Few Argentine products are as closely associated with a city as Havanna alfajores are with Mar del Plata.
For generations of Argentines, bringing home a box of Havanna alfajores after a trip to the Atlantic coast has been almost a ritual. More than a sweet treat, the famous chocolate-covered alfajor has become a culinary symbol of Mar del Plata — and one of Argentina’s most recognizable food brands.
Born in Mar del Plata
The Havanna story began in 1947, when Demetrio Elíades, Luis Sbaraglini and Benjamín Sisterna developed a new alfajor recipe. On January 6, 1948, Havanna opened its first factory and sales room in Mar del Plata, with production visible to customers. The first day’s sales exceeded expectations.
The original location was at the corner of Buenos Aires and Rivadavia, in the heart of Mar del Plata. From the beginning, the company was closely connected with the city’s growing tourism industry.
Visitors came for the beaches, the Casino, the Rambla and the Atlantic — and increasingly, they left with a box of Havanna alfajores as a delicious souvenir.
The Alfajor That Became a Souvenir
Havanna helped establish a tradition that continues today: the alfajor as a memory of a trip to Mar del Plata.
Its classic recipe combines soft layers with a generous filling of dulce de leche and a chocolate coating. The combination became particularly popular with tourists visiting the city during Argentina’s summer season. Over time, the brand expanded along the Atlantic coast and eventually throughout Argentina.
What makes Havanna particularly interesting is that the product never completely lost its connection with its birthplace. Even as the brand expanded internationally, Mar del Plata remained part of its identity.
From Local Factory to Global Brand
Today, Havanna is no longer simply a Mar del Plata company. It has evolved into an Argentine brand with an international presence, combining its traditional alfajores and chocolates with a network of Havanna Cafés. The company says it now has almost 500 locations in more than 12 countries.
Yet the essence of the brand remains remarkably connected to its origins: chocolate, dulce de leche, coffee and the idea of sharing a moment.
Havanna has even created a special “Alfajor Mar del Plata”, featuring its 70% cacao chocolate, classic Havanna dulce de leche and a touch of sea salt in the biscuit — an explicit tribute to the city where the story began.
A Taste of MDQ
For international visitors, discovering Havanna is an easy way to experience a piece of Argentine culture.
You don’t need to understand the history of the alfajor to enjoy it. But once you know that this particular combination of chocolate and dulce de leche was born in Mar del Plata in 1948, the experience becomes something more than a snack.
It becomes a connection with the city.
Walk along the Rambla. Watch the Atlantic. Visit the port. Have a coffee — and try a Havanna alfajor.
Then take a box home.
Because in Mar del Plata, some souvenirs aren’t meant to sit on a shelf. They’re meant to be eaten.
