Since I hadnt eaten prior, I was still in the need of breakfast and a coffee. What did this mean? I definitely recommend staying in South Beach to get the most out of your time in Miami, and you can see my South Beach hotel guide here! Make sure to visit the adjacent general store to pick up a traditional homemade drink like tamarind with chia seeds. Feel free to reach out anytime and lets keep in touch onInstagram&TikTok! https://miami.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-little-havana-miami, https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/florida/articles/the-10-best-restaurants-in-little-havana-miami/, https://www.timeout.com/miami/restaurants/best-little-havana-restaurants-miami, https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/neighborhoods/little-havana. ), lunch, and dinner, all in a beautiful and aesthetic setting. El Cristo is known for its plating and serving, which is even better than the food. Theres plenty more on the incredibly large menu, and you should keep coming back until youve tried the bulk of it. On the side of the restaurant is La Ventanita, the little takeaway window and bakery shop of Versailles. Above each table is another ring of men, this group standing and speculating on the action. This place is a tad more expensive than your average casual tapas spot, so brace for that. I will edit the post. Surely we could have bantered further, but at that moment, with maybe 20 people in the bar on a Tuesday at 1pm, a full band struck up a set filled with jazzy renditions of salsa classics that boomed through the indoor/ outdoor space. Taqueria Viva Mexico is a great casual Mexican spot on Calle Ocho. To stay on-brand, Salao serves seafood thats cooked and prepared in a classic Latino-style, including fried seafood and fish stews. The gastro pub serves unexpected dishes that cater to any and all dietary requirements and restrictions. The Cuban Quarter (which is the main area of Calle Ocho) with the most things to see and do runs between 13th and 17th. I wanted to feel like Id truly explored. Pinolandia is one of Miamis most iconic fritangasa style of Nicaraguan fast-casual restaurant cherished by the whole city for its affordable food and huge bricks of fried cheese. Dubbed the Worlds Most Famous Cuban Restaurant, its the iconic place to go for a Cuban food fix. Im taking you there later to try their most famous flavor., I flashed a smile. Holding with tradition, it featured both ham and slow-cooked pork, swiss cheese, dill pickles and yellow mustard. Black beans and rice? The toasty melty sandwich is made with pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on pressed Cuban bread. Old's Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina. People are out and about walking the streets, playing dominoes in the park, and buying caf con leches or cortaditos from walk-up windows but theres nothing performative about it for the sake of tourists. Check out the beer market, stay for a drink, and fill up a growler to take home on the way out. Thanks for all the tips Kirsten! The elote paletaa popsicle made with milk and sweet cornwill make you rethink corn as being a savory-only thing. Dominoes is a very popular game in Cuba, so of course its a major pass time in Little Havana. I've tried calling 10 times for a reservation but no one answers and I cannot leave a voicemail. Howeveragain like Ahi Sushi Miamithe restaurant does experience long waitlists each day. If you only stick around there, chances are youll end up with a plate of stale rice and a very bad mojito. Protip: chef Bas is known for his strict rules, so check out the menu before heading to the restaurant and be prepared to order upon arrival since the table only gets one shot to order. They go because the restaurant serves fantastic food and excellent Cuban Coffee. Making sure your space is well-lit sometimes feels more like a science than an art. Its also where many presidents, governors, legislators, mayors and the like have come to attempt to get the Cuban vote. The tacos are made with delicious salsa and tortillas, all made from scratch. Cubans began migrating to Miami in the 1950s but the real surge started happening when Castro came into power. Start by taking a walk along the Walk of Fame which is Little Havanas version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. And having found all that under one roof seems like reason enough to celebrate. Its such a sight to see and its packed every day of the week. Regardless though, we did not have any issues speaking only english when we visited, and found the locals to be very friendly! It stands out among the many Mexican food restaurants placed in Little Havana largely due to its affordable and delicious tacos. Address:1731 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135, United States, Location:https://goo.gl/maps/iHduxjuNk4HHNo746, Tuesday to Saturday, 12 pm3 pm, 5 pm10 pm, Menu:https://mercurynet8.wixsite.com/lungyai-qr. For all the latest Miami dining intel, subscribe to Eater Miamis newsletter. This is the best way to really immerse yourself in everything that Little Havana has to offer. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. But at that moment a band came on, people started dancing, and the energy of Little Havana pulled me out of my thoughts once again and back into the energy-filled present. , which literally translates into oxcart in English, is inspired by the carts used to move sugar cane from the farms and plantations in Cuba, in the old days. Grab a mamey shake to wash them down for the full experience. The exploration aspect of finding restaurants is as much fun as the eating for me, and I had some friends trusting me to choose dinner. An omakase-style sushi bar by the same chef who gifted Miami with Lung Yai Tapas, this intimate spot differs from its sister restaurant by offering Japanese cuisine. If youre wondering if Little Havana is safe check out this post. But we prefer to keep it simple with the original: spiced meat, onions, a Cuban bun, and enough potato sticks to create a tiny replica of the Eiffel Tower. The 16 Essential Thai Restaurants in Miami. The small restaurant has a bright blue exterior and colorful paper decorations hanging from the ceiling. Its open until 2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday making it perfect for late-night comfort food. Little Havana Neighborhood Guided Food Walking Tour. Plus, living at Common means that you have a built-in sense community that you wont find anywhere else. Its a restaurant that serves Japanese cuisine, obviously, including sushi and sashimi. El Pub Restaurant's Picadillo Empanada One of the oldest restaurants in Little Havana, El Pub, serves authentic Cuban food in the heart of Little Havana. Oh, I wish I could get in a game, I said to Jenice. La Camaronera is home to one of the single best things you can eat in Miami: the pan con minuta. But I still wanted more. Another popular choice, and Cuban classic, is the sweet fried Plantain waffles with Guava, pickled peppers, and sriracha honey. The empanada, on the other hand, needs neither an introduction or any alterations. Start with an original and work through the menu, adding cheese, egg, double patties, or even plantains for extra sweetness. The cheese was a crucial element here, as it balanced out the sweet and tart elements of the guava. A post shared by Casa Tiki (@casatikimiami). We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. They not only offer classic chicken tacos, but also tripe or Lengua tacos for those who may be a little more adventurous. To this day Tower Theatre still plays Spanish movies with English subtitles and you can check the Tower Theatre website here before you go to see whats playing. Although here you will only be able to watch the cigars being made. Besides the food, youll find all kinds of other fun. There will be live (and loud) music, perfect cocktails, and some of the best empanadas in town. The cafeteria-style hole-in-the-wall is open 24 hours a day (except for Wednesdays when it closes at 11 p.m.), making it the ideal stop on the way home from a long night on the town. Dine in a tropical garden with a menu that features fun, refreshing twists on classic Cuban food. Something went wrong. Yes, Old's Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina has outdoor seating. There are no seats and locals just stand at the counter enjoying their coffee! The incredibly popular Azucar is just across the street from Domino Park in Little Havana, Miami. But we love the old-school, nostalgic ice cream here even more. Although Little Havana has become a highly visited tourist attraction it is more importantly the home of many and needs to be treated as such. Because of this, the chef gives strict instructions that people must come prepared to order directly upon arrival, without wasting any time. Besides the food, youll find all kinds of other fun things to do in Little Havana, as it is considered one of the best places to live in Miami. Although the line may be a little long sometimes, their delicious Queso Frito, Carne Asada, Platano Maduros, and Gallo Pinto are well worth the wait. The best thing to order at Doce Provisions is the Lechon Asado buns with sour orange-achiote, grilled pineapple confit, paired with Aji Amarillo. Explore the 5 main blocks of Miami's Little Havana and learn about the culture and history of this unique neighborhood with a local guide. Small Group Setting. La Michoacana Mexican Little Havana Perfect For: Quick Eats Serious Take-Out Operation Small Plates Walk-Ins $$$$ 1058 SW 1st St, Miami Earn 3X Points Contrary to what the neighborhood's name implies, Little Havana is also one of the best places to get Mexican food in Miami, and options extend beyond taquerias. Versailles was the #1 recommended Cuban restaurant in not only Little Havana but all of Miami, so we knew we couldnt miss it. Start your afternoon right by enjoying a gluten-free tamal from El Pub in Little Havana. Since you only really need a day in Little Havana I dont think its necessary to stay in a hotel nearby. Stop in for some Cuban-inspired ice cream before heading over to eat tacos and then salsa dancing the night away. Id already spotted a spot to buy a fresh juice and then there was more exploring to do. They have solid tacos, but there are also more exciting things on the menulike the gorditas, which are basically shrunken arepas you should order with pork. How can you not want to stop here for a photo! After two ice creams and three mojitos, plus a pastry, I needed something rich and savory. The sashimi and nigiri are our favorite parts of the menu, and you should ask if the uni is available too. Ice cream in hand, I walked next door to Ball & Chain the epicenter of Little Havanas nightlife scene to meet my friend Jenice, a Miami local who was going to take me around to a few of her favorite spots. They offer vegetarian food and cocktails that make the whole experience unique and utterly enjoyable. Eating here is a bit of a mission because the tiny Thai restaurant doesnt take reservations, has limited counter seating inside, and only allows you to order once. By the way, urban legend has it that Versailles is where Cuban exiles used to go to plot against Fidel Castro. While the name may suggest a strong Cuban influence and dont worry, theres plenty of it visitors to the area will find everything from Dominican to tacos to high-end sushi in the area. Considered by many as the heartbeat of Miamis Cuban population, its a vibrant area loaded with Latin-culture and Latin-inspired places to eat delicious food, all centered around the thoroughfare of Calle Ocho. Even the McDonalds has been designed to fit the local aesthetic. Location details for Little Havana, Miami here. Highly recommend you try.more, We went to this place for the first time yesterday, we've been looking for a place to buy empanadamore, Get $10 OFF* on your first purchase! La Bottega Caffe 27 Coffee & Tea Empanadas Breakfast & Brunch Midtown Enjoy delicious foods like Empanada Gringo, Veggie Dumplings, Little Havana Burger, Ballpark Hotdog, Pigless Pork Rind Chips, and more. Be sure to keep up with me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Facebook if you arent already! Cuban food in this neighborhood is ubiquitous and deeply connected to culture itself. This is the place to go to in Little Havana if you are a fan of Mezcal or Agave. Address:1644 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135, United States, Menu:https://www.mofongoscalle8.com/menu. This mostly Cuban restaurant just off Calle Ocho does shrimp poboy tacos and fried chicken just as good as their more straightforward disheslike the great Cuban sandwich or the arroz imperial, a skillet of rice and chicken thigh underneath a hot layer of cheese you should really let cool off before you put in your mouth. Its a restaurant thats favored not just by tourists, but also by the local community. is like stepping into a tropical garden featuring authentic Cuban food with a twist. A post shared by Little Havana Explorers (@littlehavanaexplorers) on Mar 21, 2015 at 10:40am PDT. The mix of flavors offered in this restaurant are one of a kind. https://www.grazianosgroup.com/ This isnt rocket science. The menu features delicious French dishes like Foie Gras Festival, Bourgogne escargots, Trout almondine, Vegan Tajine Couscous, Steak au poivre, Beef tartare, and more. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Same goes for food. Watch some of the action or just enjoy a stroll around the area before heading for ice cream across the street at Azucar. Due to the serving sizes, Sanpocho is a restaurant best experienced with a group, unless youre superhuman and can tuck away more food than the average Joe. Caf con leche still in hand, I trotted across Calle Ocho to Azucar Ice Cream Company, which is marked on the outside by a massive plastic ice cream cone facade. 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