Mama Inés

Habana Vieja


Mama's is run by Fidel Castro's ex-chef Erasmo, whose CV lists a veritable who’s who of celebrity 'lefties' he's cooked for, from Hollywood actors to South American strongmen. Swept up in Cuba's culinary revolution, he’s chucked his hat into the private sphere with this unpretentious (considering his résumé) restaurant, set in gorgeous colonial digs just off Calle Oficios.

The menu consists of well-prepared honest Cuban grub, such as ropa vieja (shredded beef), octopus or roast pork, all served with traditional rice and beans.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Habana Vieja attractions

1. Casa Oswaldo Guayasamín

0.06 MILES

Casa Oswaldo Guayasamín is an old studio and now a museum for the work of the great Ecuadorian artist, who painted Fidel Castro in numerous poses. The…

2. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural

0.07 MILES

An average museum that contains examples of Cuba's flora and fauna; it overlooks Plaza de Armas in a building that once served as the US embassy.

3. Lonja del Comercio

0.07 MILES

This large, box-shaped building on Plaza de San Francisco de Asís is a former commodities market erected in 1909. The building was completely renovated in…

4. Casa de México Benito Juárez

0.08 MILES

The Casa de México Benito Juárez exhibits Mexican folk art and plenty of books but not a lot on Juárez (Mexico’s first indigenous president) himself.

5. Armería 9 de Abril

0.08 MILES

An old gun shop (now museum) stormed by revolutionaries on the said date in 1958. Mercifully, the armaments are no longer for sale.

6. Palacio de Los Condes de Santovenia

0.09 MILES

Lining Plaza de Armas, Los Condes de Santovenia is the former stately palace of the counts of Santovenia and today houses the five-star Hotel Santa Isabel…

7. La Conversación

0.09 MILES

Making up a trio of sculptures in Plaza San Francisco de Asís, La Conversación was added in 2012, donated by the French ambassador as a gesture of Franco…

8. Plaza de Armas

0.09 MILES

Havana's oldest square was laid out in the early 1520s, soon after the city's foundation, and was originally known as Plaza de Iglesia after a church –…