Don Ricardo

Style of food: Irish

Cost: Moderate

Type of place: Paladar (private)

Food
Ambience
Service
Value

Best for: As close to an Irish pub as you can get (in Havana) at present

Worst for: Not actually much that is Irish (& no Guinness!)

Cuba No. 102-108 esquina a Chacón

(+53)7860 - 5080

Open noon-11pm

On for a good Irish pub in Old Havana where you could get a meat pie and a pint of Guiness. Don Ricardo is an Irish restaurant, but how Irish is a little debateable. The place recalls the founder of the eminent O’Farrill family, of Irish origin, who lived in the building where Palacio O’Farrill Hotel stands today. One of Palacio O’Farill Hotel’s chief attractions is the mix of 18th, 19th and 20th-century architectural elements in the decoration of each of its three storeys. As part of this atmosphere, there is an interior courtyard before the restaurant, which stands out because of an old, skylight-shaded well.

In terms of the menu, this is supposed to be an inventive mix of meat blends with fruit sauces and vegetable garnishes. I remain somewhat unconvinced although this is one of those places perhaps best tried for yourself.