La Bodeguita del Medio
A legendary small tavern near the Cathedral, said to be one of the birthplaces of the mojito, with walls covered in signatures from visitors from around the world and musicians often playing at the door.
La Bodeguita del Medio opened in 1942 on Calle Empedrado near the Plaza de la Catedral. The narrow space has walls and a ceiling covered in visitors' messages. The bar is crowded with tourists ordering mojitos, and the bartenders work in an assembly-line fashion. A mojito costs about $5–8. The back room and upstairs make up a Cuban home-style restaurant, where you can try roast pork and black beans with rice. A wall inscription attributed to Hemingway reads “My mojito in La Bodeguita, my daiquiri in El Floridita,” though its authenticity is disputed.
Opening hours
Approx. 10:00–24:00
Nearby sights
- Havana Cathedral & Plaza de la Catedral
- Hotel Ambos Mundos
- Plaza de Armas & Castillo de la Real Fuerza
- Calle Obispo
- Museum of the Revolution
- Plaza de San Francisco de Asís
- National Museum of Fine Arts of Havana
- Plaza Vieja