Little Havana is a neighborhood in Miami just west of the Downtown district. Calle Ocho (Southwest 8th Street) is the center of Little Havana, and it is where you'll find shops, restaurants, specialties like Cuban coffee and a thriving culture in this tight-knit community.
Little Havana in Miami developed after Fidel Castro took over in 1959 and established a communist regime in Cuba. Cuban exiles and refugees came in four waves from 1959 into the 1990s to the U.S. to escape the oppression and poverty of Castro's communist government. Much of the Cuban diaspora settled in Miami because the city offered economic opportunity and was still close to Cuba — home to exiles who hoped to return one day and near separated family members who were still in Cuba.
Their presence, community and culture have influenced Miami in a variety of ways. Today, you can find some of the best Cuban coffee all over Miami, eat delicious Cuban cuisine, attend exciting cultural events with music, dance and visual arts, as well as learn more about the Cuban refugee experience in local museums. If you visit Miami, you should tour Little Havana and enjoy the colorful Calle Ocho landmarks.
1. Drink a Cafecito (Cuban Coffee)
Cafecito originated in Cuba and is now widely available not only in Little Havana but all over Miami, and it or one of its related beverages is a must-try for coffee enthusiasts. But first what is Cuban coffee? Cafecito is a shot of espresso served in a small cup with a sweet foam on top called crema. You might see cafecito also called Cuban coffee and café Cubano. A colada is meant to be shared among family or friends; it is a larger cup of the sweet espresso served with small, empty cups. A cortadito is half milk and half Cuban coffee, and a café con leche is milk with a shot of Cuban coffee.
At many places you can order a coffee and a bite to eat inside or order at la ventanita, a window on the outside of the restaurant. Many restaurants in Little Havana — and Cuban restaurants throughout Miami — feature a ventanita, so if you want a coffee to go, you can stop at the window to place your order.
In Little Havana, there is no shortage of places to get coffee, but some notable mentions are La Carreta and Versailles Restaurant. Coffee is so pervasive in the Cuban culture you can get a good cup from La Pinareños Fruteria where you can also purchase produce, freshly squeezed juices and other fruit beverages.
In Downtown Miami, Manolo and Rena Grill as well as Las Palmas are favorites for a Cuban breakfast and coffee. Enriqueta's Sandwich Shop in the Wynwood District is a hit among the locals for lunch accompanied by a caffeine-fueled pick-me-up. If you opt for a late lunch to avoid the crowds at this place check the hours. They don't serve dinner, and you don't want to miss out because you got there after closing. In Miami Beach near South Beach, Puerto Sagua Restaurant and Las Olas Café serve delicious cups of Cuban-style brew.
2. Eat Delicious Cuban Cuisine in Little Havana
With such a large Cuban American population, much of the food in Miami (and in Little Havana especially) has been influenced by Cuban culture. You should definitely try some Cuban food in Little Havana if you are in Miami. If you are unfamiliar with Cuban food, here's a crash course on the types of dishes you'll find. Ropa vieja is a slow-cooked dish of shredded beef with olives and peppers, and picadillo is ground beef with olives and onions cooked in a tomato sauce, typically served with rice. Croquetas (a personal favorite of mine) are fritters made with bechamel and ham (or other meat) rolled into a ball or oval, breaded and fried. Tostones are a savory side dish of green plantains that have been sliced and twice fried, while maduros are ripe plantains that have been deep fried and served hot — a sweet version of plantains.
Then there are the sandwiches. Though Miamians will fiercely debate both the origins and ingredients, the Cuban sandwich likely originated in Key West or Tampa, but it can be found all over South Florida. In Miami, it's ham, roast pork, swiss cheese, mustard and dill pickle pressed between two slices of Cuban bread. It's served crispy and hot. Pan con bistec is another pressed sandwich, but this one is made with a thin slice of pan-fried steak, cooked onions and potato sticks on Cuban bread. There are too many dishes to list here, but these are the basics.
Depending on where you are from, you might see an empanada and think hand pie or turnover. They are made of dough that's been rolled out flat, typically filled with seasoned meat, folded over, crimped and fried. Pastelitos are flaky pastries that are delicious at breakfast and, honestly, at any time of day. They are often filled with guava or cream cheese, and an excellent accompaniment to Cuban coffee.
Next question is where to eat in Miami. Again this isn't an exhaustive list, but these should get you started. Versailles Restaurant bills itself as "the world's most famous Cuban restaurant" and has been attracting tourists since the 1970s. Nearby La Carreta, also on Calle Ocho, has a diner-like feel that is comfortable and casual. Sanguich De Miami was awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand, and it's our AAA inspector's favorite for value; they specifically mention favorites like the chicharrons (similar to pork rinds) and batidos (a fruity slushy drink made with ice and evaporated milk). Last but not least, Doce Provisions is known for its locally sourced ingredients and robust flavors, and while the restaurant might look unassuming from the outside, you'll find it has a beautiful outdoor setting. If you can't decide where to go or want to learn more about Little Havana from a local, try taking this food and walking tour.
3. Go Shopping for Guayabera Shirts
Want to embody some Miami style? Go shopping for a guayabera. While the origin of this shirt style is unknown, a popular story says that a man in Cuba asked his wife to make him the shirt, and the style spread. Guayaberas, once exclusively menswear, feature four pockets — two at the chest and two and the hemline, all with button closures — with two stripes made of pleating or embroidery running horizontally through the middle of the pockets, and a straight hemline. The shirts are traditionally made of lightweight cotton or linen, but today, cheaper versions made with a polyblend are available. These shirts are perfect for a hot climate, which may explain why they are a wardrobe staple for so many across Latin America, Cuba and the Caribbean.
One of the most famous places to shop for a guayabera is at Ramón Puig's Guayaberas. Puig opened his first shop in Cuba in 1943, and after immigrating to Miami, opened La Casa de las Guayaberas in Little Havana. Today it is still the place for some locals to buy these shirts for special occasions. Also on Calle Ocho, you'll find other stores stock these shirts such as D'Asis Guayaberas. Outside of Little Havana, Pepe & Berta have been selling this traditional garment in Coral Terrace since 1979.
4. Domino Park and Other Notable Sights in Little Havana
Domino Park, also known as Máximo Gómez Park is a small space where locals play dominos and chess. You have to be a member to play, but spectators are welcome. While games are going on, the small area is a lively space buzzing with conversations and sometimes friendly wagers. Once here, you'll see the fun Domino Park gate and the domino decorations as well as a mural by Oscar Thomas depicting government leaders who attended the 1994 Summit of the Americas in Miami.
Azucar Ice Cream Company is a popular spot across from Domino Park on Calle Ocho. The owner was inspired by her Cuban grandmother's homemade ice cream recipes, and today at Azucar, she focuses on creating creamy, delicious ice creams and prioritizes ingredients from local farmers and suppliers, including flavors such as guava and mamey. Grab a scoop here to cool off on a hot Miami day.
Calle Ocho Walk of Fame starts at Domino Park and continues for four blocks on both sides of the street. Similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the one in Little Havana features pink stars that showcase the names of Latin singers, musicians, actors and artists. You'll find folks like Celia Cruz and Julio Iglesias have been honored with a star.
Cuban Memorial Boulevard is located south of Calle Ocho on Southwest 13th Avenue. The memorials in the park honor those who have fought for Cuban independence and freedom. Some of the monuments include an eternal torch to remember the men of Brigade 2506 who fought in the Bay of Pigs Invasion, a statue of Nestor Izquierdo and a bas-relief of the island of Cuba accompanied by a quote from José Martí that translates to, "The homeland is agony and duty."
5. Viernes Culturales
Viernes Culturales or Cultural Fridays take place from noon to 11 on the third Friday of every month in Little Havana's Calle Ocho between 13th and 17th avenues. Visitors can enjoy live music, booths where artisans sell their goods, and delicious foods from local restaurants, food trucks and even fruterias. Art galleries on Calle Ocho also welcome festivalgoers to come in and enjoy their art. Attendees who want to learn more about the area can register in advance for the free Little Havana Walking Tour hosted by Dr. Paul George, a history professor at Miami Dade College. The tour departs at 7 p.m. from the Tower Theater. It is a great opportunity to get familiar with the Cuban American culture that permeates the Little Havana neighborhood.
6. Carnaval Miami
Carnaval Miami is an event series that takes place various weekends from February through April. Some of the events during the festival include Calle Ocho Music Festival that takes over 15 blocks of Calle Ocho with stages where live music is played. There is dancing and plenty of food throughout. Carnaval on the Mile is in Coral Gables and boasts two days of local art, live music and children's entertainment, while Art on the Drive is on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach. With the Art Deco buildings on one side and South Beach on the other, festivalgoers enjoy fine arts and crafts and three stages of musical entertainment. The events are free to attend, and money raised goes to Kiwanis of Little Havana Foundation, which supports children's sports, summer camps, distribution of school supplies and scholarships.
7. Learn about the Cuban Refugee Experience
Through art and artifacts, the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora tells the stories of the Cuban experience from the heartbreak and often harrowing experience of leaving their island and their homes to starting over in a new country and creating a community.
The Freedom Tower* is known as "the Ellis Island of the South" because from 1962 to 1974 the building was the headquarters of the Cuban Refugee Assistance Program (CRA). Refugees were processed, and they received a medical exam with basic medical care and could get financial aid to help start their new life in the United States.
Today, the Freedom Tower is owned by the Miami Dade College. They have exhibits that detail how Cuban exiles traveled to the U.S. and how they started their lives as refugees. There is also a display of contemporary art that symbolizes how Cuban culture affected South Florida.
*The Freedom Tower is currently closed for renovations and is scheduled to reopen in 2025.
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