Puerto Sagua | Photo Credi: Find. Eat. Drink.
Here are five restaurants chefs love where you can experience an authentic Cuban desayuno. Go simple with a tostada and café con leche or opt for something heartier with more brunch-type dishes like eggs with ham.
Las Olas Cafe | Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
Las Olas Café
Inside it's a Cuban cafeteria and outside it's a coffee stand. They serve fresh juices, cuban sandwiches, empanadas, rice, beans and plantains. Untouched by gentrification and filled with locals. They also have a walk-up window for your morning café con leche.
“Las Olas Café is a gem on South Beach. The croquettas, empanadas, media noches, café con leche, braised oxtail – all amazing.”
FED Pro > Chef Michael Pirolo of Macchialina Taverna Rustica.
“It's a small place and it’s been here for a long time. It’s just like counter food, cafeteria-style, and filled with regulars. They have like great appetizers to start with like the chicken empanada or a Cuban sandwich.”
FED Pro > Bartender Gabe Orta of Broken Shaker
Opens at 7am
644 6th Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139
T: 305.534-9333
Photograph courtesy of El Mago de las Fritas
El Mago de las Fritas
Start your day with a guava and cheese pastry at this Flagami Cuban restaurant. Their brush with fame was when President Obama stopped in for Fritas (Cuban Hamburger) with Cheese.
“It’s not to be missed, off the beaten track with great hospitality and very tasty Fritas.”
FED Pro > Bartender Danny Valdez of Regent Cocktail Club
Opens at 9am | Closed on Sundays
5828 S.W. 8th Street, West Miami, FL 33144
T: 305.266.8486 | www.elmagodelasfritas.com
Enriqueta’s Sandwich Shop
This is a small Cuban cafe located in the Wynwood area. Beyond sandwiches, they're known for their bistec de puerco, rice and beans, and their reasonably priced Desayuno (breakfast).
“It's essentially a Cuban diner, but they have daily lunch specials which I thoroughly enjoy, especially the fried steak on Mondays and the lechon asado (pork) on Fridays.”
FED Pro > Chef Roel Alcudia of The Cypress Room
Opens at 6am | Closed on Sundays
186 NE 29th Street, Miami, FL 33137 | T: 305.573.4681
Puerto Sagua | Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
Puerto Sagua
This Cuban diner opened in 1962 and some of the original customers are still regulars. It has endured the dark and dangerous days of South Beach and has held strong through the frilly, nilly boutique hotel and glam nightclub era.
"It feels like a real throwback. It’s really a greasy spoon, but it has a lot of fun things about it. Their Ropa Vieja is amazing. I try not to eat Cuban food so much, just for the calories alone I’ll get my cardiologist going. But what wonderful food, really simple and really consistent."
FED Pro > Pastry Chef Hedy Goldsmith formerly of Michael's Genuine Food & Wine
"The best Cuban restaurant on the beach. The only place left that has the best and most authentic Cuban experience and keeping it true to its identity. When I go for breakfast, it's an empanada and a colada."
FED Pro > Bartender Ben Potts of Beaker & Gray
Opens at 7:30am
700 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139
T: 305.673.1115
Versailles
This iconic Little Havana restaurant opened in 1971 and is still packed morning, noon and night. It is one of the best known Cuban restaurants in the country. Stop into Little Havana for a café con leche from their walk-up window called " La Ventanita" or dine in the restaurant for classic dishes, including their Cuba sandwich that is even available for breakfast.
"Versailles café is a must for the Cuban experience. An authentic media noche sandwich for lunch, or any of the traditional Cuban dishes with lots of black beans and rice are always favorites."
FED Pro > Andreas Schriener of Pubbelly
"Great to visit for their Cuban fare."
FED Pro > Chef Sunny Oh of Juvia
"For Lechon Asado with Maduros."
FED Pro > Bartender Julio Cabrera of Regent Cocktail Club
“It’s classic Cuban food. They’ve been around forever and for good reason; they are very consistent. While they do have Versailles outlets in the airport, you've got to go to the real thing. I’ll order anything with lechon (pork), but my staple is ropa vieja (a shredded beef stew).”
FED Pro > Bartender Ben Potts of Beaker & Gray
Opens at 8am, 9am on Sundays
3555 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33135
T: 305.444.0240 | www.versaillesrestaurant.com
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