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.
