September 8th, 2011
Cafe Havana in Manila is a hugely popular cafe and bar located within the upmarket Greenbelt retail and lifestyle complex in the centre of the financial and hotel district of Makati. It’s origins date back to 1998 when the first Cafe Havana was opened in the Malate area of Manila. Since opening the new branch at Greenbelt in Makati, Cafe Havana has enjoyed a remarkable following with both local Manila residents and overseas visitors. The founder of Cafe Havana, Larry J. Cruz, conceived it as a celebration of the traditional Cuban lifestyle, centred around great food and the pulsating rhythms of Latino music. The deft combination of authentic Cuban cuisine, attractively priced, together with the exuberance of salsa music has hit the right notes with customers for years now, and Cafe Havana is invariably packed every night of the week.
Cafe Havana by day is a casual, relaxed cafe, offering patrons the choice of either indoor air-conditioned comfort, or seating outdoors on the terrace under large parasols, overlooking the lush tropical gardens of the aptly named Greenbelt complex. On weekdays, Cafe Havana serves an enticing Lunch Buffet from 11:00 in the morning, and food is available all day from the a la carte menu. The buffet offers a large selection of hot and cold dishes, soup, desserts and fruits at the attractive price of Php500++ per person making Cafe Havana a popular lunch choice with local office workers, shoppers and tourists.
The Lunch Buffet
Roasted Pork Ribs
The bar at Cafe Havana specialises in the cocktails synonymous with Cuba and the Caribbean- mojitos, daiquiris, caiparinas- and these are always refreshing libations- day or night. The bar is also serving a full selection of premium rums and other spirits, wines, champagne and local or imported beers.
Mojito
Mangojito
Limoncito
Caiparina
The food is prepared based on the authentic traditions of Cuban cooking- sauteed or slow cooked over flames, with the essential spices of the region- garlic, cumin, oregano and bay leaves. The menu includes a number of tapas style dishes for light meals or sharing, soups and salads, pastas and paellas, and main dishes with highlights including Cuban Stew “Encendido” ; Spare Ribs Habanera; and Caribbean style Salmon with Mango Mumbo Salsa.
In the evenings, Cafe Havana transforms into one of the hottest bars in Manila- with a nightly roster of local bands playing salsa and Latino music- and both the interior room and outside tables overflowing with customers until the early hours of the morning.
See more photos from Cafe Havana in the slide show below.
CAFE HAVANA
Address: Ground level, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Centre, Makati City 1200. Philippines
Tel: +63.2. 7574370
Parking: Parking at Greenbelt
Opening Hours:
Sunday – Thursday 11:00 am ~ 2:00 am
Friday & Saturday 11:00 1m ~ 4:00am
Lunch Buffet: Monday ~ Friday 11:00 am ~ 2:00 pm
Facebook Page
Website: www.ljcrestaurants.com
