The soul of Cuban flavor - Empanada

Empanada is a traditional snack popular among locals, with a crispy crust and a rich filling. The dough is rolled out into a thin circle, wrapped in carefully seasoned meats, vegetables, cheeses and even fruits, and fried or baked to a golden color. A single bite reveals a crispy exterior and a juicy interior, where spices and ingredients blend to create a rich texture.

The stalls around Plaza Mayor offer a wide variety of empanadas: beef empanadas are savory and slightly spicy, chicken empanadas are tender and juicy, and cheese empanadas are rich and creamy. If you have a sweet tooth, an Empanada with banana or pineapple will give you a pleasant surprise.

Must-try street food - Tostones

Tostones are a popular street food in Cuba. The bananas are sliced and fried, then flattened with a stone or a pastry press and fried again until golden brown and crispy. This double-cooking keeps the tostones perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Often served with garlic sauce or lime juice, the crispy fried banana slices are dipped in a bit of tart sauce, bringing a salty and refreshing collision with every bite. Stroll along the stone streets of Plaza Mayor with a steaming packet of tostones in hand, eating as you go, and soaking up some of the city's most authentic flavors.

Ropa Vieja, a classic not to be missed

Ropa Vieja is one of Cuba's most iconic national dishes, but as a tapas version, it also has a unique presentation. The dish is based on slow-cooked beef, which is stewed until tender, then gently torn into thin shreds with a fork and slowly sautéed with tomato sauce, onions, green peppers, garlic, and other spices so that each shred of beef fully absorbs the flavors of the sauce.

At the food stalls around Plaza Mayor, Ropa Vieja is often sandwiched into bread and made into simple beef sandwiches for easy consumption. The meat is soft and tender with a rich sauce, and paired with the Cuban bread that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, each bite is memorable.

A refreshing and unctuous choice - Yuca con Mojo

Cassava is a common root ingredient on the Cuban table, and Yuca con Mojo is made by boiling cassava until soft and tender, then drizzling it with a sauce made of olive oil, garlic, lime juice and herbs. It's a simple but flavorful dish, with the dense texture of the cassava blending perfectly with the sourness and saltiness of the sauce, making it a very local snack.

Yuca con Mojo can be served either as a main dish or as a side dish. When you are tired of walking, find a street corner stall and have a steaming hot Yuca con Mojo to feel the comfort and satisfaction brought by this dish.

Guarapo - a tropical drink

In the alleys around Plaza Mayor, you can often hear the crunching sound of sugarcane being juiced, and Guarapo is one of Cuba's most iconic natural beverages, made from freshly pressed sugarcane.

This drink retains the natural sweetness and refreshing taste of sugar cane, and when chilled, the Guarapo is perfect for the hot Cuban weather. Walking down a sunny street with a glass of light green sugar cane juice in your hand, every sip is like savoring the sweetness and vitality of the tropics.

Plaza Mayor is not only a landmark of history and culture, but also a paradise for food lovers. From crunchy Empanada to savory Ropa Vieja sandwiches, from sweet Buñuelos to thirst-quenching Guarapo, these unique Cuban snacks will not only satisfy your taste buds, but also give you a deeper understanding of the land's flavors and stories.