What to Order at a Cuban Restaurant in Miami

If you are planning an upcoming trip to Miami for a bachelorette party or to lay on the beach, you can still explore the native cuisine while getting plenty of produce, fiber, and protein.

Due to its proximity to the island nation of Cuba, Miami is famous for its Cuban cuisine. Roast pork, stewed beef, beans, rice, and sandwiches are all staples in Cuban cuisine. Cuba is also famous for its strong espresso and rum.

Navigating the menu at a Cuban restaurant can be hard, especially if you don’t speak Spanish! Keep in mind that Cuban food is heavy and typically served in large portions. Don’t be afraid to share with a friend or take your leftovers to go!

Vegetables can be hard to find on a menu at a Cuban restaurant. Luckily, most restaurants will offer side salads or a side of steamed vegetables as an option.

Here are the best things to order at a Cuban restaurant to feel your best during your trip.

Ropa Vieja

Since it is one of the national dishes of Cuba, you will likely find Ropa Vieja on the menu of every Cuban restaurant. Ropa Vieja is beef braised in a tomato sauce with onions, bell peppers, and olives. It is typical to serve it with rice, beans, and plantains!

Arroz con Pollo

Arroz con Pollo simply means “rice with chicken” in Spanish. Although this dish sounds pretty simple, it has tons of flavor. Chicken and rice is cooked with onion, vegetables, saffron, and other spices for this dish. Arroz con Pollo is similar to the Spanish dish paella.

Ceviche

Ceviche is from Peru, but you can find this dish at many Cuban restaurants. Ceviche is fresh raw fish marinated in lime juice, onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and salt. You can find many variations of this classic recipe all over Miami. Ceviche is typically served as an appetizer or as a main dish with vegetables on the side.

Picadillo

Picadillo is what l typically order at a Cuban restaurant! This dish is a flavorful mix of ground beef with garlic, onions, bell pepper, green olives, raisins, and spices simmered in a tomato sauce. Picadillo is great with rice on the side. You can also ask for an extra side of steamed vegetables for more fiber and produce.

Arroz con Frijoles

Arroz con frijoles is “beans with rice” in Spanish. You may also see arroz y frijoles, which just means “beans and rice”. Moros is beans and rice mixed together. Beans and rice are typically served on the side of a main dish, but it can also be dressed with sauce and served as a meal by itself. Since traditional Cuban cuisine is often low in fiber and produce, adding beans to your meal is a great option since they are high in fiber and count as produce.

Cortadito

To round out your meal, try some Cuban coffee! A cortadito is a double shot of strong, Cuban espresso mixed with equal parts milk and sweetened with sugar. If you like more milk with your coffee, you may want to opt for a cafe con leche.

New cuisines are exciting to explore. Rest assured knowing that you can still eat a balanced diet while traveling. If you want to read more about adding in produce while eating out, check out our guide here.

Cover Image by Casa Sensei

Vanessa CarrilloMarch 24, 2023