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Christina Del Balso – Travel Blog: Foodies in Cuba

March, 2015

Cuba isn’t the first choice for those looking for a gourmet meal, but there sure are some interesting taste experiences to be found. The limited availability of a variety of fresh ingredients offer a particular challenge for the best chef, and if it’s not grown raised or caught on the island it has to be imported.

Apart from the state owned restaurants and some local eateries, visitors and residents alike are flocking to “Paladaraes”, Cuba’s state sanctioned family owned restaurants. Some are small with families living on upper floors and others are in larger buildings in the process of renovations.

Over the course of a week we drank a LOT of mojitos, Crystal cervejas, and daiquiris and almost all our meals included pumpkin, rice and beans and flan for dessert. Some of the more unusual tasty treats included a banana stuffed with tuna and a light curry sauce, amazing grilled lobster and let’s not forget the chocolate and lemon desserts.

At San Cristobal the meal ended with a shot of rum, a cigar for the men and a jeweled pin for the women.

Most interesting of all though, were the settings themselves.

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