There’s no better way to see Miami’s Cuban influence than in the city’s coffee. For those who need caffeine to jump-start their day, check out the famed Cuban coffee—from Cafecitos to Cortaditos to Colados—at these stops. Be warned, they’re strong.
LessIf you’re looking for a Cuban-style coffee to accompany your brunch, look no further than Las Olas Café in South Beach. This small, casual dining stop has everything from rice bowls to their famed Cubano, and adding on a four-ounce Cortadito is tradition. This café is perfect for those looking to try a sip and bite of Miami’s Cuban culture.
Because Islas Canarias is popular for everything from their food to their coffee, you’re likely to find a wait for a table—and that’s when you head to their ventanita. Islas Canarias' “ventanita”, meaning “little window” in Spanish, is where you head to get one of their hot drinks to go. The window opens at 7 a.m., meaning that even the earliest risers can get this restaurant's popular drink to go.
Needing a Cuban coffee before club hopping? Playa Café is open until 12 a.m., offering huge sandwiches, traditional Cuban breakfasts, and coffee drinks far better (and cheaper) than your favorite chains. This counter-service stop might not be anything fancy, but they do just about everything right. So, grab a chair at the counter and order up a plate of plantains and the caffeine of your choice—this is a great way to start or end your day.
With a name like “THE HOUSE OF CUBAN COFFEE,” you know you’re in for a jolt of pure caffeinated energy. This place is more than just a coffee shop though, it’s an art house and boutique, and the colados are anything but simple. With intricate designs in your beverages foam, you’ll be sure to snap a pic before you take a sip.
This “World’s Most Famous Cuban Restaurant” is popular for a reason. Versailles in Little Havana has been bringing delicious Cuban food to Miami for upwards of four decades, and a meal from their restaurant is on just about any tourist's check-list. But if all you’re wanting is a coffee and pastry (and quick!), check out their la ventanita, where you can get café Cubano, cortadito, colada, or café con leche to go.
Heralding itself the “original Cuban kitchen,” La Carreta first popped up in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood in 1976—the restaurant now has nine locations! La Carreta is a part of Cuban-American history and also happens to be a great place to grab a famous Cuban espresso (for a whopping $1.50). With a plethora of locations, you’re always sure to be nearby.
While Cuban cafes in Miami tend to be small, counter-service establishments, Latin Café had a different idea. This restaurant prides itself in being the “new” cafe, melding traditional food and portion sizes with what today’s diners want (style and quality). Choose from one of their three locations for your café Cubano, which here goes for $1.69.
This isn’t a coffee stand and it's far from counter service. Moreno’s, on top of Cuban coffee drinks, offers a vintage atmosphere, world-class mojitos, and Cuban cigars. While this might not be the first place you'd think of when it comes to grabbing a coffee (it won’t be an in-and-out experience), the atmosphere and offerings make it well worth the wait. Expect slightly higher prices here, though they still fall well below popular chain pricing.
If all you're looking for is good Cuban food and drinks, there are fewer places better than Puerto Sagua, popular for their comfort Cuban. The helpings are hefty and reasonably priced, and you won’t have to wait in a long line like you might at other, more touristed spots. A short walk from the beach, this is where you’ll want to go first thing in the morning. Grab the Cuban coffee of your choice and be on your way—sunblock in one hand, pick-me-up in the other.