La Taberna del Son

Habana Vieja


A hurricane of Cuban energy, this tiny dive just off Plaza Vieja gives at least half of its space over to the nightly band, most of whom are older than the Rolling Stones – and just as energetic. The crowd is half Cuban, half tourist, but all are armed with a desire to sink muchos mojitos. Dancing quickly becomes inevitable.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Habana Vieja attractions

1. Plaza Vieja

0.06 MILES

Laid out in 1559, Plaza Vieja is Havana's most architecturally eclectic square, where Cuban baroque nestles seamlessly next to Gaudí-inspired art nouveau…

2. Vitrina de Valonia

0.06 MILES

Housed in a restored colonial mansion, this library and comic-book museum highlights the relationship between Belgium and Cuba, hosting Belgium Culture…

3. Planetario

0.07 MILES

Aimed more at Cubans than tourists who may be used to more technical wizardry, Havana's planetarium includes a scale reproduction of the solar system…

4. Cámara Oscura

0.08 MILES

At the northeastern corner of Plaza Vieja in a tall, narrow edifice is this clever optical device providing live, 360-degree views of the city from atop a…

5. Fototeca de Cuba

0.08 MILES

This photographic archive of Old Havana from the early 20th century onward was started by former City Historian Emilio Roig de Leuchsenring in 1937. There…

6. Palacio de los Condes de Jaruco

0.09 MILES

This muscular mansion on Plaza Vieja's southwestern corner is one of the square's oldest, constructed in 1738 from local limestone in a transitional…

7. Museo de Naipes

0.1 MILES

Encased in Plaza Vieja's oldest building is this quirky playing-card museum, with a 2000-strong collection that includes rock stars, rum drinks and round…

8. Casa de Carmen Montilla

0.13 MILES

An important art gallery that is named after a celebrated Venezuelan painter who maintained a studio here until her death in 2004. Spread across three…