Miami Guide

Miami Guide

Cuban coffee windows, Coconut Grove hangs, and old-school Miami classics

Claudia Plasencia

By Claudia Plasencia

Claudia's local guide to Miami: Cuban coffee for under $1 at the ventanitas, the best croquetas in town, late-night burgers in Coconut Grove, and old-school Miami Beach institutions.

  • Ventanitas are Miami's walk-up coffee windows — Cuban coffee for under $1 at Versailles, La Carreta, or any Cuban bakery.

Places

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens photo 1
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens photo 2
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens photo 3
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens photo 4

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

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3251 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33129, USA

Beautiful museum and estate — the grounds especially.

Joe's Stone Crab photo 1
Joe's Stone Crab photo 2
Joe's Stone Crab photo 3
Joe's Stone Crab photo 4

Joe's Stone Crab

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11 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Old-school Miami Beach — pure Miami Vice energy. Famous for stone crabs, and only open during stone crab season.

The Wardrobe & More photo 1
The Wardrobe & More photo 2
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The Wardrobe & More photo 4

The Wardrobe & More

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3098 Fuller St #10, Coconut Grove, FL 33133, USA

Concept store in Coconut Grove with a well-curated, actually-good clothing selection.

Versailles Restaurant Cuban Cuisine photo 1
Versailles Restaurant Cuban Cuisine photo 2
Versailles Restaurant Cuban Cuisine photo 3
Versailles Restaurant Cuban Cuisine photo 4

Versailles Restaurant Cuban Cuisine

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3555 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135

The most iconic ventanita in Miami — Cuban coffee for under $1 at the walk-up window, and a good breakfast spot too.

La Carreta photo 1
La Carreta photo 2
La Carreta photo 3
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La Carreta

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3632 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135

Another go-to ventanita for cheap Cuban coffee — though any Cuban bakery will do you right.

Boia De photo 1
Boia De photo 2
Boia De photo 3
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Boia De

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5205 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137, United States

Niche and really good — book ahead if you can.

Mayfair House Hotel & Garden photo 1
Mayfair House Hotel & Garden photo 2
Mayfair House Hotel & Garden photo 3
Mayfair House Hotel & Garden photo 4

Mayfair House Hotel & Garden

🏨 Housing

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3000 Florida Ave, Miami, FL 33133, USA

Pretty boutique hotel in Coconut Grove — Claudia's pick for where to stay.

Dante's HiFi photo 1
Dante's HiFi photo 2
Dante's HiFi photo 3
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Dante's HiFi

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519 NW 26th St, Miami, FL 33127

Vinyl listening bar in Wynwood — a Claudia bar pick.

Barracuda Taphouse & Grill photo 1
Barracuda Taphouse & Grill photo 2
Barracuda Taphouse & Grill photo 3
Barracuda Taphouse & Grill photo 4

Barracuda Taphouse & Grill

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3035 Fuller St, Coconut Grove, FL 33133

Nice daytime spot in Coconut Grove for lunch and drinks — great for drinking out on the sidewalk.

Chuggie's photo 1
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Chuggie's photo 3
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Chuggie's

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3444 Main Hwy #15, Miami, FL 33133

Best burgers around, open late — right across from Barracuda in Coconut Grove.

Mandolin Aegean Bistro photo 1

Mandolin Aegean Bistro

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4312 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137

Greek restaurant in the Design District.

Gramps Getaway photo 1
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Gramps Getaway

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3301 Rickenbacker Cswy, Key Biscayne, FL 33149

On the water in Key Biscayne — best for drinks and appetizers rather than dinner. Outside the Miami Beach chaos but still easy to get to.

Bodega Ortega photo 1
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Bodega Ortega

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2859 Bird Ave Ste 1L, Miami, FL 33133

Good sandwiches — perfect to grab on the way to the beach.

Islas Canarias Restaurant photo 1
Islas Canarias Restaurant photo 2
Islas Canarias Restaurant photo 3
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Islas Canarias Restaurant

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13695 SW 26th St, Miami, FL 33175

The best croquetas in Miami.

bartaco photo 1
bartaco photo 2
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bartaco

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3112 Commodore Plaza, Miami, FL 33133

A chain, but the margaritas are good — solid pregame option.

Mary's Cafe (Mary's Coin Laundry) photo 1
Mary's Cafe (Mary's Coin Laundry) photo 2
Mary's Cafe (Mary's Coin Laundry) photo 3
Mary's Cafe (Mary's Coin Laundry) photo 4

Mary's Cafe (Mary's Coin Laundry)

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2542 SW 27th Ave, Miami, FL 33133

Cafeteria window inside a coin laundry — a beloved local institution.

Calle Ocho photo 1
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Calle Ocho

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1700 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33174, USA

Little Havana's main strip — Miami history, street art, and the Celia Cruz memorial.

El Palacio de los Jugos photo 1
El Palacio de los Jugos photo 2
El Palacio de los Jugos photo 3
El Palacio de los Jugos photo 4

El Palacio de los Jugos

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5721 W Flagler St, Miami, FL 33144

Really good fresh juice — casual and local. The original W Flagler location.