LibbyFew things are as decadent as sleeping in and someone else making you breakfast. While Bar Habana has more options than just brunch, but starting your day with someone else making your coffee is a mood booster. Dining out is becoming more complex (steak dinner, in this economy?!), and luckily bacon and eggs tend not to break the bank.
With bright sunny windows flanking the bar and front seating area, this cute spot channels a bit of big sister La Cubana’s vibe. The tropics may be out of your reach this winter but after a few punchy cocktails, you may feel fooled by this Gerrard Street gem.
YOUR BEACHY BRUNCH AWAITS, ESCAPE TO BAR HABANA
Kitschy Hawaiian shirts set the tone. Awash in pretty coastal colours, the space is lush and inviting. With a banquette of booths and a generous bar, authenticity reigns supreme at this east-end outpost. Bar Habana‘s cocktails (cocteles) do not hold back. Combining classic Cuban recipes with signature premium liquors, like the Sangre de Vida ($18), made with Polska Rye Vodka, cherry liqueur and dry red wine feels like a departure from the basic mimosa.
If you’re looking for something sweeter, the Angel Azul ($18) beckons in blue. Crafted with tequila, vanilla liqueur and pineapple juice, this dessert-like concoction plays up on the confection, candy floss included. Other hits include the Lampara ($18) a boozy little number replete with a flaming sugar cube and Cosquilloso ($18) with elderflower liqueur and Havana Anejo Blanco. And of course, classic Cafe Con Leche and Cafe Cubanos round up some non-alcoholic hot beverages.
BAR HABANA’S MENU IS ONLY BUILT 4 CUBAN LINX
You can safely sleep most of the day away, brunch is served until 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. The focus is five fantastic plates, like the Cuban Breakfast ($22) with crispy pork belly, two sunny-side up eggs, pineapple salsa, traditional rice + beans and tangy red cabbage slaw. It’s a feat to eat. It’s a very stick-to-your-ribs warmth that feels like a hug from within, this could very well feed two people.
Chorizo Hash ($20) also features rice + beans, but replacing the pork belly for made-in-house picquante chorizo. Dishes feature signature Cuban inclusions, like pickled jalapenos or yuca fries, or in sweet dishes like the Banana French Toast ($17), with dulce de leche and coconut whipped cream. Portions are quite generous, but shareable too.
Capturing the nuances of their sibling spot, La Cubana (yes, of course The Cubano is here too), Bar Habana is a vibrant east-end addition with decadent and classic Cuban dishes. This pocket of Gerrard is known for culinary gems, and this cute taberna fits right in.
All images by Libby Roach.