Miami is a melting pot, and perhaps nowhere is that more evident than in our food scene with one of the most dominant influences being Cuban. The city is also a mecca for Cuban restaurants, where you can find anything from a Cuban sandwich to a hearty plate of rice and beans. Whether you want it on the run or more of a sit-down affair, these are the 10 best Cuban restaurants in Miami you have to hit. Each has its own particular slice of Cuba, and each sends the island’s hearty cooking to the heart of Miami.
Versailles Restaurant: The Classic Cuban Meal
Versailles Restaurant No list of Cuban restaurants in Miami would be complete without a mention of Versailles Restaurant. If you’re feeling lost in Little Havana, this restaurant will surely save the day and make you feel like Alice finding the Mad Hatter’s tea party. For more than half a century, Versailles has served real Cuban food and opened up in 1971. The menu consists of best classic Cuban comfort food and soul food such as ropa vieja (shredded beef) and lechón (roast pork) and refreshing mojitos, as is typical of its surroundings.
What distinguishes Versailles is not simply the food but the environment. The restaurant is typically crowded with locals and serves as a social hub for Miami’s Cuban community.
Why visit? Versailles is the quintessential Cuban dining experience. The food’s great, and the atmosphere is lively and friendly.
Tip: If you’re simply after a nibble, order their famous Cuban sandwich or take your pick from the pastries displayed on the counter.
La Carreta: Cuban Comfort Food Favorite for Locals
For another traditional Cuban eating experience, La Carreta is the local favorite and has multiple locations scattered throughout Miami. La Carreta is best recognized for both its delicious Cuban cuisine and personalized treatment in an endearing, yet quaint, nostalgic space for family-oriented dining or dining on a more casual level. The arroz con pollo (chicken with rice) and vacío (flank steak) are highlights, and the yuca con mojo is a good side.
La Carreta, which has existed for over 40 years, is very much the kind of place where locals come to eat hearty Cuban fare.
Why visit? La Carreta, with its long history and tasty home cooking, is a stopover destination for Cuban food lovers.
Tip: Do not skip their flan for dessert. It’s a velvety and creamy custard you’ll hunger for more of.
Sergio’s Cuban Restaurant: Casual and Flavorful
Sergio’s Cuban Restaurant If you’re in the mood for a Cuban place that has something for everyone, head to Sergio’s Cuban Restaurant. Sergio’s has a few locations across Miami, all offering an extensive menu of Cuban classics, from tostones, or fried plantains, to sopa de pollo, or chicken soup. Their palomilla steak is popular, and their best sandwiches are crowd-pleasers.
Friendly service and fast, tasty food are the hallmarks of Sergio’s. Whether you’re eating in or taking out, you’ll be getting a good meal.
Why visit? Sergio’s is great for a quick meal full of flavor, with options to satisfy every taste.
Pro tip: Don’t miss out on the Cuban coffee or batido (fruit shake). They’re both cool and pair perfectly with any meal.
Café La Trova: A Blend of Cuban Cuisine and Live Music
For something more contemporary, Café La Trova in Little Havana has great food, live music, and a lively atmosphere. This cool spot pairs traditional Cuban flavors with a twist (think: tenderloin in chimichurri and mojo-marinated chicken wings). The restaurant is also popular for its craft cocktails, particularly the Cuban mojitos and daiquiris.
Cafe La Trova is a hot local and tourist spot with a party-like vibe and great Cuban food. There is always the thrill of live music as a bonus on the culinary side.
Why visit? If you want a mix of great food, live music, and a fun, lively atmosphere, Café La Trova is the place to go in Miami.
Tip: Arrive early for a table near the stage if you want to listen to live music with dinner.
El Exquisito Restaurant: Traditional Cuban with a Personal Touch
El Exquisito Restaurant, in Little Havana, is a family-owned restaurant serving best traditional Cuban cuisine with a personal touch. The intimate space and friendly staff all make it a neighborhood hidden gem. The menu includes best Cuban classics such as moros y cristianos (black beans and rice) and lechón asado (roast pork), done here with fresh ingredients and strong flavors.
What sets El Exquisito apart, though, is a solid commitment to authenticity. Each dish is made with love and attention, as it is in a Cuban home.
Why visit? If it’s cozy, home-style Cuban cuisine you seek, look no further than El Exquisito.
Pro tip: make sure to order their sweet plantains; they are epically caramelized and the perfect side for any meal!
Finka Table & Tap: A Modern Twist on Cuban Classics
Finka Table & Tap is a modern, Cuban-oriented restaurant and bar conceived for those who want to experience the flavors of the new and the old Cuban cuisine. This fusion of Cuban, Spanish, and Latin American cuisine is presented at West Miami’s restaurant. Its modern take on dishes, such as roast pork (lechón al horno) and ham croquettes (croquetas de jamón), makes it popular with hipsters looking for a hearty meal.
The industrial chic ambiance and chill vibes of the restaurant make it the ideal location for a friend’s night out or cozy dinner date.
Why visit? With funky retro architecture and “next wave fare,” Finka Table & Tap is a modern assembly of Cuban and Korean flavors.
Tip: Do not pass up on the cubanito burger, a cross between a Cuban sandwich and a juicy burger and something that packs a punch.
El Palacio de los Jugos: A Miami Staple for Cuban Street Food
If you want an actual Cuban experience in a super laid-back environment, El Palacio de los Jugos is where it’s at. Indigo Not a typical Cuban place, although you can find other famous restaurants that serve excellent Cuban food… Specialized in street food style, this establishment has all kinds of Cuban food at affordable prices. From tamales and empanadas to the best Cuban sandwich, you won’t get bored. And yet this place shows that good things come in small packages.
A Miami institution, El Palacio de los Jugos is adored for its relaxed vibe and delicious Cuban street food. It’s a great way to catch a meal or take your service to go.
Why visit? El Palacio de los Jugos All Cuban street food, all the time, El Palacio de los Jugos is a dream if you’re in a rush but in desperate need of good food.
Tip: Down a few tropical juices in El Palacio. They’re fresh and so tasty!
La Fonda: A Little Bit of Havana in Coral Gables
Miami 5 p.m. Cuban chow in Coral Gables at La Fonda, 6305 Bird Road. Cafe Cito This snug restaurant has the feel of a home as well as a menu filled with best Cuban staples, like churrasco (grilled skirt steak) and pollo a la plancha (grilled chicken). Food tastes great and is well-seasoned, and plate portions are huge.
La Fonda is a casual restaurant, a perfect place to go for a meal with friends or family if you want to sit and chat for a while.
Why visit? In a quiet and charming setting, La Fonda brings that traditional Cuban experience you’ve been looking for.
Tip: Be sure to have some of their Cuban coffee (it’s strong and sweet and the perfect way to round off your meal).
Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann: High-End Cuban Dining
For fancier Cuban food, try Los Fuegos by Francis Mallmann and experience Cuban dishes in a more luxurious setting. Wood-fired dishes and opulent decor are the hallmarks of this hotel restaurant in the Faena Hotel. The menu juxtaposes elements of traditional Cuban cuisine with Mallmann’s signature Argentine cooking style to create flavors unlike anything you’ve ever tasted.
Specialties are wood-grilled lamb and seafood paella made from fresh, quality ingredients.
Why visit? If high-end Cuban dining with a twist is what you’re after, Los Fuegos is your destination.
Pro tip: Order up one of their signature cocktails, which are expertly mixed and complement the flavorful eats.
Bocaditos: A Hidden Gem for Best Cuban Sandwiches
Bocaditos (163rd & Good, West Miami)* Husband and wife run the place, and there is more Cuban food. I would get a Cuban sandwich. Mom-and-pop counter offering some of the best Cuban sandwiches in town, as well as other Cuban classics such as fritas (Cuban burgers) and tostones. The food is always fresh, with generous portions, and has become a neighborhood go-to for fast, satisfying food.
Why visit? Little morsels of joy await anyone hankering for an authentic Cuban sandwich in comfortable surroundings.
Pro tip: Definitely get the Cuban frita—a Cuban-style burger that is loaded with flavor.
Conclusion
Miami boasts some of the best Cuban restaurants in the country, from roadside walk-ups to posh paladares. From classic Cuban cuisine to inventive new interpretations of beloved Cuban dishes, here are 10 restaurants that will give you a real taste of Cuba. From the iconic Versailles to the hidden gem that is Bocaditos, each one has something special to offer and is truly a must-stop location on your culinary adventure through Miami.