Vista del Mar

Style of food: International

Cost: Expensive

Type of place: Paladar (private)

Food
Ambience
Service
Value

Best for: Beautiful view over the ocean from the outdoor terrace.

Worst for: Relatively expensive for food which is good but not spectacular.

Ave. 1ra entre 22 y 24, Miramar

(+53)7203 - 8328

Open noon-midnight Mon-Sat, closed Sun

Vista del Mar is a quality paladar that has been around for many years. The main restaurant is on the 2^nd floor of an attractive Miramar residence that looks out to sea. Sitting on the smallish balcony of the restaurant, it is easy to imagine just how glamorous this stretch of real estate was before the Revolution. Each house has its own pool right on the ocean and into which waves crash on a regular basis. Most of Vista del Mar’s neighbouring pools look run-down; that of the Vista del Mar looks the image of shimmering perfection complete with the odd turtle which is let loose to do a few laps.

This is an open, airy place, which gives a spacious feeling and is one of the few places where you can really feel the pull of the ocean. Service is excellent, competent, experienced.

The food is decent. Octopus is something of a speciality but there is a reasonable selection of dishes, which are done well, everything from a pork chop to lobster tails. They make mean sangria and one of the best Daiquiris. According to some (Canadian) reports this is the also the place for the Best lemon pie in the country which may kill you but is worth dying for. Go at sunset for the ocean view and if you are to believe Elena take some earplugs or tip large and early for some peace and quiet!

The guitar player at Vistamar

In one of the most beautiful paladares of the island, in a contemporary house, with a gorgeous pool, a magnificent view of the sea, and really good food, why in the world did anybody think they needed a guitar player singing Guantanamera and Hasta Siempre (the Che Guevara hymn)? I guess it works for the tourists, but for those who have been here more than a few months it’s more a nuisance than an attraction, made more so by the fact that the guy (who I am sure has very good intentions) tries to sell you his 10 CUC CD of songs. May I offer some advice? Expand his music repertoire, stop the promotion of his CD and let the patrons enjoy their meal