Miami- favorite Cuban restaurant?

[RNsoon2beNP]

Looking for the best spots in Miami for Cuban food. We will be staying on the beach, but will drive. Fancy or low-key dive spot, either. Looking for tips/input.

 

Thanks in advance :)

[BNBR]

If staying on the beach, just go to Havana 1957.

 

Have you been to a Cuban restaurant before? It's "poor food" and they are generally all pretty similar.  Nothing standing out as spectacular because it's not that type of food.

[Capt_BJ]

the best is usually the mom and pop around the corner

 

I've had good luck asking the folks at the front desk for a recommendation as there's usually a hole in the wall where they go for their meal breaks . . . 

[Flymia]

My favortie would be El Rinconcito De Santa Barbara. It is a bit of a drive away, but by far my favorite. A lot of people will say go to the famous Versailles restaurant in Little Havana. I have been two another Havana 1957 location, not the ones in Miami Beach, and I found the food to be plenty good. 

 

Cuban food is pretty simple, tasty (at least I like it), but fairly simple not a ton of spices. When in Rome, you should certainly check it out if you never had any. 

 

If you want a modern twist on Cuban food, while it is a trek Finka or Amelia's 1931 is fantastic. 

Edited January 15, 2019 by Flymia

[BlueHerons]

Where are you staying?

 

I agree with Havana 1957 and Versailles.

 

If South Beach I would either go to Puerto Sagua or Havana 1957.

 

If you decide to make the trek to Calle Ocho or Hialeah to eat, do yourself a favor and stop by Wynwood and check out the walls.

[Ralphinsc]

What about if staying near Bayside? Anything within a short walk of a metromover stop? I'll grab a Taxi if I need too but would prefer the convenient free transportation around downtown and Brickell located right outside my hotel.

[RNsoon2beNP]

Thanks for the tip, we are staying at the surfcomber off Miami Beach.

[Flymia]

On 1/17/2019 at 10:21 PM, Ralphinsc said:

What about if staying near Bayside? Anything within a short walk of a metromover stop? I'll grab a Taxi if I need too but would prefer the convenient free transportation around downtown and Brickell located right outside my hotel.

 

Lots of spots for lunch, I would suggest Diana's Cafe, but it is a weekday lunch/breakfast spot only.

 

For dinner, there is a Latin America Cafe (a Cuban chain) in Bayside. Never been to that one specifically though. Better choice would be Sergios Cuban in Brickell. It recently opened. Another fairly popular chain and usually better than Latin American Cafe. For Sergios take the Metromover to the Brickell stop and it is a block away. 

 

Downtown is not very far from the famous Versailles Cuban Restaurant, you would need to take an Uber/Lyft there. 

[Ralphinsc]

2 hours ago, Flymia said:

 

Lots of spots for lunch, I would suggest Diana's Cafe, but it is a weekday lunch/breakfast spot only.

 

For dinner, there is a Latin America Cafe (a Cuban chain) in Bayside. Never been to that one specifically though. Better choice would be Sergios Cuban in Brickell. It recently opened. Another fairly popular chain and usually better than Latin American Cafe. For Sergios take the Metromover to the Brickell stop and it is a block away. 

 

Downtown is not very far from the famous Versailles Cuban Restaurant, you would need to take an Uber/Lyft there. 

 

Thanks for the excellent reply! 

[Host CJSKIDS]

On 1/17/2019 at 10:21 PM, Ralphinsc said:

What about if staying near Bayside? Anything within a short walk of a metromover stop? I'll grab a Taxi if I need too but would prefer the convenient free transportation around downtown and Brickell located right outside my hotel.

 

Another cuban place in Brickell is Latin Cafe.  They opened a few months ago and we've had some great meals there.  Love their coffee! It's actually located right where the metro mover is.

 

http://www.latincafe.com

[pntnnc]

I just want to find a good cuban sandwich Tampa style except need to find one in Miami.

[BlueHerons]

2 hours ago, pntnnc said:

I just want to find a good cuban sandwich Tampa style except need to find one in Miami.

You mean a Cuban Style Cuban sandwich?

 

Where are you staying in Miami?  You can find a good Cuban sandwich literally anywhere.

[BNBR]

8 hours ago, BlueHerons said:

You mean a Cuban Style Cuban sandwich?

 

Where are you staying in Miami?  You can find a good Cuban sandwich literally anywhere.

 

In Tampa they ruin the sandwich by adding salami. I don't know any places that do that down here. 

[pntnnc]

8 hours ago, BlueHerons said:

You mean a Cuban Style Cuban sandwich?

 

Where are you staying in Miami?  You can find a good Cuban sandwich literally anywhere.

ok glad can find them lots of places.  You would not want to know what the Cuban sandwich is here in NC.  We are staying at the comfort suites near airport and are also planning on going to the Magic city casino so in that area was hoping to find one.

Edited February 3, 2019 by pntnnc

[BNBR]

Magic City is in little Havana. Finding a good Cuban sandwich won't be hard. 

 

I'd go to Versailles 

Edited February 3, 2019 by BNBR

[pntnnc]

Thank you!

 

[Capt_BJ]

In Tampa they ruin the sandwich by adding salami. I don't know any places that do that down here. 

I do not agree that it is ruined ... especially given that some say the sandwich ORIGINATED in Tampa!!!! and migrate south to Miami .... (I lived in Tampa for years b4 moving to Miami.  The argument here is like the one 'tween Mobile AL and New Orleans .... Mardi Gras was a thing in Mobile years before NO according to local legend)

 

But I digress ......

 

Find a La Caretta with many locations around the city (there's one in the airport and one yards from Versalles   . locals eat at La C and tourists eat at V IME)

 

“La Carreta” Special

Ham, Roast Pork, Swiss Cheese and “Chorizo” on Cuban Bread with Mustard and Pickles.

 

many many places to get a Cuban in Miami but the La C' is 'special'

[BlueHerons]

I agree if you are going to be in Little Havana, go to Versailles.

 

BTW, their paella is divine.