With some free time on a Friday afternoon, we decided to take a stroll down to South Beach about a 30-minute drive from Davie. Our original plan was Moreno's, but since they didn't open until 5, we leaned into the moment and let South Beach guide us. And let's be real: South Beach isn't about Black Manhattans or vintage, brooding cocktails...it's about the mojito experience. When in Rome, right? That's when we stumbled upon Alma Cubana, and honestly, what a find. The place has a vibrant Art Deco energy that instantly transports you like stepping into what a stylish 1950s Cuban bar should look like. Colorful, lively, and full of character. We were greeted by a super-friendly host at the outdoor café, where most tourists were soaking in the experience. But we opted for the bar instead much quieter, maybe one or two tourists besides us, and incredibly inviting. The bartender? Absolute pro. Polite, confident, and clearly knew his craft. Before fully committing to the South Beach Cuban cocktail vibe, I did what any cocktail enthusiast would do: a quick scan of the spirits lineup. It was solid perfectly respectable for this cocktail boy. So naturally, I asked for a Boulevardier. His response? "A... mojito?" Haha! Fair question...it is a mojito bar. But credit where credit is due: without hesitation, he went for it. And wow...he nailed it. The drink was fantastic, proving that skill matters more than menu labels. Food-wise, even though it wasn't on the menu, the bartender cooked up some tostones (fried plantains) for us, served with a cilantro-lime cream sauce. Absolutely addictive. We also ordered the truffle fries, and while I couldn't quite pinpoint what made them special... they were freakin' amazing. If you're bar-hopping, grabbing a quick bite, or just trying to taste the South Beach scene, Alma Cubana is a perfect starting point. It did exactly what we needed helped us kill time before heading to Moreno's, while still delivering quality drinks, great bites, and atmosphere. Bonus: the Gabriel Hotel, which connects to the bar, is also worth checking out...one of many South Beach hotels with integrated bars, but this one stands out. Can't wait to come back and explore more of South Beach. And yes, I promise, next time I'll finally order the mojito. Until we meet again South Beach! read more

See all

Me and my friend needed a lunch spot before exploring the beach, so stopped by Alma Cubana for lunch. We decided to split the shrimp tacos, which were with slow-cooked shrimp in marinara sauce, avocado slices, and cilantro. They were definitely not my favorite. I'm a huge shrimp taco girl, but the marinara sauce definitely made it taste weird. Additionally, similar to another South Beach spot we had gone, you have to pay for the water. I think it was like $10, which is a bit crazy. I'd say the restaurant had good ambiance; we were able to sit outside, and it's located in a great location with plenty around. read more

Alma Cubana - Cuban Near Me - Miami Beach, Florida

I feel like getting Cuban while in South Beach is obligatory. While I love the hole-in-the-wall bodegas with big to-go plates of steam table Cuban food, sometimes you want a fancier dinner. Excellent food paired with a great location by the ocean make it a perfect meal. Red Snapper: This has to be favorite dish in Miami. Its got Cuban roots and it's from a local Florida fish, so it's hard to find anywhere else in the country. They executed it perfectly here! The snapper was a nice and big size. They did a crisscross cut so it was easy to pick off fried chunks of meats without getting fishbone. The raw onions and tomatoes and spices on top were just right to complement the fish, without overpowering he natural delicious flavor. I really liked the yuca fries and the green dip that came with it. Churrasco: Pairing steak with snapper is a great way to make my own surf-n-turf. I like how the steak was covered in lightly cooked onions, to give a nice tang. The steak itself had a nice hearty skirt steak chew. The chimichurri sauce added a herbal and vinegary tang. Loved the rice and beans on the side to make it hearty. Flan: Not huge, but very dense an rich. Like it was borderline crème brûlée dense rather than being light and eggy. Loved the creamy texture. The brown sauce on the side helped enhance it. read more

See all

We were hungry and after looking at different places, decided to give this place a try'l. I was excited in the beginning but it went away after I got my drink. We started out with water (you get your choice of still, sparkling, or tap) and then I got a passion fruit mojito. Now, I've had plenty of mojitos before but I def did a second and third double take when I got mine. There was very little flavor and it def didn't taste or look like the one I had from the night before at a didn't restaurant. When the server delivered it I asked if if he was sure if was passion fruit and he said yes. I took two sips and pushed it to the side. Food wise, I got the grilled chicken breast. It comes with onion and some pico stuff. I asked to have the onions removed because they upset my stomach but when I got my meal I wasn't expecting it to be completely plain! The only saving grace were the black beans and white rice. There wasn't much else to say about the food, drink, or service to justify giving a higher rating especially considering you're on the strip and everything is already overpriced as it is. read more

See all

Rey was really great! Nice atmosphere , food is very large portions . Service is very attentive.

The first restaurant we tried in miami. This spot was connected to our hotel on South Beach, known for its lively cuban vibes and ocean views. We ordered the grandma-style ropa vieja and the classic cuban sandwich. The shredded beef was tender, flavorful, and served over a bed of rice without being dry. The cuban sandwich was good, with the crispy little fries on the side. Note that they automatically charge 20% gratuity. It's a decent spot if you're staying on South Beach and craving cuban food. read more

Alma Cubana - Ropa Vieja Grandma Style & Cuban Sandwich - Cuban Near Me - Miami Beach, Florida

FIVE STARS!! After a nice morning stroll on the beach we stopped in to hop out of the sun. Enjoyed refreshing & delicious mango smoothies, and a club sandwich. Jose took amazing care of us! Love the vibes and the background music had me swaying in my seat. So glad we dropped in. read more

Alma Cubana - Club sandwich includes fries - Cuban Near Me - Miami Beach, Florida

See all

Clelo was our hostess this evening and we had a fabulous time! She was very attentive to our table. She offered some great recommendations for our happy hour event. Very knowledgeable and such a happy person who made our experience fabulous! Oh let's talk food and drink. The place on South Beach to come for authentic Cuban food! Get the empanadas! Mojitos and margs are fabulous. Such a good selection of flavors too. Located on Ocean Dr. across from the beach it's the place to come after a day at the beach. Plenty of air to keep cool and the people watching is top notch. When on South Beach it's the place to come! read more

See all

Super overpriced $85 bucks for a soda, calamari and guacamole for myself. No lie. One single person table that's actually crazy.

I was in Miami with my niece. It was her first time visiting the city and she picked this place to check out. She felt that she could not come to Miami and not have Cuban food. We were able to walk in without a reservation and be seated immediately. The sever came over after a few minutes to take our drink orders. The staff did not speak English well so he failed to understand my question regarding the type of rice they used for the meals. I ended up just ordering the meal even though I was not clear on the type of rice. The food came out quickly. It was ok. Not a thing I would have to have again. I personally think it's just a tourist trap. read more

See all

They had special deal for brunch but they bring my omelette with smooshed and soiled salad. They didn't apply my 15% discount And gave me just 10% discount and something really pissed me off the manager rude behavior. it was a special. read more

Paula was an amazing server. Welcoming and on top of it. The crispy chicken dish was amazing!!! The restaurant had a great atmosphere. Live music played at 8pm. read more

Alma Cubana - Live music - Cuban Near Me - Miami Beach, Florida

My boyfriend and I came in for breakfast. This place has great reviews and I wanted to check it out! I think their specialties lie in their dinner but breakfast was a good cuban breakfast! I enjoyed the rice and beans but they weren't anything special. the coffee also wasn't the greatest but i'm sure this place specializes in drinks. overall great service and good food. id love to come back for dinner! read more

Alma Cubana - Abuela 's Toston Breakfast - Cuban Near Me - Miami Beach, Florida

See all

Phenomenal Americano = rich/dark/flavorful! Portions are good sized and decently priced. Note service is relaxed, which is the way it supposed to be--enjoy. read more

Alma Cubana - Cuban Near Me - Miami Beach, Florida

The Cuban was excellent. The salmon tartar was quite good too. I had the skirt stake and it was average. The service was excellent. Friendly and informative. The atmosphere was nice but it was hot on the patio seating. I'm not from here so I melted. Overall a solid meal. read more

See all

Paella was great! But $12 per water bottle!? When tap WAS NOT OFFERED!!! Fully took advantage. Also 20% tip included.

Milu was our waitress. She was wonderful! Very attentive and super sweet! Food was also very good! Especially the passion fruit Mojito Milu recommended. HUGE size and totally worth the cost! would definitely come back to Alma if i come back to south beach. Great Cuban food! read more

Alma Cubana - A passion fruit Mojito completed by yours truly - Cuban Near Me - Miami Beach, Florida

Solid Cuban food in an unexpected place! Stumbled upon this place as I was staying at the hotel next door and craving Cuban food. I was skeptical that anything on ocean drive would be good but was glad to find out otherwise! The ambiance, while crowded is still inviting and the views cannot be beat. Service started off slow but was rushed once the food order came in. Ordered the "super" coconut mojito and it did not disappoint! Decided to try the slider trio and I can't decide which one I liked more- they were all delicious. Yuca fries were also a good addition. Will definitely come back on my yearly excursion down to Miami! read more

See all

Definitely a place to visit when in South Beach.... Their food is delicious, atmosphere is a vibe, their service is exceptional and they got the best table side views. Our server, Michael from Columbia .......es muy guapo! He is very very very handsome. So sweet and attentive. Their street side tables are perfect for people watching. I had their empanada for an appetizer and a Cuban sandwich for lunch. I wanted Michael for dessert.... But..... they wouldn't let me take him ha ha Definitely bookmark this place when visiting Ocean Drive, South Beach Miami. They are located on the south side of Ocean Drive near the Ritz read more

See all

4 for the food, 1 for the experience. Terrible service. Aggressive upselling. Questionable billing tactics. I left there wondering if our servers lack of English was a scam or if they truly didn't have enough of the basics to do the job. The food came out wrong and the bill was wrong. We had to involve the manager. Beware- check and double check your bill. I'll give credit to the manager for "fixing" our bill but I'll hold final judgement when I can view my credit card charges. Our waiter overcharged us and I left there feeling I was being ripped off. The food was good but the experience was ruined by the service and issues with the bill. In general I was disappointed with the restaurants on Ocean Blvd- has this place gone downhill that bad? Walking down the street you are accosted by hosts and hostesses aggressively trying to get you in their restaurant- you can't casually stroll the street and look at menus. It also lost its "upscale" vibe and now just seems like a tourist trap. Being the daughter of an immigrant I don't mind English as a second language but this was beyond that. I don't want to point to the menu to order food or have to ask for a second person to fix a mistake. Or several mistakes. I wanted an authentic Cuban restaurant and I'm pretty sure this isn't it. Lovely setting untrustworthy experience. Spoiled experience. read more

See all

Good location, ok service, but definitely a tourist trap lol. Got the ceviche, very interesting.... Ropa vieja was good and salty so we asked for extra rice. Extra rice was $10. Mandatory 20% tip. read more

Great experience, the food is delicious and Milu made me feel fantastic, especial y today that is my birthday! The whole service is recomendable! read more

We ordered chicken wings (6) fried red snapper and braised flank steak. Wings were subpar not marinated or anything special to it. Fish needs more flavor. The fish came with pico de gallo on top. No other sauce or anything. The braised steak was dry af. Reminds me of beef jerky. Service needs more work. We ran out of water. Didn't check on us about our food or if we need anything. Too bad service charge is already added. I would go somewhere else to eat. Not worth the money here. read more

Alma Cubana - Braised flank steak - Cuban Near Me - Miami Beach, Florida

See all

Upon arrival into the humid 83 degree heat of Miami, we stumbled upon this gem on our first walk along Ocean avenue in Southbeach Florida. We weren't sure if we were c ready to eat a full meal so tacos and sliders to share and a mojito from the "Mojito Bar would be perfect. We looked at various locations but settled on this restaurant. The heat was intense but there was as subtle breeze that cooled us down nicely. We ordered two different mojitos to try from their menu and we each preferred the one that was suggested by our server for our expressed pallet. The shrimp tacos did nit disappoint. They were the star. The sliders were three separate types: Beef, Pork, Chicken. Hands down the chicken was the best of the three when you add the cucumber spread to the brioche bun, heirloom tomato slices, and spring mix lettuce. The beef was also tasty and my least favorite was the pork. The beef not pork came with any fresh vegetables and I believe its why they didn't score as high for me and my husband. Those tacos will have me returning and the Mojitos were two if the best, Ive ever experienced. read more

See all

Excellent service, food and atmosphere. If you love Cuban food it is a top tier choice if in the Ocean Dr. area! Wait staff were attentive, helpful and friendly. Food was amazing, everything we had was cooked to perfection and delicious. Can be pricy but you can't beat the view! read more

Alma Cubana - Cubano Sandwich - Cuban Near Me - Miami Beach, Florida

See all

Service 4/5 - a little slow but good service. Waitress and host Helena - had the happy hour drinks flowing. Hellen was great.. ran the info down and served up nothing less than goodness Food 5/5 everyone enjoyed the food . Empanadas were magnificent. Crispy on the outside and full of inside flavor. Quesadillas were okay.. I had the chicken but it was missing Chen in the ends, plenty in the middle tho. Drinks- Mijitos- Mago and pineapple. Each drink was accompanied but the named fruit. I'll just say.. if you like mojitos, you'll be in your happy place. Great flavoring and enjoy alcohol to have you feeling nice after two. All in all, in glad I held out for this spot. I definitely recommend and will visit again on my next trip. read more

See all

Santiago made our evening sparkle like a tango under the stars. The food was delectable, the ambiance sublime. But truly, it was his genuine care, warmth, and attentiveness that turned a great meal into an unforgettable memory. We left not just satisfied, but charmed! Gracias Santi! read more

I really enjoyed the food. I really like the fried yuca and seafood. The staff was kind too. The view is beautiful. read more

Alma Cubana - Seafood Lobster (Enchilado de Mariscos) - Cuban Near Me - Miami Beach, Florida

This restaurant is located right across from the beach but trees block the view of the water. The atmosphere is very festive with somewhat loud background music. Our food was good. The sauces that came with my sliders were very good! We had quick, polite service. Be aware that there isn't any onsite parking. $30 valet parking only. read more

Wanted a drink and place to get away from the humidity for a little bit. Walking by we saw a mojito bar sign. Although mine wasn't a mojito the drinks were amazing and the water was cold. The bar and restaurant and staff all looked to be taken directly out of Cuba and put into play here! The colors and decor made me feel like I was there! read more

Alma Cubana - Cuban Near Me - Miami Beach, Florida

See all

Awesome Cuban seafood restaurant on South Beach. Nice view of a park and the ocean. Outdoor seating and great service. The food is very good. Highly recommend for dinner. read more

Alma Cubana - Red snapper, yummy!!! - Cuban Near Me - Miami Beach, Florida

The pork and steak here are delicious! It's really, really loud as they blast the music on 11 but what do you expect in South Beach. Service is ok, nothing exceptional. read more

Please come here for breakfast! They have an $8.99 menu and the portions are huge!! Fabiana, our server was also great. She was so pleasant and nice. You won't regret coming here. They have indoor and outdoor seating. As close to the beach as you can get. read more

Alma Cubana - Cuban Near Me - Miami Beach, Florida

I wanted to sit on the patio along Ocean Drive to people watch, and this place provided that perfect setting. I tried the slider trio with plantain chips and two of the three sliders (especially the guajilla chicken) were excellent. The third one was just very plain, it was pork and had slivered onions. Thankfully two sliders was plenty so I did not care that. I didn't like the third one. The house made hot sauce recommended by the waiter is excellent as was the pink mayo. They have an extensive drink menu. Tip is automatically included so make sure you notice that when you get your bill. read more

SOBEWFF is nearing upon us, so before the craziness begins on the beach, let's highlight the delicious restaurant right on Ocean Drive! The location is perfect for that Miami Beach vibe, not just for tourists, but for locals as well. They have a cocktail menu that delivers something for everyone, and their menu has so many options, you're going to want to try them all. Let us also not forget the service! Which they are really attentive and are very helpful. So stop on by before the craziness start! read more

See all

Delicious food, great music, beautiful view of Ocean drive. Service was fantastic too read more

See all

I dined at this restaurant after spending a day on the beach. This restaurant has traditional Cuban fare. That is authentic and delicious. Alma Cubana Is a small restaurant, The indoor area is a bar and very few tables. Most of the tables to dine are situated outside. The decorations and ambient is lovely. Let's talk about the food Everything we tried was fantastic we We started with some Guacamole And chips which was creatively displayed also had a fried calamari. Both were great to start but the entrees were better. I had the whole Fried snapper that was delicious. It came with a side Of rice and beans and fried plantains. My best friend had vaca frita That was cooked perfectly. Lastly for dessert we had a cuban flan and Tres leche with a cafecito to end the most perfect dinner. Customer service was quick Considering it was a weekend night and the staff was friendly. This is definitely place to visit if you're in The south beach area. read more

See all

Amazing food and atmosphere! Ask for Santi - he's the best waiter here. Very helpful, polite, prompt and attentive.

The food was great and the syaff are very pleasant We enjoyed the view and the vibe. Thank you Paola for your joyful welcoming approach. read more

Stopped by here while browsing the south beach area. Service was quick. The empanadas were delicious. The meat was so juicy and had a lot of flavor, but overpriced for the quantity. Didn't try any drinks because prices were a little higher than we wanted to pay and looked really sugary. I loved the restaurants decor and attention to detail. read more

See all