El Floridita is a historic fish restaurant and cocktail bar in the older part of Havana (La Habana Vieja), Cuba. It lies at the end of Calle Obispo (Bishop Street), across Monserrate Street from the National Museum of Fine Arts of Havana (Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de La Habana). The establishment is famous for its daiquiris and for having been one of the favourite hangouts of Ernest Hemingway in Havana. The bar now boasts a life size bronze statue of Ernest Hemingway positioned in his favourite spot at the end of the bar. On a small plaque hanging in La Floridita, hangs Hemingway’s signed quote: “My mojito in the Bodeguita del Medio and my daiquiri in the Floridita”.
The former owner Constantino Ribalaigua –Constante- opened a small time grocery store named “The Silver Pineapple” mainly for the sweets and ice cream sale but among 1898 and 1902 the name changed due to the visit of many U.S. marines. From that moment on it received the name of “Floridita” and during the 40ties was Hemingway’s favourite bar in town. He became a close friend with the owner and they created the Papa special a new version of the Daiquiri devoted the famous writer. During the 50ties the “Esquire” magazine selected this bar among the 7 more famous in the world, and in 1989 the U.S. academy for the “AWARDS OF RESTAURANT INDUSTRY” distinguished -El Floridita- with the award “BEST OF BEST FIVE STARS”. They considered the place the most representative of it’s specialty and the born place of the Daiquiri.