Food & Drink
Five of the Most Instagrammable Cafes in Havana
Cafes in Havana
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We've rounded up the five most quaint, unique and Insta-worthy Havana cafés for you!
Can’t face the day without a coffee? Eager to give your Instagram a boost of intrigue, originality, and sophistication? Havana is the spot for you!
Foodie culture across Cuba’s capital is booming, with the emergence of cozy cafes and other elegant daytime eateries where you can indulge in breakfast or brunch while grabbing enviable photos.
If you’re unsure where to head, here's our guide to the most Instagrammable cafes in Havana.
01. El Café
Located at Amargura #358 between Villegas and Aguacate in Old Havana, El Café is one of those intimate, almost secret places you'd never expect to find while walking down the street. Popular among locals for having the most varied options of healthy breakfasts and brunches, including vegetarian and vegan meals, it is a simple yet charming place that you simply must drop by.
The cafe provides a beautiful juxtaposition thanks to its rustic features alongside the natural prestige of Havana's colonial houses with high ceilings and sunkissed private courtyard. Drinks and dishes are not only completely Instagrammable, but fresh, flavorful and sure to satisfy.
We recommend: the iced latte and banana pancakes!
El Café is open everyday from 9am to 6pm.
02. Cafetalex
Of all the places included on our list, Cafetalex is, without doubt, the best spot if you're looking to explore beyond the tourist areas, try traditional aromatic Cuban coffee, and catch a glimpse of day-to-day life in Havana.
Our recommendation is to order Café Mambi, the most authentic Cuban coffee you'll taste on the island. Although nowadays Cubans drink coffee made in Italian coffee pots, in the old days, it was made differently: Café Mambi is brewed the way only campesinos brew it today, by pouring boiling water over the ground coffee beans placed on a piece of cloth; a sight you simply have to capture.
For the best Instagram profile shot, take a seat at the bar beneath the low-hanging, dimly lit bar lights. Make sure you get the right angle to capture the bar's wallpaper made from old newspapers that speak of iconic moments from Cuba's post-revolution history.
We recommend: the café mambi, obviously.
03. Café Bohemia
Whether you're looking for a coffee or a bite to eat, Café Bohemia in Plaza Vieja is one of the best options you'll find in Old Havana. The cafe has outdoor tables that look onto a prestigious public square in the heart of the old city, from where you'll have a privileged setting for a photo shoot that your Instagram followers will love. That said, if you prefer a bit more privacy, you can sit in the equally beautiful and Instagrammable inner courtyard of Café Bohemia's colonial house and fall in love with its exquisite neoclassical features.
Open every day from 8am to 10pm, Café Bohemia has options for you to have breakfast and soak up the city's energy as it comes to life. In addition to the breakfast offerings, the cafe offers seafood, vegan and vegetarian options, and a menu of traditional Cuban drinks such as Guarapo and Batido de trigo.
We recommend: a fresh flask of Guarapo.
04. Café del Ángel
Café del Ángel opens its doors every day at 9am and is named after the Plaza del Angel, where the café is located, and one of the settings of the most famous Cuban novel's of the 19th century, Cecilia Valdés by Cirilo Villaverde.
Being able to eat or drink while observing the Plaza del Ángel, an intimate public square dotted with statues and potted plants, is a privilege that is only possible at this cafe, an experience you'll undoubtedly want to treasure on your Instagram.
The café offers breakfasts with tropical fruits, picaderas, pasta, salads, and seafood. If you are looking for lunch with a more local sabor, try the "Cuban platter" which consists of rice, black beans, and chicken on a tray reminiscent of those used in Cuban schools.
We recommend: the Cuban platter
05. Ecléctico Paseo 206
El Ecléctico, an Italian and international food restaurant that is part of the Paseo 206 Boutique Hotel, is an excellent spot to enjoy breakfasts, brunches, cocktails, and main courses. Its eclectic architecture combines the modern touch of 20th century Cuban houses with exquisite Baroque sculptures and grand glass windows with semicircular arches.
Both the terrace and the indoor area of the building are ideal for taking photos for Instagram. To add a local twist to your Insta-snap, grab yourself a daiquiri and take a casual stroll across the terrace. Your Instagram reel will never look more sophisticated!
We also recommend keeping an eye on Paseo 206's Instagram profile to find out about their Jazz afternoons and get to know the best contemporary Cuban Jazz players in town.
We recommend: a freshly made daiquiri.
El Ecléctico can be found in Vedado and is open daily from 8am to 11:30am.
Written by Neus Pechero.
Published October 2022.
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