It’s safe to say that Havana’s food scene has improved drastically over the last ten years. Now, most foreigners are taken aback by the surprisingly swanky establishments of El del Frente, La Guarida, and Yarini. However, what tourists have not likely explored are the daily eating and shopping habits of the average Cuban.
Join me, Álvaro, co-founder of Cuba Unexplored, on an immersive food experience totally unique in the city by going on a food trail through the Vedado neighborhood. Along the way, we will sample Havana’s most-loved street eats, such as fried corn fritters, guava pastries, and the famous pizza cubana, each with its own unique origin story that I will share with you.
We will then go to an agro, a lively local market where Cubans buy their fresh produce. Shopping in Cuba is more like treasure hunting, where you never know what you are going to find and how long it will be around. Here, I will explain my perspective on the challenges of the weekly shop for Cubans and how we access products and ingredients in the face of the country’s complex economic situation.
Finally, I will wrap up the food tour with an intimate lunch in my home, where I will cook my favorite traditional Cuban dishes: corn soup, malanga, black beans, rice, and your choice of pork, beef, or chicken. This will all be washed down with some classic Cuban cocktails and/or fresh juices. I can’t wait to share stories, food, and cocktails with you. Nos vemos en La Habana!
Cuba Unexplored 