Note: Several information remains to be verified as of May 2, 2023.
No unanimity, that’s for sure!
Compilation of the three places most recommended by our members (surveys, comments)
The best restaurants
Don Alex
La Gruta del Vino
La Rampa
The best places to eat lobster
Rodolfo (a Cuban who welcomes us into his home)
La Rampa
La Gruta del Vino
The best restaurants to eat pizza
Don Alex
Nonna Tina
Kiki's
The best Italian restaurants
Nonna Tina
Castel Nuevo
The House of Honey
The Best Places to Eat Grilled or Fried Chicken
Counter on Callé 62 (grilled)
Small restaurant in front of Todo En Uno park (fried)
El Mojito (breaded chicken with plantains - in Santa Marta)
The best restaurant to eat Asian food
The Sakura on Calle 63 in the boulevard section
The best restaurants to eat steak (but remember that steak in Varadero is not the recommended first course!)
The Barbacoa
La Gruta del Vino
El Toro
The best restaurants to eat fish
Casa del Chef
Suarez
Fiesta del Carbon (Santa Marta)
The best fish to taste
Pargo
Macabi
Basa
The best restaurants to taste traditional Cuban cuisine
El Ancla, calle 62. Fast food. South of the bar. Cheap and typically Cuban restaurant. Big portions.
Cafeteria Julia Paraiso (Avenida Primera and Calle 54)
El Amanecer (interior and exterior – Avenida Primera and Calle 54)
And several in Santa Marta
The best restaurants for breakfast in town
The Opening 36
The Terracita Café
El Caney
The best restaurants where you can eat with a view of the sea (but you have to expect to pay more...)
The terrace of the Xanadu Mansion restaurant
Al's House
Kike-cho (marina at the tip of the peninsula - not in town but apparently very good)
The best restaurants to eat a sandwich or a hamburger
Opening 36
Hamburgesa (closed and replaced by El Caribeno)
Terrace of the Acuazul hotel
The best restaurants to enjoy Cuban music bands
Casa del Chef
Suarez
The Barbacoa
The best places to eat ice cream
Except in hotels, there are few places to eat ice cream cones
El Golfito (corner Calle 41)
Copelia (around Calle 27 I think)
The best places to have a coffee in town (the cafes downstairs in hotel lobbies or at their specialty counters are usually very good!)
Casa del Cubita
Chocolate House
Cafeccino (Iced coffee and pastries - Santa Marta)
The best places to drink a good pina colada
Bar Varadero 1920 (entrance to Parque Josone)
Bar Dos Mares
Those of the gentleman who rides on 4 wheels on the beach and those during the stop on the way to Havana
The best places to drink a good mojito
The Guarapera - small kiosk on the other side of the lake at Parque Josone (after the Gruta del Vino, before going up the small hill)
The Beatles
Cafe 23
The best beers
Crystal
Bucanero
El Presidente (rarer)
Places with the best sea views to have a drink
The little bar at the top of the Xanadu Mansion
The Eclipse nightclub on the 12th floor of the Sunbeach Hotel
The terrace of the Casa de Al restaurant
The best nightclubs
Havana Club
Comparsita (open air)
Calle 62
The best excursions
Cayo Blanco (catamaran excursion with or without interaction with dolphins)
Havana (especially with a private guide)
Jeep Safari
The best places to go diving (freediving or scuba diving)
Playa Coral (between Varadero and Matanzas)
The Bay of Pigs (a good 2 hour drive)
Excursions offered by Varadero hotels with a supplement of 20 CUC – approximately 1h30 – apnea only
The best places to visit with children
Todo en Uno amusement park
Ocio Club
Josone Park
The best shows to see
Buena Vista Social Club
Tropicana (in Matanzas)
Casa de la Musica (varied shows)
The best places to shop
Craft market between Calle 15 and Calle 16 on Primera Avenida (largest)
Plaza America
Hicacos Shopping Center
The best means of transport
The panoramic bus for $5 per day with as many ascents and descents as desired
Coco taxis
Taxis
Comments