Is the food in Cuba really that bad?

[Boood]

Looking for somewhere to go for a fly and flop type holiday in February/March 2023. We want to go for a week or 10 days, not two whole weeks, so Indian Ocean is a bit too far away. Caribbean would be ideal, but it’s all so expensive! We’ve been to the Dom Rep a few times, would be happy to go there again but not to one of the huge complexes- would prefer a smaller hotel where we can explore a bit. So we were looking at Cuba. It looks beautiful, but the reviews of the food are really off-putting. Can anyone who has been tell me what it’s really like? Would probably be looking for 4 star, budget £2k per person at the absolute most.

The food in our AI place was fine but I did have the shits for the second week, didn't feel poorly or anything but had to be near a loo at all times (had a close shave whilst on a boat trip!). The son of someone we met on holiday was diagnosed with salmonella just as they got home and was really poorly.

Cuba is a fab place though (honestly!) Just go prepared!

I joyously still remember the cake covered in sugar puffs that we had in our hotel! Food limited really however we did have amazing lobster when there. Do go to Havana, it is not to be missed and food there was very good. It is beautiful but go not expecting the best dining experience.

We did AI about 12 years ago in Holguin and Havana. Lots of fresh food but limited range of ingredients. Very bland so the sweet and sour chicken on the chinese buffet night tasted just like the chicken caserole from the night before with some pineapple chucked in. Seem to remember a lot of marrow being in every dish. The traditional pork and beans is quite tasteless as well. However, bananas cooked in rum and plentiful Mojito's made up for it. I remember buying massive bottles of Havana Club for about £1 at the airport! Beautiful and fascinating place to visit though.

Most boring food I've ever eaten on holiday (or at home!) I love food and trying different dishes, it's one of my favourite things about travelling and I have a famously adventurous palate.
We tried to seek up the best places to eat as we travelled around the island - but that didn't help. I should have taken a pepper grinder with me in my suitcase!
It actually ruined the holiday for me, which is a shame because the country is very beautiful. But that's me, other people might not be bothered.

We stayed in a 5 star hotel in Havana then 5 in Varadero. Food is awful and bland. We both got diarrhea on day 2 so if you go take imodium! The 5 Hotel had no hot water for 2 of the 4 days.

It's a nice cultural trip but don't go for the food.

Whoops! I think my post got put in bold when I out the * next to the hotel ranking.

We went to Cayo Coco, worst holiday ever, I'd never go back. 4 star hotel and the food was awful. There were SO many mosquitos from both sides of the coast, you couldn't go anywhere without them landing on your face, arms, clothes etc. Going out at night was even worse. There is a reason it's cheap.

This is really interesting and helpful, thank you so much to everyone who has replied. It does sound as though Cuba may not be the place for us. We like to get out a bit and explore, but not if it’s actually difficult! So I loved Barbados because there’s basically one road and one bus route and everyone speaks English, so you feel like you know it inside out after a week. Sorry if that makes me sound really pedestrian. Oistins fish fry, yes- but not sure about being taxied to someone’s house for dinner. It’s kind of cool, but I’m not really extroverted enough for that. And I have to admit, I agree with people who say that food is an important element of the holiday. I generally pick hotels by finding the one in the area with the best food reviews for my budget and I would be pissed off and disappointed by spam for breakfast.

Hi OP, just want to say that it really IS worth visiting Cuba - it's history and politics are so fascinating, and they are the reason why the food supply and procurement issues are what they are.

We met incredible people, learned salsa dancing, listened to the some of the most incredible street music EVERYWHERE we went... Drank a lot of rum and listened to people's incredible stories and had a blast - as well as eating a ton of the freshest lobster ever... I even tried a cigar!

For us the breakfast spam was honestly kind of fun and completely part of the once-in-a-lifetime Cuban experience. But since it sounds like that's not what you're in the mood for then fair enough :)

Cuba is very difficult for vegetarians! I was caught out several times by surprise meat hidden inside bread rolls. The food really wasn't great, not surprisingly as everyone has said. Cuba is definitely worth visiting but for its own merits and not as an alternative to Indian Ocean islands! Other places in Caribbean may be a more relaxing break.

Cuba is fantastic I traveled around the country and loads of people told me to take a bottle of Tabasco with me to add flavour I didn't and regret it to this day. I am pescatarian and had no problem finding things to eat it was just all a bit bland

It's a communist country. The people live on basic rations while the tourists enjoy the best of the food available.

The food at the hotel was okay, but not fantastic. There was an abundance of great fruit, but vegetables were limited. It was mostly pork and fish. I don't think vegetarians would cope well, certainly not vegans!

We ate at one of the hotel workers house and she went out shopping and came back with some meat. Half an hour later a man turned up with a live Turkey, which was supposed to be dinner, but she said it was too late now as she had already started cooking. All on the "black market" of course!

Lots of rice and peas (beans) which were amazing and I could quite happily eat every day.

We went and was a while back, food at AI hotel was fine, outside food was dire and definitely don't venture into a non-tourist approved toilet unless things have massively improved. I would not go back to Cuba or recommend it. Caribbean and Costa Rica were far nicer and much better holidays and would return to them especially Costa Rica though for the wildlife and rainforest rather than food. The hotel in Cuba was fine but could have been anywhere similar though it was good value but lots of water cuts and quite extreme poverty outside hotel.

Food in the hotel was good

outside the hotel I had some lovely food. Basic but it was very good but then the best food I have had hasn’t been in star rated restaurants

it depends on what you considered good food and what you like