San Cristóbal Paladar

Peng Li★★★★★★★★★★5.0a month ago

San Cristobal is one of Havana’s most famous “must-visit” restaurants, largely gaining international attention after Barack Obama dined here in March 2016. The restaurant has also hosted notable figures such as Nancy Pelosi and former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, which adds to its reputation. The restaurant has a unique atmosphere full of Cuban character, and the prices are very reasonable for the quality and portion size. I highly recommend checking the menu carefully because there are many excellent dishes, especially for Asian travelers who may prefer richer flavors and warm comfort food. Some recommended dishes: * Pasta with cream and tenderloin – creamy and flavorful, very satisfying. * Lobster Medallion – coated with a crispy batter on the outside, delicious and unique. * Grandma Fritters (malanga) – fried taro fritters, crispy and tasty. * Homemade noodle soup – similar to a Chinese-style noodle soup, light and comforting, especially suitable for elderly guests. * San Cristóbal style lamb – slightly sweet in flavor and very tender. For lobster, I strongly recommend ordering the grilled version (“grillé”). The other two cooking styles were not as impressive. What I appreciated most is that the menu offers dishes suitable for different tastes and preferences, making it a great choice for families or groups with diverse dining needs. Overall, San Cristóbal is not just a famous restaurant because of its history — it genuinely offers great food, good value, and an unforgettable Havana dining experience.

RICKI MAYA SOFER★★★★★★★★★★5.07 months ago

Out of our five days in Havana we spent three dinners at San Cristobal. The restaurant has a really calm authentic ambience. The main room has really nice music. The other rooms just feels like you’re in a classic restaurant from the 50s. The service : we never felt so welcomed in a restaurant, every time we were there, we ended up the night smoking cigars and drinking rum and having the waiters give us probably the best service ever. One night we spend there four hours because it was just so welcoming. Did not skip this location on your visit to Cuba. Every other restaurant we went to felt like it was a tourist trap. The prices were really fair and everything was delicious.

Gillean Escott★★★★★★★★★★2.011 months ago

As English speaking American women, the service provided was horrible. The host at the entrance was the main person that was nice to us and offered us a tour. Our server that wore dark glasses ignored us multiple times. We do understand Spanish half decently so his rude sarcasm was not lost on us. Everything was dirty. Every wine glass was left open end upside and covered with dust and other dirty marks, flies and mosquitos. These glasses were never removed like on other people’s tables. My grilled lobster was completely overcooked and difficult to eat. Rice and vegetables had vegetables very lightly cooked, Carrots were still pretty firm on the inside. We asked for the check no less than 6 times until finally asking the host when he walked by and he made it happen. The power was out when we arrived but that was the least of the problems. Have had much better experiences elsewhere in Havana.

Stuart King★★★★★★★★★★5.0a month ago

We visited this restaurant twice during our stay, and both times were absolutely fantastic. The service was outstanding—attentive, friendly, and genuinely welcoming from start to finish. The food and drinks were equally impressive, full of flavour and presented with a unique, quirky touch that made the whole experience even more enjoyable. It’s clear a lot of care and creativity goes into everything they do. Given the current situation in Cuba, even more credit is due to the team for maintaining such a high standard. Their dedication and positivity really stood out and made both visits memorable. Highly recommend and would definitely return!

ReviewbyV★★★★★★★★★★5.0a year ago

Stopped by this restaurant while exploring the neighbourhood. Was pleasantly surprised with the service and food. I had a cappuccino to start followed by the sweet and sour chicken with a side of rice and veggies. After the delicious meal we were given a complimentary cigar and shot of rum which added to the experience. I would definetly return here to try other items.