Best Empanada Restaurants In Miami

No visit to Greater Miami and Miami Beach is complete without experiencing the local tradition of pairing freshly baked finger foods with a strong cup of Cuban coffee any time of day. Among the most popular handheld delights is the empanada: a half-moon-shaped pastry that’s usually stuffed with savory seasoned meats, though sweet versions are also common.

Across the destination, you’ll find a variety of Latin American empanada options to choose from: Spanish, Argentinian, Venezuelan, Colombian, Cuban and more. Depending on their origin, empanadas can be either baked or fried. No matter your preferred style, here’s where to find the best empanadas in Miami.

The Empanada’s

At The Empanada’s in Downtown Miami, you can choose from one of the biggest selections of handmade empanadas in Miami (over 25 varieties). This popular takeout spot offers traditional Argentinian empanadas – ground beef, chicken or sweet corn – or explore the signature collection, with options like The Chicken ‘N Cream (pulled chicken in a béchamel sauce) and The Malbec Beef (sliced beef and mushrooms in a wine reduction sauce).

Craving something really unique? The special empanadas include combinations like pulled pork with mango barbecue sauce and the salmon Philly (salmon with scallions and cream cheese). There are also vegan options, including tofu with cherry tomatoes and vegan mozzarella cheese and vegan seitan beef. For dessert, try the newest hit, a riff on the viral Dubai Chocolate. 

There are also locations in Key Biscayne (the original), Aventura, Doral, North Miami and South Miami.

Milly's Empanada Factory

This family-run empanada shop Milly's Empanada Factory in Kendall owes it all to matriarch Millincett "Milly" Martinez, who arrived from Venezuela in 1995 and has been hand-making authentic street-style empanadas ever since. These days, the next generation is expanding on Milly’s legacy with a fresh look and new creations.

Go for any of the traditional, fried-to-order Venezuelan corn empanadas, from pabellón to shredded beef and spicy chicken. Or try something more modern, like the breakfast arepa bowl or the patacón sandwich, which swaps bread for crispy green plantains filled with your choice of protein. Whatever you do, don’t skip an order of tequeños and an iced cafe con leche.

Empanada Harry’s

Empanada Harry’s, a regular participant at the famed South Beach Wine & Food Festival, is a great spot to try empanadas from a few countries at once: Venezuela, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Colombia. Chef Harry Coleman has been watching his dad (owner of Miami Beach’s famous Moises Bakery) make Chilean empanadas since the age of 7, and also ran his family’s Charlotte Bakery for over a decade – so he’s had a lot of time to perfect his craft.

Choose from a rotating menu of over 50 empanadas at his West Kendall bakery, including chipotle chicken, truffle bacon mac & cheese, brisket and pulled pork. The croquetas and pan de bono are also major crowd-pleasers. Pair these with a selection of local craft beers and unique wine.

Graziano’s

A Coral Gables institution, Graziano’s has been delighting customers with its Argentinian empanadas since 1962. That’s when the family first began selling them out of a butcher shop in Buenos Aires. Today, Graziano’s has expanded to encompass four restaurants and eight markets across Miami, offering a refined yet casual atmosphere to shop for quality beef and artisanal goods, or sit down for a glass of wine and a few warm and flaky empanadas. The spicy beef empanada is a customer favorite, or try the lamb, baby spinach and mozzarella cheese, among other choices.

Doggi’s Arepa Bar

Doggi’s Arepa Bar is known for its Venezuelan arepas, but the delicious Venezuelan empanadas are also a must, made with a fried, slightly sweet cornmeal shell. Choose from beef, chicken, cheese or pabellón (black beans, white cheese and fried plantain) fillings, and pair your empanada with a beer or a bottle of wine. Doggi’s has locations in Aventura, Wynwood, the Upper East Side, Coral Way, and Little Havana. 

El Carajo

A hidden gem, El Carajo is easy to miss, tucked in the back of a gas station on U.S. 1, just north of Coconut Grove. But this wine shop and restaurant serves outstanding traditional tapas from Spain, including paella, and some of the best Spanish empanadas you will ever experience. Pick from shredded chicken, beef, ham and cheese or spinach. If you’re stopping in after filling up your car, you can even grab one to-go from the bakery counter. 

La Estancia Argentina

If you find yourself farther north in the Aventura area, don’t miss La Estancia Argentina, a local favorite for outstanding Argentinian empanadas. More than just a bakery, La Estancia has been serving the community for over 20 years with homemade pastries, and a delicatessen and full butcher shop offering top-quality meats. You must try the cut beef empanada, packed with generous chunks of tender beef in a perfectly seasoned, juicy sauce. Buy them individually or by the dozen. 

La Juanita

Opened in 2024 to immediate rave reviews, La Juanita brings fresh, authentic Argentine-style empanadas to South Beach. The top three favorites are knife cut beef, pepperoni with gooey mozzarella and Dubai chocolate (fudgy brownie with rich pistachio ganache). You can choose to have them fried or baked.

SUR

SUR is another Argentinian empanada hotspot known for its original concoctions. Located in Little Haiti, the funky garden restaurant serves favorites like hand cut beef, mushroom and gouda, squash with goat cheese and chicken and scallion.

Every Friday evening starting at 7 p.m., enjoy a DJ vinyl session. Once a month, Jazz in the Garden features two live jazz sets starting at 8 p.m. (usually every second Friday). Take note, they are closed on Saturday and Sunday.