Digital Revolution in a Restaurant in Old Havana, Cuba

At the Doña Alicia restaurant in the old town of La Habana (Cuba), diners will be warmly welcomed by Alexa and experience the feeling of being served by the female robot Doña Alicia at the table.

Robots serve at the Doña Alicia restaurant in Old Havana, Cuba. (Source: Ecency)

Amidst the ancient streets of the heart of Cuba's capital, La Habana, the Doña Alicia restaurant emerges as a futuristic space with innovative and unique technological solutions.

Stepping through the door on the corner of Reina Street, diners feel like they are lost in the world of the future - where the virtual assistant Alexa warmly welcomes, modern tablets replace traditional paper menus and most notably, a robot waitress named Doña Alicia gracefully moves between tables.

The tech experience begins as soon as diners are seated. Instead of traditional paper menus, digital screens allow diners to easily select their dishes. The bar has also gone digital, serving refreshing mojitos and daiquiris.

Each table has a tablet with an app that displays the daily menu and prices for customers to easily choose from. (Source: Ecency)

From the digital menu, the virtual assistant Alexa at the table to the robot waiter named Doña Alicia - inspired by the restaurant owner's grandmother - everything surprises diners.

Marisela González, a regular customer, could not hide her excitement: “The first time I brought my daughter here, she shouted with joy as if she had stepped into a fairyland. Now every weekend, my whole family eagerly comes here to enjoy delicious food and experience technology.”

Meanwhile, 64-year-old Sonia Pérez could not hide her surprise when she experienced it for the first time: "I thought I was in a cartoon!"

“Children and adults alike are thrilled to have the robot serve them,” says restaurant manager Yadiel Hernández. “It’s a completely new experience.” However, the restaurant maintains traditional service for those who are less familiar with the technology.

Robots deliver food to diners' tables. (Source: VNA)

Behind Doña Alicia’s success is an arduous journey. Starting from a small restaurant in 2018, Doña Alicia’s team has gradually carried out the “digital revolution” by importing each device through shipments from relatives abroad.

With Cuba facing frequent power outages and shortages of spare parts, Doña Alicia’s team had to find creative solutions to keep the system running. Each technical failure became a valuable lesson.

Doña Alicia’s story is not just about digital transformation, but also about Cubans’ adaptability and creativity. In a country where the technological gap remains large, this small restaurant has proven that entering the 21st century is possible – even against all odds.

QR code board is placed at the table for customers' convenience in payment. (Source: Ecency)

On weekend evenings, when neon lights and salsa music harmonize, Doña Alicia becomes the go-to spot for those looking to experience a unique fusion of traditional cuisine and modern technology. Not only does it serve delicious meals, but it also delivers an optimistic message: Cuba can enter the digital age on its own terms.

While still a rare case, Doña Alicia's model could pave the way for future innovation in the service sector in Cuba, despite its limited infrastructure.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/cuoc-cach-mang-so-trong-mot-nha-hang-o-pho-co-la-habana-cuba-313054.html