Villa Lagarto

The view is nice and the place is okay, but there's nothing special about the food. It felt a bit pricey, like dining out in Cuba and paying US prices.

The bill was a shock: dinner for two, with a good range of dishes, came to 47.50 euros. We couldn't pay in euros or dollars, so we tried to use pesos we'd exchanged at almost 1 to 1.1, through a domestic account card for that currency. We were told the machine wasn't working, which seems to happen often. The restaurant was well run and fully stocked, but that left us having to pay in the usual official Cuban currency, pesos. The total was 4,025 pesos, worth around 160 euros at the exchange value, about four times as much. Unbelievable, far too expensive. This seems to happen at many private places to stay and restaurants in town, which also recommend one another. The restaurant is in a nice location and also has rooms, though they're quite simple. It's privately run and apparently has sponsors abroad, which may explain how it can offer so many food options in Cuba after the Corona crisis. Inside, it feels touristy, friendly, and a little overdone, though still comfortable. The dishes have plenty of variety and taste good.

Cute little spot, and the food was really good. We had an attentive server and a nice pace between courses. A glass of wine was $4, and the Chardonnay was very good, though I don't know the brand. Try for an outdoor table by the ocean if you want a fantastic sunset dinner. I'd definitely recommend eating here if you're nearby.

This is the most unusual restaurant we've visited so far. All the little design details are so well done that walking in feels like stepping into a jungle, surrounded by plants and water. The cocktails are delicious, and everyone is very friendly.