5 must-visit Cuban-inspired venues in Liverpool

One of the best Cuban spots in Liverpool may not look much from the outside, after all it is an old church so you would never guess the madness that goes on inside. St Peter’s Church, as it was once called, has stood the test of the time after it opened 1788 and since then it has been given a facelift, blessed by Mother Theresa, and in 2005 it was transformed into the stunning Alma De Cuba.

Alma De Cuba is known for its unique and independent spirit which celebrates a mixture of Cuban, Hispanic and Latin American culture. For a true Cuban experience, you should try the Hamburguesa Santiago de Cuba with delicious Cuban fries or the Filete de Cerdo (pork steak – a Cuban staple). You also can’t leave without sampling a mojito or two while you watch the stunning Samba dancers steal the show or show off a few dance moves of your own.

Another Cuban hotspot in Liverpool is Revolución De Cuba where you can enjoy all the tastes, sounds and vibes of Havana without the travel expenses. If you are looking to sample the food, you can select from a range of delicious Tapas-style dishes including the pork belly skewers, vegan chimichurri corn, jamón croquettas, ginger beer chicken nachos and more. They also serve up some main dishes if you are feeling extra hungry – favourites include the classic cubano sandwich or the paella de Cuba with some added chorizo spice. 

If you are in a party mood and want to skip the food, you should head straight to the bar and try out a Cuban icon cocktail like a classic mojito or a Cuba libre with Havana Club Añejo Especial rum, Coca–Cola Zero and lime. For something stronger, you should look to the Cantineros Corner on the menu, which features select pics from the talented bartenders, such as the Old Cuban, a spicy twist on an Old Fashioned with Matusalem Añejo rum, Aperol, Il Baco da Seta Prosecco, lime and sugar. While you sip on your drink you can relax and listen to some live music and if you are up for it find yourself a good spot and settle in for an all-night fiesta, which will make you feel as though you are in the heart of Havana.

If you are on the lookout for the best Cuban cocktails in Liverpool, look no further than Berry and Rye – a tiny drinking den in the heart of the Ropewalks district. Here, you can get comfortable in one of the cosy booths and browse through the menu of 30 different cocktails, 80 whiskies and more alcoholic delights. 

Berry and Rye offers a few Cuban-inspired cocktails including the much-loved El Presidente with Havana 3yr rum, Carpano Antica, dry Curacao and grenadine. This is actually a prohibition-era cocktail which originated in Cuba and was often bootlegged in the Manhattan area. You can sip on your once-illegal beverage while listening to some Liverpool talents perform every Sunday to Thursday from 8:30pm.

Another hidden cocktail haunt is ExDirectory, a speakeasy bar, which you can only enter via a phone box with the secret password. To guarantee entry, make sure you book in advance and avoid disappointment at this subterranean-style bar.

This is the perfect place for a girls night, where you can enjoy plenty of cocktails with a side of gossip and dancing. If you’ve got a good group together, you should definitely try the sharers which come in an oversized and fancy glass bowl or even a bathtub and are filled with your favourite alcoholic beverages and juicy fruit. For something more simple, why not try a classic Cuban mojito which actually comes in a cute mini red phone box and tastes just as delicious as it looks.

This list wouldn’t be complete without the renowned Cuban street food vendor – Cahita which has set up a permanent residency in Liverpool’s Duke Street Market. They first became known back in 2016 when they started serving up their famous Cahita grilled cubano sandwich, which is filled with Mojo pork shoulder, roast ham, sliced chorizo, gouda cheese, house pickle, sweet mustard and mojo mayo. They now also offer a veggie version with the halloumi cubano sandwich with roasted red pepper, chilli jam, green pesto, house pickle and gouda cheese. 

Got a sweet tooth? You need to try the life-changing Cahita Latin buñuelo doughnuts with Mantecado (vanilla) ice cream, honey spiced peanuts and salted caramel. If you are feeling extra hungry, you should opt for the doughnut sharer with hot chocolate caramel dipping sauce.