A Taste of Cuba

At Calle Ocho sin Miami

52 miles South (1 to 2 hours)
Hours of operation: All time long :-)
Suggestions include Food and Culture
View Trip Map

Tips

There is parking in the street at a rate of $3.50 an hour. You'll need to install a PayByPhone app to book it.

Due to the recent waves of immigration from all Latin America Miami is not as Cuban as it used to be. Nevertheless, Cuban is still the largest minority in the city. The neighborhood whee they started settling at is Little Havana and Calle Ocho (Eight Street) is its iconic center of gravity.

Excursion Plan Suggested:

Pick up fruit juice at Los Pinarenos (1334 SW 8th St)
Walk to Domino Park (8th at 15th Ave) & read Solzhenitsyn Nobel Prize Speech
Take the car and go to Lunch at Versailles (3555 SW 8th St) or at La Carreta (3632 SW 8th St) across Versailles -same owner.
Go back to Cubaocho Museum & Bar (1465 SW 8th St) for a mojito
Enjoy an Ice cream at Azucar (1503 SW 8th St)

Additional options:

Little Havana Cigar Factory (next to Azucar)
La Colada Cafe (1518 SW 8th St)

**Tip: Be aware that the Calle Ocho is not a pedestrian area, but rather a main traffic artery towards downtown: wear a hat since the trees for shade are scarce there.

Máximo Gómez Park in Little Havana, more affectionately known as Domino Park by the locals, is a hidden gem right on historic Calle Ocho (8th Street). Named after General Máximo Gómez, a Cuban revolutionary, this is a social spot popular with locals. At any time of day, you will find the regulars sipping Cuban coffee, playing dominoes and chatting with friends.

Dubbed as the “World’s Most Famous Cuban Restaurant,” Versailles is the iconic place to go for a Cuban food fix. Stop into la ventanita (an outdoor ordering window) for a quick cafecito or croquettas, or sit inside and order a full meal.Versailles is the favorite place for Cuban exile get-togethers. They will savor every hint of political change in Cuba talking for hours about the potential fall of the Castro regime.

Cubaocho Museum & Bar

The Cubaocho Art and Research Center is a local venue where Cuban artists, famous local musicians and intellectuals gather to play music, admire art, engage in interesting discussions about history and philosophy, or simply enjoy their Cuban culture, whether it’s a hand-rolled cigar or a chilled rum drink.

Los Pinarenos

One step inside Los Pinarenos Fruteria and visitors will feel transported to an island oasis. Rows of fruit and art line the semi-outdoor market’s space as the sound of blenders make smoothies. Stock up on mangoes, watermelons, coconuts, and exotic tropical fruits. Locals know every visit deserves an order of guarapo (sugar cane juice) made to order.

Azucar

Little Havana Cigar Factory

Inspired by Miami's diverse cultures, subtropical climate and a passion for sabor latino, Azucar Ice Cream Company creates its ice cream confections just like abuela used to make, using high quality, all natural ingredients and a desire to bring smiles to friends' faces. Next to it, at LITTLE HAVANA CIGAR FACTORY you will be visiting an authentic cigar factory and learn the process of how quality cigars are made. From seed to the hands of a master roller with decades of experience, you will be introduced to the folks who are world-renowned experts.