CWEnder Tamara Landeiro recently relocated her restaurant, Havana’s Cuisine, “A Taste of Cuba in the Gateway City,” from downtown to 12 N. Euclid, between Laclede and Forest Park. After her first few weeks in the neighborhood, Landeiro said she is so glad she moved. “The welcome has been tremendous, everyone has been so friendly and supportive.”
The 40-seat restaurant, formerly Racanelli’s, has been transformed into a welcoming spot for those new to Landeiro’s cuisine, as well as those who were fans when she was downtown. The space is decorated with photographs of Cuba, colorful hats, and Cuban-themed videos. 
Tamara Landeiro, above, and her two daughters left Cuba in 2014 in order to pursue an opportunity for 10-year old Thalia, who was quite gifted at chess, to further her education. Landeiro furtively searched Google (and then quickly looked at Cuban sites to try to cover her internet tracks) for chess opportunities. She found a Woman Grandmaster in St. Louis who was willing to tutor Thalia, and importantly, the CWE’s St. Louis Chess Club.as well.
Tamara and her daughters moved to St. Louis, Havana’s Cuisine eventually opened downtown, and when it was time for college, both daughters attended St. Louis University. Thalia is now a Grandmaster herself, and Tania is still enrolled at SLU and also helps out at the restaurant. She is also responsible for the colorful artwork throughout the space.
Landeiro’s journey to the U. S. is documented in Calladitas Rising, Reclaiming Your Power Your Strength and Your Voice, a self-published book co-authored by Gabriela Ramírez-Arellano and Esmeralda Aharon. The book tells the stories of over 30 Latina women in the St. Louis area “who are breaking free from societal limitations and reclaiming their voices, going against cultural norms that say (translated into English), “you are prettier when you are quiet.”
Landeiro describes her cooking as homestyle Cuban food. Everything is made from scratch. When I stopped in, a delicious black bean soup served with rice was the special soup of the day. Empanadas are always on the menu.
A Cuban sandwich is served with sides, Congri Rice with red beans is pictured here. Notice the charming extra touch of a tiny Cuban flag and paper lining the plate, a reprint from a 1951 Cuban newspaper.
Interestingly, Landeiro said she sold her Cuban sandwiches frozen at the Tower Grove Farmers’ Market during the pandemic, which is how she survived that disruption to her business.
For the complete menu, click here.
Havana’s Cuisine, 12 N. Euclid, Open Monday through Saturday, 11 to 9. Closed Sunday.