Cuban food and culture is a mainstay in Greater Miami & Miami Beach. Here are the best Cuban restaurants in the destination, from traditional to fusion and even MICHELIN-recognized.

Arroz con pollo and mamey shake at Versailles — Satisfy your Cuban food craving at Versailles

Dine With the Locals at World-Famous Versailles

A Little Havana landmark since 1971, MICHELIN-recommended Versailles is arguably the most-famous Cuban restaurant in the world, a place frequented by celebrities and politicians but with a casual diner feel. In addition to serving Cuban classics, from vaca frita (fried beef) to the Cuban sandwich, this expansive restaurant has an adjoining bakery where one can enjoy a cafecito with a sweet or savory pastelito (pastry). While you’re there, chitchat with Cuban locals at the ventanita (a window where you can buy coffee to-go) or enjoy late-night discussions over coffee and a snack.

Exterior of La Carreta — Come to La Carreta for traditional Cuban staples

Cuban Food That Tastes Like Abuela Made It

Founded in 1976, La Carreta is a go-to for locals looking for authentic dishes that feel like abuela (grandma) made them. Enjoy traditional dishes such as picadillo a la Cubana (ground beef cooked with onions, peppers, olives, raisins and tomato sauce) and chicken fricasse. La Carreta has nine locations, including at Miami International Airport and in Hialeah, where you’ll find a huge ventanita for grabbing a Cuban cortadito (sweetened espresso) to go.

Cafe La Trova's stuffed croquetas served on fig jam — Try Cafe La Trova's croquetas with fig marmalade, by Ruben Cabrera

Live Music, Great Drinks & Fine Cuban Cuisine

MICHELIN-recommended Cafe La Trova opened in 2019 but is already a treasure on Little Havana’s famous Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street). The food is by James Beard Award-winning Chef Michelle Bernstein, while master mixologist Julio Cabrera’s team of cantineros (bartenders) create handcrafted cocktails and real Trova musicians play Cuban music. The ropa vieja (a Cuban stewed beef classic), made with skirt steak, and other examples of fine Cuban dining, like branzino with spinach, dill, leaks and marscapone and arroz con pollo (chicken with rice), make for a memorable dining out experience.

A Long-Time Favorite for Cuban Classics

Open since 1966, Morro Castle in Hialeah is one of the oldest Cuban cafes in the area. This family-owned diner serves authentic Cuban staples, such as bistec de palomilla (thinly sliced fried steak) and arroz moro (mixed black beans and rice), but you can also try the croqueta sandwiches or a frita, a Cuban-style burger that consists of a beef and pork patty topped with fried potato sticks, sandwiched in a soft bun. Sit at a booth or the lunch counter and choose from a variety of milkshake flavors, including mamey, papaya and trigo (wheat).

Chug's frita patty melt with fries — Try the frita patty melt with fries at Chug's Diner

An Inventive Take on Cuban American Food

Chug’s Diner in Coconut Grove has received a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand designation for quality and value four years in a row. Enjoy chef-owner Michael Beltran’s fusion of Cuban and American cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For breakfast, try the lechón hash, with Cuban roast pork, mojo onions and fried eggs. For dinner, the frita patty melt and lechón ramen hit the spot.

Huge Portions All Day Long

MICHELIN-recommended Havana Harry’s in Coral Gables is the place to go when you’re with the whole family or in a big group. The portions are huge and the selection is wide all day long. If you can’t decide what to order from the extensive menu, try “Harry’s Combination”: fried rice with your choice of vaca frita, chicken or lechoncita with an egg on top, served with sweet plantains. Finish off your meal with their creamy flan or one of many homemade cakes.

Ambiance, Charm and Tasty Specials 

Located less than three miles from Miami International Airport, La Rosa Fine Cuban Cuisine is an elegant restaurant with a quiet ambiance. It offers daily lunch specials and “Nana’s Kitchen” dinner specials, such as vaca frita de pollo (crispy shredded chicken with sweet peppers, onions and mojo) and boliche asado (slow-roasted beef in wine sauce), all of which come with a choice of soup or salad, two sides and dessert. Every Friday, enjoy live guitar music from 7-11 p.m.

Croquetas being displayed, finger-sized logs of mashed ham — Discover why locals love the croquetas at Islas Canarias

The Best Croquetas in Miami? You’ve Found Them 

Family-owned-and-operated Islas Canarias Restaurant & Bar, located north of Kendale Lakes, prides itself on traditional dishes from the family’s original recipes and its 1950s Cuba vibe. The restaurant is known throughout Miami for its croquetas (crispy, finger-sized logs of mashed ham, chicken or fish, coated in breadcrumbs and fried). Also try the wide variety of Cuban breakfast options, such as the “Desayuno Guajiro” (Cuban-style tamale, fried pork chunks, two eggs, sauteed potatoes, Cuban coffee and Cuban toast).

Traditional Cuban Favorites & Fabulous Mojitos

Havana 1957 has four locations in South Beach, all of which decorate the walls with vintage memorabilia and prints of works by Havana’s legendary artists. Try the signature dish, “Pollo Havana 1957” (roasted chicken marinated with citrus and Caribbean spices), or drop in for happy hour on Monday-Friday from 4-6 p.m. and sip a mojito at the mojito bar, which stocks more than 120 varieties of rum from around the world.

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