Little Havana – the heart of Miami’s Cuban diaspora – is part of what makes Miami such a dynamic cultural destination. The neighborhood is centered around Calle Ocho (Southwest Eighth Street), a vibrant thoroughfare lined with Latin-inspired restaurants, bakeries, fruit stands, cigar shops, rum bars, art galleries and music venues. It’s also where you’ll find the famed Máximo Gómez Park (known as Domino Park), where locals gather to talk politics over heated games of dominoes. The street is lined with murals and other artwork, from the mosaic tiles near Domino Park depicting classic symbols of Cuban heritage – cigars, musical instruments and tropical fruit – to walls covered with portraits of Cuban legends, including revolutionary poet José Martí and beloved singer Celia Cruz.
One of the best ways to dig into Cuban culture is through its food. Whether you make a pilgrimage to the classic, family-owned Versailles or pay a visit to one of Little Havana’s other top Cuban restaurants, you’re going to want to sample everything from strong, sweet Cuban coffee to the savory Cuban sandwich (made with roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and yellow mustard pressed into crusty bread). These restaurants, which have a casual, convivial atmosphere, sport ventanitas (little windows), where you can order delectable treats on the go – try an empanada or a guava and cheese pastelito (pastry). Head to Azucar Ice Cream Company for artisanal ice cream and sorbet with tropical flavors.
Little Havana’s arts and cultural scene is equally vibrant. The neighborhood plays host to the Calle Ocho Music Festival every March to celebrate Carnaval Miami, with big-name entertainers headlining the festivities. No matter when you visit Little Havana, you can always soak up the local art and culture at galleries and studios such as the Futurama 1637 Art Building and Molina Fine Art Gallery, or with an indie flick at the Tower Theater, which dates to 1926. One of the area’s best live music venues is the Cubaocho Museum & Performing Arts Center, which happens to be an excellent place to savor a mojito.
