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Havana is the capital and the largest city in Cuba, and is the heart of La Habana Province. This beautiful city, with its exquisite culture, attracts over a million tourists annually. Street food in Havana is just like a magical touch to the taste buds of exhausted travellers wandering around the city. There are endless options when it comes to Havana’s food, especially street food. The rich taste of the various flavours just adds to the vibrance of the city making it more attractive.
9 Scrumptious Street Food In Havana
Havana is well known for its exotic beauty and the unique variety of available street foods. There are endless options for street food in Havana:
1. Tostones
Photo: AMartiniouk / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
This is a renowned Latin American and Caribbean dish consisting of twice-fried slices of green plantains. Tostones are prepared from unripe green plantains which are sliced and fried until crispy. Tostones are also commonly known as “Cuban plantains” or “fried plantains” and are mostly found in Puerto Rican, Dominican, and other Caribbean areas. People from Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Nicaragua, Cuba, Honduras, and Venezuela are fond of this uncommon yet mouth-watering street food. Tostones are also known as Tachinos or Chatinos in Cuba, Bannann Peze in Haiti, and Patacones in Ecuador and Peru.
Popular Places To Try: Puerto Rico, Dominican and Caribbean areas
2. Rice And Beans
Photo: Arnold Gatilao / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Cuban black beans and rice are a simple yet satisfying cuisine packed with protein and bursting with Latin flavours like garlic, oregano, and cumin. Popularly found in Miami and Puerto Vallarta is a perfect dish for the young and the old. It has an extraordinary combination of rich nutrients along with the varied taste. It is one of the best veg street foods in Havana that one would love to indulge in again and again. Rice and beans are often known as “congri” at many restaurants, especially those serving traditional Cuban cuisine. Cuban black beans and rice is a classic Cuban delicacy with various flavours. They can be made in a traditional way using dried beans or quickly by using canned beans.
Popular Places To Try: Paladeras, La Esquina de Cuba in Havana
3. Frituras De Malanga
Photo: Phil Brown / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
These are classic Cuban fried fritters that are crispy externally yet soft on the inside. This is an easy-to-make recipe with just a few simple ingredients like malanga, parsley, and garlic. This is a delectable snack for anyone who is in love with fritters. These are easy to make with just five simple ingredients. Malangas have a rich nutty taste that becomes mildly sweetened when prepared. These are commonly used in Latin American countries along with Africa and the Caribbean. To make this heavenly cuisine, one needs to mix fresh parsley, garlic, salt and pepper to make frying spoonfuls to crispy perfection.
Popular Places To Try: Cuba and Puerto Rico
4. Churros
Photo: Keith Williamson / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
These are popular street foods in Havana that are enjoyed at their best during fairs and as a late-night snack. The dish is deep-fried and is crispier on the outside while softer on the inside. This famous Spanish dessert stands somewhere between a doughnut and a french fry. Churros are usually hot and fresh and can be tried with a variety of dipping sauces like dulce de leche or chocolate. This is one of the most famous street food in Havana for people who have a sweet tooth.
Popular Places To Try: El Chanchullero,Plaza Vieja in Havana
5. Roast Pork
Photo: Sara Goldsmith / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
This delicious item is one of the best non veg street foods in Havana that will simply leave you spellbound with its aroma and unique taste. This traditional Cuban cuisine is also known as lechon asado in Spanish and is a must-have recipe for every special occasion. It is served to non-vegetarian lovers in Havana during Christmas and Thanksgiving. The tourists visiting this place can delve into the magic of the flavourful taste of this cuisine found in Havana. The traditional Cuban dish is prepared to be enjoyed with congri rice made with black beans and boiled Yuca.
Popular Places To Try: Vedado and the newer suburban districts in Havana.
6. Tamales
Photo: Ji-Elle / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
These are also known as tamales in Spanish and are a traditional Mesoamerican dish made of masa. It is dough made of corn that is steamed in a corn husk or banana leaves. This typical street food is enjoyed during holidays and festivals like Christmas. Tamales are a common street food in Havana that is a must-try for all the tourists. A well-known Cuban variation is the “tamal en cazuela” which is a hearty cornmeal porridge. There are many regional varieties of Tamales with different fillings and cooking styles.
Popular Places To Try: Old Havana and Vedado
7. Mariquitas
Photo: Ramesh NG / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
These are Cuban plantain chips and are a popular street food in Havana. It is made by thinly slicing green plantains, frying them, and seasoning them with salt. They are traditional Cuban street foods sold by the local eateries in and around Havana. Mariquitas are similar to Tostones but are thinner and crisper than them. This cuisine can be served with Mojo, which is a Cuban garlic sauce to enhance the taste. They can be easily found in Cuban restaurants, shops and some grocery stores.
Popular Places To Try: Cuban restaurants in Havana
8. Ropa Vieja
Photo: alanagkelly / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Another best-selling cuisine in Havana is the Ropa Vieja. This is a famous Cuban dish consisting of shredded beef simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce that is frequently served with rice and black beans. It is a rich and flavourful stew prepared with onions, peppers, garlic, and a blend of spices. Ropa Vieja is served in almost all the restaurants in and around Havana. This street food has its origin in Spain and is popularly known as one of the national dishes of Cuba. The dish is believed to have been brought to the Americans by immigrants from the Canary Islands.
Popular Places To Try: Many restaurants across Havana
9. Chiviricos
Photo: Juan Emilio Prades Bel / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
These are small, crispy, fried dough snacks that are similar to churros. They are sold by the street-side eateries in Havana especially in areas like El Prado Boulevard in Central Havana. These snacks are sprinkled with sugar and are eaten as a quick, sweet snack. They are referred to as “chiviricos cubanos’ or “fried dough”. Chiviricos consists of flour, sugar, eggs, oil, and sometimes wine to make it a perfect dough pastry. This is another popular street food in Havana with all the magic included in its taste.
Popular Places To Try: El Prado Boulevard in Central Havana
Havana’s cuisine, like most Cuban food, consists of rice and beans as the staple. People visiting Havana for the first time will find it difficult to make a list of the eating options. The best street food in Havana is listed perfectly for people with a passion for food and its varied tastes. Plan with TripXL to have a rich culinary experience here.
Cover Photo: Marcin Konsek / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
