Little Havana Guide
- June 22, 2025
A visit to Greater Miami & Miami Beach isn’t complete without exploring Little Havana, located just west of Downtown Miami. This lively, culturally important neighborhood received its name when Cuban immigrants came to Miami in the 1960s. Today, Little Havana, declared a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is one of the most colorful, vibrant areas in the destination.
Calle Ocho (Southwest 8th Street), which runs between SW 21st and SW 10th avenues, is the center of the action, with enough coffee shops, restaurants, bars, cultural attractions and more to keep you entertained for days. Here are some of the best things to do in Little Havana.
Visit the Walk of Fame and Explore Street Art
The Calle Ocho Walk of Fame, spanning 12th to 17th avenues, is basically like the Hollywood Walk of Fame but for celebrities of Latin heritage. Some of the famous figures honored with stars embedded in the sidewalk are actor Andy Garcia and Grammy Award-winning musicians Celia Cruz and Gloria Estefan.
Calle Ocho is also home to vibrant murals of Cuban celebrities, such as the famous one of Cruz on the corner of 13th Avenue overlooking the Walk of Fame. In addition to the colorfully painted large roosters you’ll find along Calle Ocho, there are also many art galleries and gift shops selling art and trinkets, and you might even have the chance to talk to the artists.
Watch the Locals Play Dominoes
Maximo Gómez Park, named after a Cuban revolutionary, is better known as Domino Park because it’s where locals gather to play dominoes, a beloved Cuban pastime. You’ll mostly find older Cubans playing, smoking a cigar or drinking a cafecito and discussing politics. Games are taken seriously and are typically played by members only, but you are welcome to watch. There are benches in the park, and just maybe you will be invited to play a game or two.
Have a Cup of Cafecito and a Pastry
You’ll find places to enjoy coffee and pastries all along Calle Ocho. World-famous Versailles restaurant also has an on-site bakery where you can try authentic Cuban croquetas and pastelitos. Versailles is such an important part of the community that it’s where news outlets go to gauge the local Cuban perspective on important events.
La Colada Gourmet, known as “The House of Cuban Coffee,” has a more-modern vibe, with cheerful music playing and a huge, red coffee roaster mixing coffee beans on the spot. You can take home a bag of coffee or stay and savor one of the many expertly crafted Cuban coffee drinks. Accompany it with their croqueta trio or guava and cheese pastries.
Feast on Traditional Cuban Cuisine
Old’s Havana on Calle Ocho is known for its extensive menu, top-tier service and beautiful vintage decor evoking 1950s Cuba. Dine indoors in a cozy, quaint setting or enjoy the fresh air on the spacious outdoor patio, complete with live music every Monday through Thursday evenings. Try the authentic ropa vieja or fricasé de pollo, accompanied by a mojito.
Little Havana is home to the original Sanguich de Miami. The traditional Cuban sandwiches and other pressed sandwiches made at this MICHELIN Bib Gourmand-rated restaurant are always in high demand.
Cafe La Trova is well-known for its bar, which features handcrafted cocktails, and live music, but don’t miss the MICHELIN-recommended cuisine by James Beard Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein. Must-try dishes include lechón with steamed yuca and tangerine mojo and skirt steak ropa vieja. Make sure to reserve a table ahead of time.
Azucar Ice Cream Company creates ice cream flavors using tropical fruits like mango and passion fruit and locally grown fruits from South Florida farmers markets.
Enjoy Little Havana’s Vibrant Nightlife
Ball & Chain opened in 1935, and 90 years later, it is still known by locals as the place to go for salsa dancing. Check the online calendar; you’ll find everything from a DJ spinning salsa and mambo music to free dance classes and live jazz bands.
Cubaocho Museum & Performing Arts Center features art (some for sale) by Cuban artists on the walls and tables and a bar with Tiffany lamps hanging above it. Cubaocho is known for its extensive rum collection and great mojitos, but the highlight is the nightly live music and dancing that will transport you to pre-revolutionary Cuba.
Hoy Como Ayer cocktail lounge has been a Little Havana staple since 1999. There are three rooms you can choose from depending on your mood, from a cozy hallway for happy hour to an elegant living room for listening to music. Enjoy salsa dancing every Saturday night, and check the calendar for special performances.
Immerse Yourself in Cuban Culture
Viernes Culturales (Cultural Fridays) is a free community event that has been taking place since 2000. From noon until evening on the third Friday of each month, Calle Ocho becomes pedestrian-only between 14th and 17th avenues, and you can enjoy food, art and music alfresco.
Every year in March, thousands come to Little Havana for the annual Calle Ocho Music Festival, the largest free Latin music festival in the U.S. Stages along 15 blocks feature top Latin performers and folkloric dances, and there’s great food too.
Tour Little Havana With the Experts
The Little Havana Visitor Center is a good first stop to learn about all the guided walking and food tours available in the area. The 2.5 hour Little Havana Food and Cultural Tour, offered by Miami Culinary Tours, lets you sample food from top Cuban restaurants, visit cigar shops to see cigars being made, learn about the history of the Cuban exile community and more.
The Miami Little Havana Food & Culture Walking Tour offered by Bobby’s Bike Hike Miami is a relaxed three-hour walking tour of Little Havana that visits some of the most-exciting eating establishments in the neighborhood and visits landmarks like The Tower Theater and Bay of Pigs Memorial Park and the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame.
Explore more ways to experience Little Havana.
