15 Iconic Cuban Foods To Eat In Miami
Miami is one of the best places in the world to explore Cuban food. The flavors are bold, the traditions run deep, and the streets are packed with spots that serve up real-deal comfort dishes.
Whether you’re ordering from a tiny walk-up ventanita or sitting down in Little Havana, Cuban food in Miami always delivers.
These 15 dishes capture the heart of this flavorful cuisine—and no visit is complete without at least a few.
1. Cuban Sandwich (Cubano)
Crisp on the outside, rich and savory on the inside, this sandwich is a true Miami icon. Roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard are layered between Cuban bread and pressed until hot and melty.
The textures contrast beautifully—crunchy crust, gooey center, tangy pickles—and the flavors stay bold with every bite. It’s a handheld masterpiece that blends simplicity with serious flavor.
2. Ropa Vieja
This classic dish means “old clothes,” but it tastes anything but tired. Shredded beef simmers in a tomato-based sauce with peppers, onions, and garlic until fall-apart tender.
Each bite is rich, meaty, and full of home-cooked warmth. Served with white rice and black beans, it’s a must for any Miami food crawl.
3. Tostones
Twice-fried green plantains become golden discs of salty crunch. Smashed after the first fry, then cooked again for extra crispiness.
Perfect for scooping up garlic sauce or dipping into anything nearby. Their mild taste makes them the ideal snack or side.
4. Vaca Frita
Pan-fried shredded beef is the star here, marinated in lime juice and garlic before getting a golden sear. The edges turn crispy while the inside stays juicy.
Finished with onions and served with rice, it’s bright, tangy, and deeply satisfying. A dish that brings boldness in every forkful.
5. Arroz Con Pollo
Golden rice cooked with saffron, peas, bell peppers, and tender chicken creates a one-pot wonder. It’s colorful, fragrant, and totally comforting.
Often made for family dinners and celebrations, this dish brings joy to the table. A spoonful tastes like tradition.
6. Picadillo
Ground beef is slow-simmered with tomato sauce, briny green olives, and sweet raisins. The flavor is savory with just a touch of sweetness.
Often paired with rice or spooned into empanadas, it’s as versatile as it is delicious. A true Cuban comfort classic.
7. Croquetas
Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside—croquetas are little bites of ham-filled joy. The filling is rich, smooth, and deeply savory.
Perfect with a morning coffee or as an afternoon snack, they’re found at nearly every Cuban bakery. Miami mornings often start with one in hand.
8. Yuca Con Mojo
Yuca, or cassava root, is boiled until tender and topped with mojo—a garlicky citrus sauce that seeps into every bite.
It’s hearty and earthy with a bright zing from the lime and garlic. A favorite side dish that never feels like an afterthought.
9. Frita Cubana
The Cuban answer to a burger—spiced ground beef on a soft bun topped with crispy shoestring potatoes. Sometimes there’s a hint of chorizo in the patty.
Ketchup and onions add to the flavor party. It’s messy, flavorful, and unforgettable street food.
10. Lechón Asado
Whole pork slow-roasted after a long soak in sour orange, garlic, and herbs. The meat is tender while the skin turns irresistibly crispy.
Served with rice, beans, or yuca, it’s the crown jewel of Cuban celebrations. Every bite is packed with smoky, citrusy flavor.
11. Media Noche
Like the Cubano’s sweeter cousin, this sandwich swaps regular bread for a soft, eggy roll. The fillings—pork, ham, cheese, pickles—stay the same.
It’s popular late at night, hence the name. The softer bread gives it a slightly richer bite that feels just right under neon lights.
12. Tamales Cubanos
Wrapped in corn husks, these tamales are filled with spiced pork and seasoned cornmeal dough. Unlike their Mexican cousins, the meat is mixed directly into the masa.
Steamed until tender, they’re savory and earthy, perfect with a splash of hot sauce. A handheld comfort food with deep roots.
13. Pastelitos
These flaky pastries hide sweet or savory treasures inside—guava, cream cheese, meat, or even coconut. The golden exterior shatters with every bite.
Found in every bakery, they’re as much a morning ritual as coffee. One is never enough, and that’s part of the fun.
14. Café Cubano
Tiny but powerful, this espresso shot is sweetened as it brews for a rich, intense jolt. Served in thimble-sized cups, it packs serious energy.
Sipped at ventanitas or passed between friends, it’s more than a drink—it’s part of daily life. One sip wakes you right up.
15. Flan De Leche
Silky custard baked with a caramel top that becomes sauce once flipped onto the plate. The texture is creamy and the flavor is pure comfort.
It finishes a Cuban meal with elegance and nostalgia. Light, smooth, and just sweet enough to linger.