★★★★★
The ropa vieja is the best I've had outside of Havana. Portions are huge, service was fast, and the mojito was perfect. Will be back every time I'm in South Beach.
Latin & Cuban · South Beach · Miami
Esquina Cubana | Cuban Restaurant
Miami Beach
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The place
Esquina Cubana is a Cuban restaurant in South Beach, Miami Beach, located at 710 Washington Avenue, Suite #1. The kitchen serves traditional Cuban dishes including ropa vieja, lechón asado, vaca frita, and pressed Cuban sandwiches. The restaurant holds a 4.9-star Google rating with more than 9,600 reviews, ranking among the highest-rated Cuban spots in Miami Beach. The dining room sits two blocks from Ocean Drive in the Art Deco Historic District, with seating both inside and on the sidewalk patio. A full bar pours classic mojitos, Cuba libres, and Cuban espresso. Esquina Cubana is open daily for lunch and dinner, accepts walk-ins, and offers takeout and delivery through Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub. Major credit cards are accepted.
Esquina Cubana sits on the corner of 7th and Washington Avenue in South Beach, just two blocks from Ocean Drive and the Atlantic. The room is small, lively, and tiled in Havana-blue — exactly the kind of neighborhood Cuban diner that gets buried under the Art Deco crowds but quietly racks up nearly 10,000 five-star Google reviews. It's a favorite of both locals heading home from work and tourists who wandered off Collins looking for the real thing.
Order the ropa vieja — slow-braised shredded beef in tomato-pepper sofrito served with white rice, black beans, and sweet maduros. The lechón asado (roast pork marinated in mojo and citrus) and the pressed Cuban sandwich are the other standouts. Vaca frita, picadillo, and pollo a la plancha round out the heavy hitters. Pair anything with a fresh mojito or a colada of Cuban coffee, and save room for tres leches or flan de coco.
No reservations — it's walk-in only, and weekend dinners can run a short wait. Sidewalk seating is dog-friendly. Street and metered parking line Washington Ave, and the 7th Street Garage is one block south. Takeout and delivery are available through the major apps, and the kitchen is open seven days a week from late morning through late night.
Two blocks from Ocean Drive in the Art Deco District
4.9★ on Google with 9,600+ reviews
Authentic Cuban cuisine — ropa vieja, lechón, Cuban sandwiches
Full bar with fresh mojitos and Cuban coffee
What to expect
Expect a tight, busy room with fast service, generous portions, and English-and-Spanish-speaking staff. Bring cash or card, plan on a 10–15 minute wait at peak hours, and grab a sidewalk table if you want to people-watch on Washington Ave.
Then come for the photos
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The shop, in frames
Sponsored · Florida Hidden Spots
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What people are saying
★★★★★
Walked in off Washington Ave on a Friday night and got seated in five minutes. Cuban sandwich was pressed crisp and the lechón had real mojo flavor. Great value for South Beach.
★★★★★
Authentic Cuban food, family-owned vibe, staff speaks Spanish and English. The tres leches and Cuban coffee at the end made the whole meal. Highly recommend.
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Frequently asked
Does Esquina Cubana take reservations?
No — Esquina Cubana is walk-in only. Weekday lunches and late evenings have the shortest waits; weekend dinners may run 10–20 minutes.
Is Esquina Cubana dog friendly?
Yes — leashed dogs are welcome at the sidewalk patio tables on Washington Avenue. The indoor dining room is for human guests only.
Where do I park near Esquina Cubana?
Metered street parking is available along Washington Ave and the surrounding side streets. The 7th Street Municipal Garage is one block south and is the easiest paid option.
What are the most popular dishes at Esquina Cubana?
The most-ordered items are the ropa vieja, lechón asado (roast pork), the pressed Cuban sandwich, vaca frita, and the mojitos. Save room for flan or tres leches.
What are Esquina Cubana's hours?
Open daily 10am–11pm Sunday–Thursday, and 9am–midnight Friday and Saturday (Sunday 9am–11pm).
Does Esquina Cubana offer takeout or delivery?
Yes — takeout is available by phone at (786) 304-4549, and delivery is offered through Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub.
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Closest spots by distance
Other places to fold into the same trip — measured straight-line from Esquina Cubana | Cuban Restaurant Miami Beach.
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From Instagram
@esquinacubanamiami