Latin Cafe On The Beach - Miami Beach

This restaurant is a hidden treasure in mid-beach! Ambiance: it has a typical diner atmosphere with bar seating and somewhat worn tables. Service: the staff is quick to guide you to a table and take your order! The food arrived within 5-10 minutes and was hot and delicious. You can definitely feel the cozy mom-and-pop vibe. Food: it reminded me of having lunch at a friend’s house, which is a great compliment. The portions are generous and the prices are fantastic. The salad was simple, but I appreciated that alongside the grilled and seasoned tilapia! They provide oil and vinegar for dressing your veggies at the table. They also offer beer, wine, and freshly squeezed orange juice! I’m so glad I discovered this place for a refreshing change from the typical resort prices!

Two of my friends tried the Pan con Bistec (steak sandwich, $9.99 each), which features a hearty serving of steak cooked to perfection on a roll, topped with pickles, onions, mayonnaise, mustard, and cheese. They both declared it one of the best sandwiches they’d ever had—it was flavorful and juicy without being soggy, and at under $10, it competes well with fast food prices! Another member of our party ordered the Pollo Asado (roasted chicken, $9.99), which consists of a grilled quarter of chicken thigh and leg marinated in a deliciously sweet and tangy sauce. Plus, all meat entrees come with two ample side portions, making it a more economical (and, in my view, more satisfying) option than places like Chipotle or Cava. My friend was thrilled with the juicy chicken and crispy skin, and she found her side salad and moros (mixed rice and beans) to be hearty and filling. I ordered the Masitas de Puerco (fried pork chunks, $12.99). I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by a large serving of tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork chunks, reminiscent of pulled pork burnt ends, with a crispy exterior. While some pieces were a little dry, the generous portion allowed me to enjoy the juicier parts. For sides, I also opted for the side salad (very fresh) and yuca (cassava), which has a flavor akin to a mix between mashed potatoes and dim sum turnip cake. It was savory and satisfying, though I found it to get a bit greasy after a while. Overall, we all left satisfied for under $15 per person, including tip and tax, which is rare in Miami Beach! Everyone enjoyed their meals, the service was friendly and efficient, and our wallets remained relatively intact. This place is definitely worth a visit if you’re in search of delicious, affordable dining in the area!

Food/Drinks: 5/5 First meal in Miami did not disappoint at all! The food here reminded me of that GOOD home cooking! The one that gives you the itis and makes you feel right at home. I had the Pepper Steak Combo with white rice and sweet plantains and a glass of their house wine, which was so juicy and full of flavor and the sweet plantains too good! I don't remember the last time I had a full meal and alcoholic drinks for two people under $50, amazing prices! Service: 5/5 The menus are in both Spanish and English, accessible for everyone! We got to practice our Spanish a bit our server mostly spoke Spanish and I loved it. Shewas very kind and attentive and gave us great recommendations! She was also super patient while we took ages to look over the menu. Vibe: 5/5 This is a no frills, authentic spot making it such a unique and refreshing vibe in the age of only aesthetic restaurants with neon lights and mid food. II could sense this is the type of spot that locals come to daily and for good reason!

A family run Latin resto away from the tourist area. Great Cuban café. I thought the black bean soup was a little soggy and lacked flavor. I spiced it up with hot sauce. Bacon, eggs and potatoes were good. Their lettuce, tomato and onion salad was amazing. The table vinegar was weak. Server quality was average. Has that 1948 resto atmosphere. The locals dine here.

Absolutely wonderful! In a touristy beach area that is overpriced, Latin Cafe is a breath of fresh air. It's a simple Mom n Pop restaurant but it serves it's purpose. The most expensive item is the Churrasco Skirt Steak at $18.99, all Shrimp dishes at $14.99 for 7pcs of shrimp and the large soups are $5-6 just to give an example of the menu prices. I ordered a dish that wasn't on the menu. Camarones al Ajillo with rice beans and Maduros (sweet plantains) for $15.99. I also ordered a Cuban Soup, 2 chicken Empanadas, a croquette and a Papa Relleno. The rice was absolutely perfect! As you can see from my pics, I wiped the plate clean! The empanada melted in your mouth. It was so good I ordered another. I could eat here every day! Is the atmosphere like Mangos? No, but I'd have this anytime without being nickel and dimed especially if on a value budget. Another great point to note is that both the Collins Express Trolley and the Middle Beach Trolley stop close by. You'll see a lot of locals dining here. A side note: I was chatting with some locals and they shared a shot of Cortada with me. This place is like a little bit of home. I highly recommend. Salud