HAVANA’S BEST ICE CREAM
Helad’oro, La Habana
Being that July is “National Ice Cream Month” we couldn’t let it end without writing a blog about the best ice cream in Havana, Cuba. You will find Havana’s best ice cream at a shop in Old Havana, not far from one of Hemingway’s haunts, La Bodeguita del Medio. It’s a tiny place that seats about ten, but your best bet is to grab your cone or cup and walk the neighborhood.
The ice cream is artisanal, and most flavors are either tropical fruit or new interpretations of traditional Cuban flavors, with a few that tip their hat to the United States. Like Twix, Snickers, Nutella, and M&M. The traditional Cuban flavors are “dulce de leche,” peanut nougat, mojito, mango, mamey, guayaba, and traditional Cuban flavors with a twist like oshun, tropical breakfast, and moka loca. Other flavors are Nutella brownie, mint, almendron, and café Mejicano.
They sell coffee, like shots of Cuban coffee, cappuccino, American coffee, coffee with ice cream and toppings, and tea. And as if that weren’t enough, they also make great milk shakes and brownies! Ask for Hector and tell him Frank sent you. Helad’oro is at Aguiar 206 between Enpedrado and Tejadillo. Enjoy!
By Frank Gonzalez