Havana's Instagram-Famous Ivan Chef Justo

🏛️ The Hub in Old Town Nestled on Calle Chacon, Ivan Chef Justo shares the same owner as the landmark Al Carbon (confirmed by staff!). Behind its wooden door, a narrow staircase leads to the second-floor dining area, where vintage tiles and brass chandeliers create the classic Instagram backdrop—expect queues at the entrance ✨ Precise Location: ✅ Address: Calle Chacon, Old Havana (directly opposite Memorial Granma) ✅ Look for: The "Chef Ivan" metal sign and a vintage coffee machine on the stair landing 🍴 Must-Try Dishes & Flavor Report ✅ Cerviche de Pescado ($18) Flavor Highlights: ✅ Sea bass cubes marinated in lime juice until semi-cooked, mixed with tomato dices and red onions ✅ Secret Ingredient: Sprinkled with wild Cuban pepper, adding a tangy citrus kick ✅ Empanada de la Casa ($12) Texture Explosion: ✅ Pastry fried to an amber crisp, bursting with beef and cheese filling at the first bite ✅ Dipping Sauce Trick: Served with pineapple vinegar sauce, balancing sweet and sour like Sichuan pickles ✅ Pulpo a la Plancha ($22) Side Dish Surprise: ✅ Octopus tentacles grilled to tender perfection, paired with sweet corn from the owner's private farm ✅ Seasoning Formula: Olive oil + garlic powder + Spanish paprika ✅ Lechoneito Mamón Asado ($28) Masterful Cooking: ✅ Pig skin fried to a glass-like crisp shell, producing a satisfying crack when tapped with cutlery ✅ Meat Secret: Marinated in rum and citrus for 12 hours, tenderer than Hainan Wenchang chicken 💰 Cost Breakdown & Value Dish USD Price CUP Equivalent Rating Cerviche de Pescado $18 5400 CUP ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ House Empanada $12 3600 CUP ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Grilled Octopus $22 6600 CUP ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Roast Suckling Pig $28 8400 CUP ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Canchanchara Cocktail $10 3000 CUP ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Total $90 27000 CUP $45/person Value Verdict: 30% pricier than neighboring Al Carbon, but offers finer ingredients and cooking Money-Saving Tip: Skip seafood and order grilled chicken ($16) to keep it under $30/person 💡 Practical Tips Payment Strategy: Pay in USD cash for better value (CUP charged at 1:300, better than bank rates) Optimal Timing: Arrive 11:30–12:30 to avoid tour group crowds after 13:00 Photography Hacks: Must-shoot the stained glass at the stair corner (best light at 10 AM) Ask staff to film a dynamic video of cutting the roast pig—the crackling sound is ultra-satisfying 📝 Final Verdict Recommended For: Instagrammers, Spanish cuisine enthusiasts, and budget-flexible travelers Core Appeal: One of Havana's rare combos of "refined cooking + Instagram ambiance"—the roast pig and empanadas are worth the visit Bottom Line: Trade a meal's budget for a Cuban twist on "Spain on a Plate"! #CubaTravel #HavanaRestaurantHunt #InstaFoodReview #CaribbeanCuisine #CubaFoodRecommendations