Puerto de Sagua

CA3
Style of food: Seafood
Cost: Moderate
Type of place: Paladar (private)
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for: Good service, great value. Love the fish tank.
Worst for: Located in grittier part of Old Havana
Egido No. 603 entre Acosta y Jesús María
(+53)7862 - 4539
Open noon-midnight
  • “The fish and shellfish that you have enjoyed here spent the night in Isabela de Sagua Bay.” This slogan used to identify the excellence of food served at Puerto de Sagua Bar & Restaurant, founded in 1945.

    This nautical-themed eating joint in Habana Vieja’s grittier southern quarter (not far from Havana Railway Station) is characterized by its small porthole-style windows. With an anchored ship effect exterior design, the restaurant has two rooms: one for light food, and a luxury room. On the second floor, there is a wine cellar and an elegant private room for four. It also has a coffee shop, and a video-bar has been recently added.

    The menu mostly revolves around seafood, which is in keeping with its heritage, although you can also have tapas and brochettes at the Acuario Bar. The prices are pretty reasonable (CUC 5-8) and the food surprisingly good. Service wise, the waiters are all dressed up and make a real effort to be courteous and friendly.

    Maybe the trick here is that since it is off the main tourist trail and does not get the mindless walk past traffic, they have to make a bit more effort and are more appreciative to their clientele. Don’t get me wrong, I am not in love with the place and probably would not recommend as a destination place, but it is good value and good food, which goes a long way.

    
  • Meliá Habana Hotel -La Scala

    Meliá Habana Hotel -La Scala  LH 4

    I never knew the name of La Scala before I had to write about it. Thus is the fate of hotel restaurants. Even the best ones like La Scala become anonymous, generic, the pizza place at the Meliá Habana …

    La Terraza Romana

    La Terraza Romana  LH 4

    Having waited years for a good private Italian restaurant in Havana, it is with sheer joy for us pizza lovers that there is another great addition to the scene. La Terraza Romana is an Italian’s Itali …

    La Imprenta

    La Imprenta  LH 4

    La Imprenta is a beautiful place restored on top of the ruins of what used to be La Habanera printing house back in the 19th century. This is a place of homage to Gutenberg’s printing. More to the poi …

    La Campana

    La Campana  LH 4

    Chill out bar and grill, La Campana seems at first glance more an upmarket homestead finca (farm) than anything else. This is an upmarket ranchón beside a nice pool. The tables are comfortable and wel …

    Milano Lounge Club

    Milano Lounge Club  LH 4

    While Milano may be the new kid on the block, opening in mid April 2013 in Miramar’s burgeoning entertainment district, there was nothing modest about the smart party that announced its arrival loaded …

    San Cristóbal

    San Cristóbal  LH 5

    San Cristóbal is named after its owner, chef and driving inspiration, Carlos Cristóbal Márquez Valdés. The place belies its location in Central Havana and exudes authenticity and charm. Cluttered, ecl …

    Meliá Cohíba – La Piazza

    Meliá Cohíba – La Piazza  LH 5-

    La Piazza succeeds enormously where most of the other hotel restaurants (including of the same Meliá Cohíba) struggle. It succeeds in providing good quality Italian food and fine service but most of a …

    Sancho Panza

    Sancho Panza  LH 4+

    The sign on the wall reads that our fames precede us and our food maintains us. Actually Sancho Panza (not to be confused with Poncho Sanchez!) looks a lot better from the inside out than the outside …

    Café del Oriente

    Café del Oriente  LH 4+

    The Café del Oriente is about as upmarket as it gets in Old Havana. Almost self-consciously grand, it is located right on Plaza de San Francisco and seems to challenge its neighbours to do better. Thi …

    La Esperanza

    La Esperanza  LH 4

    La Esperanza is one of those places which gives out its own microclimate so far removed it is from your typical Havana dining experience. Set in the Miramar suburbs, the exterior of the house is notab …

    « 3 of 14 pages »