Cuban Food

If the tropical vibe has you hankering for Cuban food, you've come to the right place. Miami is the top spot in the country to enjoy authentic Cuban cooking.

The flavors and preparations of Cuban cuisine are influenced by the island nation's natural bounty (yuca, sugarcane, guava), as well as its rich immigrant history, from near (Caribbean countries) and far (Spanish and African traditions). Chefs in Miami tend to stick with the classic versions of beloved dishes, though you'll find some variation from restaurant to restaurant, as recipes have often been passed down through generations of home cooks. For a true Cuban experience, try either the popular Versailles (3555 S.W. 8th St. 305/444–0240 www.versaillesrestaurant.com) or classic La Carreta (3632 S.W. 8th St. 305/444–7501) in Little Havana, appealing to families seeking a home-cooked, Cuban-style meal. For a modern interpretation of Cuban eats, head to Coral Gables' Havana Harry’s (4612 S. Le Jeune Rd. 305/661–2622). South Beach eatery Puerto Sagua Restaurant (700 Collins Ave. 305/673–1115) is the beach’s favorite Cuban hole-in-the-wall, open daily from 7 am to 2 am.

The Cuban Sandwich

A great cubano (Cuban sandwich) requires pillowy Cuban bread layered with ham, garlic-citrus-marinated slow-roasted pork, Swiss cheese, and pickles, with butter and/or mustard. The sandwich is grilled in a press until the cheese melts and the elements are fused together. Try one at Enriqueta's Sandwich Shop (186 N.E. 29th St. 305/573–4681) in Wynwood, or Sanguich de Miami (2057 S.W. 8th St. 305/539–0969) in Little Havana.

Key Cuban Dishes

Arroz con Pollo

This chicken-and-rice dish is Cuban comfort food. Found throughout Latin America, the Cuban version is typically seasoned with garlic, paprika, and onions, then colored golden or reddish with saffron or achiote (a seed paste), and enlivened with a splash of beer near the end of cooking. Green peas and sliced, roasted red peppers are standard toppings.

Bistec de Palomilla

This thinly sliced sirloin steak is marinated in lime juice and garlic and fried with onions. The steak is often served with chimichurri sauce, an olive oil, garlic, and cilantro sauce that sometimes comes with bread. Also try ropa vieja, a slow-cooked, shredded flank steak in a garlic-tomato sauce.

Desserts

Treat yourself to a slice of tres leches cake. The "three milks" come from the sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream that are poured over the cake until it's an irresistible gooey mess. Also, don't miss the pastelitos, Cuban fruit-filled turnovers. Traditional flavors include plain guava, guava with cream cheese, and cream cheese with coconut.

Drinks

Sip guarapo, a fresh sugarcane juice that isn't really as sweet as you might think, or enjoy a batido, a Cuban-style milk shake made with tropical fruits like mango, piña (pineapple), or mamey. For a real twist, try the batido de trigo—a wheat shake that will remind you of sugar-glazed cereal.

Fritas

If you're in the mood for an inexpensive, casual Cuban meal, have a frita—a hamburger with Cuban flair. It's made with ground beef that's mixed with chopped chorizo, spiced with pepper, paprika, and salt, topped with sautéed onions and shoestring potato fries, and then served on a bun slathered with a tomato-based ketchup-like sauce.

Lechón Asado

Fresh ham or an entire suckling pig marinated in mojo criollo (parsley, garlic, sour orange, and olive oil) is roasted until tender and served with white rice, black beans, and tostones (fried plantains) or yuca, a starchy tuber with a mild nut taste that's often sliced into fat sticks and deep-fried like fries.