Wellington institution Fidel's Cafe pops up in Havana

Thursday, 10 July 2025

After losing its building, a longtime Wellington cafe has switched to operating as a pop-up in a nearby restaurant and bar.

Last month Fidel’s Cafe owner Roger Young announced his Cuba St restaurant would be taking a three- month hiatus as the building underwent earthquake strengthening.

Fidel’s is now operating as a pop-up in Havana Bar. Young, who owns both businesses, said the eatery would be operating out of the Wigan St bar/restaurant during the day for the time being, with the tapas bar using the space in the evening.

Havana Bar was a beautiful space, Young said, and, with the restaurant/bar only open at nights, it was a prime opportunity for Fidel’s to use the space during the day.

Young said he was unsure if the Cuba St premises would take longer than three months to restrengthen.

“Fidel’s is going be here for the foreseeable future.”

Fidel’s has been at its Cuba St location for almost 30 years. Previously the building was home to a Mexican restaurant, Little Gringo’s.

Havana Bar was opened 20 years ago by Young and co-owner Potti Wagstaff, alongside the Havana Coffee roastery.

The tapas restaurant section opened in 2010, after Havana Coffee Works moved to Tory St, and the bar runs live music gigs each week.

The Fidel’s pop-up will operate from 9am to 3pm, Wednesday to Sunday. Havana Bar will open from 4pm until late, Tuesday to Saturday.

While they can’t offer the full Fidel’s menu - Havana’s kitchen is considerably smaller than Fidel’s - Young said the reduced menu had all the classics, including avocado on toast, chicken waffles, prawn tostadas, and a breakfast burrito.

Havana would continue to serve the tapas it was known for, with head chef Claudio Silva bringing more than 15 years of culinary knowledge to the role, Young said.

The chef was passionate about South American cuisine, having worked throughout South America and Europe.

A number of Fidel’s regulars have been walking over and enjoying the new space, Young said, with many saying it was the first time they had been to Havana.

“We've just been really amazed at how people have followed us from around the corner, and then gone, ‘wow, we are coming back here for dinner’.”