Havana 1920

Steal away for a taste of Cuba at San Diego’s coolest Havana cuisine and cocktails spot. Located on 5th Avenue just south of Market Street in the Gaslamp Quarter, Havana 1920 is simultaneously a step into the past and the best of today.

With an atmosphere and aesthetic inspired by Prohibition-Era Cuba, stepping through the door is like taking a trip to Hemingway’s haven. Grab a quick bite at the counter downstairs, or escape to the sit-down dining room on the second floor decorated with Cuban memorabilia, courtesy of a themed stairwell featuring travel art prints and plane tickets.

While being immersed in the decor and ambiance is a vibe all its own, it’s the menu of Havana 1920 that will have your taste buds humming. With an authentic menu that features a full array of courses from bocaditos and entradas to platillos, dining at Havana 1920 is a delicious way to dive into all of the depth of flavors that Cuban cuisine boasts. From appetizers (entradas) to dessert (postres), there’s something for everyone.

For a first course, sample a Caribbean classic: fried green plantains served in Havana Royale sauce; or savor a Ceviche Tropical featuring shrimp, fresh mango, jalapeño, and cucumber; or go all in and grab the Havana Bocaditos Platter featuring the ceviche, plantain chips, chicken croquettes, picadillo stuffed potato, ham and cheese empanada.

Indulge in a satisfying bowl of caldo de pollo chicken soup or a Havana green salad featuring grilled pineapple, black beans, imported Caribbean avocados, and a light garlic lemon vinaigrette, and then settle in to enjoy the main event. Whether it is a savory picadillo, the national dish of Cuba, served alongside rice, beans, and plantains, flavorful Lechon Asado; a classic Cubano sandwich with slow roasted pork on authentic Cuban bread; or Havana steak topped with housemade chimichurri, the entrées hit the spot.

A cocktail featuring sugarcane and one of the many varieties of Cuban rum, the Havana 1920 Mojito is a fan favorite, with añejo blanco rum, fresh lime, mint, sugarcane juice, sugarcane syrup, and club soda. Another beloved option is the Cuban Swizzle, made with coconut rum, green chartreuse, fresh lime, pineapple, demerara, and soda. And, of course, you can never go wrong with a Cerveza Hatuey, a Cuban-style lager, or a daiquiri pitcher!

For those seeking the “best Cuban food on the West Coast” with “great service,” and a gorgeous, “intimate” feel, customers know that Havana 1920 is where it’s at. The restaurant can fulfill cravings for a quick trip to Cuba with a flavorful destination experience. Best yet, the venue features live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, or catch Happy Hour from 2-6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Visit this culinary hotspot at 548 Fifth Ave. in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, make special event reservations at (619) 369-1920, or find Havana 1920 online at havana1920.com.