Top 3 for a coffee, a pizza, a lobster, transport, a show, etc.

Note: Several information remains to be verified as of May 2, 2023.

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No unanimity, that’s for sure!

Compilation of the three places most recommended by our members (surveys, comments)

The best restaurants

• Don Alex

• La Gruta del Vino

• La Rampa

The best places to eat lobster

• Rodolfo (a Cuban who welcomes us into his home)

• La Rampa

• La Gruta del Vino

The best restaurants to eat pizza

• Don Alex

• Nonna Tina

• Kiki's

The best Italian restaurants

• Nonna Tina

• Castel Nuevo

• The House of Honey

The Best Places to Eat Grilled or Fried Chicken

• Counter on Callé 62 (grilled)

• Small restaurant in front of Todo En Uno park (fried)

• El Mojito (breaded chicken with plantains - in Santa Marta)

The best restaurant to eat Asian food

• The Sakura on Calle 63 in the boulevard section

The best restaurants to eat steak (but remember that steak in Varadero is not the recommended first course!)

• The Barbacoa

• La Gruta del Vino

• El Toro

The best restaurants to eat fish

• Casa del Chef

• Suarez

• Fiesta del Carbon (Santa Marta)

The best fish to taste

• Pargo

• Macabi

• Basa

The best restaurants to taste traditional Cuban cuisine

• El Ancla, calle 62. Fast food. South of the bar. Cheap and typically Cuban restaurant. Big portions.

• Cafeteria Julia Paraiso (Avenida Primera and Calle 54)

• El Amanecer (interior and exterior – Avenida Primera and Calle 54)

• And several in Santa Marta

The best restaurants for breakfast in town

• The Opening 36

• The Terracita Café

• El Caney

The best restaurants where you can eat with a view of the sea (but you have to expect to pay more...)

• The terrace of the Xanadu Mansion restaurant

• Al's House

• Kike-cho (marina at the tip of the peninsula - not in town but apparently very good)

The best restaurants to eat a sandwich or a hamburger

• Opening 36

• Hamburgesa (closed and replaced by El Caribeno)

• Terrace of the Acuazul hotel

The best restaurants to enjoy Cuban music bands

• Casa del Chef

• Suarez

• The Barbacoa

The best places to eat ice cream

• Except in hotels, there are few places to eat ice cream cones

• El Golfito (corner Calle 41)

• Copelia (around Calle 27 I think)

The best places to have a coffee in town (the cafes downstairs in hotel lobbies or at their specialty counters are usually very good!)

• Casa del Cubita

• Chocolate House

• Cafeccino (Iced coffee and pastries - Santa Marta)

The best places to drink a good pina colada

• Bar Varadero 1920 (entrance to Parque Josone)

• Bar Dos Mares

• Those of the gentleman who rides on 4 wheels on the beach and those during the stop on the way to Havana

The best places to drink a good mojito

• The Guarapera - small kiosk on the other side of the lake at Parque Josone (after the Gruta del Vino, before going up the small hill)

• The Beatles

• Cafe 23

The best beers

• Crystal

• Bucanero

• El Presidente (rarer)

Places with the best sea views to have a drink

• The little bar at the top of the Xanadu Mansion

• The Eclipse nightclub on the 12th floor of the Sunbeach Hotel

• The terrace of the Casa de Al restaurant

The best nightclubs

• Havana Club

• Comparsita (open air)

• Calle 62

The best excursions

• Cayo Blanco (catamaran excursion with or without interaction with dolphins)

• Havana (especially with a private guide)

• Jeep Safari

The best places to go diving (freediving or scuba diving)

• Playa Coral (between Varadero and Matanzas)

• The Bay of Pigs (a good 2 hour drive)

• Excursions offered by Varadero hotels with a supplement of 20 CUC – approximately 1h30 – apnea only

The best places to visit with children

• Todo en Uno amusement park

• Ocio Club

• Josone Park

The best shows to see

• Buena Vista Social Club

• Tropicana (in Matanzas)

• Casa de la Musica (varied shows)

The best places to shop

• Craft market between Calle 15 and Calle 16 on Primera Avenida (largest)

• Plaza America

• Hicacos Shopping Center

The best means of transport

• The panoramic bus for $5 per day with as many ascents and descents as desired

• Coco taxis

• Taxis