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It’s 1957 and Havana is the pinnacle of glamour for the casino crowd. Cuba is awash with rich Americans seeking lavish tropical nights of gambling and fabulous floor shows. Meyer Lansky has been appointed as special advisor on gambling reform, bringing half of Miami and Vegas along with him. The Communist Castro regime is two years in the future. And you are in the middle of Havana at its apex—sitting in a green velvet booth washing your croquetas down with a Cuba Libre, your feet tapping a little contratiempo beat to the sounds of the Son Cubano band. At least that’s what it feels like—because everything from the stuffed green plantains to the towering palm over the central stage at celebrates Havana’s golden era and Cuban American culture.
Havana 1957 brings authentic flavors, lively entertainment, and a dynamic atmosphere that will transport you straight to the streets of Havana.
We visited on a Friday evening right as the music was getting started. It’s a festive atmosphere with a little spontaneous dancing (even by our server, who had some serious moves while balancing a tray). The room, which seats around 250, was a good mix of couples on a romantic date and larger groups. If we weren’t sitting in one of the plush velvet booths in the back, we’d take a seat around the expansive central bar to watch the bartenders at work.
Traditional dishes like ropa vieja (braised flank steak), pork masitas (citrus-marinated fried pork), and the beyond-delicious specialty, Pollo Havana 1957—a marinated, roasted chicken served with rice and black beans and plantains. Feeling spendy: Order the two knockout pineapple-glazed lobster tails in Creole sauce (still a bargain by Strip standards). The spicy guava margarita is a must-order.
It’s not billed as a restaurant for kids, but Havana 1957 would welcome them—and with all the great music, you might not even need an electronic babysitter.
