Restaurants near NH Parque Central Hotel

london
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Restaurants near NH Parque Central Hotel
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We are staying at the NH Parque Central for three days, one of which is my daughter's birthday. Can anyone recommend a couple of restaurants near our hotel? I'd like suggestions for mid price ones, plus something a bit extra for the birthday evening. We eat all types of food, but as we will be sightseeing during the day, we don't want to have to walk too far in the evening.

Also can you give me an idea of the costs of the food and drinks?

Old Havana
Historic Walking Areas
Fabrica De Arte Cubano
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Havana, Cuba
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1. Re: Restaurants near NH Parque Central Hotel
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Midprice: Absolute best option is 'Los Nardos' about a 5 minute walk just across the parque central and down Prado. Great place, best in this part of town imo. Reservation is not possible, so best to get there before 19:30 or after 21:00. Otherwise there is usually a line outside.

For something special, La Guarida on Concordia would be an obvious choice. I would walk there with no problems but crossing through Centro Habana is not for everyone. A taxi won't be more than 3-4 cuc though. Expect to pay around 30-40 CUC per person for a nice meal.

Athens, Greece
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I wholeheartedly second both recommendations! :)

Los Nardos might have a looong line. I was quoted a 45-minute wait (standing, on the sidewalk) last time I was there. La Guarida *absolutely* needs a reservation, 2 days ahead if you're trying to go on a weekend. Take a taxi there and you may choose to walk back afterwards -- but if you're not familiar with Havana, you'll probably feel pretty uncomfortable.

Finally, although I have never been there myself, I keep hearing (and reading) rave reviews about the Café del Oriente, which you will reach if you walk straight across the Old Town to Plaza de San Francisco de Asís: http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/caribbean-and-bermuda/cuba/havana/62239/cafe-del-oriente/restaurant-detail.html

Buen provecho!

london
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Thanks for your replies. You both mention that I may not feel comfortable walking through Havana. Is it dangerous, I thought Cuba was a fairly safe country?

Calgary, Canada
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Havana is one of the safest cities for its size in the entire Caribbean/Central/South American region, but you're a rich foreigner in a desperately poor country so of course the usual common sense and street smarts have to be on full alert at all times.

Park Central is one of the #1 tourist zones in the city so you're perfectly safe in that neighbourhood, but obviously there's no need to be walking down unlit streets at night after a few cocktails. As a first time visitor you should take a taxi back from La Guarida.

http://www.laguarida.com/resenas.php

Have fun.

Cheers,

Terry

Calgary, Canada
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These are mostly paladars - private family run restaurants - and some aren't close to your hotel, but they're in neighbourhoods you might want to see too.

El Hurón Azul: bit of a bohemian place at times with actors and writers. Great wine list - a rarity in Cuba. It's in Vedado.

Restaurant Paladar la Fontana: It's a long way out in Miramar, but the taxi ride will give you a chance to see that lovely part of the city - the exact opposite of the type of neighbourhood you're staying in.

La Cocina de Lilliam: Also out in Miramar. Beautiful garden and antiques. Food is fabulous too.

Flor de Lotus: In Barrio Chino (Chinatown) not far from your hotel.

La Casa: It's in Vedado and has remained a solid choice for years.

Cheers,

Terry

Athens, Greece
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6. Re: Restaurants near NH Parque Central Hotel
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Havana is very safe. I have never felt threatened, even though I look decidedly foreign, and I frequently walk around alone late at night, sometimes lugging a backpack.

However, if you don't know Cuba, Centro Habana at night can seem pretty creepy. It is not an area where your average tourist goes (especially at night and on foot), so you'll stick out like a sore thumb. People are likely to say things to you, and if you don't know their culture and don't understand their language, you have no way of gaging if they're being threatening or not. Also, if you don't know your way around, that will definitely show. I am guessing my own positive experiences are at least partly due to the fact that I very obviously know where I'm going and look confident walking where I am.

That was all I meant when I said "uncomfortable." I agree with Terry that basic caution should be exercised at all times, wherever in the world you are, and especially in a country where you'll be paying a local's entire yearly salary to stay in your hotel for three nights or so :)

Toronto, Canada
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7. Re: Restaurants near NH Parque Central Hotel
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Terry posts a great listing of eateries but like everything else, much depends on your budget.

Just for the record, Café del Oriente on Plaza San Francisco is wonderful, and also perhaps one of the most expensive restaurants in Old Havana. If you want to spend your money on waiters in tuxedos, fine, but if you want to spend your money on food value you can do better.

As to safety. As others have noted, Havana is one of the safer cities but you do need a little common sense. the Parque Central Hotel is ideally situated on the boundary between Habana Vieja and Cenntro. Vieja is much more touristy and has a higher police presence and is safe to walk around even at night if you stay to main streets such as Obispo, Monseratte. Centro is the more "gritty" living area of Havana, is not as well lit, and I'd advise a cab in Centro. However Bario Chino to the Parque Central would be a reasonably safe walk though.

have a great trip.

Steve

Antigua, Guatemala
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8. Re: Restaurants near NH Parque Central Hotel
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Know a young lady that had her camera snatched while walking in Centro at 2:00 pm so yeah I would really want to be a tourist wandering around there at night. Also some of the back alleys off Obispo would be real inviting at night.

Toronto, Canada
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dave, you could also be describing Toronto or any other big city in the world

There's some parts of my city (toronto) that I as a resident wouldn't walk around in at night and muggings/purse snatchings happen here (daytime and nighttime) too. That doesn't mean that I don't think it's a great city to either live in or visit

As someone else on the forum said a few days ago: Pack your common sense and remember to unpack it when you get to your destination

Antigua, Guatemala
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Just want people to realise that Cuba isn't Fantisy Island as some try to make believe it is & if posting the shady side of Cuba on this forum is a no no then it is useless.

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