Looking for a calm and relaxed place to chow down on some top-end Cuban food? Rita & Champagne, an all-white venue with a deep red door, should be high on your list of go-to places. Located in Kohly, a cozy residential neighborhood on the border between Playa and Vedado (two of the most vibrant municipalities in Havana), it’s modern, simple, has a Mediterranean touch and, split between the different rooms of a beautiful house from the 1950s, is perfect for a quiet lunch.
Owner and chef Sahily Romero runs an immaculately clean and ordered kitchen. The pumpkin cream with coconut milk and ginger is a spectacular appetite arouser, and while the menu is small it has a gourmet touch. Cuban specialities merge with international novelties with balance and harmony, strong flavors complemented by attractive blends.
The tostones with hummus, avocado, octopus and alioli are fantastic, the plantains crispy and the octopus perfectly cooked. The fresh ravioli or the calderito of Quimbombó with pork and white rice, if you fancy something more traditional, are the standout main dishes. And they have some good Chilean and Spanish red wines too, the usual cocktail bar and of course a bottle of Moet & Chandon if you’re here to celebrate.
Cuisine: Cuban, International
Address: Calle 49 esq 34, #3401, Kohly, Playa.
Contact: +53 72057726
Cost: Average (10 – 18 cuc)