We live in Miami and are never in the Bayside area, but we took friends in town for a Miami sunset boat cruise that was based in Bayside and had dinner afterwards at La Canita. We made reservations in advance for dinner and arrived 30 minutes early and were warmly greeted by restaurant staff and seated us at a table within a few minutes. The restaurant is truly beautiful and has amazing decor and live musicians as well. We were seated near the windows, but they also have really cool patio seating overlooking the bay and the Virgin Cruise port. We were warmly greeted by our server and she offered to answer any questions we had on the menu and provided her favorite selections as well. We started with a carafe of red sangria to share for the table ($39) and then ordered the Croquetas Jamon Serrano ($13) and the Mushroom Croquetas ($14). Each had 4 or 5 pieces per order and OMG they were all absolutely outstanding and fresh! You have to order the croquettes, and we're used to having some great Cuban food as we've lived in Miami for more than 15 years now and dine out frequently. For entrees, we all ordered different options, and everyone loved their dishes! I had the Local Fish of the Day (Snapper) for $38 and OMG it was very fresh and an amazing catch and very flavorful and the portion size was perfect! I also really loved the coconut rice and black eyed pea curry. Service and food are all outstanding and we look forward to returning the next time we are in the Bayside area! read more

Wanting to try a Cubano in Miami while waiting to board a cruise ship at the nearby Port of Miami, I chose La Canita Bayside because it was close to the Port (not walkable though), having a well reviewed Cubano on its menu. The service was attentive, and the food was delicious, but for one sandwich entree and one appetizer for lunch, it ended up $64.80 out the door. A bit steep. Located on the second floor of the Bayside Marketplace outdoor mall, La Canita Bayside is one of three locations around the Miami area. The elevator that the signs were pointing to, was out of order so a bit difficult for cruisers with luggage. It opened at 11 am, and my brother and I were one of the first ones in. We had our choice of indoor seats. We asked for tap water, which was constantly kept refilled by Mayra, our perceptive server. We split two dishes: conch fritters ($17) and the Cuban experience ($33) - a combination of a Cuban sandwich, glazed deep fried pork belly, and fried yuka (a sandwich by itself was not offered). My brother loved the glazed pork belly (chicharrones), but prefers his Cuban sandwich more time on the sandwich press, to create that melded experience. I loved the 4 pieces of hush puppy looking fritters, served piping hot with a large number of conch pieces mixed in with the spicy batter. I liked the sandwich as well, but wouldn't rank it in the upper half on my list. There is a mandatory 20% service charge for all size parties, which was clearly indicated on the menu. It's an 8% sales tax. It could be argued that high prices should be expected for this area, but the mall itself is no longer considered a top destination in Miami. I do think the atmosphere would be completely different at nighttime and/or the weekend. Maybe have a lunch priced menu when the space is like a normal restaurant, to attract more folks. read more

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Pretty tasty option for mall food, especially considering that it shares some patio space with Chili's. The service was a little slow (e.g. water refills) despite not being that busy. But the food was very tasty! Empanadas Criollas: Love all the different mix-ins with the ground beef in this tiny doughy pocket. So many nice flavors and textures. Croquetas Jamón Serrano: Tiny little balls instead of the typical croquetas sticks. Also, the sweet fig jam was a weird pairing. Probably not a repeat for me. Tropical Ceviche: Perhaps my favorite appetizer. Loved the citrus pop of this. Nice cooked shrimp and raw fish chunks. The crunch of the tortilla chip was great against the tender seafood. Also, the onions gave it a nice zing. Fried Calamari: Felt like normal calamari, except for those few bits of fried red peppers. That gave it a delightfully spicy kick. Definitely a fan. Pork Belly: Thick pork belly, like oversized bacon chunks. Nice glaze. Really tasty, though the top layer sometimes was a tad too chewy (i.e. not fried crispy enough). Fried Snapper: I've been eating fried snapper all over the area since it's a delicious native fish that's hard to find in other parts of the country. They used a very interesting cut where the center bones were pretty much removed and most of the meat curled up like fish sticks. While I liked the cut, the breading was a bit too thick for my tastes as it detracted from the natural deliciousness of the fish. read more

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Solid dining experience here located on one of the inside top floors of Bayside Market place. The outside has limited water front seating with a nice view. Service was friendly and efficient, even with some language barriers. The food was decent, perhaps not the most authentic, but no complaints about what I ordered. read more

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We have to weigh in on average with the online ratings for La Canita Bayside. Brenda was our waitress... good job, pace was good, drinks took some time at times. We sat on the patio nice view of the harbor. Live music was Cuban classics, seemed to be on break more than actually playing! Wonder about that .... Drinks were decent, many cocktails on the "too sweet" side... mojitos and a pirates treasure that came in a chest! LOL Ham and cheese croquettes were delicious, beef empanadas just OK. Ribeye and shredded beef Rioja were good, plantains on the side not so much. A mixed bag, decent food and drinks, good service. Good representation of Cuban cuisine. read more

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Wow. I hand picked this place after reading reviews, but didn't have hardly the same experience as everyone else. Best thing I'll say is the great harbor view from the patio. Very "chain"-y. With Chili's next door, they should just remove the wall in the middle and make it one big chain restaurant. We were just so disappointed after paying $20 just to park - I guess high prices are what you get in downtown Miami but the $17 price tag on a kids meal was shocking. We started off with the avocado - basically guacamole. Served with literally 6 tortilla chips (not the plantain chips that were pictured from an earlier review). We asked for more chips since we had about 2 cups of guac left and the server charged us $3.50. For 6 extra chips. The oxtail gnocchi had good flavor but I just don't think the cut of meat is for me. Super fatty. We also ordered the Ropa Vieja. It was pretty good served with rice and beans - but rice was undercooked. Our server was less than personable but there was a sweet server who picked up the slack and always made sure our drinks were topped off. Automatic 20% gratuity added of course and the nickel and dime-ing that went on just was not a good experience. With so many better Cuban options in Miami, we will not be back. read more

La Cañita Bayside - Cuban Near Me - Miami, Florida

Came here with my partner last Saturday before the Heat game. We wanted to have a few drinks and some food before the game. We always go to Chilis but it was packed so we walked down and heard the awesome live Cuban salsa music and decided to stop at La Cañita. We sat at the bar next to where the group was playing music. I ordered their signature La Cañita drink and my boyfriend ordered a margarita. We decided to share their lechón asado. The bartender was very nice and he explained the menu to us very well. The live music was awesome and had me dancing in my chair. The lechón was delicious and came with boiled yucca and fried chicharrón pieces. I definitely would like to come back and try their other menu items the next time we come to a Heat game. read more

We wanted a quieter place on the water (Pier 5) with fish. We ended up here. The 2nd story balcony is nice and they do have fans. Easy to watch all the activity going on (Ferris wheel, boats, cars, people). We did catch several smells of pot throughout our experience. We both ordered the snapper fish because our server told us it was their #1 seller with coconut rice and squash. It was served with a curry sauce. Wasn't served very hot. Nothing to write home about. It was a birthday for someone in our party. They did bring out a dessert with singing and firecracker but it's not complimentary. For 2 diners it was well over $100. 20% gratuity is mandatory. read more

Highly recommend!! Firstly the staff is all so friendly! They set the tone for a beautiful dinner. We got the mushroom croquettes, the jamon y queso croquettes and the red snapper over coconut rice. The mushroom croquettes were truly the highlight. Finally a small band started playing around 7:30 and they were great! The volume was perfect. Quiet enough to talk but loud enough to vibe. Probably my favorite dining experience I've ever had in Miami. read more

La Cañita Bayside - Red snapper with coconut rice, mushroom croquettes - Cuban Near Me - Miami, Florida

Found this place while we were wasting time. Service was great from the start! Their menu has a variety of Cuban dishes. It's a very cute and comfy restaurant. I ordered a chicken with rice dish, beef empanadas and Jamaican jerk wings. The food was terrific! Oh and the strawberry mojito was just right! read more

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Exquisite Cuban food ! Live music and great atmosphere. Food is delicious, the ropa vieja empanadas are amazing good ! Guacamole is fresh and delicious. The coconut mojito is tasty! The restaurant has a great view of the ocean and a nice balcony seating area. Ask for Ancer; he provided us many great suggestions on the menu. Thank you for the excellent service! read more

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Came in right when they opened with my dog and was welcomed so warmly right away. The staff was genuinely amazing super kind, attentive, and they even brought my dog water without me asking, which really meant a lot to me. They made a recommendation for the shrimp ceviche and it was spot on. It was so good I finished it before I even realized it was gone. The fries were solid, and the ropa vieja was delicious I couldn't finish it there, took it home, reheated it later, and still crushed the rest. Honestly, the food was great, but the staff is the reason I'll be coming back. They really took care of me and my dog, and that kind of service goes a long way. Definitely will be back. read more

La Cañita Bayside - Cuban Near Me - Miami, Florida

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La Cañita Bayside in downtown Miami offers a vibrant dining experience with a nice mix of good food and great views. I sat on the outdoor patio overlooking the marina, and the atmosphere was lively yet relaxed, with the ocean breeze and city skyline creating a beautiful backdrop. I ordered their Pollo al Grill, which was absolutely very good. The chicken was tender and juicy, perfectly seasoned and grilled to bring out a smoky, savory flavor with a hint of Caribbean spice. The sides complemented the dish beautifully, adding freshness and balance to every bite. Service was warm and attentive without being intrusive, making the meal even more enjoyable. Between the flavorful food, upbeat energy, and unbeatable waterfront location, La Cañita Bayside is an ideal spot for anyone looking for a place to dine before a concert at the arena next door or while shopping. read more

This place was so good. We were a pretty large group and they were very accommodating to get us in. My husband and I split a couple of items. We had the chicken empanadas, spinach empanadas and the jerk chicken wings. All were very delicious but my favorite was the chicken empanadas. We also tried the red beans and rice, the ham croquettes, and the testones. All were very good as well. I'd definitely come back here. read more

We have awful service at La Canita. We had to beg for water refills. The waiter also kept trying to get us to buy the 2 most expensive dishes on the menu and know we know why! There is an automatic gratuity on our bill and he never said a word. Portions were very small. read more

This place was much better than any of the other restaurants in this plaza. Food, drinks, live music, service were all great. Prices weren't too high. Would come back for sure. read more

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I had the Fish Sandwich -- fresh and well-balanced with citrus slaw, cilantro, and tartar sauce. Service was friendly and attentive, and the tropical marina-side atmosphere is the real highlight. At $24 with tip, it felt overpriced for what it was. This spot is good if you're already at Bayside, but in my opinion, not worth a special trip. read more

La Cañita Bayside - Cuban Near Me - Miami, Florida

Overall, good restaurant that actually does well in all 3 categories! Oxtail - The oxtail was made very well! It was well marinated and falls off the bone. Very moist, not dry at all. Good flavor. Lechon - Great protein. Tastes really good in combination with everything. Loved the crispy chips! Good service - Got seated really quickly, and got our food relatively quick. The server was very nice and gave us recommendations. Good ambiance - Love the live music! read more

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Great place!, great drinks, great food!... The best mojito I've ever had, very good peanut butter old fashioned,amazing cuban and rojo vieja Sammy.... read more

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My team hosted our holiday party here and it was quite nice. The staff was very friendly and accommodating to a large group. The decor is beautiful and the space is large. Looks like they have live entertainment as well. The food was okay, a little underwhelming but possible that because it was made in large portions it could have lost its spark. But I'd recommend giving it a try, looks like it would be a great evening vibe! read more

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My family and I came to La Canita for dinner since we were around Bayside Marketplace. This was only my second time having Cuban food, so I didn't really know what to expect. We ordered a variety of items: - beef empanadas: the empanadas were buttery and piping hot. However, there weren't really that much filings. - ceviche: there was a good amount of seafood that tasted fresh. Personally not a fan of how citrus it was, but my dad really enjoyed it and thought it was refreshing. - oxtail: the portion was pretty big, but there was nothing that stood out to me. The oxtail tasted fine but the sauce was too overpowering and salty. - pork ribs: the meat was tender but the sauce was overly sweet. - fish of the day: SO delicious. I loved this dish entirely - from the fish, the coconut rice, the roasted squash, to the curry sauce - it was perfection. I could eat this every day. We were seated in the outdoor patio and had a great view of the marina - the vibes were immaculate. It was super dark though and pretty much everyone at different tables were using flashlights on their phone to read the menu. Overall, not a bad option if you're around Bayside, but I wouldn't go out of my way to come here. read more

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Absolutely loved the Ropa Vieja Empanadas that Í had to order a 2nd plate as my main dish. The meat is very tender and has a very rich flavor! I also ordered their Guacamole and it's like they just made it 5 min ago! Ultra fresh and very delicious as well. Added some on top of my Ropa Vieja Empanadas and it took them to the moon! Great drinks to order: Coconut or Guava Mojitos Received GREAT service from Ancer! He made amazing recommendations and was honest with me if you never tried something on the menu. Ask for ANCER! read more

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Was at Bayside Marketplace and decided to give this place a try--what a great decision! We were seated outdoors, and the ambience was incredible. Overlooking the marina with the soothing sounds of birds chirping made for a relaxing and scenic dining experience. Our server, Brenda, was outstanding. She was attentive, asked about allergies, and made thoughtful recommendations that truly elevated our experience. We started with the Tropical Ceviche, which featured a mix of fish, octopus, and shrimp accompanied by a side of crispy fried plantains. The citrusy sauce was absolutely phenomenal--so fresh and vibrant! For the mains, we ordered the Local Fish of the Day, a beautifully cooked white fish served with citrus. The coconut rice, roasted squash, black-eyed peas, and curry paired perfectly, creating a dish that was flavorful, balanced, and unforgettable. We also tried the Ropa Vieja Sandwich--a must-have when in Miami. The shredded beef and melted cheese were delicious, but I wasn't a big fan of the bread used. We wrapped up the meal with Brenda's recommendation, the Bread Pudding, and it was the perfect sweet note to end on. Warm, indulgent, and absolutely delicious! Overall, a fantastic experience with excellent food, wonderful service, and a great vibe. Highly recommend this spot if you're at Bayside Marketplace! read more

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We had an hour to kill while on a bus tour of Miami and the tour guide suggested this place. The appetizer of guac and chips was out of this world and the rest of our meal seemed like I could make at home. It was a fun spot though with food views and great service! read more

La Cañita Bayside - The view - Cuban Near Me - Miami, Florida

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Food was awful Mojito it was lemonade Cuban sandwich it's the worst in Miami The only thing I recommend it's the French fries read more

La Cañita Bayside - Bread old and hard, worst Cuban sandwich in Miami , plantain over fried the only good things were the fries Mojito is just a lemonade. - Cuban Near Me - Miami, Florida

Wonderful food! Service out of this world!! And the cigars are real good!!!!!must try. read more

La Cañita Bayside - Yes!! - Cuban Near Me - Miami, Florida

We walked by here before our tour. The tour guide also recommended to eat here. We got the leaching Asamoah and Cuban sandwich was good. Portion was great as well. Service was a different story. Requesting water to be refilled was like a inconvenience. We were never asked how was our food or if we wanted dessert. Thus, 1 star for food and 1 star for quantity. Zero stars for service. read more

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Absolutely beautiful setting at the Bayside Marketplace in Miami. Wonderful views of the marina. Drinks and food were very good, especially the guava ribs. Pricing is reasonable given the location read more

If you are a fan of empanadas, I would highly recommend la cantina. I ordered the beef empanada. My guests ordered the chicken. So we decided to share. I actually liked the chicken better than the beef. I was still satisfied with beef. The empanada was quite filling. I could not finish my empanada because the portion was generous. I really liked the decor and lighting. read more

La Cañita Bayside - Cuban Near Me - Miami, Florida

This place blew my mind! I had passed it a couple times but had not a chance to stop, until we took my sister out for her birthday and stumbled upon it. The waitress was a gem. It reminded me of what hospitality is with her smile, willingness to explain, follow up, and be innovative (on that final note I'm referring to her awesomeness in being able to change directions quickly. We were suppose to order tdessert to surprise my sister with singing happy birthday but everyone was so full she opted out of dessert. I panicked but the waitress got the coolest lit up sparkler candle and held it as the servers sang!!!! Major ) The food was DELICIOUS and generous portions, plus the view of the dock was great. They have 3 seating areas, indoors, outdoors or on an indoor terrace on the second floor. They have live music in the evening and the decor is gorgeous. It was like traveling back to the Caribbean. We will be returning soon! read more

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Had a great time at this restaurant. We went during happy hour and they had pretty good deals. We got the empanada trio and the chicken one was the best empanada ever. We also had the jerk wings which were good but a bit spicy. Our bartender Manny was amazing and really on top of everything. He also made me an amazing mojito. read more

Dirty slippery floor, overpriced. But the food was good. The service was good, but at the time we waited for a table and was super loud. read more

La Cañita Bayside - Share of menu turf and surf - Cuban Near Me - Miami, Florida

The food and drinks were very tasty. The service was great. The ambiance was a cool vibe but missing the music. read more

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We got a great table that was in the balcony overlooking the water, so the view was nice. The server was also super charismatic, and he was great about giving us recs. I got the Jamaican jerk chicken wings, and they were so tender and juicy. The flavoring on them was delicious, and the jalapeño ranch that was given on the side enhanced the dish. read more

La Cañita Bayside - Empanadas, Jamaican jerk chicken, tostones - Cuban Near Me - Miami, Florida

Meh level food at the tourist trap known as Bayside. Cramped seating outdoors did not afford a good view. The bar either did not know or did not have the ingredients for a White Russian. The snapper was overcooked and dry, but the jasmine rice underneath was good. Surprisingly the shredded beef empanadas were next level good and the Mexican shrimp cocktail was a nice variation on the original. Overall just ok in general read more

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Located in a touristy part of Miami- honestly, not my favorite location at all. It's located on the second floor and there are barely any signs, so it is kind of difficult to find. Having said that.. the passion fruit mojito was delicious. The service was great. And the shrimp ceviche and the jerk chicken wings were delicious. I absolutely loved the live music as well. It's worth the inconvenience of finding it! read more

Enjoyable visit to this Bayside Marketplace restaurant. It is on the upper level. Although a few issues with cleaning were noticed, I decided to not let it bother me and just enjoy a tasty meal. The drinks at the bar were great. The hist at the entrance was rather determined to require solo diners to sit at the bar. A great variety of menu options. read more

La Cañita Bayside - Cuban Near Me - Miami, Florida

Live music! Good food and cocktails, sat outside because we had our fur baby so couldn't enjoy the inside ambiance. Would recommend to visit. read more

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Since this restaurant is in a touristy location, I didn't have high expectations of the food, but it was the price of the food that really shocked me. A small bowl of JUST white rice is $7 and an espresso was $10. Lechon Asado: My friend said the lechon asado was a little bland but I felt it was fine (he has a more experienced palate for latin food than me). Picadillo de Carne: I didn't realize the picadillo had olives. I reallyyyy don't like olives but honestly it wasn't overpowering in the dish. The beans could have used more seasoning. I expected more than 2 pieces of maduro plantains and they weren't fully cooked (see picture). The one perk of this place is how beautiful the waterfront and bridge view is from the patio. The service was good too. Overall, I would likely not come back given the high cost for ok food. read more

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Food was soooo yummy We got the empanadas and calamari for appetizers. The empanadas are no joke some of the best ones I've had in the states. For dinner I obviously had to get the Cuban sandwich. It was amazing. I got a side of rice instead of fries, the rice was so good, sweet. My friend got the ribs and she said they were amazing as well. The place was beautiful, had an outdoor seating that was on a balcony on the water. Just the most perfect vibe. Service was great too. 10/10 read more

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