Marfil

    Torre de Marfil  LH 3

    The house now occupied by the Torre de Marfil (Ivory Tower) restaurant dates from the 18th century and is situated on Mercaderes Street, a part of town that in the second half of the 19th century was …

    Los Compadres

    Los Compadres  LH 3

    Los Compadres opened recently in a beautiful Miramar mansion and as its name suggests is going after the Mexican market. Given that there is a complete dearth of Mexican food in Havana this seems a sm …

    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 …

    « 7 of 14 pages »