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    Playa Cafe

    4.2 (625 reviews)
    InexpensiveCuban, Latin American
    Closed 7:00 am - 4:00 AM (Next day)

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    PLAYA CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Divey
    Casual
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Playa Cafe

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    Menu 1
    Alysha J.

    Look no further for authentic Cuban food. It gives diner vibes. Order to eat in for a quick bite or order to go. They give a discount to state employees so it is always busy but the food is cooked quickly. Perfection takes time. They are my go to breakfast spot in Miami. If the Cuban sandwich had a MOJO sauce it would be a 5!! I like my sandwich saucy and moist. My family all loved their Cubano as they were.

    Cuban sandwich combo.
    Raul O.

    Good place to eat in Miami Beach and affordable prices as well. Love the Cuban sandwiches. Recommend this little gem. Popular with locals and tourists. Check them out.

    Pupusa
    Julia M.

    Very unassuming place, but had delicious cheese pupusas! The ladies were very friendly and kind, and the bathroom was clean.

    cuban sandwich
    Christopher M.

    stopped by for a quick breakfast and probably had one of the best cuban sandwiches ever! prices are super cheap too given the location. worker was very kind and also referred to me as papá which was nice

    Cortadito
    Clarissa V.

    I'm back in after 10 years and it's as delicious and super local as usual. Came back for lunch later with my partner too. Cortadito and juices are always my favorite stop here with out all the tourists and touristy prices

    best tamale in miami
    Jason C.

    Best cafe in Miami. Go get your pastele tamale fix. Also, good soup. Make sure to get a tamale before they sell out.

    a man sitting at a counter with a beverage dispenser
    Reshonda S.

    I went to this cafe late Sunday night, around 10:30pm. They are very reasonably priced compared to other places. We ordered the steak plate (comes with 3 sides per order) and the chicken breast plate. The food tasted great. The chicken was a little dry, but the spicy sauce and flavorful rice makes up for it. The steak was very good. I would have loved to return for their fresh squeezed juice the next day, but service was not good. The two-star rating is for the service. The food is a 4, the service was a 1. I didn't feel welcome in this restaurant. Not one server spoke upon arrival or while sitting at the bar for 15 minutes. We went to the register to order, and the woman was snippy and not friendly. We waited 30-40 minutes for the food, then I noticed that it had been sitting on the back counter for 10 minutes before she finally brought it over. Not sure what the purpose of the unfriendliness was, as we waited quietly and patiently; but I will not return. There are too many other Cuban options around the corner.

    Menu
    Dani G.

    EVERYTHING WAS AMAZING HERE! I read reviews before going here and I had pretty decent expectations but wow what an incredible find. This is authentic and flavorful. The staff were kind and welcoming. From the outside looking in, it doesn't look like much but absolutely immaculate food. I have zero complaints and there's nothing I can think of that would have made it better. I will definitely return here when I visit Miami again.

    Menu
    KayAnna S.

    A chill location to experience great Cuban food in South Beach. Easy to walk to and there is Bar top seating or you could easily take it to go. Everyone is extremely friendly and make great suggestions! Most agree that you can't go wrong with any option. I loved my chicken fajitas and the butter avocado and fresh tortilla gave it the extra mile. The fajita sauce was just too good. The yellow rice was a great side, very fresh rice too. My friends had the Cuban and chicken sandwiches. Both loved them and I definitely enjoyed the Cuban sandwich as well. Honestly you can't go wrong with any choice.

    Philly Cheese Steak
    Natalie J.

    This is your typical mama y papa estilo Cubano sandwich shop. None of the South Beach I'm in Miami fufu vibes but on some real authentic Cubano vibe with the ladies cracking jokes and chisme behind the counter as you drink your cafecito con leche. We had the Philly Cheesesteak and the Sandwich Cubano. Both hearty and filling, reasonably priced without breaking the bank, and more satisfying than some of the other high priced restaurants nearby. You can tell its a local spot as the ladies behind the counter knew the customers by name and by order. I even got to know the man they call "El Profesor." Listen, whoever this man was, it was a moment and the ladies there love giving him a hard time in the most we appreciate and love you manner. To be a regular here would be nice. It's not fancy by any means, and is quite small with counter space in two areas. Def a place that is busy in the morning but so glad we tried it. Menu is large, I don't think you can go wrong with anything and there is def something there for everybody. We ordered a side of plantains and even that was enough to share with 4 people. They weren't sweet but that has nothing to do with establishment. May not have been the season yet for them. A place I'd come back to after a night of dancing to get a morning fix and cafe con chisme.

    Chicken Soft Tacos
    Genesis T.

    This family owned and operated Playa Cafe offers excellent home style cooking food, and friendly customer service thats populat to locals and tourists alike. Located in the heart of South Beach, this is an excellent choice if you're craving for Caribbean, Latin, Spanish, Cuban anf Central American Cuisine. They also serve their breakfast combos with fresh coffee choices and freshly squeezed orange juice. They also serve sandwiches, tacos, tamales, wraps, salads, croquetas, empanadas and desserts like flan, caramel cakes, arroz con leche, bread pudding and tres leches. One of my favorit meql is the Arroz con Calamares which is just rice cooked with squid meat and squid ink. It is very tasty and the meat is cooked to perfection. Beef and Chicken Fajitas were good too and it is served with your choice of 2 sides with these to chiose from, white rice, yellow rice, salad, plantain, french fries and black beans It is located in 15th Street Washington Avenue, a few minutes walk from the beach, hotels and Lincoln Road Shopping Center.

    Jacqueline F.

    We were in South Beach and needed breakfast but wanted someplace low key and not really foofoo but still wanted that South Beach vibe. Get my drift? We found this little hole in the wall restaurant that was literally right around the corner from our hotel on Collins Ave but tucked away so it wasn't too busy. Definitely a locals spot! If you're looking for a good Cuban breakfast place that's nice on the pockets, you found the right place. We were pleasantly surprised by how good the food was here. My husband got the steak and eggs with a side of beans, plantain, and fried cheese. Delicious! I had to make him share with me because I just got bacon and eggs lol. Their bread was also surprisingly good - just buttered and toasted to perfection. Their orange juice is freshly squeezed along with the smoothies that they offer. I would definitely come here again!!

    Cool sign  Translation in English  If you drink to forget,them you need to pay first. lol
    Chris C.

    Walking the Miami south beach area looked up playa ...on yelp GB PS sent me down the street...had to check out...stop by while taco hoping..order the 3 tacos with meat and a corona beer shared with wife was very tasty and service was very polite and courteous . Their breakfast menu looks good I want to try..if I get a chance when I am in Miami...and the price is right for area

    One counter, very quaint

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    13 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    13 years ago

    Legit. Very authentic. Great cuban food. You won't find many if any tourists here. Excellent cafe con leche and cubano sandwiches!

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    13 years ago

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    11 years ago

    Best Cuban food! I couldn't live without its breakfast every morning while visiting South Beach

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    12 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Cheap and really good food, everything looks perfect and taste is amaizing, portion sizes is really big.

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    13 years ago

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    13 years ago

    VERY cheap - but the food was pretty simple and somewhat plain. Still tasty and felt satisfied.

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    16 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Awesome Cuban sandwich and at a very reasonable price. Funky vibe with counter seating.

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    16 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    13 years ago

    Delicious Cuban Sandwich and the staff works hard to make sure you are served!

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    12 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    15 years ago

    Excellent cuban sandwich and exceptionally reasonable. Lunch for 2 was $15 (including a $5 tip) with more food than we could eat.

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    12 years ago

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    Page 11 of 16

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    Are they BYOB?

    They serve beer so I'm not entirely sure if they are but my guess is that they are not!

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    Havana 1957

    Havana 1957

    4.1
    (3.9k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$
    Takes reservations
    Large group friendly

    If you're debating whether to eat at Havana 1957, let me save you some time: go hungry and wear…read morestretchy pants. We ordered the Cuban sandwich and the Cuban burger, and honestly both were dangerously good. The Cuban sandwich was exactly what you hope for -- crispy bread, perfectly pressed, packed with flavor, and the kind of sandwich that makes you pause mid-bite and just nod at the person across from you like "yep... this was the right decision." The Cuban burger was also fantastic -- juicy, flavorful, and big enough that you start questioning whether you should have skipped breakfast. The area around the restaurant was great too. Nice vibe, good energy, and perfect for walking around before or after eating... which you will probably need to do after finishing that burger. The servers were good -- friendly, attentive, and thankfully didn't judge us for attacking the food like we hadn't eaten in three business days. Overall the place has a fun atmosphere, great Cuban comfort food, and the kind of menu that makes you want to come back just to try the things you didn't order the first time. Highly recommend... just be prepared to leave full and slightly considering a nap. 10/10 would happily destroy another Cuban sandwich there again.

    Classic Cuban flavors with rich, comforting dishes…read more Had the lechón asado (roasted pork) at Havana 1957 and enjoyed the meal overall. The roasted pork was tender, juicy, and packed with savory garlic-forward flavor. The crispy edges added a nice contrast in texture, and the mojo-style seasoning brought everything together with a bright, citrusy punch. It was comforting, flavorful, and paired really well with the traditional sides. Service was friendly and attentive, and the staff made the dining experience smooth even during a busy time. The vibe is lively and colorful, with a nostalgic Cuban café atmosphere that makes the whole experience feel festive and welcoming. It's a great spot for groups, casual dinners, or anyone looking to enjoy classic Cuban comfort food. Overall, a really solid Cuban meal with bold flavors and generous portions. I'd come back to try more of their traditional dishes and cocktails.

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    Havana 1957
    Havana 1957
    Havana 1957

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    La Mulata

    La Mulata

    4.6
    (1.1k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$
    Outdoor seating
    Takes reservations

    This is located in the heart of little Havana. It's on a corner of the street which makes for great…read morepeople watching. It has a bunch of chairs outside with some fans blowing. They have such cute drinks! I just got pineapple juice but my friends got their coconut drink and mojito and said it was to die for! They give you these plantain chips to snack on and they are so good! It's got a sweet, salty, and crunchy chip texture to it. For an appetizer, we got a sampler which had ropa vieja, plantains, empanadas, shredded pork, and some large fried potatoes. I loved that so you get to try a little bit of everything. The ropa vieja tasted just like grandmas. They use ropa vieja as the filling in the empanadas. The fried potato's was steak fry cut style. It was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Just how a perfect fry should taste! Everyone really liked the vaca frita! I think that's a must try! It's shredded beef marinated in this delicious citrus marinate. They fry it afterwards so it's pull apart, melt in your mount soft, with a nice crispy crunch to it. I think this is a must get dish. The desserts were delicious too! The flan was perfectly soft and creamy. The tres leches was delicious as well. This is a great place to have some good Cuban and enjoy a beautiful night out in Miami!

    I only tried one dish here (Abuela's Tostone Breakfast) which was really good with hot sauce! No…read morecomplaints about the food. Their other food must be solid as well. I'm giving 3 stars for the service. Our server was nice, but there were a few things I wasn't too happy about. We were offered still or sparking water, so I said "still". I should've asked for tap water but it didn't cross my mind. The water was $12 which was a surprise since it was almost the price of the food! When I paid by card, the server with the credit card machine was on the phone speaking with the manager in Spanish. The screen of the credit card machine was faced away the whole time so we wouldn't have been able to see the total. It was a bit shocking being charged almost $37 for one dish that cost $17! The service charge is ~20% and already included in the bill. Even though the food was good, I felt a bit icky from this experience so I won't come again when I'm in Miami Beach. If it was only one of the above I would've been able to brush it off easier, but the combination of being charged for expensive water + not being shown the total before being charged + server being on the phone + 20% service charge before tip was quite a lot. I sat outside and it was really nice being right on the sidewalk and people watching! Cute restaurant and great location right in the heart of Miami Beach.

    Photos
    Churrasco Sandwich
    Churrasco Sandwich
    Bacon Double Cheeseburger
    Bacon Double Cheeseburger
    Lava Cake

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    Lava Cake
    Havana 1957

    Havana 1957

    4.0
    (417 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$
    Takes reservations
    Large group friendly

    The food was AMAZING. I ate the salmon bowl and my family had Cuban food, like plantains, their…read morechicken, rice and beans, everything was delicious. Service was good, manager was very nice to us. Scenery is beautiful. 11/10 experience for our first time.

    I was there on a Saturday night. 8 PM. They were not busy. I was a dinning alone…read more The service was disinterested, more so after I informed them that I didn't drink. I was given a menu then an excessive about of time to review it. Place my oder and didn't see my server again until 20 minutes after I was done. A food runner brought the food and I had to flag down another server to get me more water. I asked my server for the desert menu. She was prompt in getting it to me but disappeared (not really, she had plenty of time for all the tables around me and was able to ignore me when I tried to get her attention). By the time she showed up to get my desert order I just asked for the check. I was rather pissed. I got the check and paid it, adding a 30% tip. It wasn't until I got the final print out that I discovered that the restaurant had already added a 20 gratuity. Since I had issues with my server, and the surprise automatic gratuity was not helping matters i asked for the manger. Told him about my experience and said there was NO the server earned and 50% tip. He refunded me the extra I put on as an added gratuity, but that was it. The food was good, but was so very salty I couldn't eat the entire entree (pork, rice, beans). The beans were good. The rice good. The prok goo to a point. Oh, they have also changed their name. With all the restaurants on the strip, try some where else. The service here is a problem and the salt ia enough to clog an artery.

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    Restaurant
    Restaurant
    Surf & turf
    Surf & turf
    Miami style Gorgeous!

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    Miami style Gorgeous!
    Esquina Cubana

    Esquina Cubana

    4.6
    (366 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Outdoor seating

    I stayed right across the street from here and kept walking by, so late (well late for me) one…read morenight, my friend and I walked in. We were seated immediately and were given our menus. The menus for pretty much every Cuban restaurant in South Beach are copy paste replicas so the menu had pretty standard options. I started with a passionfruit mojito. It was amazing, one of the best i have ever had. I also got a cubano, which was good, but nothing mind-blowing. My friend ordered the churrasco sandwich, but they gave her the plate instead. The server then brought her bread so she could make her own sandwich, which was a nice touch and the price was the same. She enjoyed it and it looked like it was cooked perfectly to her liking.

    After our walking tour in South Beach, we were looking for something a little more authentic and…read morelow-key, away from the busy energy of Ocean Drive. That area definitely has more of a party vibe, and we just wanted to sit down and enjoy a relaxed dinner. We ended up at Esquina Cubana, just a couple of blocks away and I'm so glad we found it. It truly felt like a hidden gem tucked on the corner. The service was good overall. I do wish they were a bit more talkative or engaging, but they were still attentive and made sure we had everything we needed. The food, though, was the highlight. I ordered the beef empanadas (definitely recommend over the chicken), and my friends had a tamale and a Cuban sandwich everything came out flavorful and satisfying. We stayed for about 30 minutes, enjoyed the laid-back vibes, and it was exactly the kind of quick, authentic stop we were looking for before heading back to the hotel.

    Photos
    Esquina Cubana - Cuban Restaurant Miami Beach
    Esquina Cubana - Cuban Restaurant Miami Beach
    Guacamole Mariquita
    Guacamole Mariquita
    Esquina Cubana - Cuban food

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    Esquina Cubana - Cuban food

    Playa Cafe - cuban - Updated June 2026

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