Discover Havana’S Restaurant
Walking into Havana’S Restaurant at 1 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach, NC 28428, United States feels like stepping off the boardwalk and straight into a family kitchen where everyone already knows your name. I first dropped in after a long surf session, starving and slightly sunburned, and the server laughed when I asked what people usually order. She pointed at the chalkboard menu and said locals never skip the Cuban sandwich, so I followed her advice and never looked back.
That sandwich isn’t just hype. The bread is pressed until it crackles, the pork is marinated overnight, and the balance of pickle, mustard, and melted Swiss hits that perfect salty-tangy-savory trifecta. The process is classic Cuban technique: slow-roasting the pork shoulder at low heat, resting it so the juices redistribute, then slicing it thin before pressing. According to culinary research from the Culinary Institute of America, resting meat before slicing can reduce moisture loss by up to 15 percent, which explains why their pork never feels dry. You don’t need to know the science to enjoy it, but it’s cool when the flavor backs up the method.
Over the years I’ve brought visiting friends, coworkers, even my picky aunt who claims she doesn’t like Cuban food. She ordered the ropa vieja on a dare and ended up scraping the plate clean. That shredded beef simmers for hours in tomato, garlic, and bell pepper, and it shows. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association notes that long braising breaks down connective tissue, making tougher cuts tender without sacrificing depth, which is exactly what happens here.
The menu keeps things approachable. You’ll see empanadas, black beans and rice, plantains caramelized to that deep golden brown, and a kids’ menu that actually makes sense for families on vacation. I once chatted with the manager about sourcing, and he mentioned they buy produce locally when possible, especially in peak summer. That lines up with what the North Carolina Department of Agriculture promotes about regional sourcing reducing transport time and preserving freshness.
Reviews around town echo what regulars already know: this diner-style spot punches above its weight. It’s not pretending to be a white-tablecloth bistro. Instead, it’s a place where flip-flops are welcome, iced tea refills come fast, and you can watch the kitchen hustle during the lunch rush. TripAdvisor and Yelp both consistently rank it among the top casual dining locations in Carolina Beach, with diners praising the friendly staff as much as the food.
One afternoon I saw a cook teaching a new hire how to properly fry plantains. He explained the double-fry method, first to soften, then smashing them flat before the final crisping. It’s the same technique documented by food historian María Elena García in her studies of Caribbean cuisine, and it’s why their tostones shatter slightly when you bite in.
Not everything is perfect, and it’s fair to say the dining room can feel cramped during peak tourist season. Parking on Lake Park Boulevard also gets tight in July, so plan a short walk if you’re driving. Still, that’s part of the charm of a beach town joint that locals haven’t let go corporate.
What keeps me coming back is the mix of consistency and heart. You don’t get a different plate every time; the flavors stay steady, which is harder than it sounds in a small restaurant with rotating staff. The owner once told me their secret is a handwritten prep binder with step-by-step methods, from how long beans soak to the exact spice blend for the pork. It’s old-school, but it works.
Whether you’re hunting for a quick breakfast before hitting the sand or a laid-back dinner after a day of fishing, this spot earns its reputation the honest way, one pressed sandwich and one happy table at a time.
