Hotel Nacional

Calle O, esquina a 21 (333564/333567)


Open Comedor de Aguiar noon-4pm, 7pm-midnight daily. Buffet Veranda 7-10am, 11.30am-3pm, 7-10pm daily. Cafeter'a El Rincón del Cine 24hrs daily. Main courses Comedor de Aguiar $11-$36. Buffet Veranda $13 (set breakfast); $15 (set lunch); $25 (set dinner). Cafeter'a El Rincón del Cine $6-$10.

Air-conditioning. Outside tables.





This remarkable building optimises all that Havana used to be. Grand, elegant and swanky, it's a great place to swan around and pretend to be wealthy. There are three restaurants here, offering food in varying price brackets, but note that drinks prices are in keeping with the surroundings ($2.50 for a Cristal). For details of the Hotel Nacional, .
The Comedor de Aguiar is built on the site where Don Luis José Aguiar kicked the Brits' butts during the 1762 occupation. It's so elite that there's hardly ever anyone in it; possibly something to do with the intimidating, immaculately dressed waiters guarding the doors. Starters, such as smoked salmon with capers and onion, cost $6 to $11; main courses (butterfly lobster, for example) are up to $36, and the drinks add a further ouch factor. The quality is good (for Cuba) and the service is second to none. You get the drift. Downstairs is the more relaxed, all-you-can-eat, self-service Buffet Veranda . (On the way down, look out for the cheesy photo of South London's finest: 'Naomi Campbell. Top Model'.) Equally top quality and self-confident is the food, including a good selection of fruits, salad and nine sorts of bread. The buffet gains extra points for three different potato dishes (unbelievably rare in Cuba). Round the corner from the buffet is the cinema-themed, American diner-style Cafeter'a el Rincón del Cine . Here you can scoff down a full American brekky for $9.50, or choose from a selection of well-prepared and moderately priced burgers, pizzas and sandwiches.