If we talk about Cuba’s typical dishes, we are talking about one of the richest and most varied gastronomies in the world that allows you to enjoy one of the greatest pleasures when traveling: tasting the traditional cuisine. With simple but abundant dishes, Cuba offers you the opportunity to enjoy good food in every area and in every corner.
In this article we tell you the secrets we have discovered behind these flavors so that you don’t go crazy looking for ideas and have them at hand when traveling.
Get ready for our local experts to take you by the hand to discover the best of Cuban gastronomy all over the island.
7 typical Cuban dishes that are waiting to surprise you
Having explored the country for our clients with the help of local professionals, we know what to offer you and have compiled some of its culinary treasures in this list of typical Cuban dishes that will immerse you in an authentic and tasty cuisine.
Yucca with mojo
If you are vegetarian, the yucca and mojo sauce dish is an ideal option that we encourage you to discover.
A popular tuber in the Cuban diet, yucca is cooked until tender and served with mojo, a sauce of olive oil, crushed garlic, lime juice, cilantro and other fresh herbs.
The sauce enhances the mild and slightly sweet flavor of the yucca, creating an irresistible combination of flavors and textures. This tuber is used cooked as a garnish, mashed, sautéed or as flour to make breads.
Ajiaco
The origin of ajiaco is not known exactly. What we do know is that Cubans have been making it for centuries with dried meat, arrachera, pork, ears of corn, malanga, green plantains, yucca, limes, pumpkin, salt and pepper.
There it is little, but Cubans dedicate a minimum of 2 hours for it to simmer and thus prevent the broth from evaporating. However, there are many ways to prepare this delicious Cuban dish that you will be able to discover if you want us to include it in your itinerary.
Cuban black beans (Moors and Christians)
Its maximum representation and fusion is made with black beans and fluffy white rice. Cuban black beans, also known as moros y cristianos, is an emblematic dish of Cuban cuisine.
The beans are cooked with spices and accompanied by white rice.
They are then mixed into a dish that is served all over the island, from family homes to the fanciest restaurants. You won’t have a hard time finding a well prepared black bean dish, but we can help you by recommending special places.
Roast suckling pig
Pork is number one in the ranking of Cuban gastronomy. So much so that a song by the Buena Fe duo baptized it as the “national mammal”.
Among the many ways of cooking pork piglet, in the peasant tradition, the animal is pierced with a spike and rotated while the coals roast it and leave it with the perfect texture.
In fact, it is a custom for Cubans to celebrate New Year’s Eve with a good roast suckling pig.
Old clothes
Ropa vieja is a mysterious dish whose name reflects its appearance and which has been influenced by various cultures over the centuries.
It is a stew of shredded meat, usually beef, cooked with tomato, bell pepper, onion and spices. It is traditionally served with white rice and fried ripe plantains, creating an unforgettable combination of flavors and textures for any tourist.
Its origin is uncertain, but it is said to have arrived in Cuba from the Canary Islands.
Picadillo a la criolla
Picadillo a la criolla is another of Cuba’s best known typical dishes.
Among its ingredients, you will find many well-known products: beef, pork, ham, onion, bell pepper, garlic, tomatoes, raisins, olives, capers, cumin, bay leaf, and others.
To complete it, it is served with white rice and fried ripe plantains.
Lobster
One of the most common options you will find in private homes is lobster.
Cooked in a thousand and one ways and with a good presentation, it is the star dish and a luxury for travelers.
We have tasted it on multiple occasions, of which we highlight the Hemingway style, common on the warm beaches of Varadero, and also the Habana Vieja style, originated by a Cuban chef who paid tribute to the oldest part of the city.
What regions represent the typical dishes of Cuba?
Cuban gastronomy is a feast for the senses. From the coasts to the mountains, each region offers unique flavors that delight the most demanding palates.
If you are wondering where to find the most delicious typical Cuban dishes, here are some options.
In Havana
Havana is undoubtedly the place to enjoy the best preparations of grilled lobster or the aforementioned ropa vieja.
As a final touch, it is said that the best preparations of the Cuban dessert ” casquitos de guayaba” are also made in this region.
If you are interested in trying them on your next trip to Cuba, we can consult our local experts for the most recommended restaurants.
In the province of Artemisa
Roast suckling pig is a culinary delicacy on the island, and Las Terrazas, in the province of Artemisa, is an ideal place to taste it.
Surrounded by lush flora and fauna, you can find local restaurants offering this specialty roast pork. Everyone who tries it, repeats.
Another special Artemisia dish is the bay steak, cooked with pork or chicken, cheese and fragrant seasonings.
For dessert, it is traditional to try the honey soup, made with slices of bread, honey, peanuts and sesame seeds, among other ingredients.
In Viñales
Yucca with mojo or Moors and Christians are traditional Cuban dishes that can be enjoyed in the Viñales region.
You can find them in numerous restaurants that offer this delicious preparation of yucca with the spectacular view of the mogotes and fields of Viñales. You may want to try them after a horseback ride through the Valle del Silencio.
In the restaurants of the area it is also common to find salads with rice and beans, as well as products grown in local orchards.
In Varadero
In this region, gastronomy is a melting pot of Caribbean, African and Spanish influences. From the classic moros y cristinanos to the tender ropa vieja with shredded meat, Cuban cuisine will captivate you.
In Varadero, you will be able to taste the main typical dishes of the country. Yucca with mojo, roast suckling pig, picadillo a la criolla or chicharrines are some of them.
And of course, the emblematic Cuban sandwich, filled with pork, ham, cheese and pickles. All of them invite you to savor the culinary essence of Varadero.
Traveling to Cuba alone, as a couple, with friends or family, is an enriching experience that unites and that is much simpler and more comfortable if you let yourself be advised by agencies specialized in tailor-made trips.
If in addition to tasting the traditional dishes you dare to participate in a cooking class and learn how to prepare them, the city of Baracoa is famous for the quality of its products and restaurants for their preparation.
To immerse yourself in the country’s gastronomy in the most authentic way, contact us. Our local experts will design a tailor-made trip that will allow you to explore the best kept secrets of Cuban gastronomy.
