Little Havana, one of Miami's oldest neighborhoods, is teeming with places to eat, drink, and explore. With time-tested classics right next door to the new kids on the block, this neighborhood has a little something for everyone. Read on to find the best eats in Little Havana so you can hit up for the next time you're looking for great food.
A long-time classic for the homemade dishes your Abuela used to make, Versailles is a Little Havana staple. Here, you'll find fried plantains, black beans, and yellow rice on the menu, but if you're on the go, don't forget about La Ventanita, the take-out window with assorted pastelitos and, of course, the best Cuban coffee. For the Dolphins fans, Versailles also has an outpost in the Hard Rock Stadium for those who want an authentic snack while watching a football game.
Related content: Late Night Eats in Miami
La Carreta has expanded to nine locations, but it continues to serve authentic Cuban cuisine and coffee at its original location on Calle Ocho. Come here to get your Cuban fix with croquetta sandwiches, grilled palomilla steak, and ropa vieja in an Hacienda style setting. Their menu is expansive and, the best part is, it's still hard to go wrong with any choice here!
Related content: Wake Up and Energize With Miami's Best Cuban Coffee
Little Havana may not come to your mind when you think about Thai food, but don't rule it out just yet! Lung Yai Thai Tapas serves up smaller-sized bites of flavorful Thai dishes. This restaurant on Calle Ocho makes up for its small size with a menu that packs a big punch. Can't-miss items include yum woonsen, a spicy salad with mixed seafood, glass noodles, and red onion, and palo moo, tender slow-cooked pork and pork belly, tofu, and a boiled egg.
Velvet Creme Doughnuts & Coffee
Right next door to Lang Yai is the newly-reopened Velvet Creme Doughnuts & Coffee. Originally opened in 1947 in Little Havana, Velvet Creme keeps it simple with their original recipe for doughnuts served with freshly brewed coffee. Sit along the retro counter top and get your morning started the right way, or come in for a delicious afternoon pick-me-up. If doughnuts aren't your thing, Velvet Creme also has soft serve ice cream to satisfy your sweet tooth.
If you walked into Azucar Miami and didn't know the origin of all the flavors or the history behind them, it wouldn't take you long to guess. This little ice cream shop's Cuban heritage is clear from the start. These sweet treats include flavors like cafe con leche, coconut flan, and guava with ingredients sourced locally when possible. If you're feeling overwhelmed, start off with their signature flavor, Abuela Maria, the inspiration behind Azucar Miami.
Also new to Little Havana is Sanguich, a take-out window offering Cuban Sandwiches and a variety of milkshakes. Everything here is made from scratch and on-site and, impressively, comes from a small location the size of a food truck. Just as you don't judge a book by its cover, you can't judge Sanguiche by the size of its kitchen.
Little Havana is a neighborhood rich in history and tradition, and the best eats in Little Havana give you a taste of all that it has to offer.
For more restaurants near Downtown Miami, register on 305area, your free guide to everything Miami!
Cover photo courtesy of Adobe Stock Images
