Not only a great drive favourite for food, the service here is exceptional. Had a small problem with my meal and the server involved the manager; both of who went above and beyond to address the issue. Delicious brunch!
Was going to see a matinee show in the theatre so came here for brunch. Great place to visit on the Drive. The plantain chips are amazing...i would come back just for them, and some sangria, and maybe some Tres Leches cake. Service was fantastic. Place was packed but our food came out promptly.
Under new management and a new renovation too. The place looks more airy with the open kitchen and still had the same Cuban vibe and graffiti wall. Food after 3:00 is tapas so sharing dishes, which with our group of 5 was fantastic! Everything really fresh and really delicious. Can’t wait to go back. I hear they do a wicked brunch and lunch too. If your thinking about visiting GO!
Great food & great service. Sat outside, under the heat lamps, the sun was shining and I was with wonderful company. Fabulous spot!
Most amazing quesadillas I've had in my life. My boyfriend brought me here for the sangria which we also very much enjoyed. The chips and guacamole were out of this world. I'd eat here everyday if he would let me !
Had French toast was insanely delish. Partner had the pulled pork breakfast taco. Loved it. Young guy serving was a delight. And it was perfectly priced.
Fantastic food and atmosphere! Highly recommend to check out if in the area.
Loved it! Had tacos and layer dip. Tasty food! plenty of it for the 2 of us. Our server Dawn was great.
Definitely want to return!
Love this place! The food is great and Patrick O gives us a fab small theatre!!!
We haven’t had a Cubano since our first time in New York. It was delicious then; and it is delicious now. Simple ingredients – house porchetta, honey ham, Swiss cheese, dill pickles, yellow mustard – all pressed inside a house Cuban bun. The eating experience was like we were on the set of the Chef movie.
Yes. We,re Eating Again.
+4
Located on the Drive across from Grandview Park, Havana is a little more 'hip' than we are but everyone is made to feel comfortable here. I expected it to be packed but then I remembered we were eating Saturday brunch and not Sunday brunch. I'm sure it makes a difference! We started with a couple of my Latin favourites namely Patatas Bravas and Tostone.The tostone were served with an avocado-lime dip which was truly awesome. The plantain slices themselves (twice cooked ) were crispy and hot. This was the best $6 I have spent in a long time. I am definitely going to try to make this at home! And the Patatas Bravas were in the same sphere. Served with what is presumably Bravas sauce and garlic aioli, these were also crispy and hot and it is all about texture. We ended up going home with a lot of potatoes (more to come) which seems kind of cheap-assed but we thought they would reheat well and it is evil to waste food! We shared two mains, one of which was Croque Senora. Here is where my lunch menu desires bumped up against the brunch menu and survived. The sandwich is a Cubano which was a large part of our seeking out Havana. Porchetta, ham, and cheese are a part of it but the mustard and pickles make this thing! All melted together on the grill to become something amazing. More potatoes you will notice, and a sunnyside up egg. Now, this is the kind of brunch that I can endorse! We also shared a Cuban Skillet. The braised white beans were what drew us to this. The beans had more bite (not cooked too soft) than I expected and that impressed me. The Two Rivers chorizo was also impressive being on the mild side and still tasty. Cuban Fry bread is what exactly? Well, it was salty and not too doughy so authentic or not, we enjoyed it! And a couple of perfect poached eggs.Truly, there is room for a lot more people than the Saturday brunch crowd. We love the decor and are sure that the Mojito / Marguerita people could have a great time here.We love open kitchens too.
If it's not already (and we are probably the last ones who haven't been) this place should be on your list, especially if you are brunch people.
This place may be known for great Cuban food but it’s actually well known for top class Cubanos!
Cubanos here are filled with luscious sliced ham, roast pork, pickles, cheese & sandwiched between a toasted Cuban bun painted with mustard on the inside.
Accompanied by plantain chips with this zesty aioli that packs it’s own punch in its own.
Be prepared for this experience- it’s a memorable one.
My recommendation- the Cubanos & get extra plantain chips. Try the deep fried cassava root fries too.
Quick stop for brunch before we go hike. Found Havana on the map and was attracted by their colorful food. Ordered one of their brunch bowl. I have no idea what I ordered. Couldn't read the menu anyways. But it was delicious. Basically all vegetables. Full of flavors. I can eat this all day long if I can.
Our friends from the island invited us to meet with them at this place. We had heard about this place and seen it before but never been there till November this year! The place seems to be very busy in summer. Great location for sure!
The fried chicken & waffle and Chorizo Hash were our choices. Both of us agreed that the fried chicken & waffle was one of the best we’d ever had in town. The Chorizo Hash was delightful really enjoyed the Chorizo sausages!
Beautiful interior that remind you of hot Cuban nights. Patio outside is popular and provides good people watching, a public park and a busy sidewalk is across the street. You can never go wrong with their drink selection and brunch items. My friend and I frequent this restaurant weekly in the summer. Love their sangria pitchers and mojitos. Their chorizo plates are great choices.
We arrived for dinner this time around. Mussels with the havana sauce was quite salty, it wasn't my favourite. The bread that it comes with is served warm and toasted. Portion size is great. My friend ordered the cod tacos, was delicious but the refried beans were lacking. Next time, I'd like to order the mussels again but in their garlic butter sauce instead.
Havana makes seriously delicious Tuna Tacos and their patio is one of the nicest places to drink away an afternoon. The servers have always been attentive and knowledgeable!
Not many Vancouver restaurants get passed 2yrs, let alone 20. Great patio, reasonable prices and nice staff. Decent alcohol list if you skip the sangria pitcher that you see on most table.
I liked the breakfast here! Would love to come back and try more of the breakfast items. This place will probably make it into my top 3 for breakfasts. I got the veggie hash with poached eggs. Very good. Lots of flavour, and the feta cheese was an interesting addition! I'd eat it again right now.
Coming here is like stepping into Havana, packed full of hungry patrons, friendly staff and serving up spectacular Latin and Caribbean food and drinks. A unique feature is the theatre in the very back where patrons can dine, enjoy local artwork and also catch a comedy play. What other restaurant in Vancouver serves up such a unique blend?
Tasty and authentic food. Lots of choices for those with special diet restrictions. Good presentation. Always busy so get there early. Some options are incredibly overpriced though so choose wisely.
Great brunch and great service. Really love the veggie hash: hearty and delicious. The French toast is amazing: more of a dessert than breakfast.
Always friendly and fast service. Can get busy at times, but always had decent service here.
Very good for breakfast or brunch. In the summer is one of the best patio on commercial drive. It is one of a few places in Vancouver where my baby can choose a good and "healthy" meal to eat. They also have high chairs and carioca to make him play with and in the washroom there is a change table!!! Definitely my favourite Sunday brunch with my family!!
Amazing fish tacos and great atmosphere inside and out. Customer service was very good as well and the art gallery in the back was pretty cool too. Prices are good.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
This restaurant has been a staple on The Drive for 19 years. In a city like Vancouver that’s known for opening restaurants in the blink of an eye (and closing them just as fast), it is obvious that Havana is doing something right. I came here for Richard Wolak’s Vancouver Taco Challenge to try their Pacific Cod Taco – The creation of Chef Jeff Grant, this is panko crusted pacific cod served with sundered tomato aioli, pickled cabbage, lettuce, fresh guacamole and finished with gherkins for a nice bit of crunch. The Taco Challenge might be over, but there are so many tasty dishes to try at Havana this summer, like their Tostones ($8.95) which are perfect for sharing. Tostones are a typical Latin snack food. Plantain chips served with chipotle mayo for a bit of heat. I should mention that Havana does a great job with their cocktails. They have a fantastic sangria that’s guaranteed to clench your thirst this summer, or you can opt for a delicious Mojito like I did. This has got to be one of the best mojitos I’ve ever tasted. And that includes the ones I had in Cuba! I highly recommend this next tapas: the Garlic Chili Prawns ($13.99) with green onions, chilies and cilantro. I’m salivating as I write this. They were so good. Such a good blend of spices and the prawns were cooked perfectly. For what I hear, this is a crowd favourite and one of Havana’s signature dishes.Another dish we tried was the Crudo ($13.99) – Albacore tuna with garlic, lemon, jalepenos with crispy tortilla chips. This was my least favourite dish, not that it was bad, but there wasn’t much flavour to it. I think if we had it before the prawns, the experience would’ve been better? The prawns were so spot on and so full of flavour, so by following them up with a much milder dish, we missed the mark.Overall, the patio experience at Havana in the summer time is something that must be experienced. They have such a great patio and such a great cocktail list, it’s worth it to spend an evening with a friend people watching on “The Drive”. Their menu is on the moderate price point, but the tapas portions were good for two people. Between the two of us we left with happy tummies.
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
This restaurant has been a staple on The Drive for 19 years. In a city like Vancouver that’s known for opening restaurants in the blink of an eye (and closing them just as fast), it is obvious that Havana is doing something right. I came here for Richard Wolak’s Vancouver Taco Challenge to try their Pacific Cod Taco – The creation of Chef Jeff Grant, this is panko crusted pacific cod served with sundered tomato aioli, pickled cabbage, lettuce, fresh guacamole and finished with gherkins for a nice bit of crunch. The Taco Challenge might be over, but there are so many tasty dishes to try at Havana this summer, like their Tostones ($8.95) which are perfect for sharing. Tostones are a typical Latin snack food. Plantain chips served with chipotle mayo for a bit of heat. I should mention that Havana does a great job with their cocktails. They have a fantastic sangria that’s guaranteed to clench your thirst this summer, or you can opt for a delicious Mojito like I did. This has got to be one of the best mojitos I’ve ever tasted. And that includes the ones I had in Cuba! I highly recommend this next tapas: the Garlic Chili Prawns ($13.99) with green onions, chilies and cilantro. I’m salivating as I write this. They were so good. Such a good blend of spices and the prawns were cooked perfectly. For what I hear, this is a crowd favourite and one of Havana’s signature dishes.Another dish we tried was the Crudo ($13.99) – Albacore tuna with garlic, lemon, jalepenos with crispy tortilla chips. This was my least favourite dish, not that it was bad, but there wasn’t much flavour to it. I think if we had it before the prawns, the experience would’ve been better? The prawns were so spot on and so full of flavour, so by following them up with a much milder dish, we missed the mark.Overall, the patio experience at Havana in the summer time is something that must be experienced. They have such a great patio and such a great cocktail list, it’s worth it to spend an evening with a friend people watching on “The Drive”. Their menu is on the moderate price point, but the tapas portions were good for two people. Between the two of us we left with happy tummies.
Good place for drinks an appies, but not for dinner. The food here is very mediocre and over priced. They do have amazing sangria though and the staff are super friendly and attentive. Lastly this is the patio on Commercial. So overall, get a seat in the patio with a pitcher of Sangria and some appies and you will be satisfied.
Good food, a bit on the expensive side for the size of the portions. Amazing cocktails and when I say amazing, I mean it.
This is a great place for summer people watching on The Drive, Their patio is one of the best in the city.
Don't judge a book by its cover. For a tropical island, I always found it odd that Cuba has a bad reputation for its cuisine. True, you expect bright colours and exotic flavours from a country like that, and this certainly doesn't describe Cuban Food. That doesn't mean that it's bad, however, it's just not what you expect.
Havana does a good job of offering authentic choices along with some safe ones. You really should go for the Cuban side of the menu. It doesn't look like much but tastes great.
BRUNCH. Come for brunch. DELISH
We ordered: tapas plato - great! Jambalaya - great! Paella - not so great, I expected more tomato flavor, too much coconut milk I thought (not sure why it has coconut milk actually). I wish that the desserts were more Cuban, i wouldve otherwise ordered some. Pricey but I noted that they source locally and they grow their veggies on the rooftop; I think it's fair since they share the love.
Bethany Ho, Bites Of Vancouver
+4.5
Came here for breakfast and another day for fries. I liked both!
Viva havana. Great food, great service, amazing portion sized and always a good time! we ordered the pulled beef on cuban rice and it was divine! Great spot for a good night out!
Chorizo Hash at Havana. I eat lunch at Havana about 3 times a month. They have a great patio on Commercial and the service has been above average, in my experience. Most items I've tried from the menu have been pretty good, but the Chorizo Hash is really, really tasty. The combination of textures and flavors make this dish one that you'll crave.
The Chorizo is crumbled and pan fried with onions and green peppers then placed over perfectly crispy hash browns. The spice and heat of the sausage adds a nice kick to balance the smooth, rich and creamy flavor of the Hollandaise, which is lightly drizzled over 2 poached eggs - I like mine soft.
The entire combination is ridiculously good!
Hecho totalamente a mano. Havana isn't just about food which isn't bad, just getting a little dated since I don't think they have made many menu changes in five years. Havana is about the scene baby! You get served by cool interesting youngsters with ego just spilling out over their slightly overfed couture. Where else do you get served by such budding young things, Why would you expect people like that to care about your little drink order! Your luck they even talk to you worm!! I digress. Where else can you get something interesting to eat at 10:00pm after the opera / symphony that is not gross hotel food. Havana. Just like the real thing, worn out, lazy, but damn so much better than the alternatives. Giant pitchers of Champagne and OJ for Breakfast with strawberries made me smile whilst I watched the gliteratti dine on their morning repast.
If you're tired of the Main st 'I'm too cool to smile or look you in the eye' vibe, head to the friendly faces of the Drive. This food has FLAVOUR. Drip coffee is excellent, service is lovely. One thing though... Tables are VERY close together. Tough to get in and out and your neighbors hear the entire conversation.
Ensalada es muy delicioso!. Havana is heaven for salad lovers. I had the Roots salad with shrimp added. I can't remember ever having a better salad.
Walk on the wild side. Was over on Commercial Drive recently and had a chance to grab dinner and a glass of wine at the Havana Cafe. First time I'd been there in awhile. I wish I lived closer and could be a regular. It's the kind of cool, neighborhood place one wishes was around the corner from one's home. (And I guess for some lucky people, it is.)
I had the paella and it was very good. Tasty, spicy (but not too crazy) and filling. The ambience here is funky and relaxing, and the service - both from the waitresses and the bar - was very good.
Hope I can return soon. Keep it up, Havana!
Killer Brunch. Went to Havana with some buddies on Sunday and the place was bumpin'!! Had a bunch of pitchers of Mojitos and the best chorizo hash in the city. The service awesome (and gorgeous) and will definitley be back next weekend to do it all over again.
One of my faves!. Best mojitos in town, available by the pitcher; heated patio overlooking Grandview park, great for people watching; everything I've ever eaten there has been delicious and there's an art gallery and a theatre that regularly holds plays and other performances. One of my fave spots in Vancouver!
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
My GO-TO Spot. This is a past review (although I've been to Havana many times.) Food is always delicious albeit on the pricier end for The Drive but you do get what you pay for. I've had great service many times, particularly with the bar staff. On one particular occasion, we started with drinks at the bar while waiting for our table. The bartenders were quite entertaining, recommending their favourites along with popular concoctions. When we sat at our table, I had ordered a second drink but was disappointed to find that it wasn't similar to what I had last. I did not imply directly but just asked our server if it was a single. She said she'd double check then later returned with another drink in hand and replied, "Our bartender said this was one is on the house." I couldn't hold back my smile and made a trip to the bathroom. On the way over, I slipped a big tip into the tip jar and said my thank-you. He just returned my smile with a, "I didn't forget your drink."
It's definitely the little things that make the experience. Great bar staff, excellent food, and one kicka$$ patio in the summer. Definitely my go-to spot with friends when we can't make a decision.
This is also a quintessential date spot. Heck, it was so good my friend even took me here for a mock date.
This place has improved a lot over the years. the quality of the service and food is much better then 10 years ago. it's a great date spot or simple place to enjoy the mojitos and sangria with friends...
As much as i would like to say how expensive this spot is, it was quite an enjoyable dinner. 6 prawns for 14 bucks?? No no no, prawn skewers 4 for 5 bucks. Truffle fries were good, all spice was a bit unexpected in the mayo dip and gave it an original kick. Jerk pepper spiced short ribs were good too. Also 5 buck pints of angry scotch ale were on sale and complimented dinner nicely. Great commercial dr spot, not exactly latin american fare, but a great take on NA fare with a tad of cuban flare
I've been here a few times now. The services and the food always great!!! Good work, guys!
Good stuff. Guacamole was damn good. Good dating place
BREAKFAST. Best French toast in the city. My girlfriend and I go once a week just for it. Capncrunch is a great touch. I go for the charizo hash. And great americanos. Service is great 80 percent of the time. Very welcoming. I'm going there today!!!
Food is good, atmosphere always good, the whole experience is always consistant. Sangria is tasty!!
Great atmosphere and food. Best dish ever: Mussels in havana broth. Couldn't get enough of it. Great place to go on a hot summer night for a mojito with many flavors to choose from.
I still like. This place, even though, every time I go and am seated at the bar, I find a snippy jerk behind it. (Really, if you were that busy you wouldn't find time for all those personal calls, you pretentious buncha wackjobs.)
Other than that, the staff is great, the food not to bad (it was better) and the atmosphere very nice.
More than just a cafe.. The outside heated patio is the best. the prices are pricey, the pitcher of mojitos was good.
you must try the fried plantains when you go there.
service was awesome.
inside it's very much like an authentic Cuban cafe like in Cuba..
the beer is good if its on special otherwise it's expensive.
if you have a group of friends this is the place to go.
the bathrooms were clean and interesting.
they have like an art space/gallery in the back with is really cool.
had a conversation with some of the chefs on the night bus one late night and they seemed really cool too.
if your in the mood for some great decor and fried plantains .... go here.
Two words people..."chicken wrap". Although i gotta say the food here is in no way authentically Cuban, if you know what to order it's amazingly good. The chicken wrap is beyond words. Chicken pieces and grilled wrap and chipotle sauce, oh my. The sangria is the best in town, it's not cheap, but it is delicious. And the taquitos are delightful, with the red cabbage. Repeated visits are required.
My favourite patio.... A great place to spend some time watching the Commercial Drive crowd
Great Dinner!. The mojitos are truely good. We celebrated our 28th anniversary tonight and could agree that it was the best dinner out since Cartagena! We grabbed some business cards and will spread the word back home in Washington. We loved the eclectic neighborhood, too. Thanks.
Great Late dinner spot. Wonderful drinks, good food and great vibe. Everytime I go I wonder why I don't come more often
Really like this place for breakfast. Always bring out of towners here for brunch. Great scene, great space, great people watching and good brunch.
Mixers by the Jug. Havana's is a great place to relax on a hot day, they serve fantastic drinks by the jugs like Mojito's & Sangria's these also come in different flavors. The menu is a little limited but it is still tasty and the atmosphere is great and staff are inviting
Mmm, sangria. I'm not sure about the rest of the food, desserts, or drinks at Havana, but I do know that they have an awesome Sangria, worthy of coming back to!
Pleasant Patio Persona. I like eating here on the patio for brunch or a chicken salad. Often frequented by Drive neighbours and film industry types.
Fond memories on the patio eating with my love. Great atmosphere. Food is above average. Service was great.
Housing a theatre, gallery, and restaurant all in one, Havana is one of the most diverse buildings you can dine in. Serving a mix of Neuvo Latino and Cuban cocktails, Havana was worth the wait and turned out to be a beautiful restaurant for dinner along Commercial Drive. Food: Judging from the photo above, you can guess Team First Week and I enjoyed a number of tacos from Havana. For myself I ordered the Pulled Steak Taco and man was this scrumptious! Once this little masterpiece arrives and you grab the taco by the rim, it is literally about to burst from the inside; you get two choices: let the toppings fall out one by one or take a delicious chomp of happiness. Most opt for the latter, and the pulled steak (really it’s just beef) combines with the melting cheese and smothers your taste buds. Another great thing is that the tacos all come in pairs so it’s easy to split, share, and swap with other taco aficionados at your table. We looked around at what others were ordering and everyo
We originally had chosen this as our destination for their patio, a well recommended choice when searching up “the best patio in the Vancouver”, and a Commercial Drive staple 18 years strong. Without reservations and their unwillingness to take any unless your party has six of more, we gambled on being first to come and first to be served. Though given the chill of the early night and the whisper of wind, we instead opted for indoor seating with no wait, compared to the 30 minute turnover for a patio seat. I have been once years before, but I usually shy away from places that require a lengthy wait, no guaranteed reservations, or are too noisy. I consider my time valuable and want not to wait for a seat to only have to wait for the food I am paying for. And dining out for me is as much about the food and the experience as it is the company I keep. I attend such outings with friends and therefore each visit requires the ability to communicate and the possibility to converse. And here bo
Hello everyone! So last week I went to Havana's for the first time with my friends and obviously Phil. I heard many things about their awesome Sangrias so I was really excited to give this place a try. This restaurant is located on the busy street of Commercial. Parking was not too bad but during busy hours it might be difficult, so I recommend car pooling with your buddies if you are planning to go. My friend mentioned that it usually gets extremely busy during 6 but we were lucky enough to beat the rush and was able to get a table right away. We ordered a Pitcher of their Strawberry Lemonade Sangria . I was actually really disappointed because it was extremely bland and we all felt like we were drinking water. My friend told me last time she ordered it, it was way better. So for appetizer, we decided to order the Truffle Fries to share ($9.95). Which is not any normal dish of fries, it consists of classic fries, truffle oil, parsley & parmesan cheese. OMG, the love I have for t
I would have to say, the food is decent. But for the price I am paying for, I just really don’t know if it is worth the price. I guess the decor makes up for it. It was quite a busy morning, so service was a little slow and we waited for a bit for the food and the bill. If you are down for a quick breakfast in the area, or you want to visit the gallery you should give this a try. But I wouldn’t expect too much.
Can’t recommend Havana enough!!! Absolutely loved the atmosphere inside, and I’m sure outside seating on the patio would be just as enjoyable on a nicer day. Great music (in my opinion), awesome decor (we even got to contribute to the wall). Staff are super friendly & knowledgeable. All the food was phenomenal as well!!
Delicious food served in an exotic embiance. Our server was very kind and patience with great recommendations and suggestions. Awesome choice for a weekend get-together and an even better choice for special celebrations! Thank you for an amazing and memorable experience! :)
One of my favorite spots in "the Drive" area of Vancouver. The ambience whisks you away to what I could envision what it's like to be in Cuba. Lively, energetic, and of course the food that people must try if you aren't hooked already.
I've been many times and whether it's breakfast, brunch, or lunch those are my times to be here. Sit on the patio, have great conversation with friends, and people watch.
As far as cuisine. The Cuban Old Fashioned is a hit! The tostones are delicious and how can you not have a Cuban sandwich here? I'll definitely keep coming back...
We stumbled here by accident. The place is super cute, definitely has ambience of Cuba but I wished they played Spanish songs!
The food was so satisfying. We started off with ceviche and it was so good. The chips were crispy and crunchy. The show stopper was the octopus. Grilled to perfection and the potato wafer thing that came with it was genius.
The carnitas tacos and mussels are good too. Lots of flavours and highly recommend.
I love coming to Havana. Their patio is amazing, it has such a great ambiance and it is well covered and heated! Their happy hour is a great deal! They have many good options and the food is delicious. They also have many good drinks and pitchers of margaritas and mojitos which are delicious. Every time I have been here the service has been fantastic. The waitresses are so nice and super helpful. Can’t wait to visit again!
My second time here at Havana Vancouver.
HAVANA Vancouver is inspired by the colors and culture of old Havana, Cuba.
❗️Size of the food is small compared to the price.
✅ The atmosphere is really nice and vibrant with a lot of colors. You’ll have a good time there.
🤵♀️ The staff is friendly and agile. They are a little busy but take care of your order properly.
⏱ You have to wait a little longer than usual for your orders as they are overcrowded most of the time.
Recommendations:
* Ceviche for the table is perfect for appetizer
** Tacos are good if you are a fan
*** Paella is a must. But, not perfect.
Enjoy!👌
Picked this cute place randomly. It was a decent choice for my friend and me after eating nothing for 8+ hours. Cubano is almost the best sandwich I ever had. The cheese inside is stringy!!! First time to try Sangria and the sparking one was amazing. I will come back to try the rose one. Btw, the waitresses are super cool! 😆😆
This is a great spot for drinks before the fun improv shows that they host here. Highly recommend checking out one of the shows here! I also visited for brunch and the food was pretty good too. Came here with a party of 4 and the service was excellent. I ordered the enchilada brunch skillet and my partner ordered the croque senora
An error has occurred! Please try again in a few minutes