Miami: Havana 1957 Cafe (July 2016)



My spouse and I enjoyed drinks at Havana 1957 Café on a Sunday afternoon in early July 2016. This restaurant is located on busy Ocean Drive (near 14th Street) on the street level of the Marriott Vacation Club.

The V&E (“Vida and Estilo”, which means “Life and Style” in Spanish) Restaurant Group Company owns the Havana 1957 chain, with locations in Brickell, Pembroke Pines, Espanola Way, Lincoln Road, and Ocean Drive South Beach. The V&E group owns additional restaurants in Miami called Segafredo Espresso, Tapas & Tintos, Mercato and Pescheria, Blume, Oh!Mexico, and Mojitos Lounge. They also own properties in Las Vegas and Mexico, as well as the Cipriani group (with locations worldwide, including the UAE, Spain, Italy, Monaco, and Russia).

Havana 1957 serves Cuban food in an atmosphere reminiscent of 1950s Cuba, with Latin music and vintage memorabilia. Famous prints decorate the walls. The Mojito Bar is a focal point at the front of the restaurant, with some high-top tables nearby, and main dining room table and booth seating in the rear. A semi-open kitchen is visible at the back of the space. Outdoor dining on the porch is also available. The overall look is clubby, with dark wood and red leather accents.

We ordered drinks and shared the traditional flan dessert (they also offered a coconut flan), which was served on a glazed terracotta saucer. We sat at the bar, and the bartender delivered a complimentary metal bowl of warm fried plantain chips. As with most South Beach bars and restaurants, Havana Cafe adds an automatic 15% gratuity to your bill.

The Havana 1957 Cafe is a good place to enjoy Cuban food in a fun, casual atmosphere.











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