We really liked the true mexican feeling here. The music was a little bit loud but this was good to get the mexican vibe. Also the food was quiet amazing. We also were surprised by there dessert which was really yummy too. Hope we can come back here soon, even it is not so cheap for me.
Whenever I'm in the area say before lunch time and I get hungry, this is my place to be. Selection may not be much but the quality of their food is more than enough for me especially their Lechon Cubano. I usually have two rounds of it until I get really stuffed. XD
Takaw Tikim X Nina Jesica Tolentino
+5
The LJC Festival of Flavors is a tribute to LJC’s passion for good food. The festival features the new creations of LJC Chefs, keeping in mind how Larry would have appreciated these dishes according to the LJC brands they were created for.
Pork Chops Café Havana. Served with sautéed black beans, buttered quinoa, and mango relish.
Flores De Guyava. Stewed guavas with cream cheese on a bed of rich guava syrup.
Pork Chops Café Havana. Served with sautéed black beans, buttered quinoa, and mango relish. Flores De Guyava. Stewed guavas with cream cheese on a bed of rich guava syrup.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Cuba is known to be the land of mojo-marinated pork and guava sugar cookies. But more than offering a typical dish for family gatherings and friends, you will find a whole slew of other delicious Cuban dishes that bring havana to your palate. Cuban cuisine is a mix of Asian, Caribbean, Spanish, and African heritage.
One would find garlic and onions as favorite flavorings in a Cuban kitchen. And at Cafe Havana, you are guaranteed to get these terrific treats to tempt your taste buds.
Aside from garlic and onions, you'll find that white rice and black beans are staples in the Cuban kitchen. In fact, one of the classic sides has it. The famed Cuban black bean soup gets its flavor from onion, oregano, peppers, and garlic.
Plantains are another Cuban staple. With a taste similar to a banana, plantains are often fried or stewed. Addition of plantains makes a dish taste sweet and tangy at the same time.
I love the flavors packed in the Habanera beef! This classic Cuban cuisine original recipe comes with a power sauce that combines sour orange, tomato puree, garlic, cumin, olives, red pepper and raisins. Savoring the dish is like is Havana!What makes the Spareribs Habanera (P 605) from Cafe Havana is its guava sauce served on the side. Its fried potatoes make a perfect compliment.
Cuba's major crop is sugar cane, and it figures in most desserts. It plays an up-front role in Cuban Flan, which is a rich custard with a caramelized sugar crust. And it makes the Guava Pie simply delicious!
I had the opportunity to taste 2/2 of of their new dishes in celebration of the late Larry J. Cruz who is the the person behind the LJC Group during the LJC FESTIVAL OF FLAVORS event.
What caught the attention of my tongue is the:
> Pork Chop Cafe Havana (P595)
This dish is soooooo good!!! The cuban sauce flavors bursting in my mouth partnered with concoction of mango relish, sauteed beans and the lovely texture of buttered quinoa elevates the experience to another level!!!
I'm not into sour/acidic tasting food but this is different. :D A MUST-ORDER-DISH I tell you. ;)
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Cafe Havana is one of the most lively place to be in for the Greenbelt area. Interesting mix of clientele from locals to expats to "locals" / "Island Souvenirs".
NO matter how you see it, Cafe Havana sure brings in the fun with it's intoxicating music that you could dance to and a Latino-Caribbean menu that makes you feel you are in Cuba.
Must-try dishes are....
Caribbean Shrimp Curry. Shrimps are simmered in a coconut curry sauce with bell peppers and served with fried banana and steamed rice. The curry sauce is so tasty with the right amount of heat, shrimps are large and succulent and perfectly paired with the banana and rice (and maybe another cup of rice!).
Spare Ribs Habañero - succulent tender ribs with an addicting guava sauce.
Sopa de frijoles negros - Cuban-style black bean soup that's perfect on rainy days or when you have a hang over.
I sure do miss the Cafe Havana in Malate.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Excited for these truly inspired dishes that showcase the innovative minds of the chefs behind The LJC Group!
✔️Pork Chops Cafe Havana P595
Served with sauteed black beans, buttered quinoa and mango relish
One of the most remarkable porkchop dishes I have tasted so far. There's this unique Havana flair in the dish, brought by certain spices used matched with the tender cook of the pork chops. This comes with fluffy quinoa, and mango relish, perfect for those trying to eat healthy or going for less carbs.
✔️Flores de Guyava P185
Stewed guavas stuffed with cream cheese on a bed of guava syrup
These are delicate quava cups with small swirls of cream cheese on top. A new take on enjoying fruit for dessert, and brings the guava fruit to a whole new level. My only comment would be that there is a certain texture to the guava that's a but annoying, quite scratchy to the tongue. Not sure if this was from the skin or from the guava itself.
Experience these new offerings from Cafe Havana starting Sep 5 2018 in celebration of LJC Month!
#cafehavana
#theljcgroup
#theljcrestaurantgroup
#chizbun
#chizbuneats
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Let me preface this review by expressing my gratitude to the LJC Group, and Zomato for an exclusive invite to feast on some of the dishes (17 dishes in total! 😀) from all of LJC's nine food concepts, some of which are yet to be fully offered on their respective restaurant menus starting this September. ♥️ As for Café Havana, we got to try their Pork Chop Cafe Havana, and the lovely Flores de Guyava. This pair was the most distinct of all the dishes we got served with by the LJC team, and for good reasons. The pork chop was a feast for the eyes! The mango relish, lent a fruity, and colorful burst of flavor, which if you ask me, quite compliments the healthy vibe that the quinoa imparts. The porkchop itself was a star on its own. It was savory, and flavorful by itself, but the gravy that came with it made a world of difference. I didn't try it with the quinoa it was served with, but rather, with plain rice, and the pork chop-gravy combination was an implosion of flavors inside my mouth! There's something about the gravy it came with, which made the dish very memorable. Next, was the Flores de Guyava, the most beautiful dish served that day if you ask me. It was stewed guavas with cream cheese, drenched further with the guava sauce it was stewed on. It's a refreshing take, on a rather rustic fruit. The sweetness of the sauce might be a bit over-powering, but the cream cheese mixture should cut through well its sweetness, and tartness. Overall, it was a memorable experience.
Cafe Havana is a Latino-Cubano that quickly became the hottest bar in Makati. This place is perfect for the squad.
As a tribute to Larry J. Cruz, the annual LJC Good to Dine Campaign, which will happen on LJC’s birthday, September 17 and ends on December 31. P10.00 of every featured dish or drink ordered within the campaign period will be donated to the PGH fund.
The LJC festival of flavors features new delectable dishes and these are.
Pork Chops Cafe Havana-
This consists of sautéd black beans, butter quinoa, and mango relish. The Porkchop is succulent and the portion is very massive. It’s good for sharing though.
Flores de Guyava-
This stewed guavas stuffed with cream cheese will delight your taste buds. It is one of the sweetest and best Cuban dessert I’ve had.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Cafe Havana
As a tribute to Larry J. Cruz, LJC group conducted an event of LJC FESTIVAL OF FLAVORS to help raise funds for Cancer patients, I believe this is a yearly event.
And in this event new dishes will be added to their regular menus for a limited time, but if customers like it, they'll probably keep it in their menu.
On Sept 5, 2018, these two dishes will be available; Pork Chops Cafe Havana and Flores De Guyava.
My verdict:
PORK CHOPS CAFE HAVANA
(served with sauteed black beans, buttered quinoa and mango relish)
PHP 595
This dish is awesome! I like the mango relish (is it the same with mango enselada?) it is so refreshing. The combination of black beans and buttered quinoa in my mouth is so good ( but i find the quinoa a little bit dry, is it really like that?) The meat is just fine but i want it more tender, like falling off the bones. All in all the burst of flavors in this dish is really awesome. Will definitely come back for this one!
Taste: 4.5/5
Serving size: 4.5/5
Price: 3/5
FLORES DE GUYAVA
(Stewed guavas stuffed with cream cheese on a bed of rich guava syrup)
PHP 185
Whoever thought of this dessert is a genius! I love the fusion of flavors which I never thought of for a dessert. This is my first time to taste a guava for dessert, and I loved it! I cannot explain the bitter and sour taste of guava stuffed with light flavor of cream cheese combined with rich sweet guava syrup that makes it an awesome dessert!
Taste: 5/5
Serving size: 3/5
Price: 4/5
The fusion of flavors and the combination of different ingredients is the best thing you'll find in their food!
So what are you waiting for? Its dine now or never!
HAPPY FLAVOR FUSION!
Foodventures By FraPao
+5
We had been invited for a private food tasting of LJC group of restaurants to try out some of their new food offerings of their restos. One of which is Cafe Havana.
Some of the food we sampled are:
Pork Chops Cafe Havana P595
Pork chops served with sautéed black beans, buttered quinoa, and mango relish.
Flores De Guyava P185
Stewed guavas stuffed with cream cheese on a bed of rich guava syrup.
I love the pork chops. It’s tender and flavorful. The side dishes complimented the pork chops well.
The Flores de guayava is new for me, for someone who doesn’t eat much guavas, I somehow liked it. The sourness and the sweet creamy taste of cream cheese are surprisingly good.
These dishes will be available starting on Sept. 5 so go check them out!
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Café Havana is not just a popular Cuban Bar. Not a typical bar where people meet and drink. This is a restaurant that offers hearty Cuban dishes. Honestly, this is my first time to dine and drink at Café Havana. I was hesitant to go inside because I thought that all food was expensive and the place is just for foreign people. Well, I’m wrong.
Together with my blogger friends, we started with Pizza Cubana in Quatro Quezo and Hamon Serano. Imagine two flavors in one pizza. My favorite flavor is the Quatro Quezo.
For the main dish, top of my choice is the Caribbean Style Salmon with Mango Salsa. I was surprised that Salmon is perfectly matched with ripe mangoes and served with black rice (squid ink). The servings were huge and good for sharing.
I’m not a big fan of curry but this Caribbean Shrimp Curry was really interesting. The curry prepared from the scratch no added instant ingredients. It was really tasty. More rice please ☺
For the desserts, top of my choice is the Guyaba Pie – guava pie served with whip cream. The strong odor and taste of guava fruit enhanced my excitement to finish it. Very addicting too.
SinoPinasEats will definitely go back for another feast!
If you search online, you'd find a lot of tourist and expats review and stories about the night life in Cafe Havana. Unknown to many, you can drop by for their great food early in the day too as they are open for brunch, lunch and afternoon snacks. Moreover, the service is quite good during our lunch visit as there as more than adequate staffs ready to assist and serve.
Being the only Cuban place in the Metro with expansive Cuban selections, it is a must try for everyone - of all ages, locals and expats, foodie or not!
After trying out some of their dishes, it makes me want to come back and try some more!
Café Havana is one of the 1st few restaurants in Greenbelt 3. I would remember back in the mid 2000’s that this Latino-Cuban restaurant, the bar would come across as something interesting. Why so?. You would see expats frequent this place and over the years as it developed this reputation where foreigners would come and meet the “dalagang Filipina” of their dreams so to speak. The famous al fresco area became their meeting. But see, there’s more to this Greenbelt 3 tenure restaurant.
It was a news to me when I found out that Cafe Havana has been around for 16 long years and is actually the first Cuban Bar in the country. All these years, I thought they’re only a bar but they’re actually a restaurant too. Cafe Havana is also a well know bar internationally. There’s a cigar room in this place as well.
Cafe havana was always a mystery for me. Since at night its a hangout place for foreigner but have been great rave about their food and lunch buffet. Finally got to try their food on a weekend lunch. Wow the food here are surprisingly good but I think its going to be dependent on the taste of the person eating since they serve cuban dish. One of my fave is the spareribs habanera. Love the meat and the guava sauce but some people are not fan of the guava sauce haha. Anothe fave of mine is the shrimp curry. Flavorful good. The salmon with mango salsa is another surprising dish. Never thought of combining salmon and mango. The outcome was amazing!
Overall there is more to havan than the night life. 😊👌
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
“Restaurant by day. Salsa Place at night”
Amazing to discover that Cafe Havana is 16 years strong!
Must be their “Havana Vieja” or old Havana food that although has simple preparation relies on wonderful spices that pays homage to its Cuban style of cooking carried over from its rich African and Carribean influences.
Last Saturday, Cafe Havana was the second stop to our LJC ZomatoPH Food Crawl
in Greenbelt.
We were served an 8 course meal as follows:
SOPA DE FRIJOLES NEGROS P175
Cuban style black bean soup
It looked like our local dinuguan because of its color but the flavors are totally different
SPARE RIBS HABANERA P605
Original baked spare ribs served with unique guava sauce.
This was easily the favorite of this carnivore foodie-mom. Whats not to like? The spare ribs were flavorful and succulent. The guava sauce (think chutney) cut through the richness of the pork allowing the palate a brief respite from that sinful pork
CARRIBEAN STYLE SALMON-WITH MANGO MAMBO SALSA P635
Fillet of salmon with mango and grain mustard sauce served with squid ink rice.
The salmon was perfectly cooked. The mango and grain mustard sauce complemented the salmon quite nicely. The squid Ink provided the briny component
CARRIBEAN SHRIMP CURRY P450
Simmered in coconut curry sauce with bell peppers and served with fried banana and steamed rice.
It was a forgettable dish simply because the Habanera and Salmon were quite strong dishes
CHULETAS DE POLLO CON ARROZ MEJICANO P465
Chicken breast topped with sauteed onions and served with Mexican style rice and garlic stewed tomatoes.
Same story as the Carribean Shrimp Curry. This dish although ok, paled in comparison to the Habanera and Salmon
DOBLE CARA QUATTRO QUEZO AND JAMON SERRANO
It tasted home made which was a good thing
GUYABA PIE P165
Delicious guava pie served with warm whip cream on the side. A new found favorite, I shall order this again
PUDIN DE PAN P160
Cuban version of bread pudding. It was so eggy, it tasted like bland leche flan
OVERALL, definitely returning with the piggery in tow for lunch and with the hubby for the salsa in the evening haha
Mae Catanghal Trisha Garcia
Glenn Joseph | Jogpen
+3.5
This is a place known as a salsa place and a bar at night internationally. Cafe Havana aims to promote the idea that they are also a restaurant serving good food.
The place is easy to find. It is small inside though the seats/tables outside can cater more customers. At night, you'll hear they play Latino music and the bar set-up will attract you. It is good to know that they also have a lunch buffet (P595.00+ only) if you want to try more food for a lesser cost. I must note, their comfort room is clean but there are mirrors all over the surrounding, it just felt weird for me.
In this food crawl, we have tried the following:
Sopas de Frioles Negros (P175.00) - serving size is small (a little cup). I want to familiarize myself that it's a soup, not a dip, but I was unable to consume it and eat as a soup. I enjoyed dipping kamote fries on it.
Spareribs Habanera (P605.00) - one of my favorites. The meat is tender and tasty. The guava sauce makes it savory. I enjoyed eating it. Expectation when I first saw it didn't fail me as the taste complement as well.
Carribean Style Salmon with Mango Mambo Salsa (P635.00) - The fish is soft. It's a good effort adding mango to it though for me, the taste is mild.
Carribean Shrimp Curry (P450.00) - serving size is small but it was too tasty and it is one of my favorites here. It was simmered in coconut curry sauce. The fried banana is a good addition, nevertheless; the shrimp curry can stand alone though I must admit that it needs to be eaten with rice.
Chuletas de Pollo con Arroz Mejicano (P465.00) - the meat is easy to chew. It's also appetizing to see in a first glance. It was just okay for me.
Doble Cara (Quatro Quezo and Jamon Serano) - 2-in-1 pizza. The side of the pizza has thin bacon, layered by tomato sauce. The other side was too cheesy and I like it.
Guyaba Pie (P165.00) - I was unable to consume it all becauae this was new to me. Perhaps, the whip cream can lessen the flavor of guava.
Pudin de Pan (P160.00) - it was milky sweet and I like it. It was soft either.
Overall: some dishes were notable, some were not. It is definitely new to me since I don't usually eat guavas. For me, it's a pleasure to know the Cuban-style of cooking thru Manila's best known restaurant-bar internationally, Cafe Havana. Prices may not be the affordable ones but the experience is still worth a try. I uploaded the newest copy of their menu since according to the marketing, they have the updated one in Cafe Havana (though Cafe Havana can update a clearer copy here).
Thank you LJC Group of Restaurants, Cafe Havana, and ZomatoPH for having us.
#LJCxZomatoFoodCrawl
July 21, 2018
I have a long list of places I want to visit locally and abroad, and one of them is Cuba. It’s one of the most colorful countries there is in the world with a rich history to boot. Besides all that, just think about Salsa dancing, its beaches, its diverse music & culture, its colorful colonial towns and Old Havana; it’s all but alluring to me. No wonder, it’s a place American author Ernest Hemingway loved to visit regularly. And oh of course, every time I hear the word Havana, I can't help but sing Camila Cabello's song "Havana-oooh-na-na!" LOL!
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
July 21, 2018 LJC Food Crawl FMU. We had Cuban Style black bean soup, Spare Ribs Havanera, Salmon with Mango, Shrimp Curry, Chicken with Onions, two in one pizza, guava pie & Cuban bread pudding.
Quantity : Most of the dishes served can be good for 1 to 2 persons. Some like the pizza can allow 3 to 4 to have a light snack.
Quality & Taste : The black bean soup for me is better for dipping camote fries and or bread than sipping as-is. I am used to dishes & even some desserts with guava and I really liked the Spare Ribs Havanera. I even ate the guava parts in the sauce which was soft and tasty. I did not detect any sand-like residue normally associated with some guava based food when the guava was not filtered/strained or well selected. The rib meat was soft, tasty & tender. The salmon with mango tasted good & fresh specially when eaten with mango bits and the squid ink rice. I am one of those that prefers to eat fresh salmon sashimi but still searching for a cooked salmon dish that can equal or even surpass fresh salmon sashimi. I do not like bell peppers so I am thankful that the shrimp curry had coconut & curry flavors strong enough to mask the bell pepper taste. Banana with curry was surprisingly good. My first time to try it. The chicken with onions was tender and tasted ok too. I liked both flavors of the 2 in 1 pizza. Just the right level of saltiness. I prefer the simpler cheese flavor though. I seem to have a bias towards non-red pizzas for some time now. If you like guava jelly, you will most probably also like the guava pie. It is less sweet but has stronger guava flavor. The bread pudding is my preference between the two desserts and I am not a fan of guava jelly.
Price & Overall : Price is a bit on the high side BUT they offer a reasonably priced lunch buffet too! The lunch buffet is a good way to check out their food offerings. It maybe better to call first and ask what will be served. Of all the food I was able to try, I liked the baked spare ribs the most. If you are not sure if you will like the guava based sauce, ask if you can have it separate and not poured on the ribs. The ribs are good as it is too. Overall rating is a bit above average & recommended (start with food you are familiar with first before trying out those that maybe an acquired taste)
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Around the Greenbelt 3 area nothing is more familiar than the scene of Expats frolicking and having a sip of cuba libre with a few of their new found "Friends" at Cafe Havanna. A normal night here is like a scene lifted from a Tom Cruise Movie (where he mixes drinks) set in the 80s, only difference is that this one happens in the concrete jungle of Makati and not in acapulco.
Cafe Havana is the Late Larry Cruz's (the patriarch of the LJC group) own private Idaho or in this case Private Cuba (no pun intended). More than an east meets west place of commune, Cafe Havanna is the physical recreation of Larry Cruz's fascination of Ernest Hemmigway's time in Cuba as seen in how the place was designed to look.
Popularly known as a cigar and a liquor bar, the fact that Cafe Havanna is a restaurant that serves good Cuban Cuisine is more often than not made an afterthought. Similary in real life the great food gets drowned by the booze.
My personal favorites are the: Carribean Shrimp Curry, Spare Ribs Habanera and the Chuletas De Pollo Con Arroz Mejicano.
The Shrimp curry is remnisicient of the curry that they serve in Cafe Adriatico. You will grow fond of this dish if you like the strong and spicy taste of curry over the soft consistency of shrimp.
The Chuletas De Pollo Con Arroz Mejicano is a straightforward poultry dish done well. The meat is tender and moist despite it being all breast parts. The flavor seeps right through the white meat making every bite worth chomping on.
The highlight of trio for me is still the Spare Ribs Habanera. The slow cooked juicy spare ribs is drizzled with the fruity guava gravy which makes for an odd yet surprisingly superb pairing. The fruity guava sauce compliments the spare ribs perfectly. The exchange of salty, fruity and sour hues makes for a dish that blends flavors exceptionally well. My tip to enjoy this best though is picking the cut with the most fat. It really brings out the best of the pork, but who doesnt know that already?
After the hearty meal, my perception of Cafe Havanna has been forever altered. My only problem now is how to get a table given the limited space (the inside restaurant turns into a dance floor at night) since its always jam packed.
First let’s get this out of the way : Yes , the “scene” outside is interesting but no one bothers you. Perhaps a smile and eye contact but that’s it. I suppose it’s part of the charm and creates a good chunk of their business.
On to the good stuff : I love the food and drinks here. Ropa Viella , paella ,even their pizzas are all amazing. My favorite drink is the mangojito. I’m drooling thinking about it
What really sets this place apart is the service. Some of the most efficient I’ve encountered in Philippines. You can request anything from any server and it’s brought to you quickly. They have the courtesy to inform you of wait time for paella to be served before you have committed to ordering it.
Live entertainment goes on around 9pm and really sets the mood. Kitchen open very late for a midnight snack
Clarissa Kathleen Cruz
+4
We had our lunch here. We heard there's lechon serve every tuesday and friday. So, to make the most of it, we scheduled it on tuesday.
Limited choice of food but that is what we like here. You get to taste all of their food! And all of it are yummy 😍🍴
The price is reasonable, about P500-P600 (i forgot 😅)
Will come back here again 😊
If you can ignore the ambience and “everything else” but want some great music and Cuban food, this is the place if you are in Makati. Thursday evenings are great with an excellent Band playing Latino music. Service and food is good.
I specifically like the ginger and egg soup. Many people do not try this dish but believe me this is an excellent starter. The salmon and butter rice with ripe mangoes, the Havana Salad are other items in the menu to taste.
Always a fun place, if you can look past the “ambiance”. Latin music, small dance floor, don’t be shy and have a good time.
Classic place, this has been open since Greenbelt 3 opened.
The LJC Group of Restaurants launches 3" news dishes for The LJC Festival of Flavors as a tribute to the founder behind the success of Cafe Adriatico, Bistro Remedios, Cafe Havana, Fely J's Kitchen, Abe, Lorenzo's Way, Polka Dot and Larry's Cafe & Bar, LARRY J. CRUZ.
🦐Caribbean Shrimp Curry (Simmered in a coconut curry sauce with bell peppers and served with fried banana and steamed rice) - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
"One of my favorite dish served during the event."
CARIBBEAN SHRIMP CURRY
I can't stop drooling when chefs at the LJC Group did a Cooking Demo for this during the LJC Festival of Flavors event launch. I was right up front, and the aroma was in my face 😍. I knew right then that this was going to be my favorite.
And indeed it was! 😊 All those spices come together perfectly and pairs very well with the rice. Extra Rice please!
Why does an overcast sky affect people's mood? Tita N. and I agreed to have a slow Sunday and to just enjoy uhm... the slowness of the overcast day. We couldn't even decide on the restaurant to have lunch in. Then, Tita N. spoke the words that made me jump (well, sort of). The words? Cafe Havana. You see, we both love Havana. Both of us have colorful history with the Cuban cafe. That's why we forgave Havana for giving us leathery Adobong Kambing that lunch (the sacred Adobong Kambing is one of our comfort food!) It was good that we also ordered for Sisig and fried banana which Tita N. smothered with brown sugar. All's well. So, after coffee and after watching the short downpour we paid the bill, planned another visit very soon and gave a smile to the Havana staff. A forgiving smile that said... not a second time. Or God have mercy.
Went there for a shisha after trying to find a place that serves shisha near by. The shisha was ok but it's the typical touristy style shisha that u can find outside the Middle East. We had fresh watermelon juice and it was so good. The staff were very friendly
We were surprisingly impressed by this place. It is clear now why it is always full of people every single evening. For other bar managers out there let this be a lesson to you. Service service and service. Very good !
The atmosphere at this bar is relaxed and safe and not pretentious. The music both in style and volume is perfect for a Cuban themed bar. Everyone looked happy and relaxed . A good time was being had by all.
It is not the most affordable place to go for drinks or a meal but on the other hand you don't feel under pressure to keep ordering either. The Staff seemed to be enjoying their work and had a fun attitude.
The only down side I could see was the Toilets. There was only one toilet for each sex and this is grossly inadequate for such a busy establishment however they did work hard to always keep them clean throughout the evening.
All in all. Not the most affordable but still highly recommended.
Thanks for reading my reviews.
The place in Makati is known for Latino music, decently priced libations and pretty good food.
We had their Mojitos, Mangohitos and Caipirinia for cocktails. I must say their Mojitos are among the best you can get in Metro Manila.
We had a number of tapas - Havana Bruschetta, Beef Salpicao and Black Bean Hummus. Each of them was good with the black bean hummus standing out for it's uniqueness with the side of salted banana chips. Bruschetta with Jamon Serrano and aubergine was very good. Salpicao was ok - more of soy sauce and less garlic.
The Latino music and dance was superb!
It was actually my first time spending the night in a Cuban restaurant. Everyone seems to be friendly and there are a lot of foreigners in the place. The salsa dance just don't suit me, I think. I danced really awkwardly. Haha lol
One more thing, I observed that their servers took long before bringing our orders.
I enjoyed the night though, meeting new people.
Went here to finish a night out with workmates by drinking and I was not disappointed. Their mojito and frozen margarita were very good and really tasted well with their cuban chicharon!
Great place. My first time in a Cuban inspired resto and it fid not disappoint me. Food was great and authentic. Mojito packs a good kick. Music and ambiance complimented the mood
It's again one of those nice outside seating restaurant in greenbelt. It a good spot to hang around and chat. Starters were good and ordered a few again.
Was with friends who were into margaritas more than food here.
Won't mind coming back here again for trying other things
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
Cafe Havana
#LJCxZomatoFoodcrawl
Restaurant number 2 of the food crawl.
A popular bar in Makati,yet I believe Cafe Havana can also be a food haven.And as of late the management will refocus on making it a restaurant more than a bar .
I have dine in this restaurant before had lunch here having their weekday buffet offerings.I'm a fan of this place because of the music of Ibrahim Ferrer,quality Cuban dishes,the feel of the 50's Havana and as I'd read in the past the love affair of LJC with Cuban cigar and as a collector of anything authenticly Cuban,and for a fan of history and of Ernesto Guevara ,this is good.
Now lets go for the food,they served the following:
Sopas:
Sopa de Frijoles Negros
PLATOS PRINCIPALES (Main Course)
Spareribs Habanera
Carribean Style Salmon with Mango Mambo salsa
Carribean Shrimp curry
Chuletas de Pollo con Arroz Mejicano(chicken breast with Mexican rice)
PIZZA CUBANA
Doble Cara-a two flavored pizza
Postres(desserts)
Guyaba Pie(Guava pie)
Pudin de Pan(Cuban pudding)
No issues with the food and service ,yet these were my preferred items on the menu.
1.Sopa de Frijoles Negros black bean soup the Cuban way,I like the richness chocolatey character though not sweet.A warm comforting way to start a meal.
2.Spareribs Habanero-Baked spareribs served with their unique guava sauce.The guava sauce has this strong aroma yet mildly seeet and hint of tartish taste made it an ambiguous condiment, maybe not for everyone,but for me this is exceptionally good.Pork was tender,the taste of the sauce was noncomformist and authentic.As Ive always empahasized in my reviews all over the internet land I go for real,distinct,uninfluenced cuisine and how I despised fake.Loving the authentic eventhough its a bit peculiar to one's palate it is a sign of respect to other's culture.
3.Carribean shrimp curry- the curry in this dish was good ,nice level and right sharpness of heat,curry flavor was evident yet subdued.Great with plain rice.
4.Carribean style salmon with Mango Mambo Salsa-I love how they cooked the salmon no undesirable fishy taste and the meat was firm.The mango salsa complemented it to rise the flavor and to make it more appetizing.It was served with squid ink rice,the rice has this Latin American flair with regards to the flavors infused.
5.Guyaba Pie-lovely exotic guava pie served with whipped cream.This dessert maybe not a crowd favorite nonetheless if you know your food, and a true afficionado .
Nice concept and as the first Cuban restaurant in the Philippines,I could say "Hasta la Victoria Siempre".
#tseeboogAsiano
#simpleyetTrue
Go here to experience what Manila is all about. ...drinks were reasonably priced...excellent ambience and to eat try the veg bruscheta. ..that has aubergine!
Re visiting Cafe Havana felt like entering a time capsule. It's been 4 years since I last dined here and had their Fidel's smokeless cigar! Their sangria (by the pitcher) is delicious! Their pizza too! When the lights go low you know the place is about to hit it up with music (and foreigners) and I wade myself away from this crowd, satisfied with my food consumption of the evening. Haha
A must visit for anyone who is looking for great Cuban live music, dancing and good food. I visited here twice in 15 days and am sure if I ever land up in Manila again, this will be the place to be :)
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This place has again proven that a buffet doesn't necessarily have to offer a lot of choices to be satisfying.
For my 2nd time at Cafe Havana, I was with my officemates. The tables inside were already full when we got there last Friday so we had no choice but to dine al fresco. Good thing the weather was not scorching hot that day so eating outside was manageable.
On the buffet area, there was a pasta station where you can ask the chef to make your pasta of choice, a salad bar, soup, fish/chicken/beef dishes, and dessert. And since it was a Friday, we were able to enjoy and savor the lechon. Gosh! When you haven't had lechon for quite a while, you'd want to eat as much as you can, especially that the "balat" was so crunchy but because it has too much cholesterol, I had to limit myself. Nevertheless, I was able to eat my fair share of it, if you know what I mean.
Aside from the lechon, I enjoyed the blueberry cheesecake very much! They also served a glass of iced tea.
I haven't tried going here at night but based from what I heard and read, it's a great place to hangout. Maybe next time.
I ate spaghetti an meet balls. Actually I didnt expect a lot, but taste was really delicious. It has something special taste. Music in havana was Cuba and Mexico style. I will visit here again. havana is good place to take a rest. You can also feel it. I strongly recommend this place.
Great spot! Always go there with clients who really want a good atmosphere. Although the cigars are much on the pricey side, the attractive ladies who will cut/lite and keep them lighted throughout the event are considered.
Food has always been well done. The service staff could smile a little more - many folks as they go through, they become really robotic.
All in all - I'm satisfied.
If you are in Makati then this is the place you should not miss be it lunch , late afternoon grubs or evening eatery. I understand this place is known for some other purpose ..lol but I like this place for food.
I have been here few times and tried Beef Salpico (good jucy beef with garlic seasoning), Callos (stew version), and some version of Milk fish gravy (don't remember the name). I would say all the dishes was well season and not overcooked. Try fried calmari with draft San miguel draft or light and you will be in crude 9.
Music played is also good, staff is helpful and fast.
A must try place
Although this spot is very well-known for late night boozing and dancing and drinking, i had a pleasant lunch time here with my bestfriend and her father. The area where it is located is perfect for people watching and to feel the soft breeze without the glaring rays of the sun.
The food served to use was ok, nothing very special about it. I didnt like the burnt bottom of the paella marinara that we ordered.
Price wise, i think they are reasonable considering their prime location. I havent had the chance to check out their cocktails and drink but will do in the near future.
Food Is Good, Full Is Cool
+3.5
Cafe Havana is arguably one of the most popular places to eat, drink and meet people in Makati. Featuring an attractive blend of live Cuban music and club tracks, it's often fully packed, especially on weekends.
While it might be hard to find a free table there, the staff is always helpful and will let you know as soon as one is available.
Food wise, it's also a pretty decent choice, though obviously it cannot, and doesn't need to match the very best restaurants in the area. Their pizzas are reasonably priced and considering how busy this place can be, it arrives surprisingly fast. What's more, they've got few bottles of wine for under 1000PHP on the menu, which is a good value for a trendy venue like Havana.
Arriba, abajo, al centro, pa dentro!
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