Varadero Restaurants and Dining

(Varadero, Matanzas, Cuba)



Visitors to Varadero won't be surprised to find that there are a large number of restaurants to choose from, in hotels, along the beaches and in the centre.

Many hotels offer all-inclusive dining, but although this option is convenient, it may mean that the more interesting local dishes are never tasted. Also, as Varadero has few Cuban visitors, the choice of traditional cuisine outside the upscale restaurants is not as wide as in other Cuban destinations.


What to Eat, and Where

Most Varadero hotels get round the problem of providing an extensive dining menu by serving breakfast, lunch and dinner as a buffet, comprising a mix of local and international dishes at a fixed price. If this doesn't appeal, there are Cuban paradors (state-owned hotels) dotted around town serving typical dishes, and a few grill restaurants dealing mainly with seafood. Italian and Spanish food is easily found and popular with holiday makers, while several tourist-aimed eateries are actually located in candlelit caves and offer a unique dining experience.

Traditional Cuban Creole cooking at its best may not be easy to find in Varadero, although several restaurants come highly recommended by diners. Seafood is the best bet here, being very fresh and very varied, with lobster at the top of the list.

Several eateries serve simple Creole cuisine based on fish and meat, and these can be found in the centre and along the beaches. El Melaito offers a traditional Cuban ambience and La Vicaria is another notable dining option. El Criollo is possibly the best value in town for typical Cuban dishes - even the lobster is good value here.

There are several grill restaurants serving fresh seafood along the seashore, and it has to be said that this location is just right for evening dining, especially if you've been subsisting on slightly substandard resort food at your hotel.

Typical local dishes, if you can find them, are 'ropa veja' (shredded beef), 'moros' (black beans with rice), 'arroz con pollo' (chicken with saffron rice) and delicious coconut cakes. For a serious splurge or a special occasion, the restaurant at the luxury Xanadu Hotel is romantic, although rather expensive, and serves amazingly delicious food accompanied with fine wines.