Cafe El Dandy — Restaurant in Cuba

El Dandy is such a great place. It's located in a very interesting and beautiful part of Habana Vieja, facing Parque Cristo and its beautiful church. You'd think that it would be crowded 24/7, but somehow it has not been hyped and taken over by tourists just yet. Most of the people who go there are tourists, but it's just not crowded.

The food is really good, everything I had was absolutely well made, tasty and fresh. The juices are otherworldly. The mint lemonade is unreal, but just try any of them and you'll be fine.

There's the occasional shortage of ingredients that's characteristic of Cuba, but that doesn't matter. There are so many plates in the menu that you're hardly left without options when the staff can't get a supply of this or that for the day.

Actually this indicates how fresh the food is: you have to check everyday what is or is not available.

The staff is incredibly friendly, excessively so sometimes and it's fun. Everyone speaks English some way or another, or everyone tries to and eventually you're understood.

El Dandy is an amazing place, you're going to have great food and a great time while...

El Dandy Café: The Coolest Spot in Havana

El Dandy Café is hands down my favorite spot in Havana. Tucked away in the heart of Old Havana, this place has everything you could want—great coffee, amazing cocktails, and an effortlessly cool vibe. The location is perfect, right on Plaza del Cristo, where you can soak in the energy of the city while enjoying a cafecito or a mojito.

What really makes El Dandy stand out is the atmosphere. It’s a mix of old-school Cuban charm and modern eclectic style, with vintage décor, local art on the walls, and a soundtrack that sets the perfect mood. Whether you’re here to start your morning with a strong espresso or wind down with a rum cocktail, the crowd is always an interesting mix of locals, travelers, and creatives.

The staff is friendly, the drinks are top-notch, and the people-watching is unbeatable. If you’re looking for a place to kick back, connect with cool people, and experience Havana’s laid-back magic, El Dandy is the spot....

The staff were lovely, as was the espresso and decor. Sadly however it took almost 1 full hour to be served food, for what was two fried eggs with a topping, a little cheese and cilantro (it was nice though and the menu does look very good with a decent range of choice). The El Dandy "baguette" is not a baguette, but a panini, and very poor quality for $6.5 USD (even in England this would be less than $5). The pineapple, ginger and beetroot juice was good. Given the wait time, the 10% should have been discounted - I didn't complain but had I been serving I'd have done...