La Guarida: Savoring Tender Lobster While Overlooking the City

Strawberry and Chocolate🇨🇺 In the weathered lanes of Old Havana, La Guarida shines like a time-polished medal—it’s Cuba’s top-rated restaurant, a filming location for the Oscar-nominated Strawberry and Chocolate, and a secret spot hiding Havana’s best viewing deck. Too many diners get lost in the food inside, never realizing: Climb those two spiral staircases, and the entire city unfolds before you. 🏰 From Movie Set to Rooftop Terrace: Double Surprises in a Historic Building Pushing open La Guarida’s wooden door feels like stepping into a film frame: Weathered red brick walls hold vintage chandeliers, diners murmur over wooden tables, and black-and-white posters of Strawberry and Chocolate line the walls (rumor has it the lead actor sipped coffee right here). But don’t sit yet—follow the “to the roof” sign upward. The first spiral staircase smells of aged wood; the second’s iron railings are polished smooth from years of hands. At the top, Havana explodes into view: One side reveals Old Town’s terracotta rooftops, sun-bleached like pomegranate seeds, with church spires poking through the skyline. The other overlooks the coastline, where turquoise water laps the breakwater, the air mixing Old Town’s with sea salt. Grab a wicker chair on the terrace, watch pigeons glide over rooftops, and listen to Cuban drift up—suddenly, you’ll get why locals say, “You haven’t seen full Havana till you’ve stood on La Guarida’s roof.” 🦞 Must-Try Lobster: Tender Enough to “Dance” on Your Tongue To claim “Cuba’s No.1 Restaurant,” the food delivers—especially the signature lobster, still steaming when it hits the table: Caught fresh from the sea, it’s not the biggest, but the meat is . Pan-seared in Cuban-style garlic butter, the shell crisps at the edges, yet biting into it reveals a “springy” texture—no fishiness, just ocean sweetness tangled with buttery richness. Even the tiny bits in the claws soak up the sauce. Pair it with fried plantain chips (crisp outside, soft inside), dipped in the lobster’s juices—sweet-savory joy that makes movies and views fade, if only for a moment. 🌆 Experience Tips: Pack Movies, Food, and Views Into One Trip Best Time to View: Head up at dusk! Sunset dips terracotta roofs in honey light, and the sea glows gold—softer than midday glare (arrive early to snag a terrace seat; it gets busy). Movie Easter Eggs: The restaurant keeps Strawberry and Chocolate props—like the lead’s coffee cup and wall graffiti. Staff will cheerfully point out, “This scene was filmed right here!” Price Check: Lobster main + a mojito runs ~$40-50 per person (high for Cuba, but worth it for the views and nostalgia). Hidden Hack: You don’t need a full meal—grab a coffee on the rooftop and stay all afternoon. Watching Old Town shift from buzz to calm is more memorable than any photo. Leaving, staircase lights stretch shadows long, and laughter from the dining room drifts up. La Guarida’s magic was never just “good food”—it’s Cuba in film, Cuba from the rooftop, Cuba in lobster meat that tastes of the sea. If you’re in Havana, don’t treat it like just a restaurant—let it be a feast of flavors, views, and memories. Climb that roof, savor that lobster, and you’ll carry Havana’s most vivid face with you. #CubaTravel #HavanaFood #LaGuarida #MovieLocation #CubanLobster #HavanaView