Before I packed my bags for Cuba I Googled as much about the country as I could; the history, the culture, the weather and most importantly, the food.
I read so many travel blogs telling me that the food in Havana would be basic and bland and so I diligently filled my suitcase with as many snacks as possible.
I packed peanut butter, chocolate, coffee and even cereal bars for my trip.
I was an idiot.
Cuban food is a-mazing. The pizza was thin and crisp, I miss the coffee with actual heartache and I packed three jars of honey in my suitcase to bring home (two of which exploded).
If you are booking an all-inclusive holiday then you may indeed need to pack yourself some snacks as the bloggers recommend. My one and only bad dining experience happened in Viñales where I ate dinner in my hotel as part of a package deal. It was awful.
However, if you are willing to wander off the beaten track (to the restaurant right next to the hotel) you will find unbelievably good food. As it turns out, Cubans know cigars, rum and how to make their chicken insanely crispy.
Surprisingly, Cuban sandwiches are hard to come by and seen as a tourist treat.
Ambos Mundos
The Ambos Mundos is famous for hosting Ernest Hemingway as a frequent guest. The hotel itself can be found in the centre of Old Town and is home to plenty of Hemmingway memorabilia.
The rooftop offers breathtaking views of Havana and I highly recommend dining at sunset.
La Bodeguita del Medio
La Bodeguita del Medio is known as the birthplace of the Mojito cocktail. The atmosphere is buzzing, the music is loud and the walls are plastered with photographs of famous visitors and the signatures of punters (you will now find some Irish names on the wall by the restroom).
The food was to-die-for and the mojitos were, as expected, refreshingly tasty. The restaurant and bar are always jam packed so ring ahead where possible and make sure to try the Chicharonnes and Ropa Vieja.
Rio Mar
If you visit Rio Mar, you absolutely have to sit out on the terrace for the sea views but get there before sunset because there is a serious lack of outdoor lighting.
On the other hand, if you do choose the later hour, there are far worse things than dining on lobster by candlelight.
Yes, you heard right. Fresh, delicious, meaty lobster for all of 20 CUC and avocados the size of your head filled with Marie Rose prawns. This place is a slice of heaven.
La Floridita
Another Hemingway favourite. La Floridita is the home of the daiquiri and, as with most Havana hot spots, the place is jam-packed with live music, dancing, cigars and unbelievable cocktails.
Sit back, relax, take a photo with the life-sized Hemmingway statue and order yourself a daiquiri.
Balcon del Valle in Viñales
During my time in Cuba, I took a quick trip to Viñales, a small town with jaw-dropping scenery.
While we spent most of our time jumping up from our tables to take pictures of yet another stunning view that got more beautiful with each passing minute of the sunset, we did manage to eat some incredibly good food in Balcon del Valle.
Puréed pumpkin, black bean soup, baked bananas, crispy chicken, plantain chips - you will dine on a table full of authentic Cuban food for an incredibly good price. This was hands down, the best dining experience of Cuba.
Home Comforts
If you're in Havana for a long period of time and are seeking some home comforts then I can recommend La Cova Pizza Nova at Marina Hemingway for thin crisp pizza, Café O'Reilly in Old Town for crab, chicken and beef tacos, and Café Paris for a warm and cheesy Cuban sandwich.
