Charlotte Magazine
A look inside the Mooresville spot and what to order
March 3, 2021
Bar fries smothered in gravy, cheese sauce, and bacon is a popular happy hour snack at Havana 33. Photo by Peter Taylor.
Havana 33 opened at the bottom of a peninsula on Lake Norman in late October, in the space formerly occupied by The Prickly Pear. The restaurant has the same lake views and one of the same owners, Val Panizzut. But instead of modern Mexican fare, chef Renee Garcia serves authentic Cuban dishes like picadillo and mojo chicken with yucca fries and sweet plantains. In place of the dark mahogany bar, stone columns, and black tablecloths, you’ll find a brighter, more energetic interior with exposed shiplap walls, murals of classic cars, and light fixtures made from repurposed Bacardi bottles.