The 10 Best Cuban Restaurants in Miami

For the best cafe con leche, croquetas, and medianoche sandwiches in all of Miami, head to Versailles. Aside from out-of-this-world Cuban coffee, pastries, and sandwiches, the restaurant also offers hot plates like grilled palomilla steak, Cuban-style roast pork, and Imperial Rice. Whatever you’re in the mood for—whether it be a traditional Cuban sandwich, a plate of Cuban-style yellow rice and chicken, or just a midday guava and cheese pastelito—this restaurant is a top choice.

Hands down, La Carreta boasts the best picadillo and Elena Rui sandwich (turkey breast, cream cheese, and strawberry marmalade on a fresh roll). The restaurant also features a mean shake made with mamey, a tropical fruit native to Central America. Visitors should make this their lunch go-to when exploring the heart of Little Havana. Dishes include sandwiches, roast pork, and Imperial Rice. It’s open muy late, making it a good spot for after hitting Ball and Chain on Saturday night, too.

La Rosa has some of the finest Cuban dining around, so this is the place for those looking for an excuse to get dressed up. Dishes include Cuban delights like vaca frita (fried shredded beef), arroz con pollo (yellow rice and chicken), and pan con bistec (steak sandwich). The pricing is a nice middle ground between an upscale restaurant on the beach and affordable, authentic spots in Little Havana. It’s a cozy little place (perfect for sweethearts).

This is the place to get the infamous Cuban Burger, made with a juicy beef burger, Swiss cheese, cantinpalo—all smashed between two tostones. Exquisito Restaurant also boasts a delicious pan con lechon sandwich, churrasco, and vaca frita.

For an affordable plate of rice and black beans, Cuban-style roast pork, yuca, and tostones, El Palacio de Los Jugos is the spot for you. It is known for its huge selection of fresh juices including watermelon, mamey, orange, carrot, and guayaba—as well as $2 coco frio coolers made with ice cold coconuts, perfect on a hot summer’s day, especially paired with some fried fish and plantains. All the favorite Cuban delicacies can be found here, and for one hell of a good price.

A frita is essentially a Cuban burger, made with a seasoned ground beef patty, potato sticks, diced raw onions, and ketchup on a Cuban roll. Nothing really gets much more delicious than this. In the mood for a hot, juicy burger with a little Cuban twist, stop by El Rey de las Fritas, and don’t be freaked out by the potato sticks on top. Order the frita with all the works, and immediately fall in love with the mix of crunchy, salty goodness with the sweetness of the ketchup. Still not convinced? The King of the Fritas also makes tasty pan con bistec sandwiches as well as homemade soups.

This sit-down spot has some of the most delicious Cuban dishes around, including grilled skirt steak and seafood, paella, and the classic Cuban sandwich. The restaurant also has fresh juices with orange, carrot, and sugar cane, as well as shakes made with fresh fruit like papaya, mango, mamey, and guava. Round up some friends and head here for a nice dinner outing.

Puerto Sagua in Miami Beach has some of the best fried yuca, ropa vieja, and skirt steak around, offering authentic Cuban dishes without having to trek to Little Havana. The menu’s variety means it can be the new go-to for Cuban cravings, whether it be chicken with white rice and black beans, chicken noodle soup, or a seafood platter. Feeling a little daring and want something fried and delicious? Try the croqueta sandwich.

This little gem is the perfect pit stop when craving some vaca frita (a tasty pulled pork sandwich) or arroz con pollo. This spot is a little on the divey side, but it’s also super cheap for the amount of food you get, and the taste is seriously out of this world. A sandwich will run about $4.75, and a plate of hot food (like roast pork) will cost about $7.50. Finish with a mango shake for $2.50.

Looking for a great skirt steak with house-made chimichurri sauce, fried yuca, and palomilla steak? Sergio’s is affordable and a must for trying delicious Cuban food. This spot is easy to find in Coral Gables and has plenty of parking. Top it all off with an order of homemade flan, a “sweet Cuban custard tart with caramelized sugar sauce.”