Typical Cuban food: What and where to eat?

The typical Cuban food is famous for the perfect fusion between Taino, Spanish, African and Caribbean cultures. What is the result? A delicious gastronomy that will not leave any traveler indifferent. In addition, all these dishes have received a local touch, evolving into the typical food of the island that we know today. All Cuban dishes feature the flavor of the Creole seasoning and an excellent selection of ingredients, with very tasty vegetables and spicy meats.

Cuban gastronomy is also a very emblematic part of the nation. So, if you are passionate about food we recommend you to read this post carefully. And when you travel to Cuba, you will know which are the specialties that you have to try. We introduce them to you and you just have to choose which one you want to start with. Although it will be hard for you to choose just one, they are all delicious!

What are the typical dishes of Cuba?

1. Ropa Vieja (“Old Clothes”)

It is undoubtedly a symbol of Cuban gastronomy. Although they say that its origin is Spanish, specifically from the Canary Islands, it is currently the typical food of Cuba par excellence. The name of the dish comes from the look of one of its ingredients, the mechada meat (larded meat). In addition, it is a very complete delicacy, since it also contains tomato paste, red bell pepper, onion, garlic and even olives. As a garnish, it is usually served with white rice and toasts. We recommend that you mix it all together before eating it, and you will see how delicious it is!

2. Vaca Frita (“Fried cow)

“Fried cow” is a dish very similar to Ropa Vieja, however there are some changes in the use of ingredients. Vaca Frita has shredded beef seasoned with salt, and then lemon is added and cooked with garlic and onion. Unlike Ropa Vieja, this dish has no sauce as such, and also they usually eat Vaca Frita accompanied by rice and fried plantains.

3. Ajiaco

Ajiaco is a typical food in Cuba that contains thick broth mixed with the crops gathered in the fields of the island. In addition, the recipe includes pork or beef, corn, cassava, malanga, pumpkin, sweet potato, green plantain, garlic, hot bell pepper, cumin, salt and lemon. We should mention that this is not a dish that people cook eat every day, but rather for special occasions. But don’t worry, you’ll be able to find it in most restaurants.

4. Moros y cristianos (“Moors and Christians”)

Despite having this curious name, Moros y cristianos are simply black beans mixed with white rice. It is usually served as an a side dish to other dishes, although the truth is that it is a perfect choice if you are traveling in Cuba and you are a vegetarian. Beware, don’t confuse it with congrí, as this is similar but the beans are coloured instead of being black.

5. Caldosa

Caldosa is a slightly lighter broth than ajiaco in terms of texture. In addition, the caldosa has different types of meat seasoned with garlic, chili and onion. It is a very homely typical Cuban meal. In addition, the caldosa criolla is usually served in the famous cederista parties in Cuban neighborhoods. These are celebrations in which they commemorate the victories of the revolutionary masses.

6. Cuban sandwich

Sandwiches may seem basic at first glance but they are a hit in most cuisines. It is also a very comfortable meal when we are sightseeing on this beautiful island. We recommend you to try them in the famous Cuban ventanitas. The ventanitas are those individuals who serve the dishes from their windows and it is a very typical way of serving food in Cuba. The ingredients of the Cuban sandwich are: Cuban bread, roast pork, sweet ham, mustard, Swiss cheese and pickles in brine. They are great!

7. Picadillo a la criolla

Picadillo a la criolla is a typical food that you must try in Cuba before leaving. They cook this delicious dish with minced beef and pork, tomato, chili, onion and garlic. You’ll love it! In addition, many times they add other ingredients such as olives or raisins. Sometimes it is also called “picadillo a la cubana” or “picadillo a la habanera” although it is exactly the same dish. You can’t leave without trying it.

8. Cuban okra

Cuban okra are delicious green pods that are very common in Central America. But despite being a very typical food in Cuba there is a great versatility when it comes to serve it: with meat, with vegetables, cooked with flour, and even in salads, accompanied by avocado, tomato and cucumber. Either way, we recommend you try them because they are a real delicacy, you won’t be disappointed, we promise!

9. Yucca with mojo

This is one of the typical dishes in Cuba with the traditional cassava as the main ingredient. To cook it, you must boil the cassava and add olive oil, lime juice, salt and garlic. It is a relatively easy dish to prepare but the result is super tasty. You would usually order it as an accompaniment to other dishes or to share.

10. Rabo encendido (Cuban Oxtail Stew)

The “rabo encendido” is an authentic delicacy that is made with the viscera and other by-products: commonly called in Spain “rabo de toro” (oxtail). But why in Cuba they call it “encendido”? For Cubans “encendido” means “spicy”. In fact, the “rabo encendido” is one of the few typical foods in Cuba that are spicy. This dish also has different spices, such as cumin, oregano and hot bell pepper. To which they add a sofrito with onion, garlic, pepper and other spices. All this is cooked together and finally the meat and tomato sauce are added. In particular, we recommend that you try this dish in the city of Guantanamo, as it is typical of that area.

11. Tamale in leaves or casserole

The tamale is cooked with ground tender corn, pork, and sofrito with salt and pepper. However, its varieties can change a little, although they always represent a real delicacy for Cubans and travelers who decide to try it. They can be spicy or not, depending on the amount of ground pepper, although they always indicate when they are going to be spicy. When it comes to serving it, you will find it both in leaves and in a casserole dish.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What are the typical sweet dishes of Cuba?

1. Cuban Flan de leche

This is one of the star desserts in Cuba. In fact, the Cuban variant of this universal dessert usually contains eggs and condensed milk. However, sometimes there are some variations depending on the area of the island where you order it. In any case, Cuban flan is a staple of typical Cuban food that you can’t leave without trying. What are you waiting for?

2. Rice pudding

Although it is a dessert that is traditional in several Latin American countries, rice pudding is undoubtedly one of the most typical foods in Cuba. The main ingredients are quite simple, rice, sugar and milk. Each country incorporates its own unique touch to this dessert, and in the case of Cuba, cinnamon is a must. Try it when it’s time for dessert!

3. Dulce de boruguita (curdled milk dessert)

This is a very common Cuban dessert, it is in fact “dulce de leche cortada” (curdled sweet milk). The milk can be separated with lemon juice or even vinegar. This delicious traditional Cuban dessert consists only of milk, egg, sugar, lemon, salt and cinnamon. We recommend you to try it when you travel to this beautiful Caribbean country. You will love it, it is delicious!

4. Dulce de coco (coconut candy) or cocada

Cocada is a common dessert in every Cuban home, and deservedly so! Cocada simply takes grated coconut, white sugar, water and cinnamon. Although it can be eaten on its own, it is usually served with a slice of cheese on the side. This way it turns out to be the perfect combination, with a flavor that never goes unnoticed by travelers with the most demanding tastes.

Where to eat in Cuba

Cuban gastronomy can be tasted in three different types of places. The first and most traditional is through the ventanitas (“little windows”), which are individuals who serve the dishes from their own window. On the other hand, you can also try it in national restaurants managed by the Cuban government. And finally to try the typical food in Cuba you can go to paladares, which are privately run restaurants.

The restaurants we recommend in particular

• Dona Eutimia: This is a restaurant that offers delicious Creole food. In addition, it is located in the heart of Old Havana, right next to the Cathedral, in the Callejón del Chorro. The typical dishes you have to try at Dona Eutimia are: fried malanga, stuffed tostones, habanera, ropa vieja prepared with mutton and the black beans that always accompany each of the dishes. The average price in this restaurant is approximately 7 to 15 CUC.
• Porto Havana: This restaurant is also located in the heart of Havana. The dishes are excellent, the service impeccable, and the quality/price ratio quite balanced. Take the opportunity to eat at Porto Havana and you can enjoy an exquisite panoramic view of Havana’s Malecon while tasting the delicious Cuban cuisine. The average price at this restaurant is approximately 7 to 15 CUC.
• Don Ávila: This traditional restaurant is in the city of Ciego de Ávila. Don Ávila stands out for its elegant atmosphere, with a cigar store and decoration from the 50s included. We recommend you try its succulent vegetable soup, fried plantain tostones and the giant brochette with chicken, pork or beef. The average price at this restaurant is approximately 10 to 18 CUC.
• Hostal Florida Center: This wonderful restaurant/hostal is located in the city of Santa Clara. If you want to try the most authentic Caribbean food we recommend you to start with Hostal Florida Center. It is a super interesting place, where you will be surrounded by many antique objects. In addition the vegetation of the inner courtyard make this restaurant an amazing place. The average price in this restaurant is from 7 to 15 CUC approximately.

How to organise what to see on your trip and discover typical Cuban dishes

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• Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
• Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post)
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travelers the typical dishes of Cuba.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about typical Cuban dishes