The Best Cuban Sandwiches in Miami, According to a Local

Sanguich has a couple of locations, but the original in Little Havana is my favorite. Husband-and-wife team Danny and Rosa were tired of finding dry, lackluster versions of the Cuban around town, so they opened their own shop where the Cubano would be the star. Everything is made from scratch: they cure their own ham, roast their own pork, make their own mustard, and even brine their own pickles. Each ingredient is layered on fresh Cuban bread and pressed to perfection, creating pure heaven in every bite. As a bonus, they also serve an excellent pan con bistec.

Enriqueta’s is an establishment that holds the highest honors in the eyes of many. It’s a tiny building that looks a little out of place thanks to the shiny new developments in Edgewater and Wynwood, but in our hearts it stands tall and mighty. It’s got diner-like vibes and a lengthy menu to match, but when it comes to the Cubano, it’s as simple and classic as it gets. No frills, nothing crazy, just a solid sammie. Keep in mind, this spot is only open until 3 p.m., so make sure you plan to grab your Cuban sandwich at lunch—or breakfast, I’m not here to judge.

Okay, so this one isn’t completely classic. At Tinta y Café it’s called a Patria, and they take a few liberties with the sandwich, but it’s so good that I don’t mind one bit. Instead of Cuban bread, it comes on a fresh baguette, and they sneak in some mortadella that works surprisingly well with the ham, pork, Swiss cheese, mustard, and pickles. It reminds me a little of a Cubano in Tampa—where, if you’re unfamiliar, they add salami—and yes, there’s a long-standing debate about which city does it better.

Another one of my favorites can be found at a Cuban butcher shop in Palmetto Bay. Babe’s Meat & Counter (originally called Babe Froman Fine Sausages, a nod to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off) goes above and beyond by smoking the ham and roasting the pork in a way that makes it more flavorful than almost any other version I’ve tried. Add the pickles, Swiss cheese, mustard, and housemade Cuban bread, and you’ve got a seriously good sandwich.

In Little River, you’ll find Off Site, a nano-brewery turning out some of the most exceptional bar food in Miami. That menu includes a really freaking good Cuban sandwich. It’s a true classic made with all the essentials: roasted pork, country ham, house pickles, Swiss cheese, and mustard. The sandwich comes on housemade Cuban bread pressed so perfectly that I might need to have one for dinner now that I’m thinking about it. Pair it with one of their beers and you’re set.