Los Compadres

Style of food: Mexican

Cost: Moderate

Type of place: Paladar (private)

Food
Ambience
Service
Value

Best for: Listening to a mariachi band on a Saturday night

Worst for: Not focusing on enough real Mexican food.

Calle 66A # 3119, esquina a 41, Playa, La Habana, Cuba, Havana, Cuba 11300

(+53)7203 - 6908

Mon-Fri 12am-12pm Sat/Sun: 4pm to 4am

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 smart strategy. This is a large place with an inside restaurant and bar as well as a comfortable outdoor terrace. Those who hanker after the sweet sound of a good Mariachi band should try and make it on a Saturday night to the bar from 11.30pm.

The menu is possibly not quite as Mexican as we would like. Tacos and Quesadillas compete with beef Carpaccio, octopus and salmon rolls as appetizers while the main course includes lobster, paella and ropa vieja. The Mexican dishes, which they do have, however are well done including your Tex Mex fajitas, beef chimichurri and churrasco. Our advice would be to embrace fully the inner Mexican, spice up the food a little and establish the place as the Mexican of choice in Havana.

Los Compadres bills itself as a Mexican place, has a Mexican partner and even a mariachi band, BUT most of the menu is actually more international and Cuban than Mexican. Sensitive to the criticism in recent weeks, they have started to introduce some more authentic Mexican fare including my favorite, the Tampiqueña steak. Cut thinly (as it should be) and served with tortillas, refried beans and a homemade pico de gallo, it is truly excellent. Thumbs up. Wash it down with a couple of margaritas!