On July 14, 1996, Enrique and Odeisys Nuñez first opened what has become Cuba’s most celebrated paladar, La Guarida. This paladar oodles a cosy atmosphere with soft lights, fine table linen, German silver cutlery, candles, Cuban music and good jazz. The building, originally known as La Mansión Camagüey, shows its former grandeur from the magnificent wooden entrance door through the marble staircase up the two flights of stairs to the restaurant itself. Fidel’s famous explanation of [why he said] Patria o Muerte (country or death) is a photographer’s dream on the way down.

The privately-owned restaurant, La Guarida, once the set of the film and the home of one of the film’s two main characters, has now become an iconic and refreshing eatery at the heart of the crumbling, yet majestic Centro Habana (a district in Havana known for its decaying buildings and little else, in fact, this little restaurant has made the area all the more famous). A novelty restaurant in many ways, La Guarida offers a rather eccentric fine dining experience with a touch of candidness that only a place like this can exude. After the success of the film in the early 90s, the owners of the crumbling yet majestic home, decided to convert their house into a unique restaurant with memorabilia from the film and authentic furniture that has attracted a long list of famous visitors over time, including Hollywood actors, top models and Queen Sophia of Spain, who came on an official visit and enjoyed a hearty meal at this very peculiar restaurant.

Translated as The Hideaway, La Guarida, is a fascinating place to enjoy a cosy meal with a special someone, a group of friends or family. Whether you’re enjoying Cuba holidays with a loved one, the whole family or you’re travelling solo, La Guarida has a special appeal that attracts everyone. Its unique and inviting ambiance adapts to every visiting group and every kind of diner, whatever their dining preferences. With mouthwatering options for vegetarians and die-hard carnivores alike, everyone’s sure to find something to tickle their taste buds.

Whether you’ve seen the film or not, a visit to La Guarida will prove a great motivation to do so, or simply to immerge in the reality of daily Cuban life, learn about the typical decor of a humble home in Old Havana and dine among locals . However, if you plan to stop by La Guarida during your next Cuba holidays, there is one thing you must make sure you do in advance: book ahead. As this place is so popular among international visitors and locals alike, reservations tend to fill up quickly, especially for dinner, so it’s a good idea to book one or two days in advance, depending on the season, and whether you’re booking for lunch or for dinner, you may have to wait three days or more for availability. 

The place where fiction and historical Cuban characters converge, La Guarida has been declared the “the most famous of Havana’s Paladares” by the New York Times and has also been dubbed “La Paladar des stars, la Stars des Paladares”…the dining place per excellence, the most charismatic, enchanting and charming and the number one restaurant not to miss during any holidays in Cuba.