Restaurants in Cuba are known for their unique Cuban recipes. Cuban food still has strong ties to Spanish influences because it was the first and last Spanish colony in the Caribbean. Paladar is a term used in Cuba to refer to restaurants run by self-employers. Mostly family-run businesses, paladares are fundamentaly directed to serve as a counterpart of state run restaurants for tourist seeking for a most vivid interaction with cuban reality, and looking for homemade cuban food. Cuba's paladars are private owned small restaurants. Some paladars have achieved international renown for its quality. Names like "La Guarida" are a reference for those looking for a place to eat in Havana.