11 Florida Cuban Restaurants That Keep It Authentic
Florida’s vibrant Cuban community has gifted the Sunshine State with some of the most authentic and flavorful Cuban cuisine outside of Havana.
From Miami’s bustling neighborhoods to hidden gems in smaller towns, I’ve spent years on a delicious mission, searching for the perfect Cuban sandwich, the richest ropa vieja, the crispiest tostones, and the creamiest café con leche.
What I’ve found goes far beyond great food. These 11 standout restaurants are true cultural institutions, where generations have worked to preserve traditional recipes, cooking methods, and a deep sense of heritage. Each meal is a taste of Cuba, lovingly served right here in Florida.
1. Versailles Restauran, Miami’s Cuban Heart
Walking into Versailles feels like stepping through a portal to Havana. The mirrored walls and crystal chandeliers aren’t just decoration, they reflect the soul of Miami’s Cuban community. For over 50 years, this Calle Ocho landmark has served as both restaurant and unofficial town square.
Politicians stop by during campaigns, while locals gather at the ventanita (little window) for strong Cuban coffee and gossip.
Their Cuban sandwich is legendary, but don’t miss the vaca frita, shredded beef that’s marinated, grilled, and topped with onions. Finish with homemade flan that would make any abuela proud.
2. La Carreta, Where Generations Gather
Family recipes shine at La Carreta, where three generations of the same family might be found sharing lunch at the next table. The aroma of slow-roasted pork and garlic hits you before you even open the door.
Founded by Cuban immigrants in 1976, this mini-chain maintains the quality of a mom-and-pop shop. Their medianoche sandwich, a sweeter, softer cousin to the Cuban, deserves its cult following.
Breakfast here is a revelation: try the tostada (Cuban toast) dunked in café con leche, followed by eggs with chorizo. The waitstaff will make you feel like familia within minutes.
3. Sergio’s Restaurant, Health-Conscious Cuban Cuisine
Grandma’s recipes meet modern nutrition at Sergio’s, proving Cuban food can be both authentic and adaptable. Their “La Flaca” (skinny) menu offers lighter versions of classics without sacrificing an ounce of flavor.
Started in 1975, Sergio’s has evolved while honoring tradition. The oxtail stew falls off the bone after simmering for hours in a tomato-based sauce fragrant with herbs.
Morning crowds flock for the breakfast special: two eggs any style, Cuban toast, café con leche, and crispy tostones. Their guava cheesecake strikes the perfect balance between tangy and sweet—worth every calorie.
4. Puerto Sagua, Miami Beach’s No-Frills Gem
Neon signs and vintage photos transport you to pre-revolutionary Cuba at this South Beach institution. While tourists flock to trendy spots nearby, locals know Puerto Sagua delivers authentic flavors without the markup.
Open since 1962, this diner-style restaurant serves hearty portions that could feed you for days. Their ropa vieja (shredded beef in tomato sauce) is tender enough to eat with a spoon, accompanied by perfect black beans and rice.
Counter seating lets you watch the kitchen magic happen. Come late night after the clubs, they’re open until 2 AM, serving the same quality food to partiers and night shift workers alike.
5. Las Olas Café, South Beach’s Hidden Treasure
Blink and you’ll miss this tiny counter-service spot tucked away from South Beach’s tourist traps. The line of locals stretching out the door tells you everything you need to know. Las Olas serves some of the most affordable authentic Cuban food in Miami Beach.
Their pan con bistec (steak sandwich) features thin-sliced palomilla steak topped with crispy potato sticks that add the perfect crunch.
Grab a café con leche from the window for just a couple dollars. The coffee comes sweetened unless you specify otherwise, the Cuban way. Cash only and worth every penny, this no-frills spot reminds us that the best food often comes from the humblest kitchens.
6. Enriqueta’s Sandwich Shop, Miami’s Lunch Counter Legend
Yellow awnings mark this unassuming lunch counter that bridges Miami’s Design District and Wynwood neighborhoods. Construction workers, artists, and executives all wait their turn for Enriqueta’s legendary sandwiches.
Counter seating lets you watch sandwiches being pressed to crispy perfection. Their pan con bistec comes loaded with grilled onions, crispy potatoes, and a secret sauce that elevates it beyond the standard.
Don’t overlook the daily specials written on the board, Thursday’s arroz con pollo (chicken with yellow rice) sells out by 1 PM. Pro tip: ask for extra mojo sauce for dipping your tostones. This garlic-citrus elixir is liquid gold.
7. La Teresita Restaurant, Tampa’s Cuban Institution
Tampa’s Cuban heritage shines at La Teresita, where the distinctive Tampa-style Cuban sandwich (with salami added) reigns supreme. The circular counter in the cafeteria section offers front-row seats to the action.
Founded in 1972, this family-owned spot expanded from a small grocery store to a Tampa landmark. Their picadillo (seasoned ground beef with olives and raisins) achieves the perfect sweet-savory balance. Breakfast is served all day, with tortilla española (Spanish omelet with potatoes) drawing early crowds.
The adjoining market lets you take home authentic ingredients. Portions are enormous and prices modest, the hallmarks of true Cuban hospitality.
8. Arco-Iris, Tampa’s Family-Run Treasure
Sunlight streams through colorful windows at this aptly-named restaurant (“Rainbow” in Spanish). Three generations of the same family work together to create Tampa-style Cuban cuisine with distinctive Spanish influences.
Open since 1983, Arco-Iris specializes in seafood dishes rarely found at other Cuban restaurants. Their paella valenciana needs to be ordered a day in advance, a flavorful commitment worth planning for. Regulars come for the daily lunch specials and stay for the homemade drinks.
The boliche (eye round roast stuffed with chorizo) falls apart at the touch of a fork. Save room for the rice pudding, made from a recipe the owner’s grandmother brought from Cuba.
9. Padrino’s Cuban Cuisine, Orlando’s Cuban Classic
Tourists visiting Orlando’s attractions often stumble upon this gem and wonder how they lived without Cuban food before. Founded by Cuban immigrants in 1976, Padrino’s has expanded while maintaining family recipes across generations.
The masas de puerco (fried pork chunks) achieve the impossible: crispy exterior, tender interior, and flavor that transports you straight to Havana. Their black beans simmer for hours with bay leaves and bell peppers.
White tablecloths and attentive service make this a special occasion spot for many families. The tropical decor strikes the right balance between elegant and relaxed. Their tres leches cake, soaked in three milks, provides the perfect sweet ending.
10. 3 Guys From Miami Grill, Fort Lauderdale’s Flavor Factory
Despite the name, this Fort Lauderdale hotspot was actually started by three Cuban friends passionate about sharing their heritage through food. The walls feature vintage Cuban photography and memorabilia that tell stories of pre-revolutionary Cuba.
Their rabo encendido (oxtail stew) simmers for eight hours until the meat nearly dissolves. Plantains appear in multiple forms: tostones (twice-fried green plantains), maduros (sweet ripe plantains), and mariquitas (plantain chips).
Weekend specials often feature harder-to-find dishes like tamal en cazuela (cornmeal stew). The tres amigos sampler platter offers perfect portions of their three best sellers, ideal for first-timers overwhelmed by the extensive menu.
11. El Siboney Restaurant, Key West’s Cuban Connection
Named after a Cuban indigenous tribe, El Siboney sits in a residential neighborhood away from Key West’s tourist crowds. The pink building with blue trim houses some of the most authentic Cuban food in the Florida Keys.
Seafood shines here, with the camarones al ajillo (shrimp in garlic sauce) reflecting the island’s bounty. The roast pork marinates for days in a citrus-garlic mojo before slow-roasting to fall-apart perfection. Locals fill the place nightly, creating a lively atmosphere.
Paper placemats outline Cuban history while ceiling fans spin lazily overhead. Cash-only until recently, this old-school spot maintains its charm while serving portions that guarantee leftovers.