Atelier keeps getting better, recent renovations have improved the place while the food remains excellent. Atelier is run by Niuris Higueras who has a passion for creating food. She is the driving force–modest, capable, and warm. She defines the style of the food as signature cuisine, an experimental culinary workshop. The food changes every day, every week, hence those handwritten menu. Eclectic, everything from Falafels, Pato confitado [candied duck], Lomito de res con camarones y Espuma de apio al olivo [sirloin steak with shrimp and celery mousse], Conejo al vino [rabbit in wine] to cerdo asado (roast pork). Desserts are standard (flan, tarts, ice cream) but good.

The large main room is decorated with sparse modern lines, inside a typically idiosyncratic Vedado mansion. Two balconies have boundless cushions for the outdoor lounge. An antique hob outside, old sewing and adding machines inside make the place retro yet not old.

 ‘This is such a good-looking restaurant in Vedado and with consistently quality food that nowadays is difficult to get in without a reservation. It is set in an old house located in Calle 5 and decorated by original art (mostly for sale, by the way), and with table settings that highlight antique china and glassware. The food is good, I personally love the filet mignon and I have heard wonders about the rabbit. But one thing I can’t resist is the falafel, the Middle East-inspired appetizer, totally vegetarian and made with chickpeas, served with a yogurt dressing. Order it next time, not an easy treat to find in Cuba.’

The falafel at the Atelier:

This is such a good-looking restaurant in Vedado and with consistently quality food that nowadays is difficult to get in without a reservation. It is set in an old house located in Calle 5 and decorated by original art (mostly for sale, by the way), and with table settings that highlight antique china and glassware. The food is good, I personally love the filet mignon and I have heard wonders about the rabbit. But one thing I can’t resist is the falafel, the Middle East-inspired appetizer, totally vegetarian and made with chickpeas, served with a yogurt dressing. Order it next time, not an easy treat to find in Cuba.