13 Authentic Cuban Restaurants To Try In Florida
Cuban flavors run deep across the Sunshine State, filling kitchens with the aromas of slow-cooked meats, fresh bread pulled straight from the oven, and the irresistible sizzle of fried plantains. Generations of tradition blend with lively atmospheres, creating places where every plate feels both familiar and unforgettable.
From the heart of bustling neighborhoods to coastal escapes, each restaurant adds its own mark on a cuisine rooted in culture and comfort. These spots have become trusted favorites for families, travelers, and anyone who craves dishes prepared with passion and pride.
1. Enriqueta’s Sandwich Shop – Miami
Hidden gem alert! This no-frills eatery serves mammoth portions that keep construction workers, office employees, and food enthusiasts coming back daily. The sandwich counter buzzes with Spanish conversations and sizzling plancha grills.
Their croqueta preparada sandwich (Cuban sandwich with croquettes inside) defies gravity with its height. Cash only, but worth every dollar.
2. El Siboney – Key West
Tucked away in a residential neighborhood, this Key West institution has been serving islanders since 1984. The blue-and-white checkered tablecloths and family photos create a homey atmosphere far from tourist traps.
Their roast pork falls apart at the touch of a fork. Regulars swear by the garlic chicken, always accompanied by mountains of yellow rice and black beans.
3. Old’s Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina – Little Havana, Miami
Salsa music spills onto Calle Ocho from this lively spot where live music and mojitos flow freely. Vintage photos of pre-revolutionary Cuba line walls adorned with memorabilia from the island.
Weekend nights transform the restaurant into an impromptu dance floor. Their ropa vieja (shredded beef) simmers for hours in a tomato-based sauce that grandmothers would approve of.
4. Sergio’s Restaurant – Multiple Locations
What began as a small café in 1975 has evolved into a mini-empire without sacrificing authenticity. Their health-conscious “La Flaca” menu offers lighter Cuban options for the calorie-conscious – revolutionary in Cuban cuisine!
Early mornings bring lines of locals seeking their famous breakfast special: tostada, eggs, and café con leche. Their expanding footprint proves traditional flavors can adapt to modern appetites.
5. Havana 1957 – Miami & Hollywood
Step back in time to Cuba’s glamorous heyday at this nostalgic eatery. Vintage cars, black and white photographs, and servers in guayaberas create an atmosphere straight from 1950s Havana.
Their signature roast chicken bathes in a secret garlic-citrus mojo sauce that customers request by the bottle. The cocktail program showcases classic Cuban libations beyond the typical mojito.
6. Mambo’s Cuban Café – Jacksonville
Northern Florida gets a taste of Havana at this family-owned gem. Bright tropical colors and lively music create an instant mood lift upon entering.
The empanadas achieve the perfect balance of crispy exterior and savory filling. Owner Teliz shares recipes passed down through generations, including a flan that causes regular customers to save room for dessert despite generous main course portions.
7. Puerto Sagua – Miami Beach
Standing strong since 1962 amid South Beach’s ever-changing landscape, Puerto Sagua offers a time capsule of old-school Cuban dining. The vintage counter seating and hand-painted mural of Havana Harbor set the perfect backdrop.
Their midnight special of steak, eggs, and fries draws late-night revelers seeking sobering sustenance. Open late, this spot bridges the gap between tourist attraction and local haunt.
8. Islas Canarias Restaurant – Miami
Croqueta connoisseurs make pilgrimages to this Miami institution founded in 1977 by Cuban exiles. Their ham croquetas achieve the golden ratio of crispy exterior to creamy béchamel filling – often imitated, never duplicated.
Weekend mornings bring multi-generational families gathering over plates of tostones and masas de puerco. Their loyal following has spawned food trucks and airport locations without compromising quality.
9. La Segunda Central Bakery – Tampa (Ybor City)
The aroma of fresh bread has wafted from this century-old bakery since 1915. Bakers shape thousands of Cuban loaves daily, each marked with the signature palmetto leaf down the center – a tradition dating back to Cuba’s cigar industry days.
Beyond bread, their guava pastries achieve perfect flakiness. Early birds catch these treats warm from the oven, while latecomers risk finding empty display cases.
10. Carmine’s Restaurant & Bar – Tampa (Ybor City)
Housed in a historic 1920s building, Carmine’s blends Cuban traditions with Tampa’s unique Italian-influenced heritage. Original brick walls and tin ceilings frame a menu that honors the city’s multicultural roots.
Their devil crab croquettes showcase Tampa’s signature fusion dish. The Cuban sandwich arrives perfectly pressed, with house-made mojo pork and that distinctive Tampa touch – a layer of genoa salami that sparks friendly debates with Miami purists.
11. Versailles Restaurant – Miami
Known as the unofficial town square of Little Havana, this iconic eatery has been serving Cuban classics since 1971. Politicians, celebrities, and locals gather here for late-night cafecito and conversation.
Their Cuban sandwich and cortaditos remain unmatched in authenticity. The mirrored walls and vintage decor transport diners straight to pre-revolutionary Havana.
12. La Carreta – Miami
Family-owned since 1976, La Carreta brings multi-generational Cuban cooking traditions to every plate. The restaurant’s wooden carretas (wagons) hanging from the ceiling pay homage to Cuba’s agricultural heritage.
Locals flock here for the picadillo and vaca frita. Their ventanita (window counter) buzzes with activity as patrons grab Cuban coffee throughout the day.
13. Columbia Restaurant – Tampa (Ybor City)
Florida’s oldest restaurant (established 1905) spans an entire city block in historic Ybor City. Hand-painted tiles, stained glass, and multiple dining rooms showcase Spanish-Cuban heritage preserved through five generations of family ownership.
Flamenco shows energize the dining experience several nights weekly. Their Cuban sandwich follows the Tampa tradition – with genoa salami added to the typical ham, roast pork, swiss, pickle, and mustard.
