With so much variety of restaurants and dishes in Miami, it’s difficult to know where to start.

Miamian cuisine, such as key lime pie, King Crab, and flan will take you on a unique flavor journey unlike any other. The dishes and cocktails listed below are what Miami is all about, making it the perfect way to start off your experience.

A Cuban Bakery

One of the best parts of Miami is the affordable pastries found in Cuban bakeries. Many pastry shops can be found in the Hialeah, Doral, and Little Havana areas. While in any Cuban bakery, don’t miss the Guava pastries, Cream cheese pastries (my personal favorite), Croquetas, a loaf of Cuban bread, and Cuban coffee, which there are a few different ways to order it.

• Cortadito: 75% Cuban coffee, 25% Frothed milk
• Colada: Cuban coffee with small cups to share with others
• Cafecito: Espresso shot of Cuban coffee
• Cafe con leche: A regular latte with Cuban coffee

Key Lime Pie

A popular dessert found primarily in South Florida, which consists of only a few ingredients. The limes used for this dessert can only be found in Key West, making this a must-try while in Miami. A graham cracker crust, a can of sweetened condensed milk, key lime juice, a pinch of salt, and optionally can be topped off with whipped cream and the zest of a key lime. This dessert can be ordered in restaurants such as Joe’s Stone Crab or Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop.

Caramel Flan

This delectable custard dessert can be found in Gringa Flan or in many Cuban bakeries, such as Versailles. Flan is prepared with only a few ingredients: granulated sugar, eggs, a can of sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, and vanilla extract. The granulated sugar is used to make a caramel to top off the flan. After the hour-long cooking process, the flan is flipped to reveal a golden caramel top.

Tres Leches

Another Cuban staple dessert is Tres Leches. The chilled sweet treat consists of a moist and airy vanilla cake soaked in 3 different types of milk – whole, sweetened condensed, and evaporated – and topped off with a generous dollop of whipped cream or dulce de leche (caramel.) Tres Leches can be ordered in any Cuban bakery, Miami Tres Leches Y Más again in Versailles. To turn the dessert into a Quatro Leches (Four Milks) heavy cream can be added to the dessert.

Ceviche

Originating from Peru, this dish has become increasingly popular in Miami over the years. The dish consists of raw fish cooked in citric juices such as lime or lemon juice, jalapenos, onions, Peruvian corn, and many other varieties of ingredients can also be added. Traditionally, ceviche can have a bit of a spicy or sour flavor included in the dish. The best restaurant to order this dish would be CVI.CHE 105 for its delectable variety of ceviches.

Arepas

Originally from Venezuela, arepas are a fan-favorite in Miami for being affordable, filling and for having an unforgettable flavor. The best arepas in the city can be found in Doggi’s Arepa Bar, where there are other delicious Venezuelan dishes to explore. Arepas consist of corn flour, water, and salt. Traditionally, arepas are fried in small batches after being formed into half-inch discs, and served with queso de mano – a seriously stretchy handmade cheese found in Latin America.

Ropa Vieja (Old Clothes)

A classic Cuban dish found commonly in Miami is Ropa Vieja. The dish can be ordered in any Cuban restaurant such as Versailles or La Carreta. The shredded beef in a hearty tomato sauce with onions and bell peppers is commonly served alongside white rice, black beans, and yuca (cassava.) This course pairs greatly with a cup of freshly squeezed Florida Orange juice.

Media Noche

This popular Cuban sandwich consists of roasted pork or ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and Cuban bread. Media noche originates from Havana, Cuba where nightclubs would begin to serve this sandwich after midnight, hence how the name was formed. The sandwich can be ordered in many Cuban restaurants such as Versailles or La Carreta, for those in a rush searching for a filling meal at an affordable price.

Stone Crab

Stone Crab is a staple dish in Miami, due to the prime fishing waters the Magic City offers. The prices of the Floridian crustacean can vary greatly depending on the market of each day. The best restaurant to find high-quality seafood would be Joe’s Stone Crab, caught fresh daily. The spectacular crab is priceless and can only be found in the coastal waters of south Florida. After a filling dinner, don’t forget to enjoy a Key Lime Pie for dessert.

Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop

The dessert shop is located in the Wynwood area and contains some of the best desserts served in Miami. This is a great spot to try key lime pie for the first time, as well as the many other creative desserts served. Everything from mountain-high pie, triple decker cakes, monster-sized cookies, to huge milkshakes are prepared in this chic dessert shop. Without a doubt, any child’s dream is to indulge in desserts at the Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop.

Drinks

Mojito

This traditional Cuban highball contains white rum, mint, lime juice, sugar, and club soda. The drink can be ordered in many bars or restaurants, such as La Carreta. Mojitos are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s the beach or during dinner, but especially for the many nightclubs found in Miami. Mojitos have existed since the 1500’s and were even seen in the 2002 James Bond movie.

Miami Vice

The popular beachside and nightclub cocktail contains a mix of two drinks: Strawberry Daiquiri and Pina Colada. The Strawberry Daiquiri contains rum, lime juice, simple syrup, and fresh strawberries. The Pina Colada contains rum, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut. Most often the Strawberry Daiquiri is at the bottom and the Pina Colada at the top, however, the order is not important. A great spot for a Miami Vice with a view is the Bayside Marketplace.

Daiquiri

As mentioned above, the cocktail contains rum, lime juice, simple syrup and fresh fruit. The best spot to order this fruity drink would be the Daiquiri Bar found in the Bayside Marketplace. Daiquiris were first made in 1900 by American Mining Engineer Jennings Cox in Santiago, Cuba and were brought to Miami in 1909. Daiquiris gained popularity after President Roosevelt opened trade relations with Cuba in the 1940s and rum was able to be imported into the U.S.

Natalia Guerra

Contributing Editor

Natalia Guerra was born in Miami and comes from a Cuban background. Aside from her passion for travel writing and culinary arts, she also loves to step out of her comfort zone to live life to the fullest. Her lifestyle is being a digital nomad, working remotely as she travels the world one city at a time. Her favorite country has been Spain for its beautiful architecture and food, which reminds her of her Cuban culture.