08 Sep Tasting Latin America: 9 Miami Restaurants You Can’t Miss
Exploring the Best Eateries to Celebrate Latin Flavors – Descubriendo los Sabores Más Deliciosos para Celebrar a los Latinos este mes
What Consists of Hispanic Heritage Month?¿En qué consiste?
National Hispanic American Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15, 2023. This celebration started as “Hispanic Heritage Week” in 1968, but it was extended to a month-long event in 1988. Hispanic Heritage Month has come a long way since then and is celebrated countrywide with festivals, community events, art shows, and plenty of delicious Hispanic and Latin-American dishes.
Miami is arguably one of the best places to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Nearly three-quarters of the city’s population identifies as Hispanic or Latino, after all, and you don’t have to look very hard to find Latin-owned businesses–including Miami restaurants run by some of the best Latin chefs in the country. At these restaurants, guests can sample everything from classic tacos at La Catrina to Latin-Asian fusion sushi dishes at 26 Sushi & Tapas.
You can certainly enjoy delicious and authentic Latin-American cuisine in Miami year-round, but if there was ever a time to sample some of the top Latin restaurants Miami has to offer, it would be during Hispanic Heritage Month 2023. If you’re not sure which restaurants you should be sure to visit this year, we recommend starting with the nine featured in this article.
Fuego y Agua
2960 Coral Way, Coral Gables, FL 33145
Instagram | Facebook | (786) 608-4534
Fuego y Agua (Fire and Water) is a fusion restaurant featuring cuisine prepared by chef Emanuel Jimenez and inspired by the Latin cultures of the Caribbean, South America, and Central America. Una mezcla bien latina.
They opened earlier this year in the spring but have already made an incredible splash on the Miami food scene, meaning they’re not going anywhere anytime soon.
In addition to delicious seafood dishes like the octopus salad and the chef’s special ravioli stuffed with cream cheese and sweet plantains, Fuego y Agua offers a peaceful ambiance. The restaurant is full of greenery and gorgeous flowers, which make it easy for guests to relax and enjoy a one-of-a-kind lunch or dinner experience.
¡Suena delicioso!
5915 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33144
Website | Instagram | Facebook | (305) 267-6068
Si buscas un ambiente cozy and you want to try delicious food, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Pasión, where the entire staff, from the chefs to the waiters, has a deep passion for good food with a Latin twist.
Pasión, meaning passion, promises guests an opportunity to “experience the world on a plate,” with an innovative international menu featuring “flavors unlike anywhere else in Miami!”
¿Y lo mejor? ¡Que estás apoyando a estudiantes que siguen aprendiendo!
As the Florida Education Institute’s Signature Restaurant, Pasión features a rotating menu of unique dishes prepared by culinary students, such as the black rice paella, which is made with chickpeas, shrimp, fresh tuna, and squid ink. For those who are feeling a little less adventurous, the Pasión Burger with spicy guava sauce and the grilled skirt steak with truffle fries are also excellent choices.
Multiple locations
Website | Instagram | Facebook
El Floridita Seafood Restaurant promises homestyle Cuban seafood and has a simple mission: to serve delicious food that keeps guests coming back week after week. Suena como la mejor meta, creemos nosotros.
With three locations throughout Miami (Bird Road, Kendall, and Coral Way), it’s safe to say they’ve achieved their goal and are having no trouble maintaining their momentum.
El Floridita began as a family business more than 20 years ago. Since it opened its doors, it has been known for providing a vast selection of fresh, never frozen seafood. Uf, esto suena bien!
The menu at El Floridita naturally focuses on high-quality seafood and features everything from Ostiones en su Concha (raw oysters, pictured above) to Piquillos Relleno de Bacalao (piquillo peppers stuffed with cod). However, there are also all-natural and organic options for non-pescatarians, including Ravioli Espinaca y Queso (spinach and cheese ravioli) and Arroz con Pollo (yellow rice with chicken). Se nos antojó todo…
La Catrina
12039 SW 132nd Ave, Miami, FL 33186
Instagram | Facebook | (786) 631-8125
Nos encanta su comida, pero también su nombre – La Catrina offers tacos and mulitas (“little mules”) — tortillas stuffed with meat, cheese, and refried beans. However, in addition to classic Mexican staples, they’re also known as the home of the “pizzadilla,” which combines everyone’s favorite Italian dish with a classic quesadilla.
With two Kendall locations (one on Kendall Drive and one on 120th), the La Catrina team has their hands full providing Miami’s residents with incredible Mexican-inspired cuisine. In 2023, they even won the Miami Times’ Best Tacos award (considering how many restaurants serve tacos here, esto es un gran honor)!
There’s no shortage of tasty tacos to try at La Catrina. However, we can’t get enough of their saucy and savory Birria Tacos (pictured above). If you’re feeling more adventurous, go ahead and give the pizzadilla a try!
Amigo Grill & Co
98 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables, FL 33134
Instagram | Facebook | (305) 456-8125
Amigo Grill & Co. is a casual steakhouse offering some of the best steaks in Miami, all expertly handled and freshly cooked with a signature blend of herbs and spices. They sum their selection of dishes up in three words: FRESCO, SENCILLO Y DELICIOSO.
In addition to their famous steaks, the Amigo Grill & Co menu also features a wide selection of other grilled items, including chicken, sausage, and sandwiches, as well as fresh, perfectly cooked fries served on the side. Located in the Coral Gables area and open seven days a week, Amigo Grill & Co. makes it easy for friends to stop by and satisfy their inner carnivores!
La verdad podríamos comer estas carnes a diario.
9487 Harding Ave, Surfside, FL 33154
Website | Instagram | Facebook | (305) 570-2626
Si eres kosher, este lugar es para ti!
You’re not out of luck if you want to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and keep Kosher. At 26 Sushi & Tapas, you can easily do both without sacrificing flavor.
26 Sushi & Tapas promises guests an opportunity to “experience the multicultural flavors of Miami,” with a variety of creative Latin-Asian fusion dishes. Nos encanta cualquier fusión que tenga la palabra sushi.
The restaurant offers an extensive sushi menu (featuring raw and grilled options), plus tasty tapas dishes like Baja Tacos, Seabass Dumplings, and even Sushi Pizza!
No matter what you order at 26 Sushi & Tapas, you can trust that the food is Kosher-friendly. They promise that all products are Cholov Yisroel and Pas Yisroel, and all tuna is Bishul Yisroel.
Y por si fuera poco, ¡también están muy involucrados dentro de la comunidad!
Multiple locations
Guayaba Restaurant boasts classic Cuban dishes with a variety of modern options featuring Guayaba (Guava). Mmm eso suena bien…
They promise a menu and ambiance that is “as dulce as guayaba,” making it the perfect spot to visit with family or friends. Some of Guayaba’s most popular dishes include the delicious Guayaba Burger, as well as island-inspired favorites like tostones (fried plantains) and Fritura de Cobo (conch fritters).
Si no has probado este lugar, tienes que ir ya.
Guayaba Restaurant is an offshoot of Pinecrest Bakery, which opened its doors in 2012 and made a splash with its classic Pastelito de Guayaba, a fresh pastry with a delicious guava filling. A few years later, when the owners decided to branch out and open a restaurant, it was obvious that its name would pay tribute to the fruit that put them on the map!
4612 S. Le Jeune Rd, Coral Gables, FL, 33146
Website | Instagram | Facebook | (305) 661-2622
¿Sabías que Havana Harry’s se encuentra en la Guía Michelin como el mejor restaurante cubano?
Havana Harry’s touts itself as “Miami’s top foodie destination.” The authentic Cuban restaurant opened in 1995 and has since become a staple for locals and tourists alike, known for its extensive menu, unique décor, and contemporary atmosphere.
Havana Harry’s offers family-style dining with a variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, from Breakfast Tacos and Shrimp Creole to Churrasco (skirt) Steak served with chimichurri (a fresh sauce made from herbs, garlic, shallots, and vinegar).
Guests can also enjoy decadent desserts like the award-winning flan (creamy custard with a caramel topping) and tres leches (sponge cake soaked in three different kinds of milk, pictured above). If you want a cocktail to accompany your meal, Havana Harry’s mojito, which was voted one of the top 10 mojitos in Miami, is a fool-proof choice!
Ya nos dio hambre, ¡nos vemos ahí!
Multiple locations
Website | Instagram | Facebook
La verdad es que las tapas, siempre se antojan.
If you’re searching for tasty tapas to share with friends, Bulla Gastrobar is the perfect place to visit. With locations throughout the southern United States, including multiple destinations perfect for Miami residents and visitors, Bulla Gastrobar is known for its enchanting atmosphere, quality dishes, and delicious wine pairings.
¡Queremos ir ya!
The restaurant is the brainchild of Carlos Centurion, a seasoned restaurateur who was eager to create a spot that “stirs the senses and stimulates the appetite.” He was inspired by the many gastro bars in Spain and decided to launch his own.
While at Bulla Gastrobar, guests can choose from a variety of brunch, lunch, and dinner options, including the Ceviche de Jalapeño (marinated fish with spicy jalapeños, fresh vegetables, and fried plantains for dipping), tuna tartar, and Tortilla Española (a traditional Spanish omelet).
Ya con el ceviche nos enamoraron.
Want to cap your meal with something sweet? The restaurant also offers desserts like freshly fried churros and chocolate lava cake!
Experience the Best Latin Restaurants During Miami Hispanic Heritage Month
There’s certainly no shortage of Latin restaurants to visit during Hispanic Heritage Month and all year long. If you’re looking for an easy and delicious way to support Latin chefs and entrepreneurs throughout Miami, stop searching for “best Hispanic food near me” and visit any (or all) of the restaurants featured in this guide.
During this year’s Latin Restaurant WeekS, which runs from September 15-29 (i.e., from the beginning to the middle of Hispanic Heritage Month), you’ll have a chance to sample some of the city’s best Latin food. Check out the menus for a complete list of all the best restaurants in Miami that are participating.
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