Unearth The Voyage
Florida is home to some of the most exciting Latin food scenes in the entire country. From sizzling Cuban sandwiches in Miami to bold Peruvian ceviche and hearty Venezuelan arepas, the flavors here are anything but boring.
Whether you are a foodie on a road trip or a local looking for your next favorite spot, this list has something for everyone. Get ready to eat your way through 14 incredible Latin restaurants that prove Florida is a true paradise for food lovers.
Versailles Restaurant – Miami (Cuban)
Walk through the doors of Versailles and you will instantly feel like you have stepped into a piece of Cuban history. This legendary Miami institution has been serving authentic Cuban food since 1971, making it a cultural landmark as much as a restaurant.
The walls are lined with mirrors, the coffee is strong, and the energy is always buzzing.
Order the ropa vieja, a slow-cooked shredded beef dish that melts in your mouth with every bite. The black beans and rice are a must-have side.
Do not leave without trying a cortadito, a small but mighty Cuban espresso that locals swear by.
Versailles is more than just a meal out. It is a gathering place where politicians, celebrities, and everyday families all share the same tables.
If you only visit one Cuban restaurant in Florida, make it this one.
La Carreta – Miami (Cuban)
There is something deeply comforting about a restaurant that feels like a second home, and La Carreta delivers exactly that. A beloved Miami institution, this Cuban chain has been feeding generations of families since 1976.
The moment you sit down, the smell of sofrito and garlic hits you like a warm hug.
The ropa vieja here is rich, tender, and packed with flavor. Their Cuban sandwich is golden, pressed to perfection, and stuffed generously with roast pork and ham.
A cafecito on the side turns any meal into a full Cuban experience.
La Carreta has multiple locations across Miami, making it super easy to find no matter where you are. The prices are reasonable, the portions are generous, and the service keeps regulars coming back week after week.
It is Cuban comfort food done right, every single time.
Old’s Havana Cuban Bar & Cocina – Miami Beach (Cuban)
If your idea of a great dinner includes live salsa music, colorful cocktails, and food that makes you close your eyes with every bite, Old’s Havana is calling your name. Located in the heart of Miami Beach, this spot brings the spirit of 1950s Havana straight to your table.
The energy here on a Friday night is absolutely electric.
The menu is packed with Cuban classics done with real care. Try the Cuban sandwich or the picadillo, a savory ground beef dish seasoned with olives and capers.
The mojitos are freshly made and dangerously good.
Old’s Havana is the kind of place where strangers become friends over shared plates and good music. The staff is warm, the atmosphere is festive, and the food keeps you reaching for just one more bite.
Plan to stay longer than you expected because leaving early feels like a crime.
Café La Trova – Miami (Cuban)
Café La Trova is not your average Cuban restaurant. It is a full-on experience designed to dazzle your senses from the first sip to the last bite.
Opened by legendary bartender Julio Cabrera and chef Michelle Bernstein, this Calle Ocho gem has earned serious national attention and a stack of awards to prove it.
The cocktail program here is next-level. Classic Cuban drinks like the El Presidente and the Daiquiri are crafted with precision and served with flair.
On the food side, the pan con bistec and the croquetas are absolute crowd favorites.
Live trova music fills the room most nights, adding a layer of romance and culture that you just cannot fake. The decor is warm and nostalgic, nodding to old Havana without feeling like a theme park.
Café La Trova is where Cuban tradition meets modern sophistication in the most delicious way possible.
Columbia Restaurant – Tampa / St. Augustine (Spanish/Cuban)
Florida’s oldest restaurant has been open since 1905, and honestly, it keeps getting better with age. The Columbia Restaurant in Tampa’s Ybor City neighborhood is a Spanish-Cuban masterpiece that has served everyone from presidents to rock stars.
Its St. Augustine location carries the same legendary charm.
The 1905 Salad is tableside theater, tossed fresh right in front of you with garlic, Worcestershire, and lemon. The Cuban sandwich here is considered by many to be the gold standard.
Pair it with a pitcher of sangria and you have got a seriously memorable meal.
Flamenco shows run nightly in Tampa, turning dinner into dinner and a show all at once. The architecture alone is worth the visit, with hand-painted tiles, arched ceilings, and a ballroom that feels straight out of old Spain.
The Columbia is not just a restaurant; it is a Florida treasure you simply cannot miss.
Bulla Gastrobar – Coral Gables / Doral (Spanish)
Bulla, pronounced BOO-yah, is a Spanish slang word for noise and commotion, and this gastrobar lives up to its name in the best way. The Coral Gables and Doral locations bring modern Spanish tapas culture to South Florida with style, creativity, and serious culinary skill.
First-timers are often surprised by how exciting Spanish food can really be.
The patatas bravas are crispy, bold, and addictive. The croquetas de jamon melt on your tongue, and the pan con tomate is deceptively simple but absolutely perfect.
Order several small plates and share them with your crew for the full experience.
The bar program is equally impressive, featuring craft cocktails and an excellent selection of Spanish wines and sherries. The vibe is social and energetic, making it a top pick for date nights, group dinners, or just a fun evening out.
Bulla proves that Spanish food deserves way more attention than it typically gets.
Ceviche 105 – Miami (Peruvian)
Ceviche lovers, this one is for you. Ceviche 105 in Miami is widely considered one of the finest Peruvian restaurants in the entire United States, and one taste of their signature ceviche will tell you exactly why.
Fresh fish marinated in lime juice, tossed with red onion and aji amarillo, is pure coastal Peru on a plate.
Beyond ceviche, the menu features lomo saltado, a stir-fried beef dish with soy sauce and french fries that sounds unusual but tastes extraordinary. The tiradito, a Peruvian-Japanese sashimi hybrid, is another must-try for adventurous eaters.
The restaurant itself is upscale but approachable, with a menu that rewards both first-timers and seasoned Peruvian food fans alike. Portions are generous, presentation is beautiful, and the service hits a high note every visit.
If you have never tried Peruvian food before, Ceviche 105 is the perfect place to start your delicious education.
CVI.CHE 105 Aventura – Aventura (Peruvian)
Aventura locals struck gold when CVI.CHE 105 opened its doors in their neighborhood. This northern outpost of the beloved Miami original brings the same high-caliber Peruvian cooking to a crowd that was absolutely ready for it.
The ceviche is just as fresh, the flavors just as bold, and the service just as sharp.
Regulars love the causa rellena, a layered yellow potato dish stuffed with chicken or tuna that looks like a work of art. The anticuchos, grilled beef heart skewers marinated in Peruvian spices, are a street food classic elevated to restaurant quality.
The Aventura location has its own personality, with a sleek, modern interior that feels polished without being stuffy. It is a great spot for a business lunch or a celebratory dinner.
Whether you are a Peruvian food veteran or a curious newcomer, CVI.CHE 105 Aventura delivers a meal worth remembering long after the check arrives.
Aromas del Peru – Miami (Peruvian)
Bold flavors, generous portions, and prices that will not break the bank, Aromas del Peru checks every box a hungry visitor could ask for. This Miami gem serves deeply authentic Peruvian cooking that tastes like it came straight from a Lima family kitchen.
The aji de gallina, a creamy chicken stew in yellow pepper sauce, is the kind of dish that makes you want to lick the plate.
The ceviche mixto packs in shrimp, fish, and squid all in one tangy, citrusy bowl. Their arroz con leche dessert is sweet, creamy, and the perfect way to end a satisfying meal.
Everything on the menu feels made with genuine love and care.
The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, attracting both the local Peruvian community and curious food explorers from all over Miami. Staff are happy to help newcomers navigate the menu.
Aromas del Peru is a hidden gem that deserves far more recognition than it gets.
Cholo Soy Cocina – West Palm Beach (Peruvian street food)
Small restaurant, massive reputation. Cholo Soy Cocina in West Palm Beach has built a seriously devoted fanbase with its creative, punchy take on Peruvian street food.
Chef Clay Conley brings a trained culinary eye to dishes that are rooted in Peruvian tradition but plated with modern flair. The result is something genuinely exciting.
The chicharron sandwich, crispy fried pork piled high on a soft roll with salsa criolla, is a crowd favorite that sells out fast. The ceviche here packs a spicy punch, and the empanadas are golden, flaky, and stuffed to the brim.
Every item feels thoughtfully crafted rather than thrown together.
Lines form early and the space fills up quickly, so arriving ahead of rush hour is a smart move. The casual counter-service style keeps things relaxed and fun.
Cholo Soy Cocina proves that great food does not need white tablecloths to leave a lasting impression on anyone who visits.
Black Bean Deli – Orlando (Cuban)
Tucked into a modest strip mall in Orlando, Black Bean Deli punches way above its weight class. Locals have been quietly obsessed with this place for years, and once you try their Cuban sandwich, you will completely understand why.
The bread is perfectly pressed, the pork is slow-roasted, and the pickles add just the right amount of tang.
The black bean soup is thick, savory, and deeply satisfying, especially when paired with a side of white rice. Their palomilla steak with onions and garlic is another standout that keeps regulars rotating back through the door regularly.
The deli vibe is no-frills and friendly, with quick service that makes it a favorite for lunch breaks and casual family dinners. Prices are refreshingly affordable without any sacrifice in quality.
Black Bean Deli is proof that the best Cuban food in Orlando does not always come from the fanciest address in town.
Zaza Cuban Comfort Food – Orlando (Cuban)
Zaza Cuban Comfort Food in Orlando figured out the formula for a winning fast-casual Cuban spot and executed it flawlessly. The concept is simple: build-your-own Cuban bowls loaded with rice, beans, roasted meats, and toppings that you actually want to eat.
It is quick, affordable, and shockingly good every single time you visit.
The lechon asado, slow-roasted pork with mojo marinade, is the star of the show and worth every bite. Sweet plantains add a caramelized sweetness that balances the savory proteins beautifully.
The portions are filling enough that taking leftovers home is almost a guarantee.
The bright, cheerful interior makes it a family-friendly pick that works just as well for a solo lunch as it does for a group outing. Lines move fast and the staff keeps energy high throughout the day.
Zaza is the kind of reliable, feel-good spot that Orlando residents are genuinely grateful to have nearby.
Tu Casa Restaurant – Miami Beach (Colombian)
Colombian food does not get nearly enough spotlight in Florida, and Tu Casa Restaurant in Miami Beach is on a mission to change that. Walking in feels like being welcomed into someone’s abuela’s kitchen, warm, generous, and full of incredible smells.
The bandeja paisa alone is worth the drive from anywhere in the state.
This massive Colombian platter arrives loaded with red beans, white rice, chicharron, chorizo, a fried egg, and sliced avocado. It is a mountain of flavor that somehow still manages to feel balanced.
The ajiaco, a hearty Colombian chicken and potato soup, is another soul-warming option that regulars order on repeat.
The service at Tu Casa is genuinely warm and attentive, matching the homestyle spirit of the food perfectly. Portions are enormous, prices are fair, and the authenticity level is as high as it gets outside of Colombia itself.
Tu Casa is a Miami Beach gem that every food lover should experience at least once.
Casa Sensei – Fort Lauderdale (Latin-Asian fusion)
Casa Sensei in Fort Lauderdale might be the most unexpected restaurant on this entire list, and that is exactly what makes it so memorable. Perched on a beautiful waterfront location, this restaurant boldly blends Latin and Asian flavors into a menu that somehow makes complete sense the moment you start eating.
It is creative, daring, and genuinely delicious.
Think tuna ceviche with Asian citrus notes, or short ribs braised with soy and Latin spices. The sushi rolls here take Latin ingredients and spin them into something entirely new and craveable.
The outdoor terrace with its water views makes every meal feel like a mini vacation.
Happy hour at Casa Sensei is legendary among Fort Lauderdale regulars, with creative cocktails that match the fusion spirit of the food menu perfectly. The sunset views from the patio are an added bonus that no other restaurant on this list can match.
Casa Sensei is proof that when two great culinary traditions meet, magic happens on the plate.
