Not far away was Plaza Vieja

In colonial times it was a residential neighborhood of the Creole plutocracy.

Plaza Vieja was the site of executions, processions, bullfights, and fiestas - all witnessed by Havana's wealthiest citizens, who looked on from their balconies.

The urban architectural complex of Plaza Vieja is represented by valuable colonial buildings from the XVII, XVIII and XIX and some examples of the early twentieth century.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaza_Vieja,_Havana
 
Laid out in 1559, Plaza Vieja (Old Square) is Havana's most architecturally eclectic square, where Cuban baroque nestles seamlessly next to Gaudí-inspired art nouveau. Originally called Plaza Nueva (New Square), it was initially used for military exercises and later served as an open-air marketplace.

During the Batista regime an ugly underground parking lot was constructed here, but this monstrosity was demolished in 1996 to make way for a massive renovation project. Sprinkled liberally with bars, restaurants and cafes, Plaza Vieja today has its own micro-brewery, the Angela Landa primary school, a beautiful fenced-in fountain and, on its west side, some of Havana's finest vitrales (stained-glass windows).

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/cuba/havana/sights/squares-plazas/plaza-vieja#ixzz3wvQODv00

Café El Escorial proved to be a popular stopping off point for our group for their coffee plus view of the plaza.

Café El Escorial was opened a few years ago in the magnificent Plaza Vieja. The coffee is excellent, everything from Cuban coffee, café au lait, coffee frappé, coffee liquor through to coffee daiquiri. Forget about getting a beer here though.

This is a place that everyone loves to while away the afternoon checking out the comings and goings in one of Cuba's busiest and most scenic squares. Bear in mind though that it does get packed to the gills in busy periods and you may have to wait a while for your coffee and croissant.

http://www.lahabana.com/guide/cafe-el-escorial/

On another corner of the Plaza, the ever popular Factoria Plaza Vieja was nearly always full when I passed it. Wonder why? The beer? The outside grill or live music? Probably all three elements.

Havana's original microbrewery occupies a boisterous corner of Plaza Vieja and sells smooth, cold homemade beer at sturdy wooden benches set up outside on the cobbles or indoors in an atmospheric beer hall. Gather a group together and you'll get the amber nectar in a tall plastic tube drawn from a tap at the bottom. There's also an outside grill.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/cuba/havana/entertainment-nightlife/other/la-factoria-plaza-vieja#ixzz3xO3Hj3iM

At the other end was a popular ice cream vendor.