Tucking into scrambled eggs and a thick tropical fruit smoothie accompanied by rich Cuban coffee never used to be a thing in Cuba outside of a hotel or a B&B. These days, however, a rising number of lovely spots have opened in the Cuban capital. Fancy people watching? Somewhere to quietly contemplate your morning? Or somewhere to listen to music with a sea view? Havana has you covered.
Perennial favourite, El Café (Amargura St 358; @elcafehavana) knows its customers well and offers an all-day breakfast. The unsigned place on Bitter Street is pretty much always packed (come just outside peak hours if you want a seat). Sit at the mismatched tables inside the colonial building, and order eggs and avocado on sourdough toast, yoghurt, fruit or pancakes, lattes and frappuccinos. A couple of the tables are shared which makes it an ideal spot to meet other people especially if you’re travelling solo.
For quiet and air-conditioned cool, you’ll want Fangio Habana, a restaurant inside the Hotel Claxon (Avenida Paseo 458; @fangiohabana). Breakfast here can be ordered al fresco in its leafy patio, but the air-con inside is very appealing on certain mornings. The recommended Michelin deal brings you Eggs Benedict with avocado and smoked salmon as well as, juice, coffee and fruit.
For sea breeze, awesome harbour views and filling dishes, climb the stairs to Loft Bahía’s rooftop (Oficios Street between Luz & Acosta; @loftbahia) for its generous daily 10am-4pm brunch of yoghurt, fruit, pastries, Eggs Benedict, Nutella crepes and Mimosas. There’ll be no need to eat for the rest of the day. Sundays are a sweet deal with a DJ spinning tunes, too. On the run? Grab a coffee and muffin at Loft Bahía’s new ground floor El Patio (@elpatio_lofthabana).
Searching for quiet but great breakfast in Old Havana? Head to the southern San Isidro district of street art where you’ll find AIS Boutique Residence. The ground floor opens with lovely stylish café Hav Coffee & Art (Jesús María St 258; @havcoffeeart).
Perfect for people watching is Café del Angel (Compostela St corner of Cuarteles; @cafedelangeljf) on tiny Plazuela del Angel in northern Old Havana. Sit at tables under umbrellas on the cobblestone plaza and listen to a live Cuban music band while sipping coffee and watching the world go by. Café Estancia Bohemia (@cafe_estancia_bohemia) on Plaza Vieja is a beautiful spot, too, to watch locals, school kids and visitors come and go. Its buffet breakfast of eggs and pastries is a great way to begin your day.
Tribe Caribe, inside the hotel of the same name (Arambaru St 253 corner of Neptuno: @t_r_i_b_e_cafe), offers great people watching opps, too, with its Parisian café vibe, open doors, steaming coffee machine and bustle as locals and visitors come and go from its Centro Havana location.
Staying in the Centro neighbourhood? El Cuarto de Tula is discreetly signposted on busy San Lázaro avenue (No 1063; @elcuartodetula_) but, once inside, it’s cosy and inviting with great service. Malecón 663 right on the ocean road (@malecon663), offers breakfasts from 9.30am, and cute Café Arcangel (Concordia 57; @cafearcangelcuba) is close to Central Park.
Find yourself staying in the artsy el Vedado barrio? Make your way to La Bodega (Calle 2; @labodegavedado), the beautiful, leafy courtyard of the restored mansion La Reserva, for brunch from 8am. Looking for something quick? Try new el Vedado café Kanda (J Street; @kanda_vedado) for muffins, croissants and coffee.
Need fast wifi? Look no further than Voya Café at boutique hotel Voya Havana (@voyahavana) in the Santos Suarez district which offers a set breakfast with a la carte dishes. Think Eggs Benedict or Egg Royale. Take your coffee outside on its palm-tree peppered patio or take to its coloured velvet chairs inside its airy dining areas.
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