El Floridita

In Cuba, El Floridita and its famous daiquiris are a popular tourist attraction,  and for good reason. Often referred to as the birthplace of the daiquiri, this elegant cocktail bar became one of the city’s most iconic spots. Founded in 1817, this elegant cocktail bar became world-famous thanks to one of its most loyal customers: the American writer Ernest Hemingway. You’ve probably heard of him, he’s one of the most influential authors of the early 20th century, known for books like The Sun Also Rises, A Farewell to Arms, and The Old Man and the Sea, the novel that earned him the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954. While Hemingway was a regular in many iconic bars around the world, he left his lasting mark in Havana. In the final years of his life, he came to El Floridita every day at 10 a.m., always sitting at table number one. After his death, the owners decided to honour his memory by placing a bronze statue of him at his favourite spot — where it still sits today. If you want to keep following Hemingway’s footsteps, you can also visit his other favourite bar, known for its mojitos: La Bodeguita del Medio.