Police were called to keep the crowds at bay after Beyonce and Jay-Z were mobbed in Havana, Cuba.
The celebrity couple were celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary in the island capital when they were surrounded by dozens of well-wishers.
The law enforcement officers arrived at the renowned restaurant La Guarida on Wednesday night.
Power
couple: Beyonce and Jay-Z stepped out in Havana, Cuba, on Thursday as
they dined out for lunch to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary
Backup: Police were called to keep the crowds at bay after Beyonce and Jay-Z were mobbed on the streets of Havana
Mobbed: La Guarida restaurant provided this handout photo of Beyonce's visit that quickly became mobbed
All
eyes: Jay-Z appeared to stare protectively of his wife who carefully
stepped behind him in heels as they walked into the flash of waiting
cameras
Beaming
beauty: Beyonce otherwise beamed and smiled for the cameras and her
fans while described by a waitress to have not been wearing a drop of
makeup
The famous couple's bodyguards' presence
outside set the gritty, bustling neighbourhood of Centre Havana abuzz,
and a crowd gathered downstairs shouting Beyonce's name until she went
to a balcony and waved.
Waitress Silvia Fernandez said Beyonce toured the eatery and looked at photos of past celebrity clients including Jack Nicholson, Jodie Foster, Danny Glover, Will Smith and James Belushi.
'She was beautiful, without a drop of makeup, very natural,' Fernandez said. 'What happened with the people was incredible.'
Causing a stir: Jay-Z puffed away on a Cuban cigar as they toured the area flanked by a bodyguard
Fan frenzy: Crowds assembled outside the Saratoga hotel in a bid to catch a glimpse of the singer in Old Havana
Police arrived and made sure she was able to exit without incident.
The 31-year-old singer cut a striking image, with her hair styled into cornrows.
She was wearing a patterned yellow ensemble which showed off her legs while rapper Jay-Z, 43, looked like the quintessential tourist in shorts, a blue T-shirt and hat.
You're my idol: The songstress met with schoolchildren and posed for a photograph with them
Famous visitor: Beyonce took time out to chat to the local children
La
Guarida staffers showed The Associated Press pictures of the two dining
on typical Cuban creole favourites - fish, chicken, black beans and
rice - accompanied by their mothers.
The privately run restaurant is famous as the filming location for the hit movie Strawberry and Chocolate, and is a mainstay on Havana's tourist circuit.
The couple - who married Paris on April 4, 2008 - toured colonial Old Havana wearing dark glasses and were surrounded by bodyguards and excited fans.
Taking
a breather: Beyonce and Jay-Z took stopped for lunch at a restaurant
which boasted a rooftop terrace with a sweeping view of the harbour
Still going strong: It is five years to the day since they R&B star wed in Paris, France
Beyonce
posed for pictures with local schoolchildren while Jay-Z puffed on a
Cuban cigar, and then they popped into another restaurant that boasts a
rooftop terrace with a sweeping view of the harbour.
Beyonce and Jay-Z declined to speak to reporters, and it was not clear why they travelled to Cuba. State-run website CubaSi called it a tourist trip.
Just gotta light it! Bey took control of the camera as Jay-Z enjoyed his cigar as they walked the streets
Fanfare: A street performer looks on as the famous couple walk on by on their tour
Goods spirits: The power couple looked to be having a great time in the Cuban capital
The celebrity couple were celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary in the island capital when they were surrounded by dozens of well-wishers.
The law enforcement officers arrived at the renowned restaurant La Guarida on Wednesday night.
Power
couple: Beyonce and Jay-Z stepped out in Havana, Cuba, on Thursday as
they dined out for lunch to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversaryMobbed: La Guarida restaurant provided this handout photo of Beyonce's visit that quickly became mobbedAll
eyes: Jay-Z appeared to stare protectively of his wife who carefully
stepped behind him in heels as they walked into the flash of waiting
camerasBeaming
beauty: Beyonce otherwise beamed and smiled for the cameras and her
fans while described by a waitress to have not been wearing a drop of
makeupWaitress Silvia Fernandez said Beyonce toured the eatery and looked at photos of past celebrity clients including Jack Nicholson, Jodie Foster, Danny Glover, Will Smith and James Belushi.
'She was beautiful, without a drop of makeup, very natural,' Fernandez said. 'What happened with the people was incredible.'
Causing a stir: Jay-Z puffed away on a Cuban cigar as they toured the area flanked by a bodyguardFan frenzy: Crowds assembled outside the Saratoga hotel in a bid to catch a glimpse of the singer in Old HavanaThe 31-year-old singer cut a striking image, with her hair styled into cornrows.
She was wearing a patterned yellow ensemble which showed off her legs while rapper Jay-Z, 43, looked like the quintessential tourist in shorts, a blue T-shirt and hat.
You're my idol: The songstress met with schoolchildren and posed for a photograph with themFamous visitor: Beyonce took time out to chat to the local childrenThe privately run restaurant is famous as the filming location for the hit movie Strawberry and Chocolate, and is a mainstay on Havana's tourist circuit.
The couple - who married Paris on April 4, 2008 - toured colonial Old Havana wearing dark glasses and were surrounded by bodyguards and excited fans.
Taking
a breather: Beyonce and Jay-Z took stopped for lunch at a restaurant
which boasted a rooftop terrace with a sweeping view of the harbourStill going strong: It is five years to the day since they R&B star wed in Paris, FranceBeyonce and Jay-Z declined to speak to reporters, and it was not clear why they travelled to Cuba. State-run website CubaSi called it a tourist trip.
Just gotta light it! Bey took control of the camera as Jay-Z enjoyed his cigar as they walked the streetsFanfare: A street performer looks on as the famous couple walk on by on their tour
Washington's
51-year embargo makes it illegal for U.S. citizens to visit Cuba for
mere tourism, although tens of thousands of Americans travel there each
year on academic, religious, journalistic or cultural exchange visas.
The Obama administration eased many of the restrictions in 2011, but tourists still need a special visa or to be part of an organized tour.
In the past, artists who were challenged by the government have said they visited for cultural purposes.
The Obama administration eased many of the restrictions in 2011, but tourists still need a special visa or to be part of an organized tour.
In the past, artists who were challenged by the government have said they visited for cultural purposes.
Goods spirits: The power couple looked to be having a great time in the Cuban capital