Latin in Miami

3195 Commodore Plaza Coconut Grove

786-899-0336

Asian, Latin, Latin American, Peruvian, Tapas

The man behind the Asian-influenced Peruvian food at 33 Kitchen in Coconut Grove is Chilean-born chef Sebastian Fernandez. He worked at the Coral Reef Yacht Club for 14 years before leaving to open 33 Kitchen with his Peruvian wife, Leslie Ames. The restaurant's name is a nod to the Grove's zip code, as well as the number of vertebrae in the human spine. It's also Fernandez's favorite number. The menu is divided into hot and cold tapas, each with about a dozen options. From the cold section, try the causa limena, a signature Peruvian potato dish made here with purple mashed potatoes, seared tuna, and microgreens. The final touch is a coating of creamy and spicy ají amarillo sauce, which the chef makes from scratch. It's utterly delectable and beautifully ties in all the elements. From the hot section, grilled octopus with an olive cream sauce and bonito chips is perfectly crisp and tender. For dessert, there's a delightful bread pudding. It's not quintessentially Peruvian, but neither is 33 Kitchen. It is, however, a great addition to Miami's dining scene.Read our full review.

4 articles

Amaize Aventura

19129 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura South Beach

786-279-2260

Fast Casual, Latin American, Latin, Venezuelan

3 articles

Asia De Cuba

1100 W. Ave., Miami Beach South Beach

305-514-1940

Asian, Contemporary, Latin, Recommended

A breathtaking sunset over a stunning bay and pool-scape feet from the chic restaurant terrace, white-on-white whimsical wonderland effects indoors, and big, distinctive Asian-Latin fusion cuisine - it's all pretty impressive. Diners can start with a tower of tuna tartare picadillo-style - flecked with currants, almonds, coconut, and olives in soy-lime juice - but we preferred the oversize calamari salad with chayote, palm hearts, bananas, and cashews. Entrées also touch upon all taste points, beginning with a juicy wedge of "sustainable" Chilean sea bass speckled with coconut and mustard seed atop jalapeño-plum coulis. A pounded palomilla of seared lamb is luscious too, as are tender planks of pork "pot roast," which pleased with a sweet honey-rum glaze and Asian-spiced bok choy plugged with nubs of bacon. Asia de Cuba offers a panoply of contrasting textures and flavors in its food, as well as a similarly quilted clientele of hotel guests and hipsters.

12 articles

Barrio Latino

3585 NE 207th St. Aventura/North Miami Beach

305-692-4455

Latin, Restaurants, Best Of, Menu

A one-size fits all Latin experience, this Aventura outpost is a mash up of Cuban, Argentinean and Mexican flavors. Barrio Latino is a popular lunch spot thanks to efficient service, hearty portions and a convenient locale. Don't fill up on their buttery tableside bread -- regulars know to save room for favorites like their empanadas, fajitas, parrilladas in all their incarnations and, more surprisingly, sushi. Sip from their extensive menu of mojitos and sangria to stay on theme. And if you sit outside, little Fido can join you.

1 article

Bread n Pan Cafeteria

333 NE 69th St. Miami Shores/Biscayne Park

305-759-4178

Cuban, Latin, Best Of

Blink and you'll miss this one-woman outpost tucked away on an industrial avenue in Little Haiti, but it's worth keeping your eyes peeled to score one of Bread n Pan Cafeteria's frothy, steaming cups of café con leche. For those in the area and desperate for a caffeine buzz, there's no better place to score yourself a cup of the brown, luscious liquid that keeps the city buzzing.

2 articles

Caciques Corner

100 W. Flagler St. Downtown/Overtown

305-371-8317

Cuban, Latin, Sandwiches, Best Of

Situated directly beneath a Metromover stop, this homey little Cuban diner is busy at all times of day. In the wee hours of the morning, you can catch a whiff of strong coffee floating out of the large ventanilla, as patrons gather beneath the grubby blue awning to chat about the day's headlines before dispersing to work. At lunch, the din rises to a near-screaming level as the closely packed wooden tables adorned with paper mats fill up to capacity. The Cuban sandwich ($5.50) - filled with overflowing layers of ham, roasted pork, and greasy, toasted bread - appears to reign supreme. A close second would be the other sandwich variations that pay homage to the establishment's most frequent customers: the tax collector's tuna melt (tuna on rye with melted cheese at $4.95), the bailiff's choice (turkey, ham and swiss at $5.50), and the downlower (turkey, roast beef, bacon, and cheddar in an, er, secret tryst for $5.95). For heartier appetites, there's a usual offering of traditional Cuban dishes such as palomilla steak ($9.50) and fried pork chop ($9.25), served with sides of morros and platano maduro. There's also an extensive breakfast menu available for early-morning diners.

4 articles

Cafe Floridita

44 NE 1st St. Downtown/Overtown

305-373-3060

American, Latin, Sandwiches, Soups, Best Of

From the outside, Cafe Floridita looks like any dilapidated downtown takeout joint - a scraggly awning and smudged display are nestled into an extremely busy coffee window where servers are more interested in speed than stellar service. The inside is nothing fancy either - a bright and clean Formica lunch counter surrounded by no-frills tables. But it offers a calmer, far more pleasant respite, and waiters less likely to throw pastelitos at you as they dash to the espresso machine. Food is touted on the menu as "fusion" Latin American, but it's really traditional Latin-Caribbean cuisine with some innovative wraps ($7.95), if you can call stuffing Cuban food such as picadillo and ropa vieja into a spinach tortilla and adding yellow rice, black beans, cheddar cheese, and guacamole innovative. Maybe it will dazzle the senses of some, but this neighborhood mainstay is more likely described as a convenient and satisfying, but not mind-blowing, lunch stop. Tostones rellenos ($8.50), fried green plantains shaped into cups and stuffed with either marinated ground beef or creole-style shrimp, are crisp and flavorful, though overly greasy. A traditional Cuban sandwich ($6.95) consisting of sliced pork, sweet ham, Swiss cheese, mustard, and pickles is well-prepared and comes with a side of plantain chips. Oh, and that rushed espresso machine lady? She might not be the friendliest, but she brews a mean cortadito ($1.50).

2 articles

Ch'i

701 S. Miami Ave. #339A Brickell

305-257-8726

Chinese, Latin, Fusion

Located in Brickell City Centre, Ch'i fuses several immersive concepts into one. The 12,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor space boasts three full-service bars, two DJ booths, multiple lounge and dining areas, and a menu of Chino-Latino cuisine inspired by the Chinese cafés that once dotted the streets of Latin America (and later New York City and Miami). The experience begins with the Garden, a verdant open-air terrace with cozy cabanas and plenty of seating, and the adjacent Asian-themed market, Mercado, offering dim sum and other casual bites.

Copper Blues Rock Pub & Kitchen

3450 NW 83rd Ave., #224 Doral

305-842-2250

Latin, Music Venues

4 articles

Coya

999 Brickell Ave. Brickell

305-415-9990

Peruvian, Latin, Recommended, Slideshow

Three months after its opening in late 2012, Zagat named Coya in London the world's hottest restaurant. Next came a Dubai outpost, and in early 2015, Coya Miami began serving on Brickell Avenue. Executive chef Sanjay Dwivedi describes his food as "bursting with flavor" and "not for the faint-hearted." He says he uses modern tricks to create his version of Peruvian fare. The expansive restaurant and its patrons are impeccably styled. They're divided into categories such as ceviches, tiraditos, anticuchos (marinated skewers cooked on a charcoal grill), vegetables, and fish and meat mains. Three to five per person is the suggested number of small plates. Ask Dwivedi, though, and he'll say the best way to get acquainted with Coya is via the tasting menu, offering a half-dozen courses. Must-tries include the Chilean sea bass, the "clasico" ceviche, and forest mushrooms on the charcoal grill.Read our full review.

17 articles

Cvltvra

1100 Biscayne Blvd. Downtown/Overtown

305-808-3507

Latin, Mediterranean, Fusion

2 articles

The District Miami

190 NE 46th St. Midtown/Wynwood/Design District

305-573-4199

Latin, New American

Located in Buena Vista, the District is the latest restaurant to peddle Nuevo Latino cuisine. Horacio Rivadero, previously of the Dining Room and OLA at the Sanctuary, takes the ingredients Miami knows and cooks them in new ways. Here, yuca swims in truffle honey, ceviche is cooled by citrus sorbet, and black trumpet mushrooms are made into chimichurri. What's worn becomes new again, like a reframed family photograph. Try the corvina ceviche topped with a tart grapefruit sorbet, the Caribbean jerk cobia, or the roasted pork shoulder. Cut into wide hunks, the pork boasts crisp edges and juicy, tender flesh -- seasoned with bold creole flavors and finished with a Haitian pikliz-inspired escabeche. And although Brussels sprouts make a nice side, Miamians know few things can top yuca -- even when it's laced with truffle honey, garlic chips, and chives.

12 articles

Don Toston & Dona Arepa

8349 W. Flagler St. Westchester/West Miami

305-266-9696

Latin, Restaurants, Best Of

Like Valentine's Day mystery chocolates or great novels, it's what's on the inside that counts when it comes to arepas. Sure, a good one calls for a perfectly charred and crunchy corn shell. But any half-decent cook who has wandered through Caracas or Bogotá can get that right. No, it's the fillings that really make the arepa. And Doña Arepa, as her name suggests, knows how to stuff 'em. A storefront in a bustling strip mall just west of the Palmetto Expressway on Flagler Street, Don Toston y Doña Arepa is a cute little eatery with rubber banana leaves for napkin holders and tropically painted walls. The arepas, which cost less than $5 (except a $5.95 shrimp version), come with the usual cheese, chicken, and shredded beef, but there's also reina pepiada (chicken salad with avocado), perico (eggs, tomatoes, and onions), and the sinful huevo frito con jamón (yup, fried egg and ham). But beyond compare might be the simple lechón — the succulent pork juices soak perfectly into the arepa dough.

1 article

El Arepazo 2

3900 NW 79th Ave. Doral

786-464-1230

Latin, Best Of

If you're looking for a slice of Caracas-style cuisine, but would prefer to avoid a trip south and dealings with Chavez, this is as authentic as it gets. This local Latin chain is family-owned, and serves as the local hub for hot arepas and Venezuelan culture. Doral's El Arepazo 2 lets you create your own arepa magic, with options like sweet beef, assorted cheeses and plantains for $5.50 to $8.99. Pair the patties with an empanada or tequeno (filled dough roll), or try a Caracas Burger Con Todos Los Hierros (8 oz of beef, cabbage, potato chips, eggs, avocado, cheddar cheese, ham, lettuce, tomato, onions and sauces) for $12.99. Leave happily stuffed and just a few dollars poorer.

4 articles

El Floridita Sea Food

13501 SW 136th St. West Kendall

305-233-7575

Cuban, Latin, Seafood, Best Of, Menu

At El Floridita Sea Food restaurant, the friendly, hospitable servers will greet you with fish dip, crackers and a smile. But beware their attempts to woo you with filler - you'll need lots of room for what's ahead at this Kendall seafood spot. Start with the frituras de bacalao (cod fritters, $4 for 6). Then, go for paella con camarones (shrimp paella, $14), the mar y mar (fish filet, shrimp and mussels, $16) or the albondigas (meatballs) with homemade pasta and marinara sauce ($10). Their legendary lunch specials run $10 and include salad or soup, a choice of main dishes like enchilado de pescado (fish creole), troncho de pescado (fried fish fingers) or albondigas catalana (Spanish style meatballs), dessert and coffee. But be warned, there's no working after that onslaught. With bottled wines starting at $12.95, you can flood your stomach with red or white to wash the gluttonous guilt away. And with these prices and portion sizes, your leftovers might last all week.

3 articles

El Floridita Seafood Restaurant

8399 Bird Rd. Westchester/West Miami

305-221-1511

Latin, Seafood, Cuban, Best Of, Menu

The atmosphere at this Latin American seafood restaurant is pretty dull. Servers seem listless, and there isn't much effort on their part to establish a rapport with customers. But the dining area is ample and can easily accommodate large parties. And the prices are friendlier than the servers: There are 12 seafood entrées that cost less than $10. The rest of the menu is a bit overpriced for the quality of the restaurant. In particular, "chef's recommendations" such as dolphin filet with shrimp in garlic sauce ($17) and churrasco steak and lobster ($40) are too expensive for what you get. Commonly ordered dishes include Floridita-style paella ($18.95), a combination of ham, seafood, and chicken cooked in a Latin-style yellow rice stew, and shrimp ceviche ($8.95), which contains a very small amount of lime-marinated seafood. Considering Miami's proximity to the ocean, a lack of fresh, delicious fish is disheartening. Other port cities like San Francisco don't seem to have that problem. To find really good seafood in Miami, you have to go to a high-end place, and El Floridita doesn't fall into that category.

1 article

El Nuevo Siglo Supermarket

1305 SW Eighth St. Coral Gables/S. Miami

305-854-1916

Latin, Grocery, Recommended, Best Of

When it comes to Latin cafeterias, Miami takes a back seat to no American city. Heck, we probably have more of them than New York has McDonald's restaurants. And we should be thankful for this, especially for the gems of the genre such as El Nuevo Siglo Supermarket in Little Havana. The brightly illuminated, family-owned grocery store contains all the staples for Hispanic cooking, as well as a meat counter and a little Old-World-style bakery that kicks out excellent made-on-premises chorizo and an authentic Argentine empanada de carne (that's where the mom-and-pop owners come from). The cafeteria counter in back is lengthy. And the menu encompasses vaca frita, arroz con calamari (Friday only), a peerless ropa vieja, and a huge churrasco steak, with sides. The beef for these dishes, and for a wondrous pan con bistec, is cut and trimmed by the in-house butcher. Sorry, pero no se habla ingles aquí.

2 articles

Gilia's Restaurante

6345 Collins Ave., Miami Beach Mid/North Beach

305-864-9900

Latin, Restaurants, Music Venues

Grubhouse Gastrobar & Grill

11995 SW 26th St. Tamiami

305-363-5241

Gastro Pub, Grill, American, Latin, Latin American

Half Moon Empanadas

1616 Washington Ave., Miami Beach South Beach

305-532-5277

Argentine, Latin, Recommended, Menu

Juan Zavala Jr. and his wife Pilar would sometimes sit around with friends in their native Argentina and ponder dinner-by-delivery choices. Inevitably it would come down to pizza or empanadas, and just as inevitably, they'd choose the latter. It occurred to Juan that maybe some of the 40 million Hispanics living in the United States might be thinking along the same lines. Long story short: Light bulb goes off, and some time later, the couple opens Half Moon Empanadas on Washington Avenue. "The first and only in Miami Beach," Pilar claims, "that makes the empanadas entirely from scratch, in house." Patrons can observe workers carefully crafting the turnovers through an open window in the back of the clean, contemporary venue. The empanadas come baked or fried, their flaky crusts filled with all manner of ingredients that are both traditional (beef, chicken, or ham and cheese) and nontraditional (smoked pancetta with mozzarella and plum sauce). Price is $1.99 each, six for $9.99, and a dozen for $17.99.

1 article

Jimmy'z Kitchen Wynwood

2700 N. Miami Ave. Midtown/Wynwood/Design District

305-573-1501

Puerto Rican, Latin, Recommended, Best Of, Slideshow

Jimmy'z 50-seat interior, viewable from the street through floor-to-ceiling windows, beckons with an urban-industrial appeal electrified by orange walls and other bright highlights. Because the ambiance is so cheery and sleek, and because diners are required to order at the counter, the place resembles a next-generation fast-food chain. But the cuisine here is cooked slowly -- and with care. Everything we tasted was fresh and flavorful. Mofongo, the Puerto Rican ode to plantains, protein, and garlic, is better here than anywhere else in Miami. Prices are more than fair. Yes, it's tasty too. An extremely wide range of soft drinks and beers, boutique wines by the bottle, and a friendly, relaxed, ambiance make Jimmy'z in Wynwood a real gem.Read our full review.

20 articles

Kuba Cabana

3450 NW 83rd Ave., #140 Doral

305-800-5822

Latin, Bars and Clubs

Located in CityPlace Doral and Bayside Marketplace, Kuba Cabana has been known as a local spot for Latin entertainment and food under one roof since opening in 2020. The restaurant's modern Latin American menu features classic Cuban staples, as well as creative takes on Latin American cuisine. Adorned in tropical foliage and local art, Kuba Cabana embodies the spirit of Cuba, featuring a central stage for live music, which evokes the bygone era of old Havana.

1 article

Kuba on the Bay

401 Biscayne Blvd., #R106 Downtown/Overtown

303-800-5822

Latin

Located in CityPlace Doral and Bayside Marketplace, Kuba Cabana has been known as a local spot for Latin entertainment and food under one roof since opening in 2020. The restaurant's modern Latin American menu features classic Cuban staples, as well as creative takes on Latin American cuisine. Adorned in tropical foliage and local art, Kuba Cabana embodies the spirit of Cuba, featuring a central stage for live music, which evokes the bygone era of old Havana.

La Esquina del Lechon

8601 NW 58th St. Doral

305-640-3041

Cuban, Latin, Recommended, Best Of, Menu

In a land with its fair share of Cuban restaurants to choose from, La Esquina Del Lechon strives to set itself apart from the pack. Not by straying from traditional Cuban cooking methods, but by doing what they do with excellence. With an array of pork, chicken, steak, and fish, this place is a carnivore's dream come true. They even offer a Colombian style Bandeja Paisa (grilled steak, white rice, black beans, pork rinds, avocado, fried egg, and a corn flour arepa) which is worth mentioning. Another thing to note is that they stay busy pretty consistently. La Esquina Del Lechon has been a neighborhood favorite for some time. Loyal patrons come for the laid back atmosphere, great prices, and the wonderful food and service. Be sure to stop in. Mucho gusto!

5 articles

La Gozadera Brickell

141 SW 7th St, Brickell

786-431-8892

Bars and Clubs, Dance Clubs, Latin, Latin American, Music Venues, Nuevo Latino

Come join La Gozadera this Saturday ! Hosted by KristenLive, brought to you by Perception Miami. A night of old school and new hip-hop, reggeton, merengue, dembow, bachata and more !

La Hormiga De Oro

18530 NW 67th Ave., Hialeah Miami Gardens

305-819-3018

Central American, Latin, Nicaraguan, Best Of, Menu

Just off Miami Gardens Drive, inside a generic shopping center anchored by a Publix, you will find a golden opportunity to savor deliciously prepared Nicaraguan cuisine. A typical fritanga, La Hormiga de Oro offers cantina-style Nica dishes at moderate prices for dining in or taking out. Six dollars and 50 cents brings charbroiled steak and a choice of three sides that include gallo pinto (rice and beans), grilled corn on the cob, fried sweet plantains, tostones, fried yuca, fried cheese, and tortillas. Wash it down with a $3 glass of Nica fruit juice such as maracuya, cacao, or cebada. Folks looking for a twist on traditional breakfast fare can choose dishes such as huevos rancheros with white cheese, gallo pinto, and tortilla; or scrambled eggs with Spanish sausage, fried cheese, gallo pinto, and fried green plantains. Cost: $4.50 each. Family dinners are also available for $24 and $45.

1 article

La Moon Restaurant

97 SW Eighth St. Little Havana

305-860-6209

Latin, South American, Recommended, Menu

It's 3 o'clock Saturday morning, and you've been out drinking around Brickell. There's a good chance you'll be among the other hungry partygoers who flood this small restaurant for a hangover-curing, Colombian-style fast-food fix. But fast food at 3 a.m. is not the only reason people flock here. Weekdays at lunchtime, the humble spot is packed with execs and others in search of homey Colombian dishes. If you dare, try the SuperMoon perro — a hot dog topped with six sauces, crushed potato chips, and a quail egg — which was featured on the Travel Channel's Man vs. Food. The Moon burger and chicken burger are good choices too. For reasonably priced Colombian fare that tastes home-cooked, La Moon fits the bill.Read more.

10 articles

La Palma Calle Ocho

6091 SW Eighth St. Westchester/West Miami

305-261-1113

Cuban, Latin, Recommended, Best Of, Menu

This La Palma is a no-frills West Miami mainstay. Most Magic City natives know it is the place to get churros — basically Latin doughnuts — on a chilly night. And although the cafe con leche is sweet and typically close to perfection, it's not for dunking. Churros here can be accompanied only by this restaurant's version of hot chocolate, which is more like a melted Hershey's bar than warm milk flavored with chocolate. But who cares? Consuming calories with reckless abandon is part of the fun at La Palma.

10 articles

Las Mercedes Cafeteria

8199 NW 54th St. Doral

305-805-2020

Latin, Latin American

At Doral's Las Mercedes Restaurant, the succulent, fat-rippled slabs served Thursday through Saturday speak for themselves. At most, there's a dusting of salt and pepper, perhaps accompanied by a splash of mojo. Racks of beef and pork are pulled from a smoking vessel, then cleaved and served with two sides such as moros, maduros, or boiled plantains with garlic oil. It's a working-class menu with flair, including a piquant, savory goat stew called chilindrón de chivo that will keep you sated the rest of the week.

2 articles

Latin Burger 2

Various locations/Food truck Midtown/Wynwood/Design District

Burgers, Latin, Mexican, Mobile Food, Street Food, Food Trucks, Best Of

The brainchild of Jim Heins and Food Network host and cookbook author Ingrid Hoffman, this black and hot-pink truck roves the streets of Miami serving guilt-inducing street food. Its Latin macho burger ($6.25) - a double patty of chorizo, chuck, and sirloin blend topped with caramelized onions, jalapeños, and Oaxaca cheese - is the signature dish. If you're not in the mood for burgers, tacos might fit the bill. Choose from chicken tomatillo, pulled pork, or chicken mole ($2.95 each). Or even better, order the "3 amigos" tacos ($8) to sample all three. Recent menu additions include a pulled pork sandwich, a grilled portobello mushroom sandwich, and a hot dog. The truck usually makes its way to all corners of Miami-Dade and sometimes ventures to Broward. Follow the truck at twitter.com/latinburger for daily locations.

1 article

Latin Cafe

441 41st St., Miami Beach Mid/North Beach

305-531-1057

Cuban, Latin

Lettuce & Tomato

17070 W. Dixie Highway Aventura/North Miami Beach

305-760-2260

Fusion, Gastro Pub, Latin, Wine Bar, Asian Fusion, Pan-Asian, Slideshow

Lettuce & Tomato is a swank gastropub that offers an industrial yet warm atmosphere tucked away on West Dixie Highway at NE 171st Street. Featuring a juxtaposition of Latin and Asian flavors, the menu lists plates such as huevos rotos, served with hand-cut garlic French fries, sofrito, serrano ham, three fried eggs, and a pinch of sprouts; mantou, known as Asian-inspired steamed buns, stuffed with thick cuts of meat such as short rib or pork belly and drizzled with a homemade ají aioli sauce; and seared corvina with quinoa, slow-cooked mushrooms, piquillo peppers, and red onions.

3 articles

Loba

7420 Biscayne Blvd. Miami Shores/Biscayne Park

786-536-6692

Latin, South American, Recommended, Menu

Literary accents can be seen (and read) all over the place at Loba. For instance, a vegetarian entrée featuring farro piccolo, succotash, radishes, squash blossoms, eggs, and zucchini is cleverly called "Orwell’s Dystopia." And checks are delivered inside novels. Such quirky touches give the 50-seat eatery a distinct vibe, and the Latin- and Southern-influenced cuisine has a voice of its own too. Loba's burger is a hefty main for one person. Nestled into a sliced house bun is a patty made with premium beef and brisket from Larry Kline Wholesale Meats in Deerfield Beach, along with bacon, a fried egg, Havarti cheese, and onion marmalade. Though messy, the beef is incredibly juicy, and the gooey egg is a welcome addition.Read our full review.

9 articles

Latin in Miami

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