Cuba Libre Beach & Bar - Two visits
After researching Ohrid before we arrived, Cuba Libre Beach Bar was on our list. Our first weekend, we couldn't wait to visit—the perfect way to spend our Easter Saturday with a lazy lunch at this local hotspot.
A beautiful beach bar with spectacular views of Lake Ohrid overlooking the old town and the surrounding mountain ranges.
Service was warm and friendly, and we enjoyed chatting with our waiter, who was kind enough to give us a cozy lounge by the water. It warmed our hearts when 20 mins in, our lovely waiter Jovan came over and said to us, 'You both have so much positive energy, I just want to tell you that you have made my day'.
Fortunately, we found our new favourite Macedonian wine, Tikves Bela Voda. We were equally impressed when we saw that it was a vintage from 2013—the most fantastic chardonnay to enjoy in the sunshine and soak up the views.
The menu is full of variety, with lots of tasty Cuban cuisine. We couldn't pass up the Grilled Tortilla with gorgonzola cheese. Thank you, Jovan, for the recommendation—you were spot on! The Chicken Croquettes were also a treat. During our second visit, we enjoyed their version of the Bruschetta—it was delicious!
The cocktails were exceptional, and kudos to the mixologist, who obtained his experience from cruise ships and is an asset to Cuba Libre.
Overall, it is a fantastic venue, with many seating areas indoors and outdoors. The decor is modern and quirky. As the sun sets, the candles are lit, making for a very cosy atmosphere.
It's a lovely stroll along the waterfront from Old City. You can enjoy all the wonderful views, local life, and nature. It's approximately 20-25 minutes' walk, or you can catch a boat from the Port in Ohrid, which is a magical experience too (especially at sunset) with B & F Cruise—Ohrid Lake Boat Tours.
We were fortunate we were still in Ohrid when they opened up again after a three-week closure to dine in due to COVID, and we were not disappointed on our next visit, from the warm welcome back from Jovan and Riste to the delicious food and cocktails.
