Welcome to Havana 1920
Havana 1920, nestled in the heart of San Diego, embodies the vibrant spirit of Cuba with its lively atmosphere and delectable cuisine. This cozy, trendy venue welcomes all, offering a taste of Cuban culture through its tantalizing dishes and live music. From the mouthwatering empanadas to the flavorful Ropa Vieja, each bite reflects Chef Gustavo's passion for authentic flavors. Whether you're enjoying a casual lunch or a romantic dinner, the warm ambiance sets the stage for unforgettable dining experiences. With outdoor seating and a variety of vegan options, Havana 1920 is truly a gem for food lovers and thrill-seekers alike.
- 548 5th Ave San Diego, CA 92101 United States Hotline: (619) 369-1920
Welcome to Havana 1920, a vibrant slice of Cuban culture nestled in the heart of San Diego at 548 5th Ave. This specialty cocktail bar transports diners to a lively Havana street corner with its rich flavors, live music, and warm ambiance. Whether you’re in the mood for a casual bite or a romantic dinner, Havana 1920 offers a charming atmosphere decorated with historical artifacts, infusing a sense of authenticity that captures the essence of Cuba.
As you step inside, you’ll be greeted by the sounds of live Latin music, setting the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. Diners rave about the incredible atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for gatherings, celebrations, or simply unwinding after a long day. The welcoming staff, as described by frequent patrons, contributes to the restaurant's reputation as a hidden gem.
- Unique Offerings: The menu is a celebration of Cuban cuisine, featuring empanadas that can introduce your palate to delightful savory bursts, including the Empanada de Jamon y Queso and the robust Cubanita Empanada filled with tender pork and Swiss cheese.
- Chef’s Specials: Don’t miss the Bad Ass Fries topped with avocado cream and jalapenos, and the indulgent Enchiladas that offer a choice of filling, each delivering a taste of Cuba’s culinary heritage.
- Sweet Treats: For dessert, indulge in the traditional Cuban Flan, though reviews suggest exploring other options first.
- Signature Drinks: Complement your meal with a refreshing Cuban Cortado or dive into a margarita flight for a spirited twist during your visit.
The ambiance at Havana 1920 is as impressive as the menu. The lighting is just right, creating an intimate yet trendy setting perfect for dinner dates or friendly gatherings. The outdoor seating is inviting, while the casual dress code ensures that everyone feels right at home. With wheelchair accessibility and catering options available, Havana 1920 is committed to providing an inclusive dining experience for all patrons.
In summary, Havana 1920 is not just a restaurant; it is a cultural journey. As customers have shared actively, "The food, live music, and vibes are unmatched," truly encapsulating the spirited essence of this San Diego gem. Whether you are a local or just visiting, make it a point to savor the incredible offerings and vibrant atmosphere at Havana 1920. It promises not only a meal but a memorable experience that beckons you to return.

The food live music and vibes are unmatched thanking you for always having welcoming staff that are top notch professionals a true San Diego gem.

We started with an order of the beef empanada, although I have a weird feeling we did not get that we got the papa rellena and we didn't really enjoy it. It had beef and potato inside, wish we had tried the croquet instead. . Also, had the fried Yucca, they were OK. We ordered the bistec plate, the steak was delicious as were the rice and beans. Fiied plantains and salad were okay. Ordered a Cuban cortado took about 20 min to get that. Also, ordered the flan it's an easy skip, it was dense and it tasted heavy and not light like it should. Overall, it's a place with great ambiance and fun music.

What a not so secret place to dine! Went to an Galentines event that was hosted here. My bff and I were completely surprised and ecstatic about our experience here. Not only do they have delicious food and cocktails, but the live music and vibe is EVERYTHING! During our Galentines event, we got to sample all their best food! The experience was so much fun because the servers and staff were also very welcoming and made our time here much more fun! If you were ever to come here I'd recommend: The plantains mariquitas Plantains muduros Picadillo Lechon asado And refresh with the pineapple soda!

Just wow!! Good service, awesome food, and a great little restaurant. Will do this one again just to try all the unique foods!!

This hidden gem is amazing! We had our company party here and it was great! From the food to the service, and ambiance with the live Latin band. Our group was impressed. All the empanadas were delicious! Croquetas, and the seńoritas cheese and guava! Morgan, Ricky; Taylor, Perry and crew were attentive and hospitable. We will definitely return.

The ambiance is welcoming and warm and they play great music. Our server was really nice but we only saw him when he took our order, when he filled our empty waters, and when the check was dropped off. Felt like he was the only server for the entire dinning room. The food was good. My ropa vieja had a little too much cumin but I still enjoyed it. The portions are large and we left with full bellies. The plantains were sooo good. I could eat an entire plate of just that. FYI If you pay by credit card they'll add a 3.99% surcharge. Thankfully I had cash so I avoided paying the extra charge.

A group of eight of us stopped by Havana 1920 for lunch on a Sunday afternoon. Upon arrival we were quickly greeted and sat upstairs in a speakeasy type area near the back bar. The space is small but inviting, I've never been to Havana but I can image its filled with places like this. Our server Arturo was awesome! He was very attentive and was also our bartender. All the drinks were delicious and he overheard that we were celebrating a birthday and made us a round of shots that were really good! If I remember correctly it was the Hotel Nacional drink that he made into shots for us to celebrate. We ordered several different dishes and everyone loved the food. The Cubano was my personal favorite, I will definitely be ordering it again. They start you off with some fried plantains for the table with a couple different dipping sauces which is a nice touch. They offer several different coffees and after dinner drink options like the traditional Cuban Cortado which Arturo made custom for different tastes, lastly he also brought out a churro & ice cream dessert for the table to share which hit the spot! It was all of our first time visiting Havana 1920 but won't be the last! The service, food and ambiance was 10/10, thank you so much for a great experience it was great way to kick off our friend's Birthday in San Diego.

First time here. They had live music playing that evening. I checked in and got a FREE Item per chef choice by checking in. So do this next time you are here. Staff was friendly and helpful. He gave us advice on what to try. We tried the Cuban sandwich; yuca frita with mojo; plantain chips, and ceviche. Everything tasted good. We did have to wait a long time for the food so the waitress discounted an item. That was very nice of him. All in all we had a good time. The decor was great and I even got up to look around as I loved the historical pictures and items. Will be back.

Came here for a late lunch while on vacation with a friend. The flavoring of the food was great. Service was acceptable and our particular server was very sweet. I opted to go for a margarita flight because I was feeling a bit saucy on vacation. Those were really good. Nice and strong, which I liked. My only complaint is when I ordered my steak medium rare, it came to the table completely well done. I asked my server if we could have it fixed. She obliged, but when the platter came back the steak was cold in the middle and completely blue. By that point, I just wasn't feeling it anymore and asked to have the platter removed from our tab. Our server was incredibly apologetic and did as requested. She even offered us dessert after we had completed our meal. The decor of the restaurant was so fun! There is a lot to look at while you are dining with friends. On the day we dined here, there was a live band that set up and started playing in the middle of our meal. We stayed longer than it took to finish our meal so we could listen to the band.