Cuban food in Miami

Sabah Drabu

4 mins read

Jul 18, 2024

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6 Recommendations for Cuban Food in Miami

Miami’s food scene is a feast for the senses! It offers a taste of the world within its city limits. Every yummy dish has an interesting story behind it, showing off different cultures and cooking ideas. In Miami, the food scene is all about the mix of cultures, especially Cuban food.

So, if you’re wandering around places like Little Havana, Miami Beach, or Wynwood, you got to try the local eats! Miami’s known for its tasty coastal cuisine, bringing together lots of flavors for everyone to enjoy. It’s like a food paradise here.

What food is Miami known for?

Miami is a lively mix of cultures, and its food scene shows how different people come together. With its beach lifestyle, the best Cuban food in Miami has lots of different tastes that everyone can enjoy. That’s why Miami is a heaven for people who love food!

Cuba is Miami’s Culinary Heart

Miami has some amazing food, but many people say Cuban food is the best! It’s a big part of the best food in Miami scene. Locals and tourists love eating Cubanos (a yummy sandwich) and Cafecito (a strong, sweet coffee). It’s Miami’s special treat!

Cafecito, a sweet, strong Cuban espresso, fuels the city’s energy. You can see it in action at 3:05 pm, Miami’s official coffee break. This tiny but mighty beverage is a staple to enjoy alongside a pastelito or two.

Unique to Cuban cuisine yet beloved across Miami is the frita. It’s a Cuban hamburger that combines spiced beef and chorizo in a way that’s distinctly Miami.

Beyond Cuban Cuisine

But in Miami, there’s more than just Cuban food. They have lots of different kinds of food in Miami! One thing people really like is stone crabs. You can only get them from October to May. People get really excited about it like it’s a big holiday.

Miami loves food from Latin America! One popular dish is arepas, made from cornmeal and originally from Venezuela. It’s a hit in Miami because of the growing Venezuelan community. Then there’s ceviche, which comes from Peru and is all about fresh, citrusy flavors—perfect for Miami’s coastal vibe.

Street Food

The city’s street food is not to be overlooked. Colombian hot dogs provide culinary revival at any time of the day. You know, these Colombian hot dogs? They’re not like your regular ones. They’re like a flavor explosion! They’ve got cheese, sauces, and sometimes even a fried egg on top.

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What areas in Miami are known for Cuban food?

Miami has lots of mouthwatering Cuban food in different parts of town. Each area has its own special Cuban flavors. Little Havana is the main spot for Cuban culture in Miami. The neighborhood is home to the most famous street for Cuban food, Calle Ocho.

The neighborhood’s main thoroughfare is where most locals agree you get the best Cuban food in Miami. Little Havana has lots of famous restaurants and really yummy Cuban food. They serve all the classics like the Cuban sandwich and ropa vieja. When you eat there, it feels like you’re in Havana!

Other Locations

If you’re looking for the best Cuban food in Miami, you can’t go wrong with South Beach and Miami Beach. They’ve got lots of Cuban restaurants to choose from, plus plenty of other types of food in Miami too.

And don’t forget about Coconut Grove! It’s a fancy neighborhood with some great Cuban spots. The vibe there is really cool and laid-back, perfect for trying out Cuban-American dishes.

Also, the Coral Gables area is another key neighborhood known for its Cuban food, bringing you an upscale ambiance to complement the dining experience. Wynwood is also an artsy neighborhood that boasts some Cuban gems.

Cuban food mixes Spanish, African, and Caribbean flavors to make something special. Some yummy Cuban dishes show off this delicious mix of cultures.

Rice, Beans, and Plantains

In Cuban food, these three dishes are super important and yummy.

There’s this dish called Arroz Congri. It’s basically rice mixed with beans. People love it because it’s tasty and makes them happy. Then, there are plantains. They can be sweet or salty. They’re delicious and show how great Cuban food is. If you’re ever in Miami, you have to try them!

Mojo Criollo

This zesty sauce is like the heart and soul of Cuban cooking! It’s made with garlic and citrus, giving it a tangy and delicious flavor. You can use it to marinate meat or as a dipping sauce. It adds a special Cuban touch to any dish you try in Miami.

Ropa Vieja

This dish is called “ropa vieja,” which means “old clothes” in Spanish. But don’t let the name fool you—it’s really tasty! It’s made with shredded beef cooked in a yummy tomato sauce with onions and bell peppers. Ropa vieja is a special dish from Cuba that shows off their amazing cooking skills. Even though it’s made with simple ingredients, it’s full of flavor and is a favorite in Miami.

Pescado, Gambas y Camarones

Seafood is among the best food in Miami. It also plays a crucial role in Cuban cuisine, reflecting Miami’s coastal bounty. From fresh fish ceviche cured in lime juice to succulent shrimp and prawns, Cuban seafood dishes in Miami are often seasoned with the island’s signature mojo for an extra layer of flavor.

The Cuban Sandwich

This dish can easily rank as the best Cuban food in Miami because of its popularity. The Cuban sandwich, with its layers of roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard pressed between slices of Cuban bread, is a culinary icon. And there are other tasty pork dishes and Cuban toast too. Miami knows how to make awesome sandwiches, especially with pork.

Cuban Coffee

You should have a cup of strong, sweet Cuban coffee with every meal in Cuba. They call it café Cubano, and it’s like a little shot of espresso with sugar. It’s something they do every day and it shows how friendly and welcoming Cubans are.

A Personal Chef in Miami

So far, we know what and where to try the best Cuban food in Miami. Now we’ll reveal you how to have the best of the Cuban world. Hire a personal chef in Miami to enjoy the best Cuban food to have ever cooked, right in the comfort of your home. A personal chef whips up a dish just the way you want it with preferences and customizations.

What makes this idea worth trying is that private chefs also cater to every dietary restriction. Apart from mouthwatering food on your plate, you also get a neat kitchen cleaned tight after cooking the magic.

Sabah Drabu

Co-Founder & CEO

Sabah Drabu is a foodie, engineer, and the Co-founder & CEO of CookinGenie. She created the platform in 2019 to connect local chefs with at-home diners, making hiring personal chefs more accessible. Sabah's idea has evolved into a service people use for parties, vacation rentals, and family gatherings.

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