Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamara Landeiro.
Hi Tamara , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1979. Growing up, I was inspired by my family’s recipes and dreamed that one day I might have my own restaurant, serving those same dishes to the community. As I grew older, however, that dream became an idea I carried quietly in the back of my mind while the demands of everyday life in Cuba took priority. I earned degrees in finance and accounting, worked in several administrative positions, and started a family of my own.
In 2014, my eldest daughter, Thalia, who was becoming a promising young chess player in Cuba, received an opportunity to participate in a prestigious competition in St. Louis, Missouri. That moment became a turning point for our family. We left Cuba behind in search of new opportunities in the United States, and over time, St. Louis became our home. The transition was difficult, but step by step, we began building a new life here.
In 2019, I finally decided to give myself a chance and pursue my longtime dream of owning a restaurant. An opportunity arose to rent a stall at Soulard Farmers Market and sell food on the weekends, so I invested my time, savings, and energy to see where the idea might lead. From the beginning, the response was incredible. Customers were excited not only by the novelty of Cuban food in St. Louis, but also by the authenticity and quality of our cooking. Their support encouraged me to take an even greater leap: leaving my office job and becoming a full-time entrepreneur.
I did not yet have the resources to open a traditional restaurant, but at the beginning of 2020, I had the opportunity to purchase a food truck. Soon afterward, the COVID-19 pandemic began, and at first, we feared that the timing could not have been worse. Instead, the truck’s mobility became an incredible advantage. We traveled to neighborhoods throughout the greater St. Louis area, serving food to residents who gathered safely outdoors and reconnected after long periods of isolation. That experience kept our business moving forward, introduced Havana’s Cuisine to new communities, and brought my dream closer to becoming a reality.
In October 2021, I sold the food truck and officially opened Havana’s Cuisine’s first brick-and-mortar location in Downtown St. Louis. Operating primarily as a lunch restaurant, we became known for serving quick and affordable meals without sacrificing authenticity, quality, or the love behind our cooking. Since 2022, Havana’s Cuisine has been recognized among Ian Froeb’s Top 100 Restaurants in St. Louis and featured by the Riverfront Times, Sauce Magazine, and other respected media outlets. Our Cuban sandwiches have also received national recognition, and customers frequently tell us that our food reminds them of time spent in Cuba or Florida.
Today, Havana’s Cuisine is located in the heart of the Central West End at 12 S. Euclid Avenue. It is an ideal home for us, surrounded by wonderful businesses, hospitals, universities, and the Saint Louis Chess Club. We are growing more than ever, both through guests visiting the restaurant and through catering opportunities with organizations throughout the city, including the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis CITY SC.
I am deeply grateful to St. Louis for welcoming my family with open arms. This city gave me the opportunity to turn a dream I had carried since childhood into a reality. Now, through Havana’s Cuisine, I have the privilege of giving something back by sharing authentic Cuban food, traditions, and culture with the community.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has not always been smooth, but we have been fortunate throughout our journey. One of our greatest challenges came in early 2020, when I purchased a food truck shortly before the COVID-19 lockdowns began. What initially seemed like terrible timing became an unexpected opportunity: we could bring our food directly to neighborhoods where people were safely gathering outdoors and reconnecting with one another.
We have also experienced slow periods, financial uncertainty, and the everyday challenges that come with learning to run a small business. There have been moments when I questioned my decisions, but those moments pushed me to work harder, improve our food and service, seek advice, and find new ways to connect with customers. Growing up in Cuba, where entrepreneurial opportunities and resources were extremely limited, taught me to be resourceful and grateful. Every challenge has reinforced my belief that with resilience, adaptability, and genuine community relationships, there is always a way forward.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Havana’s Cuisine is a family-owned Cuban restaurant located in the heart of St. Louis’s Central West End. We specialize in authentic Cuban food inspired by the family recipes and flavors I grew up with in Havana. We are best known for our award-winning Cuban sandwich, but our menu also includes traditional favorites such as ropa vieja, lechón, picadillo, empanadas, and other comforting dishes prepared with the same seasonings and care I remember from Cuba.
What sets us apart is that Havana’s offers more than a meal. We want every guest to experience a piece of Cuban culture. That experience is reflected in our flavors, warm hospitality, music, and décor, including a Cuban flag, a portrait of Celia Cruz, and a domino wall created by my youngest daughter, Tania. Whether someone is familiar with Cuban cuisine or tasting it for the first time, we want the restaurant to feel welcoming, lively, and full of the warmth that defines our culture.
I want readers to know that everything at Havana’s Cuisine is rooted in family, gratitude, and authenticity. Our mission is simple: to bring a piece of Cuba to every table and share our food and culture with the community that has embraced us.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I would simply invite readers to visit Havana’s Cuisine, enjoy a taste of Cuba, and continue supporting local small businesses. Every visit, recommendation, review, and shared social media post makes a meaningful difference. Small businesses are built on the support of their communities, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped Havana’s grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.havanascuisine.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/havanas.cuisine/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/food.havanas.cuisine/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/havanas-cuisine-central-west
