Explore Calle Ocho In Little Havana

Bienvenido, or welcome, to Little Havana, where you can have the quintessential local Cuban experience with authentic food, lively music and Latino culture. West of Downtown Miami, Little Havana is the beating heart of Greater Miami and Miami Beach’s Cuban culture, and is home to Calle Ocho (Southwest 8th Street). You’ll know you’ve reached Calle Ocho when you see the colorful rooster sculptures along the road. Dressed as traditional farmworkers, carpenters or doctors, these 6-foot figures are an emblem of Cuban pride and resilience.

First time visiting? Start at the Little Havana Visitors Center to learn about the local history, people and culture. Sample authentic Cuban coffee and buy souvenirs like dominoes and fedoras. Afterward, set aside time to explore this unique neighborhood.

Calle Ocho Walk of Fame

Walk along the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame from 12th to 17th avenues. Look down to see stars embedded in the sidewalks celebrating Cuban and Latin-American icons, like Celia Cruz and Gloria Estefan, for their positive impact on the destination’s culture and history. Explore the star-studded path featuring bronze-lettered names of leaders who shaped Cuban music, literature and activism.

Little Havana’s Cigar Tradition

The sweet, woody aroma of Cuban cigars fills the air near factories and shops as you wander through Calle Ocho. If you’re over 21, you can purchase fresh, hand-rolled cigars made with high-quality tobacco leaves. Go on a tour at Casa Habano to learn how cigars are made, from seeding and curing to aging the cigar using ancient Cuban traditions. Or roll your own cigars at Cremo Cigars using a custom blend of tobacco leaves. Head to Little Havana Cigar Factory, Federico Empire Cigar Factory or a shop like El Titan de Bronze to watch a master torcedor expertly craft cigars.

Grab a cigar from Little Havana Social Club at Mr. Cigars, where its third-generation cigar rollers craft cigars grown from original Cuban seeds for a deep, clean flavor.

Dominoes at Domino Park

Head to 15th Avenue and visit Domino Park (or Máximo Gómez Park, named after the Cuban revolutionary) to watch elders playing lively games of dominoes while chatting with locals. Get a glimpse into the lives of the social club members who are over 50 and host dominoes competitions, typically for members only.

Street Art and Murals

Get inspired by the art of Calle Ocho, which reflects Cuban Americans’ history, politics and culture. At 14th Avenue, the Little Havana Wall is a 50-foot-wide mural comprised of black-and-white photos and images capturing the spirit of the community. Go on a Little Havana Walking Tour to uncover numerous works reflecting Cuban culture as you learn about the artists who created them.

Catch a Film at a Historic Theater

Want to watch a comedy show or play at a 100-year-old theater? Head to the Tower Theater next door to Domino Park to experience the creativity of cinema, stage performances and even foreign films. Tower Theater altered its programming to include Spanish subtitles and eventually Spanish-language films, which made it more inclusive to Cuban who came to Miami in the 1960s.

Dance the Night Away

Experience Little Havana’s exciting nightlife with live music, delicious mojitos and dancing. For a lively night, visit Ball & Chain to hear bands playing every type of Latin music, from salsa and rumba to Afro-Cuban jazz. If you’re looking for a more laid-back vibe, sit outside on the patio and enjoy the music while conversing over cocktails.

MICHELIN-recommended Cafe La Trova is known for its inventive cocktails by world-famous Julio Cabrera and contemporary Cuban-style dishes crafted by James Beard Award-Winning Chef, Michelle Bernstein. Delight in live music, dancing and fun-loving bartenders who join the band to play the trumpet or trombone.

Head to Sala’o for a restaurant and cigar lounge with a classy vintage vibe, salsa dancing and Cuban cabaret. With live music shows every night, you can even enjoy Carnaval night on Fridays and Saturdays.

Art, History and Rum

Browse through a collection of pre-revolutionary Cuban art from 1800 to the 1960s while sipping rum at the Cubaocho Museum & Performing Arts Center. Grab a drink at the bar featuring over 480 different rums as you admire the cigar collection. As night falls, groove amongst Cuban artwork as you enjoy Latin dance classes.

Shop for Guayabera Shirts

Get yourself a classic Cuban guayabera at a boutique like the family-owned, Havana Collection. These linen or cotton shirts worn by soldiers and farmworkers as uniforms in the 18th and 19th centuries are named after guava trees in Cuba. Their 4 front pockets were useful for storing guavas, and now, their loose fit is ideal for tropical climates. 

Uncover Cuban-U.S. History

The Bay of Pigs Brigade 2506 Museum is a must-visit for history buffs who want to learn about a pivotal point in U.S.-Cuban history and the local exile community. Explore military memorabilia and artifacts, including the Brigade 2506 flag President John F. Kennedy held up during a homecoming ceremony for over 1,000 surviving members. Learn about the Cuban patriots who fought for freedom during the U.S.-backed military operation in Cuba in 1961.

Eat and Drink on Calle Ocho

Dine at MICHELIN-recommended Versailles, a family-owned restaurant in Little Havana that’s perfect for a classic Cuban sandwich, cafe con leche or traditional Cuban food. Or head to MICHELIN Bib Gourmand selection Sanguich de Miami for a pressed Cuban sandwich that’s crispy on the outside and packed with melted cheese and house-cured meats on the inside. As you stroll along Calle Ocho, you’ll find many charming restaurants, including Tumba'o, Cubata and Ciao Havana Steakhouse.

You can’t visit the destination and not try Cuban coffee. Sample beverages like la colada, an intense and sweet Cuban coffee with 4 to 6 espresso shots, often a communal drink shared with family and friends. Visit La Colada Gourmet, a family business and art cafe that specializes in la colada. The venue has refreshments ranging from tres leche coffee or the 305 cafe to desserts like guava pastries and coconut flan.

Satisfy your sweet tooth at Azucar Ice Cream Company, which serves artisanal ice cream inspired by methods of Cuban grandparents. Try the famous Abuela Maria, a Cuban-inspired flavor oozing with guava, cream cheese and Maria cookies. Or book the Little Havana Food and Cultural Tour by Miami Culinary Tours for a curated taste of Cuban cuisine at family-owned Little Havana restaurants.