Pablo’s Havana Café
About Pablo’s Havana Café:
Moving from Cuba to New Jersey and eventually finding himself in Columbus, OH, Pablo’s Havana founder Pablo Taura quickly realized the void of authentic Cuban cuisine here. Growing up with recipes filled with love and spanning five generations, Pablo had to bring this experience to the North Market and The Little Grand Market for all to share in. With inspiration from his mother and grandmother, everything is made from scratch and with attention to detail to ensure every meal from Pablo’s is special just like when he was growing up. Pablo’s Havana offers authentic Cuban staples like tostones, croquetas, empanadas, soups, deserts and of course their Signature “El Cubano” pressed cuban sandwich. This sandwich is known so well, Pablo has truckers with routes from Miami to Michigan that plan their routes so they can stop and enjoy these masterpieces!
How Did The Idea Come About?
While working for one of the largest fast food chains in the world, Pablo learned a tremendous amount and was inspired by their root work ethic, systems, and routines. He worked as a regional and training manager and eventually supervised corporate and franchise stores which primed him for the business side of things. Pablo’s Havana is also a tribute to his mother who upon seeing the restaurant menu for the first time was so proud and was enthusiastically showing and telling everyone about it. Pablo had attempted several times to contact the North Market and hadn’t heard back. About a year later, the North Market approached him about joining Bridge Park and Pablo was ready for the demonstration that solidified his spot in this merchant community.
What’s Your Favorite Thing About Being a Part of The North Market?
Whether it’s the employees or the customers, Pablo loves to make everyone feel like family to him. With such a unique and vibrant atmosphere for the neighborhood the North Market Bridge Park has captured its own essence of food and spirits for the community. Talking to people about his food is a passion of Pablo’s and he has enjoyed talking to visitors on the Columbus Food Tour as they have made stops there before. It is important for them to be involved in the community while being able to see, interact with and serve those same people that have supported him for so long.
What are Must Orders on the Menu?
- The Cuban
- Empanadas
- Desserts (tres leche and flan)
- Ropa Vieja (shredded beef w/ onions, pepper and garlic and tomato sauce)
- Cuban Frita (hidden secret-cuban hamburger)
Story of Pablo’s Havana and Pablo Taura:
With his mothers roots from Northern Spain and family having farms and cooking for farmers since the beginning, It seems as though Pablo was destined for this. When his grandmother married his grandfather, she started cooking for farmers again and they eventually ended up in Havana where they started a Casa De Huespedes which means “House of People Who Stay There.” Look at it as a Bed & Breakfast, but you live there as if you were renting and each day breakfast and dinner are prepared and provided for you just like a B&B. His grandmother moved to the U.S. in the 80’s and he remembers that she was always cooking. Pablo even jokes about coming in and his grandmother having him try things early in the morning she was working on for dinner later that night. A true labor of love that Pablo has managed to bring to all visitors that are looking for that truly special experience and a bite of authentic Cuban history.
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Website:
Merchant's operating hours:
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Monday: 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday: 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Holiday Hours