Zaragozana

CA2
Style of food: Spanish/Mediterranean
Cost: Moderate
Type of place: State
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for: Football memorabilia on the walls is interesting.
Worst for: Gloomy inside, unexceptional food
Monserrate, entre Obispo y Obrapía La Habana Vieja
(+53)7867 - 1040
Open noon-midnight
  • This restaurant’s origin dates back to its founding in 1830. Some people say that it always had the distinctive cooking style of the Spanish region it was named after ever since they opened. In those days, travellers and coachmen used to step by this restaurant, which nowadays draws sustenance from the tradition introduced by one of its earliest owners, José Currais, from Zaragoza. Decorated with neckerchiefs, flags, scarf’s and pictures of football players donated by clients, the restaurant has a well-established Spanish cooking tradition. Famous names from the world of art and literature such as Ernest Hemingway (a regular client of adjoining bar and restaurant El Floridita), Nicolás Guillén, Chucho Valdés and Tata Güines have left their stamp on this place.

    The menu includes obligatory paella, Asturian bean stew, classic fried garbanzo beans, and various types of shellfish dishes. How good is it? It is tempting to say that after 180 years it should be a lot better than it is. Decidedly average is about the kindest conclusion to be reached and overall, despite all the memorabilia, it remains somewhat gloomy. Bring on the light!

    (At the time of our visit, the premises were closed for remodeling)

    
  • La Cocina de Lilliam

    La Cocina de Lilliam  LH 4

    Cuba Absolutely Review: December 2012 La Cocina de Lilliam is set in the gardens of a beautiful villa in Miramar. This is right at the top of the list of many visitors’ dream list. It is easy to see w …

    Los Nardos

    Los Nardos  LH 5-

    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 …

    La Bella Habana

    La Bella Habana  LH 4

    La Bella Habana lives up to its name. It is beautiful, tastefully designed and meticulously maintained with attentive staff that is engaging without being overbearing. Above all it is a calm place whe …

    Habana Libre Hotel – Sierra Maestra

    Habana Libre Hotel – Sierra Maestra  LH 4

    Of all the views in the entire world, this is the place. Well perhaps that is overstating things but the view is certainly spectacular from the 25th floor of the Habana Libre Hotel. You have a 180-deg …

    Tien Tan

    Tien Tan  LH 4+

    Tien Tan (Temple of Heaven) must be a very hated restaurant from the other Chinese places in Chinatown. It is at the end of the Chinese restaurant strip and every time that we walk down here, the tout …

    La Pachanga

    La Pachanga  LH 4

    Havana was needing a cafe that, while keeping the celerity and simplicity of a fast food joint, gave the food a gourmet touch to such dishes as Pollo Pachanga (Pachanga chicken), the delicious smoothi …

    Bom Apetite

    Bom Apetite  LH 4

    Walking in on a rainy night to Bon Appetite was like walking into an oasis. We had tried a few other places nearby which were all deserted, dead. We had put it down to the weather and planned to head …

    Marina Hemingway – El Pabellón del Tesoro

    Marina Hemingway – El Pabellón del Tesoro  LH 4

    There are only two good Chinese restaurants in Havana and this is definitely one of them. In many ways, it is the Yin to Tien Tang’s Yang. Instead of being located at the end of a busy scruffy Central …

    El Buganvil

    El Buganvil  LH 4

    El Buganvil is a solid, reliable place owned by the indomitable Margarita with the help from her family. This has been open since 1996 (apart from a brief two-year period from 2008-2010). What are val …

    El Diluvio

    El Diluvio  LH 4

    Cuba Absolutely Review: February 2013 El Deluvio was an institution in the Havana paladar scene for many years as the authentic Italian place with great quality pizzas and pastas courtesy of their Ita …

    « 4 of 14 pages »