3.5 stars for the food but 5 stars for the service. Our server was impressively in tune with if we needed more time and when to check in, as well as proactively addressing our needs. I was pretty impressed. The food was not as great. Actually really liked the apps - empanadas and croquettes, and accompanying sauces added another layer of flavor. The paella though was very average, but maybe it's a Cuban take on the dish and just not my favorite. The skirt steak was kind of chewy. When I had similar dishes at Manta later in the trip, I thought it was much better there. read more

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Excellent food and service. Simple food prepared expertly. Diego our host was great. The sampler dish was probably all we needed but the marinated beef stole the show. read more

Really enjoyed our Cuban dinner in South Beach. Server Rosa was very friendly and helpful. She made excellent recommendations re menu. Indoor and outdoor seating. We shared: Empanadas. Avocado Salad. Paella. Tres Leches cake. All very enjoyable. Prices are decent. Very pleasant meal. read more

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The food is delicious. The service was impeccable and the atmosphere is beautiful. Everything was perfect from start to finish. Our host made us feel welcome from the moment we walked to the podium. Our server made suggestions and his service was top notch. I'm so glad we came here and didn't go across the street. read more

La Mulata - Croquettes - Cuban Near Me - Miami Beach, Florida

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Got the Abuela Tostones breakfast $18 (menu photo was of fairly large serving of eggs on plantain patties with rows of sliced avocado). The plate was actually about 1.5 eggs on plantain patties slightly larger than a standard round nacho chip, smeared with bad guacamole that tasted and looked exactly like store bought guac. Disappointed. read more

La Mulata - Small breakfast Abuela's Tostones - Cuban Near Me - Miami Beach, Florida

La Mulata - An Absolutely Exceptional Dining Experience! We had the most wonderful experience at La Mulata in Miami, and I can't recommend this place enough! From the moment we arrived until we left, everything was simply outstanding. The food was exceptional - every dish that came to our table was beautifully prepared, bursting with authentic flavors, and clearly made with high-quality ingredients. You could taste the care and passion that goes into the cooking at La Mulata. The drinks were equally impressive, perfectly crafted and delicious. But what really elevated our experience was the incredible service. Our server was so friendly and attentive, striking that perfect balance of being there when we needed her without hovering. She made some fantastic recommendations that we absolutely loved, and her knowledge of the menu really enhanced our meal. It's clear the staff here genuinely cares about providing a memorable experience. The atmosphere at La Mulata is vibrant and inviting, with an energy that makes you want to settle in and enjoy the evening. Whether you're looking for a fun night out with friends or a special dinner, this place delivers on every level. La Mulata has it all - exceptional food, great drinks, outstanding service, and a wonderful vibe. This is the kind of restaurant that makes Miami's dining scene so special. We'll definitely be back soon! read more

We stayed at Esme right across the street and the vibe just outside of this restaurant was inviting. We were set immediately after being greeted by the very nice hostess. She explained to us what specials were going on and also advised of the best selections. We tried the empanadas the Cubano sandwich and the calamari and everything was fresh, hot and delicious Service was friendly and attentive and everything came out in good time. Definitely worth dropping in for a good meal. read more

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Very cute place. Server was very polite and nice. The rice was dry / overcooked and not edible so we asked the server for a new one. 5 minutes later the manager made us explain again why it wasn't edible, and acted like she didn't belive us. Then waited 25 minutes, still no rice, so I ate my $35 lechon cold. 4 Stars because the place was cute and I think they mean well. They weren't even busy, so I'm not sure why it was so hard to bring me rice to eat with my pork. Unfortunately I couldn't enjoy my food so I'm taking off a star. read more

This was a great Cuban meal at reasonable prices! We enjoyed all the food we got and would recommend people to try it for themselves. They have indoor and outdoor seating and were very quick with our food and service! read more

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Lovely spot to have dinner or just a cocktail with great customer service and the best waitress Lani

I grabbed a late dinner here on a Tuesday night and it was pretty busy! I was welcomed so warmly by the lovely hostess and was seated immediately outside. It took a minute to get water and a menu but I was able to order pretty quick! I tried the croquettes and the empanadas with ropa vieja. The croquettes were solid and the presentation was nice. I didn't love the empanadas as much; the braided part of the crust was way too hard and crunchy compared to the rest of the pastry. Both aiolis were delish! I did feel like both apps were overpriced for what you got but that may be par for the area. Great corner to sit and people watch! read more

La Mulata - Beef and Cheese Croquettes - Cuban Near Me - Miami Beach, Florida

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A South Beach Gem Worth Every Penny! I haven't been to South Beach in over 10 years, so I'm definitely out of the loop on what's hot down here. On a whim, my mom and I stopped at La Mulata Cuban Restaurant for lunch--and WOW, what a great idea! From the start, the service was top-tier. Our waitress (wish I remembered her name!) was incredibly welcoming and friendly. I had my pup with me, and without even asking, she brought out a bowl of cold water with ice just for him--how sweet is that? I asked about the popular dishes, and she gave a few recommendations. I ordered the Seafood Lobster (Enchilado de Mariscos)--half lobster tail, shrimp, seafood mix with red and green peppers, onions, and garlic in a rich Habana sauce. Served with white rice and sweet plantains. My mom went with the Caribbean Garlic Shrimp (Camarones al Ajillo)--shrimp sautéed in garlic, olive oil, and white wine, also with white rice and sweet plantains. Both dishes were five stars and came with generous portions--we had to get doggie bags! Before the entrees, they served us warmed plantain chips--yes, warmed--and now I'm ruined for life. The plantains that came with our meals were sweet as all heck. So flavorful. Ugh, wish NYC wasn't so far--I'd order this for dinner tonight if I could. We knew going in that Miami prices would be up there--my dish was $42, my mom's was $32--but honestly, it was worth every cent. The food, service, and experience all hit the mark. We dined outside, so I can't speak to the indoor setup, but the outdoor seating is beautiful. Plenty of space with extra tables on the side and a flower-decked area that looks like it was added during COVID. It was the perfect spot to relax and soak up the Miami vibes. I'm already planning to come back. Don't miss this gem! read more

The was my first Cuban food experience and it did not disappoint! Plantain chips were thin and crispy, and the tomato and habanero sauce was not only spicy but had great flavor too. For the entree, I ordered the popular Ropa De Vieja Grandma Style. Without a doubt, the sauce is what makes this such a popular dish. We were fortunate to be able to sit outside on a nice day, but the inside looked pleasant too. Our server was very knowledgeable and kind. read more

La Mulata - Ropa Vieja Grandma Style - Cuban Near Me - Miami Beach, Florida

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Nothing but good things about this place! Food and drinks 10/10! Service 10/10! Ambience 10/10. Special shout out to my serve Rose! She was super sweet and took her time to go over the menu with us. Her recommendations on the food and drinks were A1! Cuban food is one of my favorite cuisines to eat. The pineapple , passion fruit and coconut mojito were all good but the passion fruit was my favorite. For food we ordered Pesca Malecón, Ropa Vieja and Paella Habanera. I highly recommend trying all of these and trying this wonderful restaurant. They also offer happy hour and outdoor seating. Next time I in Miami, I will definitely be back here. read more

La Mulata - Outside view/ Host stand - Cuban Near Me - Miami Beach, Florida

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As a Cuban, who was just visiting Miami, I can confidently say that this was the BEST Cuban dish I had ever eaten. I've eaten several incredible dishes in Cuba itself, but this night changed everything for me. The flavors were OUTSTANDING. If you're visiting Miami you definitely need to check this place out! read more

La Mulata - Cuban Near Me - Miami Beach, Florida

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With 4.7 stars I was expecting an absolutely mouth watering meal and service! We came on a Sunday for 12pm lunch and it was not crowded which was nice but the service was extremely slow and the food was mediocre at best. I know this is a chain of other restaurants which I have actually ate at and enjoyed! The seating on the outside with the fans was very nice in the Florida heat! We have a shrimp Cesar salad to start and a pitcher of red sangria. The sangria tasted more like a mix than freshly made, yes I know a mojito or something else would have been a better choice. The Cuban sandwich looked like it was feeling the effects of bidenomics, very thin with barely any meat and mostly bread. For a side I tried the yuka mojo which was bland. It might have just been an off day but Sunday lunch I was expecting great service and food. I will give it another try just based on the amazing ratings! read more

La Mulata - Pitcher of red sangria - Cuban Near Me - Miami Beach, Florida

To say this restaurant is just delicious would be an understatement! I would give this restaurant a 100/5 if I could. If you're in Miami, you absolutely have to pay this restaurant a visit. We came on a Monday evening and were able to be seated within 15 minutes. While waiting, the nice host continuously updated us about how much longer it would take to be seated, which I appreciated. Once we sat at our table, we carefully looked through the menu, placed our orders and patiently waited for our meals. The wait for our food was a little bit longer than we had hoped, but after taking a bite of the food, it made the wait soooo worth it! Lechon Asado A La Guajira (5/5): The pork was so tender and went so well with the crispy pieces of chicharron. The moro rice was also really good but I wasn't too fond of the boiled yuca. Churrasco Encebollado A La Casera (5/5): Perfect in every way from the skirt steak, to the beans, to the freshest pico I have ever tasted in my life. Every bite had my mouth watering for the next. The main takeaway is that everything was perfection. Our server was so nice and was very attentive to our needs. The vibes at the restaurant were incredible, from the music, the lighting, everything! I think I have found my new favorite Cuban restaurant. If I didn't live across the country, I would come here every week! Thank you La Mulata! read more

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This place was amazing!!!! Lany was so helpful and nice, helping us decide how and what to order. We loved the Havana Club mojito, it was the best mojito we've ever had, and the pulled pork, empanadas, and shrimp ceviche were to die for. Oh, and don't forget the flan, some of the best flan I've ever tried! This is our favorite dining experience we've had in Miami, and our server Lany was the best, so nice and attentive, we love her read more

Craving for some authentic Cuban food, and this place hit the spot, it's in a busy corner of Espanola Way where all the outdoor restaurants are. Service was on point with Rosa, she's very friendly and great in knowing the type of dishes we were looking for. Ambience is nice where you can people watch as they go pass by. Place was clean with Latin music playing as well as the washroom being well maintained. Overall, if you're looking for some authentic Cuban food and others, this is it! read more

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Came here with a friend on a whim and the food was so good we stayed way longer than planned. The shrimp were cooked just right - juicy, not rubbery. Drinks looked fun too. Left very full and happy. read more

Review #1,500!! And I couldn't think of a more deserving spot than La Mulata! La Mulata is a local, traditional, family owned Cuban spot sitting at the corner of Española Way and Washington Avenue in South Beach. On our first night in Miami, we of course were scoping out Latin/Cuban spots that were within walking distance of our hotel, and La Mulata popped up and became the spot! Yelp certainly did not steer us wrong with this one. La Mulata is a small spot, possibly more seating outdoors than indoors! They have a small bar you can belly up to in addition to a few two and four tops inside. Outside, the sidewalks are set with the same variety of tables but are covered and spaced out with fans to keep those who are brave enough to eat outdoors cool. We opted for an indoor table by the window, so we got the essence of outdoors with the comfort of indoors. To keep in theme, La Mulata has an old Havana style in decor from floor to ceiling. Lots of vibrant colors, artwork and even a clothes line draped with clothes draped from window to window above the tables. To start our experience we tossed an order in for chicken empanadas and a round of mango mojitos. Both were phenomenal, especially the mojito! For dinner we went super traditional with a Cuban sandwich on one side and the ropa vieja on the other. Both dishes were expertly prepared, hot, fresh and delivered to the table within just a few moment. To make a long story short, it was delicious!! As if the food wasn't good enough, the service we received from entry to exit was next level! Lany, our server was beyond friendly and an absolutely pleasure! She was kind, funny, and easily the best waitress we had while in Miami! Overall, we really enjoyed our experience at La Mulata. It certainly made the recommendation list, along with the "must return" list! read more

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This is a cute spot so we decided to go. Super overpriced. $17 dollars for two tiny empanadas. I asked if the $55 paella could be for two and she said no. When it came out, yep it could be for two. Asked for a seltzer water, brought out a whole 1 liter Pellegrino. The waitress was very nice. I think it's what they are told to do. Btw, tip included in bill - $18 bucks. read more

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Food and service was great. However a $100 meal was $300 - each soda (even refills) was $5, Shirley temple was $10 and w a family of 5 those added up quickly. Way too expensive for lunch and no warning that refills not covered. read more

My husband and I were craving a Cuban sandwich. We initially went to go to Havana 1957, but found the hostess there to be extremely rude. We therefore crossed the street and went here instead. This offers the same cuisine, but for cheaper prices. The decor was super sweet. The service was efficient and very friendly. The Cuban sandwich was very nice. We recommend this spot and will certainly return. read more

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We visited Miami during Valentine's Day weekend and tried La Mulata because we were in the mood for some authentic Cuban food. The owner was very nice and accommodating as we ate our food. She gave us some of her homemade hot sauce and it was hot and delicious! We loved our food so much, we went back the night before we flew out to get the red snapper one more time before coming back to LA. The drinks were ok, but the food was delicious and the staff was friendly. read more

La Mulata - Red Snapper (Pesca Malecn) - Cuban Near Me - Miami Beach, Florida

I love Cuban cuisine and was definitely not disappointed with the food here. Our meal started with plantain chips so we didn't order an appetizer but I had been eyeing the nachos. I got the paella habanero, there was so much flavor in this dish and I got full before finishing and still endured to its end. My wife got the Caribbean garlic shrimp and It was also amazing and packed with flavor. Our waiter was very friendly and we got our food quick enough. Two days later we ate breakfast here but ate inside. I got the steak and eggs and was just amazed at the tender meat and the presentation of the plate. This place is just so beautiful. I highly recommend read more

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We didn't have reservations on a Saturday night at about 7:30pm but the hostess was able to seat us at their last table available inside. The place was very nicely decorated, looking like a little apartment in Cuba with a clothes line full of clothing items. Patricio greeted us and took our drink orders. He then came back and poured my sparkling water while we ordered. We decided to split the Cuban Salad, Ropa Vieja Grandma Style, and Roasted Pork Cuban Style. Patricio brought us a basket of complimentary Plantain Chips. They were crunchy and yummy! The Salad was lightly dressed with mango vinaigrette and the mango chunks, raisins, and Cuban cheese all went well together with the greens. The Roasted Pork was perfect with the "moro" rice and the boiled yuca. By itself the yuca was salty but the combined with the pork and rice, the flavors melded together making the dish delicious. The winner was the Ropa Vieja. Its red sauce over the rice tantalized my taste buds. I highly recommend it. A glass of Chianti enhanced the meats and was a good pour. I opted to have a Coconut Mojito for dessert after seeing every table having mojitos. Patricio was very attentive for most of the meal until the end when he got slammed with a 13 top. It was understandable. He did his best to bring the bill to another table when they requested it. My mojito took a little time and then he brought us our check when we requested it. read more

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We stopped in for some drinks and a snack and were immediately greeted by a very friendly hostess and manager. The friendliness continued throughout our visit, from the bartender to bussers; easily some of the best service we've had in South Beach. The place is cute, colorful, and open. Really an enjoyable afternoon. The only hiccup were the nachos, which were overpriced and forgettable. read more

La Mulata - Nachos - Cuban Near Me - Miami Beach, Florida

The atmosphere was fun. The service was pleasant. The food was good, not extraordinary. Prices seemed a little high. $10.00 for a cup of white rice?! It made us review the price of the whole meal, and it was too high. read more

Located on the corner of Washington and Española Way you'll find La Mulata Cuban. The dishes are authentic and flavorful! Dining options are indoor or street side patio seating under a covered lighted umbrella. The only unfavorable table happens to be the table we chose...it's right next to cross walk post with continuous "beeping". Dayliñ was our lovely server! Her service was prompt and they are happy to have you dine here. We tried a few things. Salmon Tartare, Churrasco Steak, Grilled Salmon, plantains & flan! Plantain chips come with the water service. The rice and black beans are fantastic! The flan is amazing! The salmon was grilled to perfection with a nice crisp to the sear and everything else was very good. read more

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We had the most positive experience at La Mulata (we actually went twice) from the moment we were greated at the door. The food was excellent especially the ropa vieja, the frozen cocktails were too good but best of all the two servers Bertha and Yadira they were so sweet,attentive and lovely!! Check it out you won't regret it. read more

La Mulata - Yummy Miami Vice cocktails - Cuban Near Me - Miami Beach, Florida

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This place gave me cold food. I asked for bacon and eggs and everything was cold. Plus the even forgot to give me the bacon. When they did provide me the bacon it was cold. Instead of toast as advertised, they put a piece of untrusted Cuban bread. Epic fail for 20 dollars read more

La Mulata - Cuban Near Me - Miami Beach, Florida

The ambiance was great loved the mojitos!!!! Our server was super friendly and attentive. read more

This review is just for the dessert, but know this spot has the best flan on Espanola Way! My friend had never tried flan before and wanted to get flan and tres leches while we were in Miami. We found this spot on Yelp. I'm so happy we did too! It was a cold night, so we were really happy with the heated outdoor seating. The space smelled delicious and the bowls of paella we passed looked and smelled incredible. The service was a bit strange, but we were happy to be given the time to sit longer and talk with each other. The tres leches was pretty good, but I've had better. I haven't had a flan that good in a long time. I loved the presentation of both desserts. I highly recommend stopping here for a flan. read more

La Mulata - Flan - Cuban Near Me - Miami Beach, Florida

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Great service, food was delicious and the passion fruit mojito was so good. Highly recommended

Went here for brunch before heading to the port. Figured it would be good because of all the great reviews. The food was good (avocado toast with a fried egg & salt greens), however I ended up with food poisoning 13 hrs later. I guess I should have known not to eat there because the street around the restaurant reeks of raw sewage. read more

My first time here and the food was delicious! I had the Paella Habanera and it was cooked perfectly. I'm not big on squid and octopus, but it was good and my food came out hot off the stove! My lady ordered the Caribbean Garlic Shrimp (Camarones al Ajillo), which is what I really wanted, and the flavors in her dish were just as good as mine. Our server was Diego and he was on point. He gave us good food recommendations and mezcal tequila pairing. He has a great personality and made our dining experience memorable. The ambiance was everything that you could think of for a night out dinner in Miami. Outdoor seating, bright lights all around and Latin music filling the air. read more

Dishonest and Overpriced - Avoid This Place This place is a total scam. First, they refuse to offer you tap water -- instead, they automatically bring out expensive bottled water without asking, and you're stuck paying for it. They will try to say they offered tap water but that is a lie. They also heavily advertise live music starting at 8:00 PM, but by 8:30, there was no music at all. It's just a bait-and-switch to lure people in. If you're dining with kids, don't bother ordering juice -- they charge for every single drink with no refills, and don't tell you that upfront. Just more hidden charges. And to top it off, they sneak in a mandatory 20% tip -- regardless of your group size -- without saying a word about it. It's not posted, it's not mentioned, and you only find out when the bill shows up. Extremely shady. Between the surprise fees, false advertising, and overall dishonesty, this was one of the worst dining experiences I've had. Do yourself a favor and skip this place. read more

Exactly what you want it to be! Busy corner in Mid Beach, great outdoor seating. Really great Cuban food. Mojito's were too sweet, empanadas were amazing! Service was outstanding. Really great place all around. read more

OMG, classic roasted pork with yucca and black beans and rice , muy rico ! Highly recommend for authentic Cuban food, the owner is Gabby. Tell her Marco sent you ! Oh and the mojito has a sugar cane you can chew on as well ! read more