El Patio Colonial Plaza de la Catedral, La Habana Vieja. One of Havana's prettiest courtyard fountains provides a backdrop to this romantic restaurant, located on an a plaza that's an Old Havana landmark. El Rancho Calle 19 y 140, Rpto. In an exclusive neighborhood close to one of Fidel's compounds, the renowned Erasmus watches over one of the country's top restaurants. Grilled meats and fish take centerstage after warmups of avocado salads, shellfish and Cuban rum cocktails.
Ceiling fans spin lazily beneath a grass roof as crickets and birds chirp.
It's well worth it. El Tocororo Calle 18 No. 302, esq. A restaurant catering to the business crowd with beautiful gardens, impeccable service and tropical cocktails. Expensive by Cuban standards, it was once one of Havana's best restaurants, though quality has slipped with the departure of longtime chef Erasmus. The fish isn't as fresh as it used to be, and the kitchen runs out of ingredients.