Trinidad Restaurants and Dining

(Trinidad, Sancti Spiritus, Cuba)

A unique facet of dining out in Trinidad de Cuba is that visitors will find themselves being approached by Cubans with an invitation to dine at their little 'paladares'. Most of these are illegal, and you may well find yourself eating at friendly folks' kitchen tables - but GO! The food will be delicious and it should cost very little, particularly when compared to local restaurants. However, do remember to arrange a price for both food and drinks before you arrive.

If upmarket dining is your thing or there's a special occasion in the offing, the resorts and the few four-star hotels in Trinidad will keep you happy, whether it is traditional Creole or international cuisine you favour. If you are staying in a casa particulare, you will get the best of traditional home cooking served up for breakfast and dinner, in healthily large quantities. Local eateries and restaurants are also well worth trying - just look for one with many local customers.

What to Eat, and Where

As with all coastal towns and cities in Cuba, the seafood in Trinidad is ultra-fresh, ultra-delicious and served in unique Creole dishes, as well as international recipes. Lobsters, prawns and salt water fish, as well as freshwater catfish, are all popular ingredients and very reasonably priced, making self-indulgence a pleasure both for you and your pocket.

For serious gourmets looking for fine dining in Trinidad, the only place is the Iberostar Grand Hotel's restaurant, higher on price than anywhere else in town, but well worth the difference. Steak tournedos, grilled snapper and beef carpaccio are all from favourites here.

Those with a love of good food and shallower pockets will soon realise that the local Creole dining scene has a lot to offer. It is less spicy than you might expect, with Cuban cooks using herbs and garlic to flavour their dishes, rather than fiery spices.

Meat, especially beef, is very good here and served in a variety of restaurant dishes, including stuffed with spicy sausage, and roasted, served with a herb-flavoured tomato sauce. Spanish influences show at Trinidad restaurants, in the preparation of rich stews made with white beans and blood sausage, seasoned with saffron. Ground beef stuffed into potato balls and fried makes a great snack, and rich pastries are favourites for dessert.