Travel tips Cuba: My favorite breakfast place in Old Havana is El Cafe!

5 Great Places For Breakfast In Havana Old City 2024!

Whether or not you have breakfast included in your casa, you may want to try out one of the best places for breakfast in Havana Old City. 

A lot of restaurants in Havana open around lunchtime and stay open long into the night and early morning, serving dinner.Ā I have tested a lot of places to eat in Havana living in the Old City for over two years!

Sometimes when not in the mood for making breakfast at home, I would go out somewhere new, to “research” breakfast places, of course!

Here are a few really good ones I recommend..!

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Best Breakfast In Havana!

Best breakfast in Havana!

In Old Havana, a few places are opening really early serving you breakfast as well. Or a Cuban brunch, or even a European or American version of the “most important meal of the day”.

Why not go out and enjoy your Havana breakfast and strong Cuban coffee while people-watching in the old colonial streets of Havana Vieja?

Here are my top breakfast places in Old Havana that will help you start your day in a perfect way! 

1. Antojos

In a tiny little alley at the edge of Old Havana are several little restaurants hidden away with seating both indoors and out.

One of them is Antojos, a super little place with bright red parasols on the outside and a funky interior on the inside.

Try Antojos for a great breakfast in Havana, Cuba!
Antojos in Old Havana

Antojos opens at 11 a.m., so it is not for the earliest risers, but they serve a brunch special between 11 and 12 noon every day, including fresh juice, and the coffee is extra.

The service is impeccable, and the food is delicious, so for a late breakfast or early lunch, Antojos is a great choice to start your day.

The price for a brunch with coffee was 275 CUP (just under $12) in November 2021.

Address: Callejón de Espada e/ Cuarteles y Chacón, Old Havana

Also read: 33+ Enticing Things To Do In Havana Cuba

One of the best places for breakfast in Havana is Antojos in Old Havana!
Outside seating

2. El Cafe

The almost impossible-to-find El CafƩ was my first encounter with a cafƩ-cafƩ in Havana!

A stylish and elegant interior, a really nice toast, super tasty brewed coffee, and fresh juices that were untouched fruit just seconds ago.

Like any place in Europe or even New York, apart from the incredibly high ceiling and elegant details of the architecture and interior, telltales from colonial times.

El Cafe makes one of the best breakfasts in Havana Old city!

This place is not easy to spot when you come strolling down Amargura Street if you even find the street.

The narrow Amargura street starting at Parque Cristo shows no signs of hosting an amazing coffee place as there are no signs of any kind outside.

If you accidentally look to your side as you pass, you will see the counter and tables through the windows or the narrow doorway.

El Cafe breakfast plate

That is why I am here to tell you to look up El CafƩ when in Old Havana!

Take a seat (coffee to go is not a thing in most places in Cuba) and enjoy breakfast or a sandwich and a great coffee and fresh juice.

Address: Amargura #358 between street Villegas and street Aguacate

El Cafe breakfast and lunch place

3. La Vitrola

Right at the edge of Plaza Vieja, on a corner between Muralla and San Ignacio lies La Vitrola, a restaurant that is open most of the day 24 hours.

Officially it opens at 11 a.m., but if you are passing by around 9 a.m. and are feeling hungry, they will probably let you in early and get you a nice breakfast, coffee, and juice to start your day.

Here they keep going until 2 am in the morning, serving you through lunch, a snack in the afternoon, and dinner all night long with a side of mojito as the Havana night sets in.

La Vitrola is a buzzing place in the middle of the touristy area of Old Havana, which means that the (numerous) waiters speak quite well English.

Try breakfast in Havana at La Vitrola, on the corner of Plaza Vieja!
The eclectic interior of La Vitrola

They are with you in the wink of an eye, with menus on chalkboards, and make sure you get the attention you need throughout your visit.

The space is super open, with large doors that let the daylight and street life in, and has seating both inside and outside under large parasols.

This place is not the hidden-away Cuban gem kind of place, but it has great service, good food, and an interesting interior.

There are bicycles, planes, and other weird stuff hanging from the ceiling while music boxes decorate several of the walls.

Decorative tiles throughout the floors, like in most old buildings in Cuba, and wooden door and window frames.

And, of course, music.

Address: Plaza Vieja, San Ignacio/ esquina Muralla

Also readBest travel deals & resources for bookings of flights, accommodation & adventure

La Vitrola Restaurant with a colorful and eclectic interior. It opens for breakfast in Havana old city, and stays open into the night!

4. D`Next

Almost at the top of Old Havana, close to Parque Cristo, is a shiny and colorful restaurant designed like an American burger joint or diner or something along those lines.

This place opens at 9 am and can serve you whatever breakfast you prefer. The American version with pancakes, or the fresh European version with fruit and juice. And of course, a Cuban-style breakfast if you`ll stick to that.

D-Next restaurant on the top of the old city gets you an American style breakfast in Havana, and looks like a diner from the 50ies!
American diner from the 50s vibe!

D`Next is a so-called Empresa particular, which means it is a privately owned and run restaurant in Cuba.

The interior is super-modern in Cuban terms, so this is not the place to go for the old-fashioned Cuban atmosphere.

But the food is great, the menu has a wide selection of courses, and the staff is super helpful and service-minded. And they speak English if that is important to you.

Address: Teniente Rey 512, e/Monserrate y Bernaza.

D-Next restaurant menu

Also read: Best Restaurants In Havana Cuba!

5. Kilometro Zero

On top of Calle Teniente Ray, just on the corner lies a colorful and eclectic restaurant with huge open windows and a great atmosphere. 

Paladar Kilometro Zero is a super nice not-so-big place with striking wall paintings and lots of ornaments in the interior that stays open throughout the day and into the night. 

Breakfast  in Havana old city at Kilometro Zero

Kilometro Zero also open their doors already at 8 am, serving you a delicious breakfast with eggs and toast, along with a fresh juice of your choice and strong Cuban coffee on the side. 

Although situated along a busy street, the ambiance inside is still chill and quiet.

The staff is super friendly, the service is great and the breakfast, as well as the menu for the rest of the day, is delicious. 

Breakfast with juice and coffee is around $17 in November 2021. 

Address: Monserrate #437, Esquina de Teniente Rey, Havana Vieja

The tasty Kilometro Zero egg plate

What To Do In Havana After Breakfast?

All energized with fresh juices, coffee, and scrambled eggs, now, what to do in Havana for the rest of the day?

Here are my TOP 3 tours of Havana that I would recommend to anyone. If you are visiting for a short time, this is perfect for getting seeing lots of Havana in a limited time!

Or, if this is the start of your Havana holiday, it gets you the overview of planning the rest of your stay in the best possible way!

Classic Car Tour Of Havana

Flying down Prado Avenue, taking a left out along the Malecon where you almost can see over to Key West, wind in your hair in an Old Classic American Car really is a weird and wonderful experience!

Classic American Car on the Malecon in Havana
Classic American Car on the Malecon in Havana

I always take guests on this tour, as everyone loves it! The great thing about booking in advance is no haggling for the price, and you will be picked up at home!

This tour takes you to see the most popular sights and famous areas of Havana in style, and the driver will tell you all the stories on the way.

Havana Walking Tour

You can have a wonderful time just strolling around in Old Havana by yourself, there is no doubt about that.

Old Havana street details towards Havana Bay
Old Havana street details towards Havana Bay

However, if you are above average interested in history, architecture, and getting to know the destination you are visiting, a walking tour with a knowledgeable guide might be perfect for you!

See all the famous places, houses, and streets, and get the 500-year-old stories at the same time!

Vinales Valley Private Tour Classic Car

If you have a few days with Havana as your base, taking a private day trip to Vinales Valley is a decision you will not regret!

The lush green Vinales Valley in Cuba just a couple of hours from Havana. You see from a viewpoint the lush green valley and with fields, trees, palms, and mogotes along the valley floor.
The lush green Vinales Valley

This amazing fertile Cuban valley is on the UNESCO World Heritage List; it is the home of the famous Cuban cigars and rum, and also where you can explore the amazing Cueva del Indio!

In one day, you get the highlights (although there are lots of things to do in Vinales if you have more time).

You will also have time for lunch, seeing the Mural de la Prehistoria, and having a photo-op at a spectacular viewpoint above the valley!

Wrap-Up Best Breakfast In Havana Old City

I am sure you now have a handful of options you can successfully try out when you get here if you don’t want to go exploring on your own!

When you are ready for your Havana day, also check out the link below for a bunch of tours you might like to do if you don’t know the city!

It is always a good idea to get some pro tips to get the best of everything!

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My Resource Go-To List For Best Travel Booking Deals!

Best Airfare bookings: Skyscanner, Wayway

Best tour companies: Civitatis (for Cuba), Viator

Best Hotel Bookings: Booking, Expedia

Travel Insurance: IMG Medical Travel Insurance

VPN Secure Internet: ExpressVPN

Cuba Visa Online: Easy Tourist Card

Car Rentals Online: Discover Cars

Do you have any questions about Cuba? Leave a comment, or send me an e-mail! Happy to help!










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