Centro Asturiano – La Terraza

CA4
Style of food: Braiserie
Cost: Moderate
Type of place: Association
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for: Great view of Old Havana. Fabulous rack of lamb
Worst for: Unwieldy wicker chairs take up so much space you seem crowded.
Paseo del Prado No. 309 altos, esquina a Virtudes
(+53)7862 - 3626
Open noon-midnight
  • The Sociedad Juventud Asturiana is a Spanish cultural society from the province of Asturias, which has a special legal status in Havana. Essentially, the society functions as a cooperative which means that the staff and management of each location have more independence and incentives to develop a number of wonderful buildings in Havana. Over the past few years, a number of restaurants have opened in each of these buildings, which have become some of the best places in Havana to eat.

    La Terraza is the pick of the bunch of places to eat at The Centro Asturiano. Don’t be distracted by the other options on your way up to the top floor–this is the place to go for people in the know. If you are nervous about (very) old elevators that seem on their last legs, then walk up the stairs through the middle of this incredible building and all the way up to the terrace on the top floor. Try and get a table on the outside for the best view of Prado Boulevard.

    This is an international cuisine restaurant but really it is the grill that is special. The signature dish, or at least the best thing to eat here, is the leg of lamb, which is outstanding. Other dishes include your standard fare of pork, beef and grilled fish/lobster all of which are good, but the leg of lamb makes the Pavlovian dribble come in just thinking about it.

    Ambience wise, this is a lovely location to eat and generally has a steady flow of clients so it has an appreciable buzz. My only slight grumble is that the wicker chairs are slightly too large and always seem to be in the way when anyone is trying to get past (including the waiter!).

    Service is good, and there are few better places to get a cocktail and a snack as the sun sets over the city.

    
  • El Aljibe

    El Aljibe  LH 3

    Sergio García Macías runs one of the busiest restaurants in Havana (especially at lunchtime), El Aljibe, which features a 62-year-old secret recipe for roast chicken that has drawn the likes of Hollyw …

    Pan.com

    Pan.com  LH 3

    Don’t expect to be able to use a wireless internet connection here but do expect good quality simple sandwiches delivered quickly and efficiently in a clean and popular environment. Three different ty …

    Casa Lala

    Casa Lala  LH 3+

    Havana Chef has had a makeover and a name change to Casa Lala. It has the same delicious menu (including the suckling pig that I talked about in a previous column), but with lower prices. The place is …

    Barlovento

    Barlovento  LH 3

    Barlovento is a Mediterranean themed restaurant opposite the popular El Sauce nightclub. ‘Pepín’ who, while a mechanical engineer by trade always had an affinity for the kitchen, opened this new palad …

    Parrillada 84 y Quince

    Parrillada 84 y Quince  LH 3

    Translated Parrillada 84 y Quince means Charcoal Grill located on 84th Street on the intersection of 15th Avenue. What more do you need to know? This is really a neighbourhood place just off the busy …

    El Bacura

    El Bacura  LH 3+

    El Bacura is a great option coming back from a day out at the beach. This is a farmhouse-cum-restaurant and you are welcome to wonder around back where there is a weird and wonderful assortment of ani …

    La Casa Sarasua

    La Casa Sarasua  LH 3

    If you want an opportunity to chat with an interesting paladar owner, then look no further than this friendly and welcoming paladar overlooking leafy Calle 25, near the university. The décor is provid …

    Italia en Cuba (La Terraza de Miramar)

    Italia en Cuba (La Terraza de Miramar)  LH 3

    I liked the look of the place from the outside. This really merits the name, the Terrace of Miramar. Located on the second floor with a nice view you wonder just where all these houses come from. It i …

    La Dominica

    La Dominica  LH 3

    La Dominica enjoys a great setting opposite the restored Colegio Universitario de San Gerónimo and the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales. Patio tables are the order of the day outside of the heat of …

    El Bambú

    El Bambú  LH 3+

    Once upon a time this was the finest vegetarian in Havana. The Japanese Garden in Havana’s Botanical gardens locates this. The setting is wonderful, the Japanese Garden is a real highlight of the Bota …

    « 9 of 14 pages »