This essay is the first in a series about traveling after confinement. Look for the next one this summer.
16.04.2024 - 17:17 / lonelyplanet.com / Art
Don’t let the occasional big-chain coffee shop fool you – Miami runs on Cuban coffee.
This strong caffeinated concoction made from Cuban espresso and sugar not only helps locals power through a midday slump, but it bridges social barriers and provides a lubricant for idle office chatter or heated political debates. The drink, also known as cafecito, is so deeply entrenched in the local culture that the mayor of the City of Miami proclaimed 3:05pm Miami’s official cafecito break time.
The first rule of cafecito is: a little goes a long way. The thimble-sized stack of cups that come with a colada — a four-ounce styrofoam cup of Cuban coffee — is the strongly suggested serving size and promotes sharing. The second rule is: find a ventanita. These walk-up, to-go windows serve up flaky Cuban pastries alongside the steaming cups of rocket fuel fast and furiously.
If you’re ready to get a taste of this caffeinated wonder, check out one of our seven favorite spots for Cuban coffee in Miami. Hey, it’s 3:05pm somewhere.
Versailles has been ground-zero for cafecito culture for over 50 years, serving locals, celebrities, politicians – and even the occasional US presidential candidate – from its location in Little Havana. In fact, Versailles’ founder Felipe Valls Sr has been credited as the first person to develop the ventanita. The restaurant has even spun offa neighboring coffee bar and bakery, where the cafecito perfectly straddles the sugar-to-espresso ratio. For a twist on your cafecito, try the cortadito — Cuban coffee that’s been cut with steamed milk — to go with your pastries. And at Versailles, subbing your milk for the evaporated version isn’t just acceptable; it’s highly recommended.
How to get there: Head east on SW 8th St/Calle Ocho until you reach 35th Ave.
Read more: Heading to Miami? A local wants you to know these 10 things
You can’t go wrong with the cafecito at any of La Carreta’s multiple Miami locations, but the Bird Rd storefront has arguably the best ventanita of them all. Buzzing with energy and the satisfying hiss of the espresso machine releasing steam, this lively ventanita is where the city gathers when a local sports team wins a championship. The powerful doses of Cuban coffee – along with the sticky sweet guava pastries – will keep the celebration going all night.
How to get there: Take the Dolphin Expressway/836 West to the Palmetto Expressway/826 South. From there, exit on SW 40th St and take that west for about 1 mile.
Serving up some of the most inventive cafecitos and coladas in the city, La Colada Gourmet in Little Havana is where you go when you graduate to next-level iterations on the classic formula. Not only does the gourmet operation roast its own beans, but you can
This essay is the first in a series about traveling after confinement. Look for the next one this summer.
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