Fernando Saralegui

Best Eats Havana

Havana surprises, entices, and beguiles at every corner, with a culinary scene to match, and a cuisine that once again is being influenced by the world while reinforcing its Spanish and Creole traditions. Thriving bars and contemporary eateries now sit side- by- side with traditional paladares and exceptional street vendors selling Caribbean staples. But how is a visitor to know where to find the best authentic dishes?

Chef Fernando Saralegui is your guide. Born in Cuba, he returned to the island in 2013 and has been a frequent visitor ever since in his mission to celebrate his country’s food, people, and culture. Best Eats Havana combines restaurant reviews, essays on Cuban food, and snapshots of the culinary scene in this time of great change for the country, along with a handful of recipes from the classics (lechon asado, ropa vieja) to the cutting edge of contemporary cuisine.

With a record- breaking five million tourists visiting Cuba in 2017 and few food- specific guides out there, this will be an indispensable companion for both first- time visitors and seasoned travelers alike.

Fernando Saralegui

Long story short...ish. I was born in Havana, Cuba. I’ve been in the the restaurant game for a while. I received my BA in Theatre Set Design from UC Berkeley where I also worked at Chez Panisse restaurant, my true alma mater. Since then, I've opened restaurants from Los Angeles to New York to Austin. My gastronomic endevours extend outside of the kitchen as well.

Living in Austin, TX, I became the Executive Director of the Austin Food Festival's antecedent, The Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival. I wrote a cookbook, "Our Latin Table," which garnered an invitation to cook Cuban Thanksgiving at the James Beard House. Restaurant consulting, several culinary TV pilots and school children's gardens later fill in the rest of my time.

I recently completed my second book, "Best Eats Havana," published by W. W. Norton&Co., about Cuba's entrepreneurial restaurant, bar, and night life scene.

My Work

Some Recent Projects

My passion for food has touched upon every professional endevour of my career. I've cooked it, written about it, and promoted it... Food, hospitality, and design are my life.

Best Eats Havana

Havana surprises, entices and bewilders at every corner. A guide to the thriving restaurant scene in today’s Havana.

Our Latin Table

My family cookbook that tells the story of how our family stays in touch with each other and our Cuban/Basque heritage through the table and kitchen. Delicious, easy to prepare recipes... From my family to yours.

Papi’s Kitchen

One of Austin's first virtual restaurants. Latino fare from burritos to paellas to taco bars. Please contact for menus and pricing.

Farm 2 Business

Farm to Business, F2B, team building that promotes productivity, builds bonds and cultivates creativity. Breaking ground, breaking eggs, breaking bread.

Winston Restaurant

Restaurant consulting is my passion, from menu and bar to service and marketing. Winston is a new American restaurant in MT. Kisco, NY. www.winstonrestaurant.com.

L-Ray

My sophomore restaurant outing. A reflection of my culinary travels and family traditions until then. Cuba, Mexico, Texas and Louisiana.

Latino Fare

Party?
Try a Paella!
"Austin's best Latino catering"

Alva

My first love and always will be my favorite restaurant project.

Papi's Kitchen Series

Bilingual TV series teaching children their food sources.

Star Date Cafe

The McDonald Observatory was building a new visitor’s center with a cafe. With a wonderful contemporary and dynamic room designed by the architect, I came in to design a menu and kitchen.

QSR Development

I was brought in to help with the design elements of evolving QSR's for airports and stadiums of the beloved Food Network brand

Street

International street food. I was brought in to create vibrant and global look

Contact

For media inquiries or general questions, email me or fill out the contact form below