When we chose this restaurant, it seemed like a well-established institution. However, our experience suggested that it didn’t quite live up to the expectations set by its Google reviews and the surrounding hype. While the standard of food is still quite good by Cuban standards, it fell short of what we anticipated.

The setting was nice, when you walk in there is the speech written by Fidel Castro on the wall next to the stairs which is a popular spot for photos. The aesthetic of the interior is nice and provides a good vibe for dining.

Despite being regarded as one of the best restaurants in Cuba, there were some glaring issues. One glass contained an unidentified floating object, and the sparkling water was completely off, arriving pre-opened and undrinkable.

The fish of the day was snapper, which was well-prepared and complemented by a flavorful sauce. The texture of the fish was fine and easy to chew.

The 50-day dry-aged ribeye was served with a hot plate, allowing us to sear the steak ourselves. While the concept was interesting, the execution left much to be desired. The aging process was evident in the texture and flavor notes of the steak, but it didn’t quite reach the expectations of a premium dry-aged cut. It was accompanied by grilled capsicum, potatoes, salt, and a sweet-and-sour sauce intended to enhance the self-searing experience.

Next, we tried the saffron oxtail risotto. Although it carried the scent of saffron, it lacked the authenticity of true saffron infusion. Unfortunately, the dish was unbearably salty, overshadowing any other flavors.

The lobster dish was similarly disappointing. It was overly salty and had an unpleasant raw seafood odor, suggesting it wasn’t fresh enough.

The ropa vieja was slightly better—above average and, thankfully, not overly salty.

As for desserts, the rice pudding was bland, appearing prepackaged.

The cheesecake was below average, though the touch of cheddar was an interesting twist that gave it a semblance of being a true cheesecake.

The triple chocolate dessert was the standout highlight—rich and satisfying. Another notable dessert was the lemon tart with meringue, which offered a pleasant and refreshing conclusion to the meal.

At the end, it took about half an hour to receive the bill and sort out payments, which was far too long for us and prevented us from spending the rest of our night somewhere else.

In summary, while Le Guarida shows promise, its reputation didn’t align with the actual experience. A few standout dishes aside, the inconsistencies in preparation and quality were hard to overlook.

Thank you