6 Cuban foods you must try in Miami
Miami, Florida is one of the best places to get authentic Cuban food in the US, and trust us when we say it’s not something you want to miss out on! Do your tastebuds a favor and stop at one of these eateries!
CUBAN SANDWICH
→ GET IT AT SANGUICH DE MIAMI
A quintessential Cuban food, if there’s one must-have item to order during your Miami food tour, it’s a Cuban sandwich — pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard on soft Cuban bread. But in an area where they’re a dime a dozen, it may be hard to know where it’s worth your while. From the delicious bread, to the house-made mustard, to the pork which is cured in-house, everything here is freshly made!
CORTADITO
→ GET IT AT RICKY BAKERY
You can get a cortadio nearly anywhere in Little Havana. We tend to stay away from the chains and tourist traps, so while there are one or two recommendations you’ll find on most travel guides, if you’re as discerning as we are, support small. While you’re in this little bakery, pick up a few desserts behind the glass case. We got several and they were all delicious!
EMPANADAS
→ GET IT AT PATAGONIA NAUHEN
Miami is where we were first introduced to empanadas, and we’re baffled as to how we never tried them sooner! There are a few different varieties prevalent (from Cuban-style, which is a fried half-moon shaped pastry, to Argentinian-style, which is baked and come in various shapes and sizes). No matter which you choose, you can’t go wrong — taste test them all to compare and find your favorite! Our top pick was a gourmet chorizo empanada with a buttery, flakey dough, found on Key Biscayne (just ten minutes outside of Miami). As a bonus, from this location, you can drive to a small beach just five minutes down the road and enjoy your bag of delicious goodies with palm trees overhead, your feet in the sand, and waves lapping along the shoreline. Does it get any better than that?!
CAFE CON LECHE
→ GET IT AT LAS OLAS
While it directly translates to “coffee with milk”, cafe con leche isn’t quite as simple as it sounds, and we found the best in South Beach, Miami! If you want to go where the locals go, a visit to Las Olas is a must. A hole-in-the-wall, don’t be put off by the wobbly tables or cafeteria-style setting inside of this bodega. Most customers line up outside la ventanita (little walk-up windows abundant throughout the city) and order to-go.
ROPA VIEJA
→ GET IT AT OLD’S LITTLE HAVANA CUBAN BAR AND COCINA
Don’t let the name, which translates to “old clothes” fool you. Ropa Vieja, made with shredded flank steak, tomatoes, peppers, and onions, is an aromatic dish often served with rice for a hearty, warming meal that fills you up. Walk through Old’s Little Havana Cuban Bar and Cocina to the terrace, where you can enjoy your meal al-fresco, underneath sailcloth canopies and twinkle lights. To pair with it? Order a raspberry mojito, complete with a raw sugarcane stalk. You won’t be sorry!
CROQUETAS DE JAMÓN
→ GET IT AT ISLAS CANARIAS
We had never heard of croquetas, but while in Little Havana, we learned they’re a staple! Served nearly any time of day — for breakfast, as a snack, tapas… the list goes on — these deep-fried logs are not only versatile, but delicious! What are they exactly? Croquetas de jamón (ham) is by far the most popular version, and despite how creamy they are, there's not one ounce of cheese to be found! A seasoned béchamel sauce binds finely-chopped Serrano ham and diced onions. Covered in breadcrumbs, they’re fried until golden and served warm.
