Doña Eutimia: Paladar in Havana, Cuba

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Located at the end of Callejon del Chorro is Doña Eutimia, one of the most popular paladars in Havana, Cuba

Doña Eutimia is a paladar, or small restaurant, situated down a quiet alleyway near Cathedral Square (Plaza de la Catedral) in Havana, Cuba. Despite located in the center of Old Havana (Habana Vieja), a touristy and busy area, the restaurant’s location is off the beaten path.

Paladar is a term used in Cuba to describe a small, family-owned restaurant that serves local cuisine. Although illegal until the 1990s, today, these privately owned establishments are a popular dining option for locals, and lately, for tourists.

On my recent visit to Havana, I knew I had to visit at least one paladar. These local restaurants are where you go for traditional Cuban dishes and an authentic Cuban Experience.

Doña Eutimia is a great introduction for visitors to Havana who want to experience a paladar for the first time. The restaurant is welcoming, centrally located, and if you go at the right time, you can often get a table without a reservation. It’s also a great spot for solo diners like myself.

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What to Know Before Visiting Doña Eutimia

If you plan on visiting Doña Eutimia, there are a few things to remember.

First, the restaurant is small and popular, so visiting during off-peak hours or midweek is a good idea. Or, you can make a reservation, but I always visit without one and I never have an issue.

Second, there are several other restaurants on the same alley, many of which are inferior in quality. You might see their workers trying to lure unsuspecting tourists to their establishments, so it’s important to be cautious.

If you get lost, remember that Doña Eutimia is at the end of the alleyway on the right-hand side.

Interior of Doña Eutimia

Outdoor seating, Doña Eutimia, Havana, Cuba — Outdoor seating

I’ve visited Doña Eutimia twice, and the weather was perfect on both visits. With the weather beautiful, I asked for an outdoor table rather than an indoor one.

Despite hidden at the end of an alleyway, the surroundings were far from dull. The people watching was lively. There was even live music on my visit.

Traditional interior of Doña Eutimia, Havana, Cuba — Traditional interior of Doña Eutimia

Although I have never dined inside the restaurant, I took a peek inside on my last visit. The inside was spacious and bright with beige walls and pops of color from the red seats.

Dark brown accents, vintage photographs, old clocks, window shutters, and antique lights added to the Cuban charm. When I imagine a paladar in Cuba, this is what comes to mind.

Doña Eutimia Menu

The food menu at Doña Eutimia, Havana, Cuba — The food menu at Doña Eutimia

The menu at Doña Eutimia was straightforward, with one page dedicated to food and another to drinks.

The food section featured cold starters (entrantes fríos), hot starters (entrantes calientes), rice dishes (arroz), side dishes (guarniciones), main courses (platos principales), and desserts (postres).

There were popular Cuban dishes such as croquettes, shredded lamb (ropa vieja), and grilled chicken (pollo grille). If you order a main course, it will come with white rice and black beans.

Second page dedicated to drinks, Doña Eutimia, Havana, Cuba — Second page dedicated to drinks

The menu’s second page featured a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. For those looking for alcoholic options, there were beers, wines, cocktails, and, being in Cuba, a selection of local Cuban rums.

Non-alcoholic options included coffee, tea, lemonade, bottled water, soft drinks, and juices.

As is customary in most restaurants in Havana, they added a 10% service charge to the final bill.

Traditional Mojito (Mojito Tradicional)

Although the menu had several cocktail options, I had to order the Traditional Mojito (Mojito Tradicional).

Made with Havana Club 3 Year Old Rum and a generous amount of fresh mint, this cocktail not only looked beautiful but tasted great. Refreshing and cold, it was the ideal drink on a hot day in Havana.

Leticia Croquettes (Croquetas de Leticia)

Croquetas de Leticia, Doña Eutimia, Havana, Cuba — Croquetas de Leticia

For a starter, I went for the Leticia Croquettes (Croquetas de Leticia). The croquettes and the dipping sauce looked simple but beautiful.

Each croquette was fried to perfection with a flaky breading that was crumbly but not too crunchy or soggy.

On the inside was a tender and moist filling of cheese and what I thought was minced chicken. Whatever it was, it was creamy, rich, and salty. I enjoyed how the cheesy filling inside complemented the crispy, golden brown breading.

The dipping sauce served on the side had a taste that reminded me of ketchup. But it had a thinner consistency and slightly sweeter flavor. The umami flavor of the sauce, like Worcestershire sauce, complemented the richness of the croquettes.

Also on the plate were four small colorful dabs of a sweet, creamy puree. Its flavor was similar to that of a yam puree. I just wanted more of it.

Candied Fried Pork (Masas de cerdo Doña Eutimia)

Masas de cerdo Doña Eutimia, Havana, Cuba — Masas de cerdo Doña Eutimia

Next up, I ordered the Candied Fried Pork (Masas de cerdo Doña Eutimia).

This dish had candied fried pork cubes, banana fufú, and caramelized onions. When ordering this dish, I had no idea what to expect. But I am always open to new foods and flavors.

The candied pork was so tender and delicate that I could cut through each piece with my fork. I anticipated its flavor to be sweet, but this was not the case.

Instead, the pork was salty and smoky in flavor after being grilled. I enjoyed how I could taste the flavors of the pork without it being too sweet or smoky.

Topping the pork were tender yet crunchy caramelized onions. The onions added texture while complementing the richness of the pork.

Hidden under the pork was banana fufú, made with plantains mashed into a doughy consistency. While common in the Caribbean and Africa, banana fufú was a novelty to me.

Its texture and flavor reminded me of mashed potatoes. The banana fufú might have seemed out of place on its own, but it worked well with the candied pork.

On the side were crunchy fried plantains and a trio of sweet, creamy purees that resembled the ones served with the croquettes.

Shredded Lamb (Ropa Vieja del Chorro)

Ropa Vieja del Chorro, Doña Eutimia, Havana, Cuba — Ropa Vieja del Chorro

Finally, I ordered the Shredded Lamb (Ropa Vieja del Chorro) made with shredded lamb in a red sauce with dry and natural spices. While simple, ropa vieja is the national dish of Cuba. And, no visit to Cuba is complete without trying it.

Almost every restaurant in Havana has ropa vieja on their menu. This savory stew consists of shredded and braised beef simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce infused with onions, peppers, and olives.

Although beef is standard for ropa vieja, lamb is also typical, like at Doña Eutimia.

The shredded lamb, braised for hours, was tender and moist with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Although this might sound strange, the tomato-based sauce brought back memories of the sloppy joes I had during my childhood.

The sauce was rich, sweet, and tart with a bold, almost satisfying flavor. Infused into the sauce were sautéed tomatoes and peppers, which elevated the overall flavors and textures of the sauce.

As with the croquettes and candied fried pork, those same crispy fried plantains and sweet purees along with a grilled pepper were served on the plate.

Rice and Black Beans (Arroz Blanco y Frijoles Negros)

A side of rice and beans, Doña Eutimia, Havana, Cuba — A side of white rice and black beans (arroz blanco y frijoles negros)

As mentioned before, each main course comes with complimentary rice and black beans (arroz blanco y frijoles negros). Though simple, the rice and beans were perfect.

Among the two, the black beans were my favorite because of their luscious, velvety texture and salty, sweet flavor, enhanced by bay leaves.

Although simple, the rice and beans paired well with the main dishes. And you can’t have a Cuban dish without them.

Service at Doña Eutimia

During my visit to Doña Eutimia, it was a quiet midweek afternoon. Since it was a beautiful day in Havana, I sat at one of the outdoor tables.

Right when I sat down, I was greeted by a friendly server who gave me her recommendations. She also asked what I would like to drink.

Throughout the meal, I found the service attentive without being intrusive, allowing me to enjoy my meal. Everything I ordered was correct and brought out in a timely manner.

I would note how my server did not ask whether I wanted another mojito. But it didn’t matter as I had no plans to order another. Then again, I may have.

Conclusion

No trip to Cuba would be complete without a visit to a paladar, a small, local restaurant which specializes in Cuban fare. Some, though, are costly and require reservations weeks in advance.

If you’re seeking an affordable and casual paladar in the heart of Old Havana, then Doña Eutimia would be an excellent option.

Although the menu was simple, it included numerous classic Cuban dishes such as grilled chicken (pollo grille) and shredded lamb (ropa vieja). In addition, the restaurant had an impressive collection of cocktails, including local Cuban rums.

With tasty food, affordable prices, friendly service, and a central location, I would recommend a visit to Doña Eutimia on your next visit to Havana.