Hostal Angelo's Taste & Travel

Cardenas Cuba...The Insiders List of Tasty Travels

The Insiders List of Tasty Travels

Until recent years, running a legal restaurant in Cuba wasn’t heard of. Since the 1960s, the only choice for eating out of the home was state-run restaurants. The kind that offered the same choices with the same ingredients. They were ran by the people for the people but they did as they were instructed by the state. They did not offer the innovation or the quality that the new generation lingered for. So underground restaurants started opening up in family homes, behind closed doors – and for those who knew where to look, these so-called hidden Paladars in Cuba were the place to grab a quick bite and enjoy a little taste of Cuban freedom.

These days things have started to change, the government rules surrounding business in general has relaxed in fact even encouraged and the Paladars that were hidden away are opening brick and mortar storefronts offering some of the finest food on the island. We have added below our top choices for Cardenas. The hardest thing is going to be how to decide where to start….

Whenever I start to plan a trip the first thing I think about is where are we going to dine. I quickly pop open the internet to narrow down my options. But wait…it is not quite that easy with Cuba. Of course there is always trip-advisor and that I refer to often. But even they don’t know about the hidden gems….and how could they, if you can’t find it you can’t review it. So here we will highlight our Favorite big guys as well as the little not so known places. With economics on a rise in this workers town new places are popping up on every corner of Cardenas. I think it will be a hard job eating are way through the city but heck someone has to do it. So for now here is what we have and as soon as we put down that fork we will be back with some more tasty travel reviews….. 

Studio 55

Studio 55 is located two blocks from city centre right smack dab in front of the Wifi Park. This area is quickly working itself up to the entertainment district of Cardenas. One of the first on the scene was Studio 55. The vibrant decoration and the quirky reuse and recycle method makes for endless conversation pieces. We have tried almost everything on this small menu and although we like it all we tend to choose burgers when at Studio 55. The Hamburguesa Especial is our pic. The buns always seem a little nicer here and the burger is loaded with all the fixins and cuban bacon. Pair this up with a cristal or 3 or 4 and the afternoon hours seem to melt away!
Burgers or Sandwiches 1.50 - 4.00 cuc
Cristal 1.50 - 2.00 cuc
Yuma Carta* Yes

Plaza

Plaza restaurant is one of the most modern. The owners of Studio 55 actually opened a second venue two doors down to the right. After what seemed like a few years the restaurant opened with force and quickly gained its spot as one of the top eating spots. Thier well thought out menu is not huge but they do what they do very well. Our Favorite choice’s on the menu are the ribs and the chicken tacos. They cook over fire in the open air kitchen where you can watch the chefs do there culinary magic. The ribs come out juicy and tender and the presentation and service was second to none. The second floor is the hot spot to sit, with comfy molded seats where you can gather with friends and enjoy the fare while overlooking the park, the only wifi spot in Cardenas. I must add if I wasn’t presented with a Yuma Carta I could eat here every day!
Bon-bon….best in town!
Meal Price Range 3.50 -7.00 cuc
Cristal 1.50 - 2.00 cuc
Yuma Carta* Yes

Paladar La Casona del Chino Pons

The new Chinese restaurant in town….yep ya heard me! I always say “you should eat the cuisine of the country that you visit” but I just could not pass by Chinese food in Cuba and I must say that I was pleasantly suprised. The restaurant is located kitty corner to Plaza & 55. Two story building with air conditioning on the upper floor. The decor is authentic Chinese and I was told the owner has come from Oriental decent. The food was so good we had to go back for a second taste. The Chicken Chop Suey tastes like you stepped into China Town, paired with Special Fried Rice and Cordon Blue….all that was missing was some chop sticks!
Main Dishes 3.00 - 6.50 cuc
Cristal 1.40 
Yuma Carta* No


Las Delicias

Birthday, Anniversary or just a special night out for a fancy dinner….Las Delicias is where you want to be. This gem on the outskirts of the city centre is decked out with fine linens, tablecloths & cloth napkins. You might think you just walked into the dining room at the Waldorf. The chef is rumoured to have cooked for Casto and if this is true the big guy ate well. We have spent many family events there and I tried most of the menu. Our favs are Ensalada Frio (cold creamy pasta salad) for a starter. The main course is hard to choose. The Lasagna is out of this world, rich creamy and very meaty. The carbonara and chinese fried rice are top notch as well. With so many choices we usually leave there bursting at the seams. Oh wait 2 people with starters, main, dessert, wine & cafe….Waldorf $250…. Las Delicias $25
Main Dishes 3.00 - 6.50 cuc
Cristal 1.50
Yuma Carta* No

Hard Rock D porti

This is our go-to. The Hard Rock D porti is a stone throw from Hostal Angelos. We have tried it all. The Hard Rock was one of the first of the new restaurants on the scene, in my mind the one that has tried to be a little different. I will admit that depending on who is cooking the meals might differ, but it’s kinda refreshing to know that they are always looking for new and innovative foods to cook. The kitchen has all been remodeled and the new commercial deepfryer is a luxury in a country that usually cooks over carbon with open flames and a pot of hot oil. Great job guys, we know its not easy to obtain this equipment on the island, Being cooks we know how much better the food tastes when it is cooked at the proper heat. We usually start with a selection of Pan con Tomate y Atun, the cuban take on Bruscetta with tomato or tuna. The mains are easy Ribs with all the sides or Briochettes (skewers of chicken & pork). The portions are grande and presented well on large platters with great sides. If your looking for a late night snack the Chicken Fingers (Dedos de Pollo) will not disappoint. Just make sure you leave enough room for the beer can flan! Awesome
Main Dishes 3.50 - 5.50 cuc
Cristal 1.50 cuc
Beer Can Flan….Priceless
Yuma Carta* No


Bon Appetite, Bolo Ocho, D'Livio and more coming soon…..

*Yuma Carta. I think one day I might do a post on this bad practice that makes my blood boil. But for now just know that there is 2 menus. One for locals and one for “Yumas”…..tourists. Please remember that even the Yuma Carta will be crazy cheap compared to any other location on this beautiful earth…but it doesn’t make it right!

Nightlife...

Nightlife in Cardenas....where shall I start?  First an foremost let me say that there must be something in the night air cause Cubans know how to party and they certainly know how to dance.  Most evenings after the sun goes down the doors open up and the people spill out on the streets for friendly chatting, heated discussions of baseball, rival games of 
dominos and to feel the night air breeze.  Music flows out of every house and the rhythm starts to roll throughout the narrow streets. The sounds of Gente De Zona and Marc Anthony are everywhere in Cardenas... The sight of seeing horse drawn coches full vibrant young Latinos heading out into the night to the bars and clubs, decked out in the newest and brightest fashion from the Island makes for a truly unique experience. The Cubans, irregardless of their economic conditions, have never lost their passion for partying. The happiness and kind of "I am right where I want to be" seems to be everywhere.  It is amazing that in a town of 70+ thousand people, it seems everyone knows everyone.  We will try and highlight a few of the best bars they do seem to cross over with our best food pics as most of the restaurants turn to the hotspots after dusk!


Our suggestion is to try them all...but if you want the real cuban experience don't be shy.  Head on over to Oro Negro (the local 7/11 across the street) pick up a 6 pack of Cristal or Bucanero and find a friend.  Cubans love to talk to tourists and even more would love to join you for a cool one!  But beware you will soon become familia!


Studio 55
Location- Entertainment District across from Parque Jose Antonio Hecheveria                            Best Drink- Daiquiri

Best Server- Sonia.
Expect line up to get it on weekends.  Great evening atmosphere with low music, lots of laughing & cuban culture.
They do do the odd DJ night, maybe you will be lucky!
Low to Mid on the craziness!


Hard Rock Dporti
Located on Spiru right across from Hostal Angelos
Best Drink- Piña Colada
Roof top patio gets hoping on Friday nights
Swimming pool if you dare!
Great Rock Music- you can expect music videos on large screen t.v.'s.  Lots of variety between Spanish and English.
Perfect distance to stumble home....just watch those stairs!
Mid craziness

                                                                                                                                                                  Plaza
Location Entertainment District- 2 doors down from Studio 55
Best Drink- Mojito
Best Bartender- Oscar....the mojito is even better when made by Oscar!  Yummy...The drink too!
Expect line ups on weekends, second floor seating is the hot spot.
Low music with plenty of locals mingling.

Low to Mid Craziness

Cafe Cárdenas 
The Disco spot of Cardenas
Best Drink- Cristal
Cover Charge will vary for tourists, roughly 5cuc.  Bring your passport, tourists do need I.D. To get in.
Lots & Lots of Dancing
Loud  music and bright lights
Opens at 11, be there on time to avoid line up.
There is always a good mix of young and not so young!
I always say that Cuba is the safest place on earth, but I must advise that the disco gets a little rocking!  Stay safe....but don't worry too much, go out have fun, let loose and dance the night away.  Just leave your thousands of dollars at the casa....trust me you can't spend more than 30cuc a person....if you do you are in trouble!

More to come....Infact we are out having a drink or 3 as you read.....when I sober up I will write more!

Farm to Table....                                                                                                           Let's have a little chat about Organic, Farm Fresh or Environment Friendly.... There seems to be a lot of travel destinations boasting their location to the earth conscious (which we all should be!) traveler.  You mention this to a Cuban and they say "What the heck you talking about....if we don't get our produce from the market on the corner that was picked this morning or the pork and chicken that comes  from the bodega on the other corner (it might still be alive) where is it going to come from.  And the farmer says "fertilizer, GMO engineered seeds these must be English words that are not in our vocabulary"!   Well I am guessing  things might have been a little different before the special period in the early nineties. But now the island has become one large Organic Farm.   Because of the import complications Cuba still faces today their access to fertilizer, pesticides and outside food sources is non existent.  This meant the farmer needed to be creative, and start growing their own food.  Cuba was literally an island, cut off from the world and yet, it successfully managed to sustain itself and then learn to feed the hungry tourist market.    After the departure of their Russian Friends, Cuba needed to supply themselves with food, the Cubans started small urban organic vegetable gardens (huertos).  Eventually bigger spaces were created, called organoponicos.  Now there are over 35 000 urban organic gardens in Cuba and they supply the population with over 90% of its vegetables and fruits.    What might seem like new farming ideas in other parts of the world is just a way of life here in Cuba.  Just think that the mint in your Mojito was just picked as the rum was being poured and that pineapple- mango smoothie you are enjoying was picked that same morning and did not travel on planes, boats and trains to get to you.  Now that is literally farm to table at it's finest! We could all learn from this Island of 11 million people.  What started out as a problem has led to a healthy and sustainable lifestyle! Let's not even start about the Yucca, sweet potatoes  and gigantic deciembe avocados. But don't take our word for it....just pop on over and leave your carbon footprint on the beach well traveled!