Whether you’re a world traveler, Miami local or just a Cuban food lover, there’s always something new to try in this city. The good news is, there are many restaurants and cafes that have embraced the traditions of this wonderful country.
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Start with yuca fries or pork tamales before moving onto ropa vieja, slow-cooked flank steak stewed in a sofrito (spiced ground beef) and tomato base served over white rice. Finish with a mojito or sweet Cuban dessert.
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1.Yuca Fries at Puerto Sagua
Located on central Collins Avenue, this nondescript cafe focuses on delivering crowd-friendly Cuban staples to locals and tourists alike. It’s a good place to eat after a long day at the beach, with large portions, fair prices, and well-flavored ingredients.
The restaurant’s yuca fries (fried yuca sticks) are a must-try. They’re served with a side of sour mojo and onion slices.
Puerto Sagua has been serving Cuban food since 1968, and the diner’s cozy and fun ambiance is perfect for grabbing a quick bite or snack. Their breakfast menu offers a variety of hearty dishes.
They also serve ropa vieja, which is shredded beef cooked in a tomato sauce. It’s a must-try dish, especially when you’re feeling adventurous!
The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s one of the most popular Cuban restaurants in Miami, and a great spot to grab some classic Cuban cuisine! The Cuban coffee is a must-try, too. It’s a strong aromatic drink, and it’s a perfect way to start your day!
2.La Flaca South Beach Omelet at Sergio’s
Miami, a city with a rich Hispanic heritage, is home to some of the best Cuban food in the country. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite after a day in the sun or an elaborate dining experience, here are eight of the best Cuban restaurant names in town.
Located along Miami’s popular Calle Ocho (known as Little Havana), Sergio’s is known for its authentic Cuban food. The restaurant serves a wide variety of traditional Cuban favorites and even offers a “La Flaca” menu that features lighter swaps to Cuban favorites so you can enjoy all the flavor without feeling too heavy.
This casual restaurant, a few blocks from the beach, is one of the best places to go for Cuban cuisine in the city. You’ll find everything from yuca fries to croquetas here, as well as classic dishes like vaca frita (shredded and flash-fried beef), lechon asado (roast pork), and bistec empanizado (breaded beef steak). The interior is a bit dated, but that doesn’t take away from the savory Cuban cuisine served here.
3.Ham Croquetas at Islas Carnarias
A staple at breakfasts here, these bite-sized cylinders of bechamel and minced ham, chicken or fish are so ubiquitous that they’re often called the Cuban sandwich’s cousin. And though restaurants are playing around with different ingredients, ham remains the most popular croqueta base.
A gooey delight, these deep-fried, cigar-shaped snacks are a beloved grab-and-go item among Miami’s crowds and the perfect snack for any occasion. This family-owned restaurant serves a selection of traditional ham croquetas and more inventive creations like fried yucca in cilantro sauce, cheese and sausage omelets and a Croqueta Preparada sandwich made with two croquetas, Spiced City ham, pork, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard on pressed Cuban bread.
Islas Carnarias has been serving generations of locals with family recipes passed down from owner Jonathan Andrade’s grandparents since it opened in 1977. It’s a favorite for its gold-star ham croquetas that hit the ideal sweet and salty notes.
3.Cookie Skillet Sundae at Havana Harry’s
One of Miami’s main Cuban hubs, Calle Ocho, is home to a variety of Cuban eateries that serve up classic Caribbean dishes to locals and tourists alike. From yuca fries to ropa vieja, there’s something for everyone here.
For a starter, start with bunuelos, little ladlefuls of yuca batter or flour dough fried in hot oil until they are crisp on the outside and spongy on the inside. For mains, try Ropa Vieja, the national dish of Cuba, which is thin strands of beef in a sauce made from tomatoes, onions and peppers.
The menu also includes a wide selection of fresh juices in generous servings. Choose from mango, guava, banana, tamarind, or any other tropical fruit for your drink.
The diner’s ambiance is welcoming and authentically Latin, making it a place where people come to relax and unwind. The food is delicious, too, with a large menu that features some of the city’s best Cuban classics. It’s also a great place to grab an authentic cup of coffee. With so much to offer, it’s no wonder that Little Havana is a popular restaurant in North Miami.
4.Vaca Frita at Versailles
If you’re a die-hard Cuban food lover, Versailles on Calle Ocho in Little Havana is your go-to place for a delicious lunch or dinner. The family-friendly restaurant is a beloved neighborhood hangout where locals and visitors alike can enjoy Cuban classics.
When you visit at lunchtime, be sure to stop by the take-out window and grab a traditional Cubano sandwich with sweet ham, roast pork and Swiss cheese on toasted Cuban bread. Or, order a meal from the menu, like vaca frita, medianoche or some croqueticas.
At night, the bar gets packed with local Cuban exiles and politicos chattering away about what’s going on in their country. And if you’re lucky, they might even serve you some creme catalana, the Cuban version of creme brulee.
Located right in the heart of Miami’s historic Little Havana, Versailles is one of the city’s most iconic restaurants serving up delicious Cuban cuisine since 1971. A popular spot for both locals and tourists, the restaurant is open to serve breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night daily.
5.Guava Cheesecake at Havana 1957
If you’re looking for something sweet, a guava cheesecake at Havana 1957 is worth checking out. This chain of Cuban restaurants has four locations in Miami Beach and one in Pembroke Pines.
The restaurant offers a menu full of authentic cuban dishes that will transport you back in time to the glitz and glamour of old Cuba. They have everything from truffle yuca fries to masitas de puerco (fried cubed pork served with grilled onions and Cuban mojo).
You can also order a Fricase de Pollo, chicken pieces marinated in citrus juice, garlic cloves, onions and bell peppers served with white rice and sweet plantains. For those that want something lighter, Havana 1957 has a vegetarian combination dish with white rice and black beans.
The chain also offers a number of cocktails including the Mojito, which is sure to be a hit. If you’re not in the mood for a cocktail, check out their Cubano sandwich, which is a ham, cheese and roasted pork on toasted Cuban bread. You can also try their Crema Catalana, a custard dessert.
6.Cafecito at La Carreta
The first La Carreta was born on Little Havana’s famous Calle Ocho in 1976. The chain has grown to include nearly a dozen locations in Miami and Broward counties, serving up classic Cuban fare with a twist. Expect to see the usual suspects, including vaca frita (fried beef), ham croquetas, and of course, yuca and plantains.
It’s no secret that La Carreta serves up some of the best coffee in the city. The company’s signature blend of specially selected beans, and precise roasting formula has been a family-owned secret recipe for over 39 years. It’s also got the honor of being the longest name in the coffee industry.
If you’re looking for a tasty caffeine fix, then check out the new Cafecito at La Carreta on Jackson Medical Center. You can order online and pick up your tasty treats, or give the delivery team a call. The restaurant also offers a free sample of its finest beverage. The restaurant is open from 7am to 5pm. If you’re not in the mood to cook, then try out their breakfast specials.
7.Paella at La Rosa
Paella is one of the most popular dishes in Spanish cuisine. It’s usually made with a blend of meats, seafood, vegetables and rice, and it can be prepared in a variety of ways.
Valencians, in particular, regard paella as a national dish and the symbol of their region. The traditional version, called paella valenciana, is typically made with a combination of short-grained rice, broad beans, snails and chicken, cooked in chicken stock, a mixture of saffron threads and mortar-ground salt.
However, there are many different regional versions of paella. For example, Valencians love a shellfish paella, which omits meat and replaces it with a variety of seafood, including oysters, mussels and langoustines.
If you’re looking for a seafood paella, head to La Rosa, a popular restaurant located on the Malvarosa promenade in El Grao port district. Here you’ll find a wide selection of starters, as well as seafood dishes and a good wine list. The service here is excellent and the staff is very friendly.