7 Best Cuban Restaurants in Florida You Need on Your List

Florida’s Cuban food scene runs deep, shaped by migration, tradition, and communities that built restaurants into gathering places. From Miami’s vibrant cafeterias to Tampa’s storied institutions, Cuban restaurants here aren’t just about food, they’re about history, memory, and connection.

I’ve pulled together a list of some of the best spots where locals and travelers alike say the meals feel essential.

1. Versailles Restaurant (Miami)

Step into Versailles and you’ll see why it carries the nickname ‘the world’s most famous Cuban restaurant.’ This spot has been a touchstone for Miami’s Cuban community since 1971. Generations gather here, not just for a meal, but to share stories and keep traditions alive.

The walk-up ventanita is a Miami institution on its own. People from across the city queue up for strong cafecitos and empanadas, chatting with neighbors as the city rushes by. Inside, families take their time over ropa vieja and sweet plantains, savoring recipes that have stayed consistent for decades.

It’s more than a restaurant, Versailles is also a meeting place for community conversations and celebrations. You’ll catch lively debate, laughter, and political discussions any day of the week. To many, Versailles is the unofficial pulse of Cuban Miami.

2. La Carreta (Miami and South Florida)

La Carreta stands out as a place where comfort comes first, and every visit feels like returning to a family table. Established in 1976, this restaurant has blossomed into a cherished South Florida chain, with locals returning again and again for its no-nonsense classics.

The pastelitos at the bakery counter rarely last long, they disappear as quickly as they’re baked. Regulars swear by the picadillo and arroz con pollo, dishes that remind many of home kitchens left behind. The restaurant’s atmosphere, filled with the hum of conversation, captures a sense of belonging.

La Carreta isn’t just popular for its food. It’s a home base for community gatherings, celebrations, and quiet moments alike. People of all ages come here to reconnect over familiar flavors and the steady comfort only a neighborhood institution can offer.

3. El Siboney (Key West)

Tucked away from the tourist trails, El Siboney has quietly become a Key West favorite for those who want real-deal Cuban food. The restaurant’s low-key, welcoming setting almost feels like you’re pulling up a chair in someone’s kitchen. Portions here mean business, hearty servings of roast pork, black beans, and rice leave no one hungry.

Decades of family ownership show in every detail, from the handwritten specials to the quick smiles at each table. Regulars recommend the Cuban mix sandwich and the flan for dessert. The atmosphere stays relaxed, even during the lunch rush, making it easy to linger over another round of café con leche.

There’s a certain charm in El Siboney’s everyday simplicity. It’s the kind of place where visitors become regulars, and staff remember your name by your second visit. Those personal touches keep people coming back, season after season.

4. Columbia Restaurant (Ybor City, Tampa)

Walking into Columbia Restaurant feels like stepping into another era. Founded in 1905, it holds the title of Florida’s oldest restaurant and has grown into a living piece of Tampa’s history. The dining rooms shimmer with hand-painted tiles, stained glass, and the glow of chandeliers, giving even a casual lunch some Old-World elegance.

The menu bridges Cuban and Spanish traditions, with standouts like boliche and their famous Cuban sandwich. I always notice families celebrating milestones here, often with multiple generations at one table. It’s not unusual to catch a live flamenco performance, adding to the restaurant’s vibrant atmosphere.

Columbia’s legacy is hard to match. It draws both locals and visitors who want a taste of Tampa’s rich immigrant past, served up with every plate. For many, it’s a reminder that food can carry history forward, one meal at a time.

5. Islas Canarias (Miami)

Step through the doors of Islas Canarias and you’re met with the unmistakable aroma of freshly fried croquetas. Locals have declared these croquetas the best in Miami, and the kitchen’s reputation has stayed strong for decades. The family behind the restaurant still oversees daily operations, making sure every dish meets their standards.

The menu covers all the Cuban classics, but I always see people come just for a plate of croquetas and a cortadito. Weekends are especially lively, with families gathering for leisurely meals and long conversations. The combination of warm hospitality and reliable comfort food draws a steady crowd.

What sets Islas Canarias apart is its welcoming spirit. Newcomers are greeted like friends, and regulars treat the dining room as an extension of their own homes. That sense of community keeps this spot close to the hearts of so many Miamians.

6. La Segunda Central Bakery (Tampa)

For more than a century, La Segunda Central Bakery has been the backbone of Tampa’s Cuban food scene. This isn’t just any bakery, its loaves of Cuban bread are legendary, shipped across Florida and forming the backbone of countless sandwiches. The bakery’s old-school charm is clear the moment you walk in, with the smell of fresh bread greeting everyone at the door.

You’ll see bakers at work through glass windows, shaping dough by hand using time-honored techniques passed down through generations. Locals stop in for sandwiches and guava pastries, but the bread always steals the show. Many say a real Tampa Cuban sandwich only starts with La Segunda’s loaves.

What I find special is the sense of continuity. This bakery links past and present, connecting generations through something as simple, and as essential, as a well-baked loaf. It’s a quiet cornerstone in a city proud of its roots.

7. Puerto Sagua (Miami Beach)

Puerto Sagua might look unassuming from the outside, but its reputation among Miami Beach residents runs deep. Since the early 1960s, this spot has offered the comfort of classic Cuban dishes in a laid-back diner setting. You’ll often find regulars at their favorite booth, sipping café con leche while swapping local news.

The oxtail stew stands out, rich, savory, and cooked slow. Late nights see a mix of night owls and shift workers refueling after hours, joined by tourists who stumble in after a day on the sand. Service is brisk yet friendly, keeping the pace lively even during busy lunch rushes.

There’s a timeless quality to Puerto Sagua’s approach. The menu stays true to its roots, and so does the clientele. For anyone curious about Miami Beach beyond the glitz, this place offers a slice of everyday local life with every meal.