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Hours
Sun
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Mon
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Tue
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Wed
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Thu
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Fri
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Sat
12:00 PM - 12:00 AM
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
Travelers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
CUISINES
Caribbean, Latin, Seafood, Spanish, Cuban
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Late Night
features
Is this location primarily known for Bars & Pubs?
Details
CUISINES
Caribbean, Latin, Seafood, Spanish, Cuban
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Late Night
FEATURES
Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service, Live Music
Contribute
4.5
1,968 reviews
Excellent
1,428
Very good
359
Average
95
Poor
50
Terrible
36
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Helena R
United Kingdom7 contributions
Nov 2019 • none
We turned up early without a reservation on a Saturday evening and were accommodated before it got busy. Staff were fantastic and really know about delivering great customer service. The environment was amazing - every picture on the wall told a story, the ladies was more like a boudoir and the staff took the time to give us a tour before we had our meal. The cocktails and the food menu is good with enough choice to cater for most. I have read other reviews that this is over priced and it is definitely not the case. Yes you can eat cheaply in Havana but if you want a dining experience this is averagely priced in comparison to other major cities. The complimentary large shot of rum and the cigar to take with us came as a total shock and was a nice gesture. Large or small groups would enjoy dining here.
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Avril60
Singapore319 contributions
Mar 2020 • friends
I was really impressed by this restaurant. The service staff was professional, polite & well spoken. The restaurant is small with over the top decor, every bit of space is filled with antique/quaint items, photos, paintings collected over the years. The ladies' toilet decor though is a bit eerie.
We had mojito drinks, starter platter & for our mains, lobster tails (not 1, not 2 but 3 good sized lobster tails), a very generous serving. Food was done to perfection. The chef came by to chit chat and took photos with us. We saw photos of him and the Obamas on the wall and in the photo book. And when the night came to a close, we were each gifted a cigar. The waiter stopped me when I picked one for my husband after I took one for myself. He could be a little more discreet about it. But I'm not gonna let this spoil my wonderful night.
Written April 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
badlittledogs
121 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
We were with a tour group attending the 35th Annual Jazz Festival in Havana. Part of the trip included dining at several paladars for lunch and dinner. San Cristobal was one of the more memorable restaurants. The food was delicious, the ambiance wonderful. We were treated to a multi-course feast that showcased the best of what they offer. At the end of dinner we were treated to a generous taste of Ron Edmundo Dantes 15 year old Cuban rum and serenaded acapella by our head waiter. A truly wonderful time.
Written March 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelingman07ab
Winter Park59 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
We had a delicious dinner here of lamb, fish, grilled vegetables, and chocolate cake for dessert. Both the ambiance and service are wonderful. At the end of our meal the waiter brought us a cigar and rum, and it was another first me. The doorman, Joselyn, gave us a tour of the restaurant, and the owner/chef, Carlos, greeted us warmly. It was definitely a memorable experience. Thank you!
Written February 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alexandra D
Vienna7 contributions
Jan 2020 • family
You should best do a reservation in advance (made prior to our trip to Havana by email, worked out perfectly well. The food was very good, the atmosphere unique, Cristobal greeting guests personally. Can definitively recommend!
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gilesslade
Vancouver5 contributions
Mar 2020 • none
Just go. Its in a grimy district near the Church of the Virgin which is sacred to the Santeros of Havana. Visit the church before or after. Notice the offerings to the Orishas left outside: flowers, food, beads, pictures.
If in doubt ask the waiter or maitre d' to recommend what is good today. They will. In my opinion, Cuban lobster (clawless Langostas) are not nearly as good as Cuban shrimp or emperador fish. But if the restaurant recommends a dish, heed the recommendation.
If you enjoy the experience try the other won tied for first place (in my opinion), La Guardia.
You can't miss. These are places for special occasions.
Written October 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nesligül D
Istanbul6643 contributions
Feb 2020 • friends
San Cristobal has been one of the most popular and best paladars of Havana for a long time. The atmosphere is nice and interesting, the food is delicious and abundant, menus include drinks, the owner always welcomes all the clients, service is efficient. What else can you ask for? Even the Obamas ate here.
Reservations are absolutely necessary.
Don’t miss the famous tapas plate ( good for 4) and the lobster. But everything else is good too. I would highly recommend this paladar.
Prices are at the same level as all good restaurants. Good Cuban restaurants have never been cheap, whether they are state owned or paladars. Be prepared to pay European prices in Cuba if you want to eat good food.
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Novel Writer
6 contributions
Jan 2023 • none
We started the meal with banging and sawing but enjoyed the appitizer platter for four in spite of the noise. Before I finished my entre (fish and shrimps in an oversalted sauce), I noticed that the floor was flooding and my purse and shoes were soaked. The waiters did not seem alarmed by this or the fact we were seated next to an electrical gas pump also in water. They did not move us to drier seating but left us standing in the wait staff's traffic aisle. dodging food delivery to drier tables. They did not compensate us for inconvenience and discomfort, and then they charged us a terrible exchange rate unlike the rate charged at every other restaurant we'd gone to that week. The whole experience sucked. They are proud that the Obamas once ate there, but so what when they mistreat the rest of us.
Written January 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rose Rees-Lomax
South Wales6 contributions
Feb 2022 • friends
My friends and I were recommended to visit this restaurant and we are so glad we did.
The staff are very proud of the restaurant's history and we were entertained by their stories. The meal was superb and we all enjoyed different selections from a varied menu. At the end of the evening when the bill came we were astounded...
Because we'd wined and dined like celebrities, we were treated like royalty and our bill was much less than we expected. Thank you so much for giving us such a memorable evening in Havana.
Written May 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
melendezyesenia
Baltimore14 contributions
Mar 2023 • none
So our AirBNB host suggested this place because its popular and some A List celebrities have attended, including past Presidents. However, do not be fooled by the positive ratings here. This place has terrible service, food, and you can find much better options but just asking the locals (our AirBNB host lives abroad). I was excited to celebrate my husbands birthday with a group of 7 family members traveling to Cuba for the first time. However, upon our arrival, the server seemed bother by any questions we asked him, kept walking away without letting us finish our questions about the menu, and then upon payment (using USDs) we were asked for "crisp" USD or they could not accept any wrinkled cash. The owners daughter was on site, and she also was not friendly or approachable. Leading me to believe that all the "fame" they've received to date has gotten to their heads and they have relaxed their service and food. The fish was dry, no seasoned well - and the rice was undercooked and also not flavorful.
Written March 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
22Birgit5
Sao Paulo2 contributions
Mar 2023 • none
It was not my first visit here and in the past you ate here very well, but I guess those days are gone. I left the restaurant shocked and very disappointed. What happened here, since this used to be a quite good restaurant with delicious food? Now it felt like a tourist trap. The food this time was only mediocre, the rice really inedible (tasted like detergent and was dry and had probably been in the kitchen for a few hours). I had the rice returned, they apologized and said it would not be charged, but no offer was made to bring me a freshly made rice. The coffee was cold. Then the coffee and dessert (which was by the way miniscule) were also charged twice. Never again!
Written March 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacqueline M
Noordwijk24 contributions
May 2022 • none
If you stay in Havana, and you like to experience very good Cuban food, excellent service and a special atmosphere in an old Cuban house - this restaurant should be high on your list.
It has a main room where you walk in and several separate rooms which are all differently decorated and differently set tables. This is a festival of stylish colours and careful table preparation.
We had the classic 3-course menu and were extremely happy with everything: the taste, the quality, the arrangement on the plates, the way of service. The prices are very reasonable for what you get! So, enjoy and do not save on food during holiday!
Highly recommendable!
P.S. The bathroom is an experience in itself! Try it out!
Written June 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JuNo
16 contributions
Nov 2022 • none
You can eat good food at San Cristobal, but make sure you doublecheck your bill before you pay.
We were charged double for our beers, triple for our mineral water, and several other items. The waiters have a routine of giving the guests some cigars and a shot of rum, which actually distracted us, so we didn't check our bill on the spot. We kept the bill after we took a closer look at it at the casa, we realized that we were overchgarged about 3 - 4.000 pesos.
At another occasion they refused to take our Euro because it was an older bill. Another restaurant was happy to take it as payment.
Written November 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oscar J. Carballo
Cuba65 contributions
Jun 2024 • couples
We went to dinner at this peculiar place in Havana after a long day, we had a reservation for two at 8 pm and when we arrived on time they told us that we did not have a table because we had been a little late, my partner and I stayed as if saying What🫢? Despite the mishap, they offered us an improvised place at a table that should be for more than 10 diners and we accepted the offer. The staff is very attentive, the food is very good and they greatly respect the salt level, the client applies it to their taste when they bring you the dishes, their prices are something unimaginable in Havana for the quality and variety of their dishes, the place is very vintage something that makes the stay enjoyable browsing what objects from the past you can find there, at the end of the dinner they offered us a cigar as a courtesy of the house as we had already read that it is a tradition of the place, the place is highly recommended to spend with the family.
Written June 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ontariochef
Ottawa10 contributions
Mar 2024 • couples
It has been seven years from the last time we have been to Havana, and while lots has changed in the country, I am so happy to find that nothing has changed at the San Cristobal.
We brought friends who had not been to Cuba before, and wanted to show them old Havana, from our resort in Varadero. Despite steeply rising costs we were able to arrange transport for the four of us, from Varadero and back, through Havanaturs, for a very reasonable $25 per person, each way, in a mini van.
Our dinner was excellent, as I have always remembers from several previous visits. The Mezedes platter still had the malanga fritters, of which we ordered two more portions, and the delicious eggplant pickle.
Main courses were also spot on, a mix of fish and meat dishes, and as we were with guests we had dessert for the first time as well.
Carlos added some lovely gifts, which we appreciated.
This has always been my favorite in Havana, and still is!
Written March 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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