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Petworth’s new 70-seat Little Havana is scheduled to open for dinner service on Friday, August 10.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

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Color-Soaked Little Havana Brings a Taste of Cuba to Petworth This Week

The neighborhood newcomer is scheduled to open on Friday, August 10

by Tierney Plumb Updated
All photos by Rey Lopez
Tierney Plumb is the editor of Eater DC, covering all things food and drink around the nation's capital.

Restaurateur Alfredo Solis’ Little Havana is ready to start serving authentic Cuban food, Red Stripe beers, and piña coladas out of pineapples.

Solis also runs popular neighborhood taquerias El Sol and Mezcalero, which recently announced plans to expand into the building next door. Little Havana, his latest venture on the block (3704 14th Street NW), is scheduled to open on Friday, August 10. The back wood-lined bar will start slinging Caribbean beers and tropical drinks at 3 p.m., followed by dinner service kicking off at 4 p.m.

Local street artist Ernesto DoobyFame Zelaya was charged with creating a series of bright murals across the festive 70-seat space. The back wall is dedicated to Cuban-American icons and depicts famous faces of Major League Baseball legend José Canseco, actress Eva Mendes, and Washington Nationals player Gio Gonzalez.

Solis hired chef Joseph Osorio — an alum of Clyde’s Restaurant Group and Alexandria Restaurant Partners (Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza, Majestic, Vola’s Dockside Grill, and others) — to come up with the Cuban menu, which includes slow braised beef tongue and fried coconut shrimp curry. There’s also empanadas, stuffed peppers, seafood paella, and tortas in the mix, as well as lots of meats like short ribs, jerk chicken, and oxtail.

A central open kitchen covered in white subway tiling separates the dining area from the back bar, where rum will play a starring role. Caffeine, also huge in Cuban culture, will come from nearby purveyor Qualia Coffee.

Little Havana is projected to operate from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. to start, with the bar opening an hour earlier. Weekend brunch and lunch is scheduled to follow a few weeks after, and morning coffee and pastries are expected to join the lineup later on.

Status: Scheduled to open on Friday, August 10 at 3 p.m. 3704 14th Street NW; website.

Scroll on for a look inside the neon-hued newcomer:

Little Havana’s logo is inspired by the 1980s American crime show Miami Vice. The menu draws inspiration from Miami’s South Beach, where Cuban restaurants abound.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

One massive painting upon entry depicts its artist Ernesto DoobyFame Zelaya driving in a pink Cadillac towards Cuba’s capital building.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC
Little Havana will feature an outdoor patio with seating for 16. Part of a reclaimed car from Cuba is expected to park on top of the building.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC
Little Havana features a turquoise metal ceiling flanked by huge fans.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC
Bright art pays tribute to iconic Cuban-American figures, with singer Celia Cruz featured on the back brick wall. Her music will air on a rotating playlist, as will lots of salsa songs.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC
Carved pineapples double as mugs for piña coladas at Little Havana.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC
Coconuts also act as drink vessels at Little Havana. Beverage director Heriberto Casasanero, formerly at Copycat Co., tells Eater he’s considering adding bamboo straws into the mix.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC
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