The city's first English-language bookstore stocks secondhand books of poetry, philosophy, and novels vetted by the owner, an American journalist living in Vedado. Hammocks, swinging chairs, and wrought-iron benches are clustered on a shady patio. Rock gently with an iced coffee or starfruit juice and complimentary tortica (cookie).
Part of the new wave of privately owned restaurants, this paladar in a 19th-century mansion has candelabras, Cuban art on the walls, well-mixed mojitos, and Héctor Higuera's thoughtfully prepared meals with hard-to-find-in-Havana ingredients.
The name is misleading, but the cafe's faded green walls and the waitress's sleepy demeanor do have a museum-like quality. Order a tall glass of cold chocolate milk for a peso and take the opportunity to photograph yourself with a chocolate cigar. Also made on the premises: cocoa airplanes, cocoa classic cars, and, curiously, cocoa coffins.
A tranquil outdoor cafe flanked by greenery on a relatively quiet side street. Order cerveza or sangria for the table and it's delivered in a glass beverage dispenser with a spout. Mix and match pintxos and tapas while a musical trio croons guantanamera.
The best cocktails in the city can be found at this little duplex bar and restaurant on a hip side street in Old Havana.
Dodge the persistent young men waving restaurant menus on the street corner and make a beeline for the atypically cozy paladar tucked away at the road's end, the place to go for slushy mojitos and down-home ropa vieja, a local stew made here with lamb. The service is sweet and the place is mas popular — so be sure to make a reservation.