For a taste of Cuba without leaving the United States, there’s no better place to visit than Little Havana in Greater Miami & Miami Beach. Since the first major wave of Cuban immigration in the late 1950s and ’60s, Little Havana, just west of Downtown Miami, has emerged as an exile community with a thriving arts and cultural heritage. Today, visitors can sample Cuban coffee and cuisine, visit arts collectives and museums and dance the night away to salsa music. Little Havana is an essential part of the destination’s broad culture, and a visit here promises to delight.

Calle Ocho

The heart of the neighborhood runs along SW 8th Street, or Calle Ocho, as the locals call it in Spanish. Here, you’ll find bakeries, coffee “ventanitas” (little windows), restaurants, fruit markets and cigar shops, many of which have been around for generations. Music pulses through the neighborhood, especially in March during the annual Calle Ocho Music Festival, part of the eight-week festival Carnaval Miami. Anytime of year, you’ll be treated to the sounds of rumba and salsa music playing at local bars and shops.

Domino Park

The famed Máximo Gómez Park, better known as Domino Park, on Calle Ocho is where neighborhood old timers gather to play dominos and talk politics. The sounds of domino tiles clacking can be heard as you approach. Mosaic tile murals surrounding the park depict symbols of Cuba, like tropical fruit, bongo drums, dominos and cigars, while painted murals illustrate Cuban legends, from poet and revolutionary José Martí to legendary singer Celia Cruz.

Cigars in Little Havana — Learn about cigar rolling on a Little Havana walking tour

Little Havana Walking Tours

One of the best ways to get to know Little Havana is through a guided walking tour. With a variety of cultural and food tours available, Little Havana Tours will take you on a deep dive into the area’s Cuban culture. A knowledgeable local guide will lead you through the neighborhood, where you’ll learn about the Cuban diaspora, religious rituals, cigar rolling and local art. You’ll also experience salsa and bachata music and sample Cuban coffee, food and even a mojito on these fun, informative and entertaining tours.

Classic car in front of Cubaocho — Discover the Cuban art collection at Cubaocho Museum & Performing Arts Center

Cubaocho Museum & Performing Arts Center

Cubaocho Museum & Performing Arts Center is a home for Cuban artists, local musicians and intellectuals who gather to play music, admire art, engage in discussions or simply enjoy a hand-rolled cigar and a glass of rum on the patio. The brainchild of Cuban art collector Roberto Ramos, this museum and performance venue houses one of the largest privately owned Cuban art collections in the world as well as one of the most comprehensive selections of rum.

Futurama 1637 Art Building

The Futurama 1637 Art Building is the epicenter of Little Havana’s artist scene. It’s home to 12 working studios and annually exhibits dozens of local artists in its gallery spaces. It’s also the creative force behind December’s annual Umbrellas of Little Havana Art Festival. A true hive of creativity, it’s always an exciting place to visit and discover emerging talent.

Ball & Chain

For a night out in Little Havana, head to the historic Ball & Chain nightclub and restaurant for mojitos and live music. The refurbished 1930s dance hall once hosted the likes of Billie Holiday and Count Basie. Today, it’s home to some of the most sophisticated nightlife in the neighborhood, hearkening back to its heyday with entertainment by the Ball & Chain Trio, the Miguel Cruz Quartet and touring acts.

Peope ordering food at the window at Versailles — Order coffee and food at the ventanita at Versailles Restaurant

Versailles Restaurant

Since 1971, Versailles has been a local gathering spot for the Cuban diaspora and one of Calle Ocho’s most popular destinations. The décor features golden chandeliers and mirrors referencing the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles in France. However, the sprawling restaurant and bakery has a decidedly casual diner vibe. You’ll find every staple of Cuban cuisine on the menu, from ham croquetas to Cuban sandwiches, cafecitos and heaping portions of ropa vieja with yellow rice, black beans and fried sweet plantains.

Los Pinareños Fruteria

Los Pinareños Fruteria is the oldest open-air market in Miami. You’ll find fresh avocados, mangos, carambola, pineapples and coconuts as well as made-to-order juices and milkshakes with their exotic produce. Spoil yourself with their signature banana cafe batido (a banana milkshake with a shot of Cuban coffee) or a classic mamey batido, made from the deep red, sweet and creamy tropical fruit native to Cuba.

Azucar Ice Cream Company

For a sweet treat to cap off your day exploring the art and culture of Little Havana, duck into Azucar Ice Cream Company, Calle Ocho’s resident Cuban artisanal ice cream parlor. Just look for the façade with an enormous ice cream cone piled high with colorful scoops. Named for Celia Cruz’s signature “Azucar!” exclamation, Azucar churns out over 100 flavors made with all-natural ingredients. Opt for the Abuela Maria, made with guava and cream cheese and served with a galleta Maria cookie. It’s Miami in a cup.

City views and fairy lights on the Terras rooftop — Savor Latin bites on the rooftop at Terras

Life House Little Havana

And for a Miami visit in a Little Havana home base, check into Life House, the neighborhood’s first boutique lifestyle hotel. With an eclectic design inspired by world travel, guest rooms boast herringbone wood floors, platform beds, a warm color palette and brass finishes. Perhaps best of all is the lush Terras rooftop perch, where you can enjoy Latin and Caribbean-inspired small plates, creative cocktails and unparalleled views of the Miami skyline in a hip, tropical atmosphere.

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