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This Historic Restaurant In Florida Serves The Best Cuban Pastries In The South 24/7


Imagine a place where the aroma of freshly baked Cuban pastries wafts through the air 24/7, and the flavors of Havana dance on your taste buds.

Welcome to Havana Restaurant in West Palm Beach, Florida!

A slice of Havana in the heart of West Palm Beach! This charming exterior is like a postcard come to life, minus the international postage.A slice of Havana in the heart of West Palm Beach! This charming exterior is like a postcard come to life, minus the international postage.
A slice of Havana in the heart of West Palm Beach! This charming exterior is like a postcard come to life, minus the international postage. Photo credit: Smith Cooper

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, gather ’round for a tale of culinary delight that’ll make your stomach growl louder than a Florida gator during mating season.

We’re about to embark on a journey to a little slice of Cuba right here in the Sunshine State, where the coffee is strong enough to wake the dead and the pastries are so good, they should be illegal.

But don’t worry, the only crime you’ll be committing is against your diet.

Nestled in the heart of West Palm Beach, Havana Restaurant stands as a beacon of Cuban cuisine, a lighthouse guiding hungry souls to a safe harbor of deliciousness.

This isn’t just any restaurant, folks.

Oh no, this is a 24/7 fiesta for your taste buds, a non-stop celebration of all things Cuban that’ll have you salsa dancing your way to the dinner table.

Step inside and be transported to Cuba faster than you can say Step inside and be transported to Cuba faster than you can say
Step inside and be transported to Cuba faster than you can say “mojito.” The warm ambiance here is as inviting as a Caribbean breeze. Photo credit: Havana Restaurant

As you approach the restaurant, you can’t help but be struck by its charming exterior.

The white-washed walls and wrought-iron balconies transport you straight to the streets of Old Havana, minus the passport check and questionable plumbing.

It’s like someone picked up a building from Cuba and plonked it down in Florida, probably using the same method my uncle uses to move his trailer home – a lot of determination and a complete disregard for physics.

Step inside, and you’re immediately enveloped in a warm, inviting atmosphere that feels like a big Cuban hug.

This menu is a treasure map of Cuban delights. X marks the spot for flavor explosions that'll make your taste buds do the cha-cha!This menu is a treasure map of Cuban delights. X marks the spot for flavor explosions that'll make your taste buds do the cha-cha!
This menu is a treasure map of Cuban delights. X marks the spot for flavor explosions that’ll make your taste buds do the cha-cha! Photo credit: Rene D. Rodriguez

The air is thick with the aroma of simmering sofrito, freshly brewed Cuban coffee, and the sweet scent of pastries that’ll make your knees weak and your willpower crumble faster than a poorly constructed sandcastle.

The decor is a delightful mishmash of old-world charm and modern comfort, with warm terracotta tiles underfoot and cozy booths that practically beg you to settle in for a long, leisurely meal.

Palm fronds sway gently from the ceiling fans, creating a tropical breeze that’ll have you forgetting you’re in Florida and not on a Cuban beach.

Well, until you remember that Cuban beaches don’t usually come with air conditioning and free refills.

Now, let’s talk about the real star of the show – the food.

Havana Restaurant’s menu is like a greatest hits album of Cuban cuisine, featuring all the classics you know and love, plus a few surprises that’ll make your taste buds do a double-take.

First up, we’ve got the Cuban sandwich, the holy grail of pressed perfection.

Flaky, golden, and bursting with guava goodness. This pastry is the stuff dreams are made of – if dreams were edible and came with a side of café con leche.Flaky, golden, and bursting with guava goodness. This pastry is the stuff dreams are made of – if dreams were edible and came with a side of café con leche.
Flaky, golden, and bursting with guava goodness. This pastry is the stuff dreams are made of – if dreams were edible and came with a side of café con leche. Photo credit: Genevieve K.

This isn’t just any sandwich, my friends.

This is a work of art, a masterpiece of layered flavors that’ll have you questioning everything you thought you knew about lunch.

Tender roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard, all nestled between two slices of Cuban bread that’s been pressed until it’s crispier than my grandma’s sense of humor.

It’s so good, you might find yourself writing love sonnets to it.

“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more delicious and more pressed.”

But wait, there’s more!

Empanadas and croquetas: the dynamic duo of Cuban cuisine. These crispy delights are like a warm, savory hug for your mouth.Empanadas and croquetas: the dynamic duo of Cuban cuisine. These crispy delights are like a warm, savory hug for your mouth.
Empanadas and croquetas: the dynamic duo of Cuban cuisine. These crispy delights are like a warm, savory hug for your mouth. Photo credit: Cindy Walker

The Ropa Vieja, which translates to “old clothes” (don’t worry, it tastes much better than it sounds), is a dish that’ll make you want to hug the chef.

Tender shredded beef, slow-cooked in a tomato-based sauce with bell peppers and onions, served over a bed of fluffy white rice.

It’s comfort food at its finest, the kind of dish that makes you want to call your mom and thank her for teaching you how to use a fork.

For those of you who like to live life on the spicy side, the Picadillo is a must-try.

Ground beef cooked with olives, raisins, and a blend of spices that’ll make your taste buds tango.

It’s sweet, it’s savory, it’s everything you never knew you needed in your life.

Pair it with some black beans and rice, and you’ve got a meal that’ll have you planning your next visit before you’ve even finished your first bite.

Now, let’s talk about the unsung hero of Cuban cuisine – the side dishes.

Tres leches cake: where "too much of a good thing" doesn't apply. This creamy confection is so good, you might forget your own name.Tres leches cake: where "too much of a good thing" doesn't apply. This creamy confection is so good, you might forget your own name.
Tres leches cake: where “too much of a good thing” doesn’t apply. This creamy confection is so good, you might forget your own name. Photo credit: MC T.

The plantains at Havana Restaurant are so good, they should have their own fan club.

Served either sweet (maduros) or savory (tostones), these little slices of heaven are the perfect accompaniment to any meal.

The maduros are caramelized to perfection, with a sweetness that’ll make you forget all about dessert.

The tostones, on the other hand, are crispy, salty, and utterly addictive.

They’re like potato chips, but with a tropical twist and a much fancier name.

Cuban toast: the breakfast of champions and late-night snack heroes alike. Buttery, crispy, and always there when you need it most.Cuban toast: the breakfast of champions and late-night snack heroes alike. Buttery, crispy, and always there when you need it most.
Cuban toast: the breakfast of champions and late-night snack heroes alike. Buttery, crispy, and always there when you need it most. Photo credit: Andrea H.

And let’s not forget about the black beans and rice, a staple of Cuban cuisine that Havana Restaurant has elevated to an art form.

These aren’t just any beans and rice, oh no.

These are beans that have been simmered with love, care, and enough garlic to ward off a whole army of vampires.

They’re so good, you might find yourself ordering a side of beans and rice to go with your beans and rice.

It’s bean-ception, and it’s glorious.

But folks, we haven’t even gotten to the best part yet – the pastries.

Havana Restaurant’s bakery is a wonderland of sweet treats that’ll make your dentist weep and your personal trainer question their career choices.

Chicken Primavera: where poultry meets paradise. This dish is so colorful, it could double as a Florida sunset on your plate.Chicken Primavera: where poultry meets paradise. This dish is so colorful, it could double as a Florida sunset on your plate.
Chicken Primavera: where poultry meets paradise. This dish is so colorful, it could double as a Florida sunset on your plate. Photo credit: Tori B.

The star of the show is undoubtedly the guava and cheese pastelito.

This little pocket of joy is a perfect balance of sweet and savory, with tangy guava paste and creamy cheese nestled in a flaky pastry that shatters at the slightest touch.

It’s like biting into a cloud, if clouds were made of butter and happiness.

Then there’s the quesito, a cheese-filled pastry that’s so light and airy, it might just float away if you don’t eat it fast enough.

And trust me, you’ll want to eat it fast.

Not because it’s going anywhere, but because it’s so darn delicious, you won’t be able to help yourself.

But the real showstopper, the pastry that’ll have you questioning everything you thought you knew about breakfast, is the Cuban toast.

This isn’t your average toast, my friends.

White sangria: because sometimes your fruit needs a little vacation too. Sip, savor, and feel those tropical vibes wash over you.White sangria: because sometimes your fruit needs a little vacation too. Sip, savor, and feel those tropical vibes wash over you.
White sangria: because sometimes your fruit needs a little vacation too. Sip, savor, and feel those tropical vibes wash over you. Photo credit: Kimberly P.

This is a slice of Cuban bread, pressed until it’s crispy on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside, then slathered with butter and served alongside a cup of Cuban coffee that’s strong enough to put hair on your chest.

It’s simple, it’s perfect, and it’s the reason why breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Speaking of coffee, let’s take a moment to appreciate the liquid gold that is Havana Restaurant’s Cuban coffee.

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This isn’t your average cup of joe, folks.

This is rocket fuel disguised as coffee, a brew so potent it could probably power a small car.

The café con leche is a work of art, a perfect balance of strong espresso and steamed milk that’ll have you buzzing with energy and declaring your undying love for caffeine.

Cuban coffee: where "wake up and smell the coffee" takes on a whole new meaning. One sip and you'll be buzzing with Cuban spirit!Cuban coffee: where "wake up and smell the coffee" takes on a whole new meaning. One sip and you'll be buzzing with Cuban spirit!
Cuban coffee: where “wake up and smell the coffee” takes on a whole new meaning. One sip and you’ll be buzzing with Cuban spirit! Photo credit: Shaun B.

And for those brave souls who like their coffee as dark as their sense of humor, the colada is not to be missed.

It’s served in a tiny cup, but don’t let its size fool you – this little shot of espresso packs a punch that’ll wake you up faster than a bucket of ice water to the face.

Now, you might be thinking, “Sure, the food sounds great, but what about the atmosphere?”

Well, let me tell you, Havana Restaurant isn’t just a place to eat – it’s an experience.

The staff are friendlier than a golden retriever at a dog park, always ready with a smile and a recommendation that’ll make your taste buds sing.

Rabo Encendido: fall-off-the-bone tender and packed with flavor. This dish is so good, it might just make you forget about your low-carb diet.Rabo Encendido: fall-off-the-bone tender and packed with flavor. This dish is so good, it might just make you forget about your low-carb diet.
Rabo Encendido: fall-off-the-bone tender and packed with flavor. This dish is so good, it might just make you forget about your low-carb diet. Photo credit: Steph W.

The regulars are a colorful cast of characters that could give any sitcom a run for its money.

You’ve got the old-timers who’ve been coming here since before Florida was a state (or at least it feels that way), swapping stories and sipping coffee with the ease of people who have found their second home.

Then there are the newcomers, wide-eyed and overwhelmed by the menu, who quickly become converts to the Church of Cuban Cuisine.

A bustling dining room filled with happy faces and the clinking of plates. It's like a Cuban family reunion, and everyone's invited!A bustling dining room filled with happy faces and the clinking of plates. It's like a Cuban family reunion, and everyone's invited!
A bustling dining room filled with happy faces and the clinking of plates. It’s like a Cuban family reunion, and everyone’s invited! Photo credit: Syed Doha

And let’s not forget about the late-night crowd, stumbling in at 3 AM for a Cuban sandwich that’ll soak up their bad decisions faster than a ShamWow.

But the real magic happens when the live music starts.

On weekends, Havana Restaurant transforms into a mini Havana nightclub, with live bands playing everything from salsa to merengue.

The tables get pushed aside, the dance floor opens up, and suddenly you find yourself salsa dancing with a stranger, wondering how you went from “just grabbing a quick bite” to “starring in your own personal episode of Dancing with the Stars.”

Wall-to-wall memories and mouthwatering moments. This decor is a feast for the eyes that'll have you planning your next visit before the check arrives.Wall-to-wall memories and mouthwatering moments. This decor is a feast for the eyes that'll have you planning your next visit before the check arrives.
Wall-to-wall memories and mouthwatering moments. This decor is a feast for the eyes that’ll have you planning your next visit before the check arrives. Photo credit: Kelly Janssen

Don’t worry if you’ve got two left feet – after a few mojitos, everyone’s a dancing queen.

As the night wears on and the music fades, you might find yourself in a food coma, slumped in your chair and wondering if it’s possible to move in and just live at the restaurant.

And honestly, with its 24/7 service, who could blame you?

Havana Restaurant isn’t just a place to eat – it’s a home away from home, a slice of Cuba in the heart of Florida, a culinary adventure that’ll leave you full, happy, and already planning your next visit.

Outdoor seating that's perfect for people-watching and pastry-munching. It's like your own personal balcony in Havana, minus the long-distance charges.Outdoor seating that's perfect for people-watching and pastry-munching. It's like your own personal balcony in Havana, minus the long-distance charges.
Outdoor seating that’s perfect for people-watching and pastry-munching. It’s like your own personal balcony in Havana, minus the long-distance charges. Photo credit: Kelly Janssen

So whether you’re a local looking for your new favorite spot, a tourist seeking an authentic Cuban experience, or just someone who appreciates good food and good times, Havana Restaurant is waiting with open arms and a warm pastelito.

Come for the food, stay for the atmosphere, and leave with a full belly and a heart bursting with joy.

Just remember to pace yourself – with food this good, it’s easy to get carried away.

A storefront that promises culinary adventures and delivers on every level. Step inside and let your taste buds do the traveling!A storefront that promises culinary adventures and delivers on every level. Step inside and let your taste buds do the traveling!
A storefront that promises culinary adventures and delivers on every level. Step inside and let your taste buds do the traveling! Photo credit: Vladimir Smirnov

And trust me, trying to salsa dance with a food baby is not a pretty sight.

For more information about Havana Restaurant, including their full menu and upcoming events, be sure to check out their website and Facebook page.

And if you’re ready to embark on your own Cuban culinary adventure, use this map to find your way to flavor town.

16. havana restaurant map16. havana restaurant map

Where: 6801 S Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33405

¡Buen provecho, amigos!





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