1. Hy Vong
City: Little Havana, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (305) 446-3674
Address: 3458 SW 8th St.
Insider Pick:
Description: This local Vietnamese joint was opened by two women who were passionate about food and a unique dining experience. The menu consists of duck, chicken, pork, seafood, and beef dishes. Some standout picks include the marinated half roasted duck with black currant dressing, chicken wrapped in pastry with watercress cream cheese dressing, and seared fresh fish filet served with mango and peppercorns.
2. El Nuevo Siglo Supermarket
City: Little Havana, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (305) 854-1916
Address: 1305 SW 8th St.
Description: It is technically a supermarket but it has some of the neighborhood’s best Cuban food. It’s been awarded the titles of Best Latin Market/Cafeteria and Best Cuban Sandwich by the Miami New Times. The store’s lunch counter serves empanadas, ropa vieja, churrasco steak, and sides with the bonus of grocery shopping while you wait. Spanish will come in handy here.
3. La Carreta
City: Little Havana, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (305) 444-7501
Address: 3632 SW 8th St.
Insider Pick:
Description: La Carreta is the epitome of a Miami landmark—so much so that there are multiple locations, including one in Miami International Airport’s North terminal. But the atmosphere of the city locations (four in total!) is half of the dining experience. Daily specials are worth looking at and chef specials give a spin to the traditional Cuban dishes, which patrons can also order. Standout chef specials include the Plantain Meat Pie served with white rice and black beans, Rice with Calamari in its own ink served with sweet plantains, and Chicken Livers Sautéed with Sherry served with white rice, black beans, and plantains. Other locations around the city include 10633 NW 12th St., Doral (305-463-9778); 11740 SW 88th St., Kendall (305-596-5973); and 8650 Bird Rd., West Miami (305-553-8383).
4. Versailles
City: Little Havana, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (305) 444-0240
Address: 3555 SW 8th St.
Insider Pick:
Description: Though it seems like yet another Cuban restaurant, it is a Miami darling that attracts locals and tourists alike. The food is traditional Cuban so there will be no big surprises by way of entrées, especially, but there are a few unique appetizers that are worth starting with: duo diners should order the fried combo, which comes with four croquettes, four turnovers, fried yuca, and mariquitas with mojo. Mashed Green Plantains with pork chunks and pork rinds are an interesting pick as well as the Cassava Yuca Croquettes sauteed with meat served with cilantro sauce. It’s almost impossible to go wrong with anything on the menu.
5. La Palma Restaurant
City: Little Havana, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (305) 261-1113
Address: 6091 SW 8th St.
Description: Yet another go-to Latin staple for reliable menu items like 86-cent croquetas, which were rated the city’s best by the Miami New Times. Also try the disco volador, which has ham, cheese, and chorizo or the sweet churros, which are also known as the city’s best. Spanish speaking is recommended.
6. Taqueria El Mexicano
City: Little Havana, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (305) 858-1160
Address: 521 SW 8th St.
Description: While the burritos and tostados are good, it’s the breakfast menu that makes this taqueria noteworthy. Their rendition of the classic Mexican breakfast dish chilaquiles (tortillas, salsa, refried beans, eggs, cheese, and crema) is near perfect. Scrambled eggs with chorizo and huevos rancheros are also satisfying. All three dishes cost around $6, which leaves some extra change to spend throughout day.
7. La Camaronera Restaurant And Fish Market
City: Little Havana, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (305) 642-3322
Address: 1952 West Flagler St.
Description: The owners of this joint grew up as sons of a Cuban fisherman, which make this restaurant a family-friendly location. There’s no shortage of fried foods (fried oysters, fried fish roe, mahi fingers . . . only on the appetizer menu) but other nonfried options are available. Sides are a must: yellow rice with fish bits, french fries, and green plantains. The restaurant touts itself as having Miami’s best shrimp and now has a food truck making rounds throughout the city.