Cuba
Cuban Food Guide for Travelers
Cuban cuisine is flavourful, simple, and shaped by Spanish heritage and decades of economic constraint. Slow-roasted pork, black beans and rice, and tropical fruit form the foundation. Paladares (home restaurants) serve the most authentic meals.
Paladar Culture
Privately-owned home restaurants. The food is fresher, more creative, better than state restaurants. Ask your casa particular host for recommendations.
The Cuban Staples
Rice, black beans, plantain, pork. When pork is in mojo sauce, beans simmered in sofrito, and tostones are crispy: simplicity becomes perfection.
Cocktail Culture
Mojito, daiquiri, Cuba libre. Havana's bar culture is legendary. A mojito in a crumbling Havana bar is one of travel's great moments.
Food Realities
Economic constraints shape the food scene. Ingredients can be limited, menus may not reflect availability. Patience and flexibility essential. Best meals from paladares cooking with whatever they source.
Must-Try Dishes
Ropa Vieja
$Shredded beef in tomato sauce with peppers and onions. The national dish.
Contains meat; gluten-free
Lechon Asado
$$Slow-roasted garlic-citrus-oregano pork. Celebration centrepiece.
Contains meat; gluten-free
Moros y Cristianos
$Black beans and white rice cooked together.
Naturally vegan and gluten-free
Tostones
$Twice-fried green plantain discs.
Naturally vegan and gluten-free
Cuban Sandwich
$Pressed with roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard on Cuban bread.
Contains meat, dairy, gluten
Mojito
$White rum, lime, sugar, mint, soda water. Born in Havana.
Contains alcohol
Menu Vocabulary
| Term | Meaning | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Paladar | Private home restaurant | Dining |
| Cerdo/Puerco | Pork | Proteins |
| Pollo | Chicken | Proteins |
| Frijoles negros | Black beans | Staples |
| Arroz | Rice | Staples |
| Platano | Plantain | Staples |
| Mojo | Garlic-citrus sauce | Sauces |
| La cuenta | The bill | Dining |
Dietary Restriction Guide
Vegetarian
Rice and beans, fried plantain, salads, root vegetables. Paladares can make vegetarian dishes on request. Say 'sin carne'.
Vegan
Very challenging. Rice, beans (check for pork fat), salads, fruit, tostones. Limited vegan understanding outside Havana.
Gluten-Free
Cuban food is naturally gluten-free: rice, beans, grilled meats, plantains. Avoid the Cuban sandwich and breaded dishes.
Common Allergies
Pork in almost everything including beans. Shellfish coastal. Say 'soy alergico/a a...'.
Ordering Tips
- •Eat at paladares over state restaurants: dramatically better.
- •Cash essential. US credit cards don't work. Bring euros or Canadian dollars.
- •Tipping 10-15% at paladares is essential: makes real difference to families.
- •La Bodeguita del Medio for history, but better mojitos found elsewhere.