Taking a Little Havana Food Tour: The Gateway to Cuban Culture in Miami

Bri Mitchell takes you through the best there is to taste, sip and see on a Little Havana food tour. This guide features all of the foods and drinks you should sample, notable landmarks, and how to book the best food tour for yourself during your own trip to the city.

A visit to Miami (whether you’re planning on spending one week in Miami, or only a few days) isn’t complete without taking a Little Havana Food Tour. Miami is home to people from all over the world. Because of this, it’s chock full of culinary adventures from near and far.

The largest international group in Miami is their Cuban population. Cubans have been calling Miami home for decades, and so much of the Cuban influence is present in restaurants and design elements across the city.

The central hub for the Cuban population in Miami is Little Havana. The bulk of Little Havana’s bustling neighbourhood functions in much the same way as it did in the 1960’s. Its shop owners, patrons and visitors are primarily Cuban.

Whether you know and love Cuban culture and are here to see it flourish in Miami, or if you’ve never been to Cuba and you’re looking to get a taste of Havana days and nights for yourself, then taking a Little Havana food tour is an excellent way to understand this neighborhood in Miami that much better.

By the way, we absolutely love exploring other destinations across the United States. Make sure you check out some of our latest articles and USA travel series for all of the best tips from coast to coast.

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How to Get to Little Havana in Miami

The Little Havana neighborhood is a fairly large district. It’s almost 9 square kilometers, spanning from the western edge of Downtown Miami to Little Gables, and the Miami River to Calle Ocho from north to south.

If you’re taking transit to tour Little Havana, Miami, from another part of the city like Miami Beach or South Beach, then the SW 8 St & SW 12 Ct stop is the closest one to the area. Since it’s so centrally located, it’s also easy to take a ride share to Little Havana, too.

You want to set your sights on getting to Calle Ocho (8th Street), which is the central hub of this district and the perfect place to begin your food and cultural tour. Walking tours of Little Havana begin in all sorts of places, but Tower Theatre and Domino Park, which are both on Calle Ocho and next to each other, are notable landmarks to meet at.

For our Miami Little Havana tour, we opted to take one meant for groups, so we joined with other travellers who were in town at the time. There are many options when it comes to planning Little Havana tours, like taking private tours or secret food tours, but we felt like the group option worked the best for us on our trip.

We decided to book our food tour with Miami Culinary Tours, and really enjoyed the experience. We got to try so many different foods on the tour, and learned a significant amount about Little Havana’s history and culture.

Click here to book your Little Havana Food Tour with Miami Culinary Tours!

The History of Little Havana

Before it became known as “Little Havana”, in the 1930s the neighbourhood was a lower-middle-class Southern and thriving Jewish community. Along with the Black community, Jewish people were discriminated against in Miami, and they weren’t allowed in certain parts of the city. So this southern neighbourhood became their place to call home.

In fact, Ball & Chain, a well known bar in what is now known as Little Havana, was originally opened as a gambling joint in the 1930s by Jewish owners. It is still open and operating today on Calle Ocho.

The "Little Havana" as it’s known today became the center of the Cuban community in Miami during the 1960s. The neighbourhood played a significant role in the counter-revolutionary activities against the Castro regime, when many Cubans were fleeing the country. A large influx of Cuban refugees settled here during this time.

Today, Little Havana is known as the cultural and political capital of Cuban America. Although the neighborhood has become more diverse over the years and not all residents are Cuban, Cuban-owned businesses still dominate the area. This important neighbourhood for Cubans in North America makes it an excellent gateway to experience Cuban culture while you tour Miami.

An Adventure for the Senses in Little Havana

As an important historical neighbourhood in Miami, Little Havana is home to many of the original businesses, buildings and structures that were erected when it first became a recognized district. There are historic churches, the first store and fruit market from the area, and bars and restaurants that feel as though you’ve stepped back in time along Calle Ocho.

Even if you’re only on a Little Havana food tour for the culinary delights, you’ll be met with far more than just exciting tastes. Wandering around Little Havana, you’ll smell freshly rolled Cuban cigars from the storefronts as you walk by. Honking horns, clucking chickens and disputes over dominoes can be heard from the streets and local parks, too.

The famous Domino Park is where you’ll hear the most heated debates about dominoes. While the official national sport of Cuba is baseball, dominoes could easily take the cake for a runner up. Domino Park is the smallest city park in Miami, and while it might look like a fun idea to pull up a seat and join in the fun, that’s not exactly how it works.

Only the most experienced players can have a membership to compete in Domino Park, and they have to be over the age of 55 and live in Miami. They play every day from 9am to 5pm, and if you get the chance to see a few games taking place from the sidewalk, they are a fun way to dive into Cuban culture before you explore the district more.

Little Havana also has a sophisticated way of blending the old world with new influences. Intentional street art and murals are scattered across the district, with many murals and mosaics nodding to its historical and cultural relevance throughout. Large portraits of notable Cubans are painted on walls and buildings across town, always reminding you of where you are, as if you could ever forget.

Foods and Drinks to Try on Little Havana Food Tours

There are so many foods and drinks to try while you tour Little Havana. It can be a little overwhelming to decide what to sample first. If you’re planning on taking your own personal food tour of Little Havana, or build your own tour private, then you can use this list to help guide you.

If you plan to take a guided group or private tour of Little Havana, you’ll be led to all of the best known restaurants and shops for each delicacy on this list. I’ll leave the specifics about places to go to and restaurants to visit to Miami Culinary Tours—I want to save some surprises for when you take the tour yourself!

Empanadas

Cuban empanadas reflect a mastered take on this popular Caribbean and Central/South American snack. The most common fillings for Cuban empanadas are beef, chicken or pork, and they are typically baked to perfection.

Cuban Sandwich

The Cuban sandwich, also known as a “Cubano”, is a popular sandwich originating in Florida's Cuban communities. It typically consists of roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on Cuban bread. The sandwich is often pressed and grilled, creating a delicious combination of flavors and textures.

Churros

Contrary to popular belief, churros aren’t a Mexican dish. They originated in Spain, and were swept up by Cubans and so many other countries as a result of colonization.

There are several Cuban churro shops along Calle Ocho, and of course there are all sort of flavours and dips you can try when it comes to churros. Nothing beats a classic churro dusted in cinnamon sugar though, that’s for sure! If you’re keen on having it with a side of ice cream, all the better.

Sweet and Savoury pastelitoS

Pastelitos, which means “pastries”, are everywhere you look in Cuban cuisine. While many are sweet, some are savoury.

Depending on the time of year and which bakery you visit, you will be met with different flavours based on what’s in season. We had a flaky and delightful guava pastelito during our tour, which was incredible.

Fresh Fruit Juice

Depending on the season, the local fruit markets along Calle Ocho may offer you a freshly squeezed fruit juice on your Little Havana Food Tour.

On our tour, we happily sampled some delicious fresh mango juice. The texture of a Cuban juice is closer to that of a smoothie, so if fresh mangos are in season like they are in June in Florida, then you are in for a treat.

Cuban Coffee

No Little Havana food tour is complete without a sampling of a Cuban espresso. For coffee lovers and sweet-tooths alike, Cuban espresso is brewed with finely ground dark roast coffee, serving up robust flavor and a real punch of caffeine. It’s mixed with sugar, and is best enjoyed with a sweet Cuban pastelito.

Mojitos

Did you know that mojitos weren’t initially made with rum? They were actually created in Cuba as a medicinal drink, using a moonshine type of alcohol to help boost immunity and cure sickness.

Today we’ve come to know this refreshing drink to be stuffed with as much fresh mint as possible, and smooth Cuban white rum. In true Cuban fashion, traditional mojitos served in Little Havana are served with a stalk of sugar cane. Traditionally, this is the only way the drink is “sweetened”. You’re meant to chew on the sugar cane before each sip, but make sure you don’t eat the stalk.

Served on a hot Miami day, Cuban mojitos are absolutely sublime and refreshing!

What to Do After Your Little Havana Food Tour

A food tour of Little Havana often ends on a different stretch of Calle Ocho than where you started. This is the perfect opportunity for you to walk back to any places that you didn’t get to stop at on the tour, or sit down for one more celebratory mojito for the road. If there are any cigar lovers in your life, it’s also a great excuse to pop into a cigar shop for a memorable gift.

After you’re done exploring Little Havana, there are so many other great experiences to check out in Miami. If you’re looking for other great things to do in the city, make sure you check out our one week in Miami itinerary first. Here are a few other things you can consider after your tour:

Go to the neighbourhood of Wynwood to see the famous Wynwood Walls, and stop by trendy shops and restaurants
Head to Bayside and Downtown Miami to take a speed boat cruise around the harbours of the city
Check out the PAMM (Pérez Art Museum Miami) to see the latest in contemporary and inventive art, and for beautiful harbour views
Visit the neighbourhood of South Beach to either dive into the South Beach food and restaurant scene, or take an art deco tour of the area’s rich architecture
Head to Brickell for sunset drinks over the water and a nice dinner

Chris and I enjoying the empanadas on our Little Havana food tour with Miami Culinary Tours.

Where to Book the Best Little Havana Food Tour

We took our Little Havana food tour through Miami Culinary Tours, and we’d highly recommend it. Their food tours Little Havana are wonderfully planned.

The tour took about 2.5 hours, and we were a small group of less than fifteen people. We made six food and drink stops throughout the tour, and we also visited a few local shops and cultural sites. The complete tour was 2.5 hours long, with plenty of opportunities to walk, rest and sample throughout.

There was definitely ample food to go around on the tour, and each sample was generous and delicious. On top of that, our tour guide, Gabriella, was Cuban herself and knew so much about Little Havana and Cuban food.

If you’re interested in booking a Miami Culinary Little Havana Tour for your next trip, click this link to learn more about the tour. You won’t regret it!

Final Thoughts on the Delights of Cuban Cuisine

Embarking on a culinary journey through the vibrant tapestry of Cuban cuisine is such a worthwhile way to spend your time in Miami. Every dish truly tells a story of the rich history and diverse influences that have impacted Cuban food.

The heart of Cuban flavours lies in its harmonious blend of Spanish, African, and Caribbean culinary traditions, and this variety is evident in all of the dishes that Little Havana offers its visitors. Succulent meats like slow-roasted pork, marinated in a mix of citrus and garlic, are a staple, reflecting the island's love for hearty, savory dishes. Black beans and rice and the iconic Moros y Cristianos, accompany meals with a comforting texture.

Tantalize your taste buds with the zesty kick of mojo sauce, a concoction of sour orange, garlic, and herbs that elevates any dish. Indulge in the tantalizing sweetness of tropical fruits like guava and pineapple, adding a refreshing contrast to the savory palette. From Ropa Vieja to Tostones, each plate invites you to savor the dynamic symphony of flavors woven into the fabric of Cuban culture.