Little Havana is one of those South Florida neighborhoods that feels like you are walking into a movie. Whenever I’m in the areas, I immediately get transported out of Miami and straight into Cuba. From the live music and the smell of cigars to the Cuban empanadas getting made in front of your eyes and the flowing mojitos — you really will think that you are in Cuba, especially when you pass a Cuban coffee shop or see the old men throwing down dominoes.
Since the 1960s, when many of these people and their families escaped Cuba, Little Havana has been a vibrant hub of Latin culture that has ultimately expanded beyond a Cuban influence and now features even more flavors, like those from Spain and Nicaragua.
Whenever I’m in Little Havana, I am all about the food. The restaurants here are not just places to eat — they are full-on experiences that bring the best of authentic Cuban food along with tradition, community, and heritage.
Over the years, I have found myself going back to certain restaurants time and time again, and they have become my favorites. This is where I bring my friends, and when you are visiting Miami as a tourist, from Downtown to Miami Beach, I highly recommend leaving your casa and making the trip to Little Havana.
Here is my list of the best Cuban restaurants in Little Havana…with a little Spanish and Nicaraguan influence thrown in.
1. Cafe La Trova – My Pick for the Best Restaurant in Little Havana
Hands down, Cafe La Trova is my favorite out of all of the Cuban restaurants in Little Havana. There are amazing dishes on the menu, and the mojitos are delicious. As soon as you walk in, it’s like a totally new energy. The ambiance and decor literally take you to Havana, and it is filled with tropical colors and vintage charm. Music is always on, and many times, there is a live band, which plays famous Cuban songs and salsa late into the evening.
Though many come to Cafe La Trova for the atmosphere, it’s really about the cocktails and food here. The bar is managed by Julio Cabreara, who is a master cantinero, and each drink is made with the utmost detail. I almost always get a mojito, though I also love the Hotel Nacional, which is pineapple rum, pineapple juice, apricot liqueur, and lime juice.
The food menu here is a Cuban-style menu created by Chef Michelle Bernstein, which pays homage to Cuban culinary heritage with a modern twist. Tourists and locals both love this place, and my favorite dishes are the lechon asado, which is served with yuca and mojo, as well as the ropa vieja. They also have a great happy hour menu, but make a reservation if you are coming out on the weekend. If you only have one dinner in Little Havana, make it Cafe La Trova
Café La Trova
971 SW 8th Street , Miami, FL 33130
Phone: (786) 615-4379
https://www.cafelatrova.com/
2. Sanguich de Miami (Sanguich Little Havana) – Cuban Sandwiches and Cafe con Leche – The Best of Traditional Cuban Food
Who doesn’t love a Cuban sandwich? If you are looking for the best Cuban sandwich in Miami, you have to check out Sanguich Little Havana. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been in the area, and just made a quick detour over here to get a Cuban sandwich and café con leche.
There are a lot of Cuban sandwiches available here in Little Havana, but the ones at Sanguich Little Havana are really special. The ham, pork, and pickles on these sandwiches are cured, brined, and prepared in house, and the bread is pressed to perfection. (It wouldn’t surprise me if there was a secret bakery in there, too, because the bread is also delicious!)
This sandwich is crunchy, salty, juicy, and savory all at the same time, and since this restaurant has an open kitchen, you can see everything getting made. I’m being honest here — I have had Cuban sandwiches all over Miami, but this one is my favorite.
I always feel right at home here in this no-frills joint, and I know that anytime I come in, day and night, I will get the best sandwich in the city.
Sanguich de Miami
2057 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33135
Phone: (305) 539-0969
https://sanguich.com/
3. El Rincón Asturiano – Spanish Tastes from Little Havana Restaurants
Though Little Havana has a lot of amazing Cuban food, there are also other flavors that are common here. For instance, when I want some amazing Spanish food, there is no better place in this area than El Rincón Asturiano. This is a family-owned restaurant that has been in Little Havana for years, and it’s almost like a hidden gem that many people pass by…don’t be those people.
At El Rincón Asturiano you get the best of Northern Spain, and the food here is outstanding. Typically, we start with some tapas, but it’s always a good idea to try something else, too, like the paella, which is cooked to perfection, loaded with seafood, and of course served with saffron rice. The wine list is also impressive, and many of the dishes pair perfectly with the wines on the menu.
One of the things I love the most about El Rincón Asturiano is how authentic it is. The dining room takes you from Cuba to Spain, and you can feel the warmth of the family hospitality in every detail, from the pictures on the walls to the attention to detail the menu has. If you are on a culinary journey through Miami, you won’t want to miss El Rincón Asturiano.
El Rincón Asturiano
225 SW 17th Ave, Miami, FL 33135
Phone: (305) 642-1602
https://www.elrinconasturiano.net/
4. Fritanga Caña Brava – A Menu that Strays from Cuban Cuisine
Little Havana is famous for its Cuban food, but there are also tastes of other Latin American cultures, including Nicaraguan. If you are looking for something a little different, stop into Fritanga Caña Brava.
Here at Fritanga Caña Brava, you get amazing options like the nacatamales or the baho, which is a traditional dish made with beef, yuca, and plantains. The menu is also very affordable, and it’s family-friendly. Everything here feels like it was made with love, just like a home-cooked meal.
Fritanga Caña Brava
934 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33130
Phone: (305) 860-5711
https://www.fritangacanabrava.com/en/
5. La Vasca Deli – Best Latin Food from a Deli Outside of Cuba
The best of Spanish and Latin flavors come together here at La Vasca Deli. Here, you will find a little shop, a little restaurant, and more wine than you could ever drink. When you walk into this cozy place, you will walk right past a deli counter filled with cheese, cured meat, and Spanish delicacies that you won’t find anywhere else. There are ready-to-eat dishes you can grab if you want something quick, or you can grab a table and order tapas. My favorites are croquetas and tortilla española, which make for a perfect light meal.
Every time I visit, I end up buying a little something extra to take home, whether it’s olive oil, canned seafood, or Spanish wine. La Vasca Deli may not be as flashy as some of the restaurants nearby, but it’s one of those places that makes Little Havana so special—it’s authentic, welcoming, and rooted in tradition.
La Vasca Deli
1405 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135
Phone: (786) 615-2134
https://www.lavascadelimiami.com/
Best Restaurants in Little Havana, Miami – Best Food Recap
Little Havana is more than just a neighborhood—it’s a cultural experience, and food is at the heart of it all. From the high-energy nightlife and cocktails at Café La Trova to the perfectly pressed Cuban sandwiches at Sanguich, from Spanish seafood traditions at El Rincón Asturiano to Nicaraguan comfort food at Fritanga Caña Brava, and finally the specialty treasures at La Vasca Deli, each spot tells its own story, has a rich history, and of course, delicious food.
Whenever friends ask me where to eat in Miami, I tell them: Start in Little Havana. Walk down Calle Ocho, take in the music, and stop at these restaurants. They represent the flavors, cultures, and history that make this neighborhood unforgettable.
If you have gotten through this list, I also have some honorable mentions: Old’s Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina, La Camaronera Seafood Joint and Fish Market, and of course, Versailles, which is the most famous and well-known Cuban restaurant in Little Havana.
Whatever you choose, get ready for an experience like no other filled with Cuban music, dancing, drinks, and of course, amazing food.
About Tim Schmidt
Tim Schmidt is a 20+ year Entrepreneur and Digital Marketer. A Fort Lauderdale-based "Digital Nomad," he enjoys traveling as much as possible with family and friends. AllWorld is his escape to document all of his adventures, including being a hardcore "foodie." He has property in Costa Rica and visits several times each year and is happy to offer his expert advice for planning your trip. Make sure to download the AllWorld Travel Hacks FREE ebook.
