Guide to Little Havana, Miami
Discover Little Havana’s Cuban spirit — history, Domino Park, live music, cafecitos, and colorful culture. Your essential Miami travel guide
Welcome to Miami Hotel Guide 🌴
At Miami Hotel Guide, we’re more than just about the best hotels. We’re about neighborhoods, culture, and the soul of Miami. And nowhere is that soul more alive than in Little Havana.
Welcome to Little Havana — the Cuban heart of Miami, where Calle Ocho, cafecitos, and Domino Park keep tradition alive at the center of the city.
Monthly • Free
Little Havana Art Walk (Viernes Culturales)
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Calle Ocho • SW 8th St (14th–17th Ave), Miami
Typical evening hours; the festival activates from midday and runs into the night—check the month’s schedule before you go.
The Story of Little Havana: A Cuban Heartbeat in Miami
Little Havana isn’t just a neighborhood — it’s a living memory. Born from the waves of Cuban immigrants who fled Fidel Castro’s regime in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the area became a haven for families rebuilding their lives in freedom.
They brought with them not just food and music, but la lucha — the fight to preserve culture, tradition, and identity. Calle Ocho (8th Street) became the beating artery of Cuban Miami, lined with cafeterías serving cafecito, ventanitas pouring cortaditos, cigar rollers, and music that spills into the street.
Today, the neighborhood is both historic and alive, blending the resilience of immigrant roots with a global traveler’s playground of art, sound, and flavor.
What to do in Little Havana:
Editor pick
Best thing to do in Little Havana
The Original Little Havana Food and Culture Walking Tour in Miami
Spend three hours eating like a local and learning all about Little Havana with a guide to show you some of the area’s very best eats. You’ll sample food from different restaurants while you hear stories about Cuba’s history and culture. Watch hand-rolled cigars get made, taste a smooth Café Cubano (Cuban coffee), enjoy a warm empanada (a deep-fried turnover), and much more.Eat like a Little Havana local with the help of a guideLearn all about the Cuban American culture of the area as you walkA fun and engaging tour guide to keep you entertainedGreat for everyone from families to bachelor(ette) parties
Book a larger than life deal with The Miami Hotel Guide
The Goods: What to See and Do in Little Havana
🍹 Calle Ocho Stroll
- Calle Ocho Walk of Fame
Address: Along SW 8th Street between 12th Ave & 17th Ave, Miami, FL 33135
Start your stroll here, where Latin stars (think Celia Cruz and Gloria Estefan) are immortalized on the sidewalk. This street is the main artery — colorful murals, salsa bars, and nonstop Cuban vibes.
🎶 Live Music & Salsa Nights
- Ball & Chain
Address: 1513 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135
Catch a live band at this historic club from the 1930s, reborn into one of Miami’s hottest music spots. By night, the dance floor spills into the sidewalk — you’ll feel like you’re in Havana itself.
Things heat up in Little Havana at night.
Editor Pick
Best Thing to Do in Miami: MIAMI BUS TOUR | Flamingo Open-Air Trolley
Explore Miami in an open-air trolley with a lively guide. Cruise by Star Island, Port of Miami, Wynwood, and more—get your bearings fast and save energy for later.
- See top highlights in one fun ride
- Great for first-timers and travelers short on time
- Insider recommendations after the tour
🥟 Eat Like a Local
- Versailles Restaurant
Address: 3555 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135
The world’s most famous Cuban restaurant, serving pastelitos, croquetas, and strong Cuban coffee since 1971. - La Carreta
Address: 3632 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135
Another staple for authentic Cuban cuisine — from ropa vieja to fried plantains — with a loyal local following.
🥃 Sip a Mojito (or Cafecito)
- Café La Trova
Address: 971 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33130
A world-class Cuban cocktail and live music bar, helmed by master bartender Julio Cabrera. The mojitos here are legendary.
♟️ Domino Park (Parque Máximo Gómez) – The Must-Go
At Domino Park, you’ll often see Cuban old-timers leaning over the tables, playing dominoes with fierce passion. It’s more than a game — it’s storytelling, tradition, and community. Watching them play is like stepping into the living history of Little Havana.
- Domino Park
Address: 801 SW 15th Ave, Miami, FL 33135
No visit to Little Havana is complete without Domino Park. Retired Cuban men (and women) play dominoes daily, fiercely debating politics, baseball, and family stories while slapping down tiles.
🎨 Art & Murals
- Cubaocho Museum & Performing Arts Center
Address: 1465 SW 8th St #106, Miami, FL 33135
Part art gallery, part music venue, part rum bar — with a priceless collection of Cuban art rescued from Havana.
Why Stay Near Little Havana?
Unlike South Beach or Brickell, Little Havana is raw, real, and full of rhythm. Staying nearby means you can:
- Walk to Calle Ocho festivals (like the world-famous Carnaval Miami)
- Immerse yourself in authentic Cuban culture
- Explore both downtown and Coral Gables within minutes
Little Havana FAQ
At Miami Hotel Guide, we’re more than hotels—we’re neighborhoods, culture, and the soul of Miami. Nowhere is that soul brighter than Little Havana.
Editor Pick · Best Thing to Do in Little Havana
Spend three flavorful hours on The Original Little Havana Food & Culture Walking Tour—a guided tasting journey through Calle Ocho with stories, cafecito, empanadas, and on-site cigar rolling. It’s the fastest way to feel the heartbeat of Cuban Miami, curated for maximum flavor and zero guesswork.
Book the Original Little Havana Tour
Book the Original Little Havana Tour
Great for couples, families, and groups; tastings vary by day and season.
What is Little Havana and why is it famous?
Little Havana is Miami’s Cuban cultural capital—centered on SW 8th Street (Calle Ocho)—where cafeterías, music, murals, and ventanitas keep tradition alive. You’ll find the neighborhood’s living history in its flavors and rhythms: dominoes snapping at Parque Máximo Gómez, guayaberas in shop windows, and classic tunes pouring into the street.
What’s the best thing to do in Little Havana?
For first-timers, a guided food-and-culture tour compresses years of local knowledge into one delicious loop—no FOMO, no wasted steps. Our top pick is this 3-hour tasting walk with a savvy local host, cigar-rolling demo, and the neighborhood’s essential bites.
Book the Original Little Havana Tour
Book the Original Little Havana Tour
How much time do I need to explore Little Havana?
Allocate 2–3 hours for a focused stroll of Calle Ocho, Domino Park, a cigar shop, and a coffee stop. Half a day lets you add live music, dessert, and an art gallery; a full day is perfect if you love to linger and people-watch with multiple tasting breaks.
Is Little Havana safe for tourists?
The main corridors are lively in daytime and well-trodden by visitors. At night, stick to lit, active blocks, use rideshare if you’re new to the area, and practice the same common sense you would in any major city (don’t flash valuables, stay aware at crosswalks).
When is the best time to visit?
Evenings and weekends dial up the energy—live bands, dancers, and full ventanitas. Photographers love early mornings for quiet streets, pastel light, and coffee steam rising from walk-ups. For festival lovers, March’s Calle Ocho is the classic blowout, with smaller cultural nights throughout the year.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
Not required—English works everywhere. A few words (hola, cafecito, por favor, gracias) open doors, spark smiles, and sometimes unlock off-menu gems.
What foods should I try?
Start with croquetas, pastelitos, Cuban sandwiches, lechón, tostones, and a silky cortadito. Save room for flan or tres leches. If you love tastings, the guided tour strings these flavors together with neighborhood stories so every bite lands with context.
Are there vegetarian or vegan options?
Yes—black beans and rice, yuca fries, tostones, salads, veggie empanadas, grilled veggies, and fruit smoothies are widely available. Many modern spots happily adapt classics—just ask!
Where can I watch cigars being hand-rolled?
Several Calle Ocho shops feature rollers crafting on site; it’s mesmerizing to watch the technique up close. Be courteous (no flash; don’t touch the leaves), and consider supporting with a purchase or small tip.
What is Domino Park and is it free?
Parque Máximo Gómez—aka Domino Park—is the neighborhood’s open-air living room where locals debate life over dominoes. Watching is free; photos are fine from the perimeter—keep voices low and avoid blocking walkways.
Is it walkable and wheelchair/stroller friendly?
The area is compact and largely flat. Some older sidewalks are uneven and doorways narrow, so plan a little extra time; many cafés are ground-level and happy to help with access where possible.
Where can I hear live music and salsa?
Historic venues and bars along Calle Ocho host live bands, descarga nights, and salsa socials—especially on weekends. Arrive early for prime sets; dress light and bring valid ID.
How far is it from South Beach, Brickell, and MIA?
Roughly 20 minutes to South Beach (traffic permitting), 10–15 minutes to Brickell/downtown, and 15–20 minutes to Miami International Airport. Rideshare keeps parking simple on busy nights.
Guided tour or self-guided—what’s smarter?
For first-timers, guided wins: you’ll taste more, learn more, and miss less in fewer steps. Self-guided shines for repeat visitors who want to linger at a favorite ventanita or chase a live set.
Book the Original Little Havana Tour
Book the Original Little Havana Tour
Photo etiquette—what should I know?
Ask before photographing people, especially elders and players at Domino Park. In cigar shops, skip flash and keep a respectful distance—workers are artisans at work, not props.
Where do I park?
You’ll find metered street parking and a few nearby lots. On busy nights or festival days, rideshare often beats circling for a spot and keeps your evening effortless.
What should I wear and bring?
Miami heat loves light fabrics, comfy walking shoes, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Add a refillable water bottle and a light rain layer in summer; a compact umbrella can save the day.
Are there festivals or special events?
Yes—Calle Ocho Festival (March) is the headliner, and cultural nights bring live music, dance, and art on select weekends. Expect street closures, pop-up vendors, and big community vibes.
What souvenirs are worth bringing home?
Cuban coffee beans, guayabera shirts, hand-rolled cigars, domino sets, and local art prints capture the spirit of the neighborhood. Buying from family-run shops keeps your dollars in the community you came to experience.
Is Little Havana good for kids?
Daytime is great for families—music in the air, sweet treats, colorful murals, and short walking distances. Teach kids a few Spanish phrases and simple etiquette around domino tables and cigar rollers.
What if it rains?
Pivot to cafés, galleries, and indoor demos; then hop back outside between showers. A guided tour helps sequence tastings and stories around passing storms so you still see plenty.
Are there public restrooms?
Plan to use restrooms in cafés and restaurants as you patronize them—public facilities are limited. Time your coffee or dessert stops accordingly and you’ll stay comfy all afternoon.
How do I support Little Havana respectfully?
Choose independent spots, tip kindly, ask before photos, and be patient at busy counters. A small purchase at a cigar shop or gallery can make a big difference—and turns a hello into a memory.