Sitting at the top, Fidel’s Cafe seems to epitomise Wellington’s Cuba Street. Serving top-notch Havana coffee in a bohemian setting and via laid back staff who refreshingly actually look to be having fun, Fidel’s certainly does exude a revolutionary spirit when compared to many of the capital’s other eateries. Perhaps a fitting ode to its namesake.
Hard to miss, with its brightly coloured signage and large Cuban flag awning, Fidel’s is perfect for that on-the-go caffeine fix, a kick starter breakfast, leisurely brunch/lunch or even as an evening destination promising cool Cuban vibes and exciting cocktails.
Having been feeding Wellingtonians since 1996, Fidel’s has certainly earned its place at the top of Cuba Street – not just physically but also in terms of providing a truly memorable and all-encompassing food experience. The menu itself has all the brush strokes of a traditional cafe, but each item is exuberantly coloured with strong Cuban flavours that, at times, can be accused of almost flirting with Mexico. But all of this is very welcome and the result is hard to beat:
After pouring over the brunch options meticulously and weighing up fried chicken waffles, tempting pancakes and eggs coming in every which way I settled on the baked eggs and a flat white. Harry went for the breakfast Cuban burrito and Fidel’s signature spicy tomato juice. When our dishes arrived, what really struck me was their vibrancy; not just in smell, but also how they looked. Both seemed to scream eat me and eat them we did.
My eggs were cooked perfectly; the whites were firm whilst the yolks remained as gooey as anything. They also came with the most delicious freshly baked ciabatta slices which were, of course, conscripted to serve as the perfect soldiers.
Once delving below the eggs I was greeted by sofrito black beans, bacon and sautéed potatoes which amazingly remained crisp. The whole dish was brought together by a top of melted brinza cheese, whose smokey notes harkened back to those traditional sweet, smokey and spicy pimenton Cuban flavours.
Harry’s Burrito looked just as inviting and was, unsurprisingly, just as delicious. Being far from a rice dominated run of the mill burrito, Fidel’s signature brunch classic is filled with more exciting northern Caribbean flavours: Black beans surrounded by cheesy scrambled eggs were elevated to something really rather special by sliced oaky chorizo. The whole burrito was pulled together – namely by a tortilla wrap – but also by a fresh, tangy and surprisingly sweet chilli salsa. Like I said, it really was no ordinary burrito.
The overall impression I got of Fidel’s was one of heady Cuban authenticity. From their coffee to their artisan baking and right through to the finest details in decor and seasoning they really do have it spot on. And so, all that remains to be said when discussing this brilliant cafe is, in Castro’s famous words (albeit slightly modified); “This time the (flavour) revolution is for real!” And one that I feel privileged to have been a part of, even if it was only for an hour or so!
Pour over their amazingly mouthwatering menu here
Contact Information:
Fidels 234 Cuba St
mail@fidelscafe.com
Phone: 04 801 6868
A little Tasty 