Dreaming of dining amongst the stars? The food isn’t the only thing that’s famous at Cuba’s La Guarida Restaurant; the clientele is, too.
Located at 418 Calle Concordia, Central Havana’s most renowned paladar has been a popular haunt for Hollywood stars since its curtains first opened in 1996. However, its claim to fame first surfaced a couple of years prior, courtesy of its starring role in the Oscar-nominated Cuban film, Fresa y Chocolate (Strawberry and Chocolate).
The Start of La Guarida: Lights, Camera, Action
Directed by Tomás Gutiérrez Alea, the film garnered international acclaim for its bold exploration of sensitive themes – including LGBTQ+ identity and Cuba’s shifting position on the global stage following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Its impact was recognised with an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film, a prestigious Goya Award, plus a special mention at the 1995 Sundance Film Festival. Most recently, La Guarida was awarded Best Restaurant in Cuba at the prestigious World Culinary Awards, 2024. Inside the restaurant, miscellaneous ephemera from the film are on display.
The Location
Nestled in the heart of the action, La Guarida is located in Centro Habana, peppered with archaic buildings, traditional cars, and a raw and authentic appeal that typically seems harder to come by in the country’s high tourist areas.
The restaurant itself is located in an unassuming building, its grand double doors speckled with chipped paint – a direct result of its 1903 time stamp, perhaps? Despite its – I guess we could say – aesthetic ordinariness, we’ve always been taught not to judge a book by its cover…
And now we know why.
Inside, the building’s former splendour reveals itself in the sweeping marble staircase, its ornate wrought-iron balustrade curling gracefully upwards. At the foot stood a decapitated statue, an eerie but fitting sentinel for what lay ahead. Flaking paint and crumbling plaster rubs shoulders with elegant mouldings, telling a silent story of a bygone age when Havana’s grand mansions were filled with wealth, refinement, and the families who once claimed them.
Occupying the entire third floor, La Guarida feels like the best kept secret in the capital. An intimate yet homely dining room is dressed in vintage treasures – antique furnishings, striking artwork, and a charming jumble of mismatched tables, chairs, glassware, and cutlery – all adding layers to its charm. A spiral staircase also leads to a rooftop terrace that reveals panoramic views of the city – which doubles up as the perfect spot for an aperitif or digestif.
The Food
You may have swung by for a sneak peek at the clientele, but you’ll stay for the food. The restaurant’s motto, “Our cuisine is a constant search for emotions,” rings true in every dish – each one a carefully crafted symphony of textures, flavours, and aromas designed to stir the senses and deliver a truly immersive dining experience.
Foodies can expect a vibrant selection of dishes that ooze authenticity, including crunchy smoked marlin tacos marinated in Cuban rum, a succulent rack of lamb coated in an orange and honey sauce, coconut-glazed tuna in sugar cane, sweet yet tangy lemon pie, and, of course, strawberries with chocolate ice cream! The astutely chosen wines compliment the food to perfection, while the rooftop bar will be abuzz for cocktail o’clock, serving local favourites like the classic Mojito.
The Faces
The world’s top A-listers have long flocked to this iconic eatery, with the likes of Madonna, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Robert De Niro and many more, having all dined here. Rihanna, in particular, took her connection a step further, choosing La Guarida as the backdrop for a stunning Vanity Fair photoshoot, captured by legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz to promote her new album.
Next time you find yourself in Havana, be sure to stop by La Guarida for fantastic food, cocktails, entertainment and a few famous faces, if you’re lucky?!
It’s not only a place to see, it’s a place to be seen at. Love Cuba is the UK’s leading Cuba holiday specialist. Click here for more information on Cuba holidays, Multi Centre Cuba Holidays or Tailor Made Cuba Holidays – please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team of Cuba holiday specialists on 0207 071 3636 or email: enquiries@lovecuba.com today.
