Cuban on the Beach

[FloridaFoodie]

I am from Miami and familiar with Cuban restaurants such as Versaille, Sergios, etc. My cousin and her family are coming to Miami Beach Friday night and want to eat Cuban but I prefer not to take them to calle ocho. Any suggestions for a cuban restaurant on the South Beach other than Davids Cafe? Thanks!!

[netmover]

Lario's on the Beach is by far your best option on South Beach. Admittedly more expensive than most, however the food and ambiance are top notch. + on Friday nights I beleive they have the live band busting out the son, guarracha, guanguancoa, mambo and of course the obligatory salsa! Outside seating provides the nightly parade of people on Ocean @ 8th St. right next to News Cafe.

[9lives]

I had a "not bad" Cuban sandwich at Lario's today and Ms 9 enjoyed her salad. I prefer Puerta Sagua but being outside today drove the decision..nice spot to eat lunch..or dinner.

I also liked the origininal David's Cafe on 11th and Collins but it looks like it's moved and is more market than cafe now.

[netmover]

The cafe at Davids is being built on the corner
is my understanding.

[9lives]

Yes, construction is moving slowly. They've set up temp digs around the corner. Liberty Parilla was a winner. I'll post on that later.

[9lives]

Spoke to the people at David's this AM. They still make a great cup of coffee.

They expect to open the full restaurant on the corner in Feb 08.

Great Cuban sandwich at Puerta Sagua.

[Frodnesor]

There's David's and there's Puerta Sagua at Collins & 7th.
Anyone tried El Viajante up near Lincoln Road 7 Collins?
The Larios on Ocean Drive?

[mialebven]

How about Las Vegas farther up north on Collins? I liked it when I went (but that was several years ago) and I do think it could compete with the SoBe Cuban places - I'm not too impressed with Cuban in South Beach. But I've only had David's, Puerto Sagua, Larios. Puerto Sagua is okay. Lario's is okay (I'm addicted to their empanadas con guayaba con queso though - made with guava shells! It's been a while since I've had them). Never tried El Viajante or Yuca (but I do love haute cuisine so I'm sure I would say Yuca is good).

[Frodnesor]

OP requested South Beach for out-of-town guests, I doubt they want to go up near 71st St. for Las Vegas. I used to go to one in Hollywood one ages ago, haven't been to the Beach one.

I've enjoyed Yuca but it is definitely "haute" and not traditional Cuban.