The restaurants had been government - owned , as are many businesses in Cuba . By being privately owned , the restaurants will better attract tourists , an analyst says . Some restaurants in the island area already are privately owned . The Cuban government had previously said that it would get out of the restaurant business , and Friday 's announcement is `` part of the updating of the economic social model , '' said Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade Ada Chavez . They ` ` some interesting new dishes and they are doing very well , '' the analyst says .
The restaurants had been government - owned , as are many businesses in Cuba . By being privately owned , the restaurants will better attract tourists , an analyst says . Some restaurants in the island area already are privately owned . They ` ` some interesting new dishes and they are doing very well , '' the analyst says .