Vinales Restaurants and Dining

(Vinales, Pinar del Rio, Cuba)

If you are staying at one of Vinales' three official tourist hotels, you will probably do most of your dining in-house. The town doesn't offer much selection in terms of eateries, but there are a few good independent restaurants worth trying.

The many casas particulares in Vinales serve their guests meals, which are often very delicious. If you aren't staying at one of these local inns, you can still stop by and ask if they will serve you.

What to Eat, and Where

The Hotel La Ermita and Hotel Los Jazmines both offer a popular buffet. However, if you are staying there you will probably get tired of it after a few of days. The major tourist sites like the Cueva del Indo and Mural de la Prehistoria have restaurants attached, but they are widely regarded as uninspired eateries. The Cuban fare in Vinales is actually very good, resembling a cross between Spanish cuisine and the food of the Caribbean.

Many visitors regard Casa de Don Tomás to be the finest restaurant in Vinales. It is certainly the most popular, judging by the amount of publicity it gets from hotels and tour operators in the valley. Set in a lovingly restored 1889 colonial building, this place oozes atmosphere. Try and get a table on either the front or back patio to enjoy dining al fresco. Their signature dish 'las delicias de Don Tomás' is a Cuban version of paella, and truly an inspired experience.

Another excellent restaurant is Las Terrazas. Its lofty location overlooking the Vinales Valley is reason enough to dine here. But the dining menu, which contains the standard selection of Cuban dishes mixed with some creative variations, is quite good.

If you are downtown Vinales, try the little café at the Patio Centro Cultural Polo Montanez. Also, for a rather unique dining experience, head out to El Palenque de los Cimarrones, where you will need to pass through a cave to reach the restaurant. Even though this is a bit of a tourist trap, the Afro-Cuban music and dance show makes a nice backdrop for the Cuban fare that is actually very delicious.