Laurent Cafe
Accessed by an antique elevator,
Café Laurent is set in an old penthouse overlooking Vedado. Local chef Dayron Avilés Alfonso has designed the Spanish Basque-based menu, which has a focus on fish and seafood dishes. Diners tuck into beautifully presented plates of paella and red snapper in salsa verde in a bright and airy space - all whitewashed interiors and wide glass windows.
A back wall papered with 1950s magazines adds a touch of character, while the balcony is the best spot for taking in the incredible city views. Don’t judge a book by its cover - the antique elevator of this ramshackle building takes you up to a stylish modernist dining room on the fourth floor.
Chef Dayron Aviles Alfonso’s Spanish-influenced menu excels in seafood, from paella to red snapper in green sauce. The ‘50s furniture and newspaper cuttings lend the place a retro vibe, while the balcony reveals gorgeous views over Vedado and the sea.