La Terraza — Restaurant in Havana

Last December, I decided to celebrate my birthday with a Cuban friend at La Terraza, a rooftop restaurant located on the third floor of Federación Asturiana's building in Habana. Hoping for a memorable evening with great views and delicious food, I was instead met with an experience that left much to be desired.

The first impression of the place was positive—the terrace boasted a stunning view of the Paseo del Prado, creating an inviting atmosphere. However, the charm quickly dissipated as we encountered the aged elevator, which seemed like a relic from a bygone era. I'd strongly recommend taking the stairs unless you have a penchant for vintage contraptions.

The service at La Terraza was undoubtedly the worst I encountered during my time in Habana. Despite the place being nearly empty, the waitstaff was conspicuously absent. We were forced to stand up multiple times and enter the interior section of the restaurant to place our orders. This lack of attention set the tone for a disappointing evening.

The menu, presented in euros, was deliberately kept away from the tables, requiring constant requests to view it—an obvious tactic to catch customers off guard. Our hopes for a delightful culinary experience were shattered as we sampled an appalling appetizer and a lackluster main course. The quality of the food did not match the picturesque surroundings.

To add insult to injury, we were overcharged for our underwhelming meal. The absence of credit card payment options, common for Cuba, forced me to leave my companion alone, retrieve extra cash from my Airbnb, and return to settle the bill. Despite the discrepancy in the amount, the staff claimed the manager was conveniently unavailable when questioned by my Cuban friend.

The distasteful experience at La Terraza cast a shadow over what should have been a joyous celebration. I paid more at this establishment than the cumulative expenses at the other, far superior restaurants I visited in Habana. The combination of subpar service, mediocre food, overcharging, and the inconvenience of obtaining additional funds make La Terraza a place I strongly discourage anyone from visiting. Save yourself the disappointment and explore the numerous other delightful dining options Habana...

Warning - Tourist Trap Black Market Exchange Rate Scam

When is a $100 USD bottle of Protos $350 USD ? At La Terazza of course.

We have been going to La Terazza for over ten yeas and know the owner (Eric) who is a very honourable person. He lives in Mexico and owns many restaurants in Cuba.

Went there for dinner last night and the bartender offered a great bottle of Protos for the equivalent of $100 USD. We advised we could pay in Cuban CUP.

The meal was very good as usual but when the bill came the wine was not on the bill. The waiter handed us a piece of paper for the wine, "100USD - 8000 CUP".

We advised that we would pay the equivalent of $100 USD in CUP (about 2,450 CUP) for the wine but the waiter, the bartender and the manager would not agree and started to get aggressive - very very aggressive. They wanted their 8,000 CUP for the wine which is about $350 USD.

A lot of drama and posturing by he staff. We gave them $150 CAD and left.

The bottom line - La Terazza staff are charging Black Market Exchange Rates for their wines off of off the legitimate bills they give you for food. They give you no option.

Word to the wise for all tourists - avoid this place at all costs as it have become a total tourist scam.

We are following up with Eric as her would never allow...

My husband and I stayed here for 3 nights and it met our needs perfectly. Lovely breakfast every morning (for an extra 5 CUC well worth it), close to all the places of interest in Havana, clean, friendly staff. Sitting on the terrace watching the action on the Prado was a nice way to relax after a busy day of walking around the town. There was a quiet outdoor bar/restaurant down the street a few blocks ( towards the water) where one could enjoy a drink and meal in a quieter setting and for a good price. It can be a bit noisy at night, particularly on weekend when everyone is out on the Prado! I would caution not the place for anyone with mobility issues as it is up several flights of stairs...but good exercise to work off some of the vacation...