McDonald’s might be known worldwide, but it’s not in every country, even though it’s an incredibly popular fast-food restaurant.
One question that gets asked a lot is, does Cuba have McDonald’s? If you’ve been curious, keep reading because I will dive into this topic further!
Does Cuba Have McDonald’s?
Cuba does have McDonald’s, but there’s only one location throughout the entire country. However, it’s not a restaurant that Cubans can go to because it’s located in Guantanamo Bay, which means only the American military can go there. That said, the location is operated and owned by the Department of the Navy, and it opened in 1986.
If you’ve been curious about what McDonald’s in Cuba serves or when it was opened in Cuba, read below to learn all about it!
How Many McDonald’s Are in Cuba?
There is only one McDonald’s in Cuba that was opened in 1986, which was due to an embargo between Cuba and America and lasted for decades.
Additionally, McDonald’s has never mentioned trying to open another location in Cuba that would be available to the general public.
Where Is McDonald’s Located in Cuba?
Unfortunately, the people of Cuba cannot go to McDonald’s because it’s located on the Guantanamo Bay American military base.
That said, McDonald’s in Cuba is operated and owned by the Department of the Navy, and since it’s a military base, it’s restricted to only those in Guantanamo Bay.
Furthermore, the United States leased this land back in 1903, and it’s only a 45-square-mile strip in southeast Cuba.
What Other American Restaurants Are Located in Guantanamo Bay?
It’s not just McDonald’s that you’ll find in Cuba on the American military base in Guantanamo Bay, as several other restaurants are located there, including:
- Baskin-Robbins
- Subway
- Pizza Hut
- Taco Bell
- A&W
- KFC
However, just like with McDonald’s, these are restaurants that Cubans cannot go to since they’re owned and operated by the American military.
Does Cuba Have Fast Food Restaurants?
Cuba does have their version of fast-food restaurants, such as El Rapido, which is owned and operated by the state, and it’s similar to your normal fast-food restaurants in America.
Furthermore, El Rapido is the most popular and accessible fast-food restaurant in Cuba, with various locations throughout the country.
At El Rapido, you’ll find standard fast-food menu items, including soda, fries, hamburgers, and hot dogs, so it’s similar to the food you get at American fast-food restaurants.
Unfortunately, there are no fast-food chains in Cuba that can be found in America, resulting from economic sanctions, embargos, and the relationship between the two countries.
So, you’re not going to find McDonald’s, Burger King, or KFC locations in Cuba outside of what’s at Guantanamo Bay, which likely isn’t going to change anytime soon!
What’s a Common Food at Cuban Restaurants?
If you head to a Cuban restaurant, you’re going to find food such as Ropa Vieja, which is shredded beef in a stew-like form, although lamb is also an option.
Additionally, it has tomatoes, onions, garlic, and green peppers, and it’s delicious and full of rich flavor.
Moreover, Comida Criolla is another staple at many Cuban restaurants, made from chicken, fried pork, or roast served with beans, rice, and vegetables.
Are Restaurants Expensive in Cuba?
Restaurant prices in Cuba vary greatly depending upon location, with some cities being cheap and offering good food at an affordable price.
However, other cities have more expensive restaurants, so it depends on your location and what type of restaurant you’re looking to go to.
Furthermore, there are street vendors in Cuba and local food markets, cafeterias, and bakeries.
That said, you’re going to have multiple options for food, and the prices reflect those various options.
On top of that, you can get alcohol at many restaurants and bars, but the prices are typical of buying alcohol at restaurants in America.
To know more about McDonald’s, you can also see our posts on whether or not Frace has McDonald’s, if Hawaii has McDonald’s, and if Japan has McDonald’s.
