The best Cuban sandwiches in Miami

Why we love it: This cozy Cuban cafe in Little Havana doles out various Cuban sandwiches—medianoche, pan con bistec, pan con lechón—but its Cubano is what truly put them on the map. Part of the reason why this sandwich is special is the hours of prep that go into making each ingredient before it’s even assembled: the mustard is ground in-house, the pork is cured in-house and the bread is baked precisely to Sanguich’s specifications. Once it’s all put together, the Cubano is finished off in la plancha, just how it should always be.

Address: Multiple locations

Expect to pay: $13.99

Why we love it: Husband and wife duo Jason and Melanie Schoendorfer began by peddling homemade bacon at the farmers’ market. When they opened a full-fledged butcher shop, they also started selling sandwiches—some of the best sandwiches in town, as a matter of fact. Theirs is something special in part thanks to the ham. Unlike the tragically bland boiled variety on many Cuban sandwiches, here it’s smoked in-house, giving the entire affair a deep, smoky awesomeness.

Address: 9216 SW 156 Street, Miami, FL 33157  

Opening hours: Mon–Sat 9am–5pm; Sun 10am–3pm

Expect to pay: $14.99

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Why we love it: What’s perhaps most striking on a visit to Enriqueta’s is how this simple, old-school Miami building has withstood a condo boom that’s literally surrounded its tiny parking lot. Even as the world changed around it, Enriquetta’s remains the same, still with an always-busy takeaway window and perpetually packed dining room. People come for giant plates of Cuban classics and, of course, the Cuban, a version that’s quite cheesy and tucked with extra pickles. The Doble comes with an extra order of pork, and the Preparado stuffs two ham croquetas deep inside.

Address: 186 NE 29th St, Miami, FL 33137

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 7am–2:45pm, 3–9pm; Sat 7am–2pm

Expect to pay: $17

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Why we love it: Breadman’s sandwiches can be towering affairs, like the appropriately named El Guapo, piled with fried eggs, shoestring potatoes and a row of chunky croquetas. The Cuban here is far more of a standard affair, although adding mayo gives it a bit more richness. The highlight, of course, is the bread, just-cooked, well-crisped and absolutely massive. A solid sandwich for sure, but Breadman also wins the (admittedly nonexistent) award for the biggest Cuban in town.

Address: Multiple locations

Expect to pay: $12.49

Why we love it: At first, your friends will ask you why the hell you’re taking them to a laundromat at 3am. But soon enough, they’ll be thanking you in between bites of working-class Cuban classics. Mary’s Cafe, a bit north of Coconut Grove, is attached to a laundromat and is open 24 hours. Most items on the menu are less than $6. Unsure of what to get? Aside from the Cuban (duh), go for a batido (essentially a Cuban milkshake) and an order of croquetas. You’re welcome.

Address: 2542 SW 27th Ave, Miami, FL 33133

Opening hours: Daily 24/7

Expect to pay: $7.50

Why we love it: The Cuban sandwich has never been a particularly vegetable-forward proposition; the whole point is the pork, and lots of it. Vegan Cuban, a no-frills strip-mall spot along Sunset Drive in Kendall, makes a credible case for the other side. The Cubano here swaps in jackfruit lechón and organic plant-based ham, stacks it with creamy vegan cheese, organic pickles, mayo, and mustard, and presses the whole thing on Cuban bread until it's crispy, melty, and harder to distinguish from the original than you'd expect. The jackfruit does real work. Characteristically meaty, it pulls apart like slow-roasted pork and takes on enough mojo flavor that you stop thinking about what's missing after two bites.

Address: 9640 SW 72nd St, Miami, FL 33173

Opening hours: Daily 8am–9pm

Expect to pay: $14.95 (and it comes with chips!)

Why we love it: The Galindo name goes back to 1974, when Raúl Galindo opened a Cuban sandwich counter on Coral Way that quickly became a hub for the exile community. It's a no-frills cafeteria with a classic diner feel, featuring black vinyl booths and a U–shaped counter with soda fountain stools, each in view of a multitude of strung-up legs of pork just waiting to be sliced to order. Galindo's Cuban is as classic as it gets, with a balanced layup of ham, lechon, and squishy Swiss cheese, pressed open-faced and then while closed. It's served quartered into quaint little triangles. Get a mamey batido on the side and don't rush out.

Address: 890 SW 57 Ave, West Miami, Florida 33144

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 7am–midnight; Fri, Sat 7am–1am

Expect to pay: $11.25

Why we love it: There are those who will say the Cubanish sandwich at this Miami Shores butcher shouldn’t be on the list because of its bread component, a Portuguese muffin instead of Cuban bread. No doubt this isn’t traditional. But the Cubanish is still a hell of a Cuban-inspired sandwich, built of dry-rubbed and roasted Duroc pork shoulder, smoked rosemary ham, pickles, mustard, cheddar and mayo. Like a Floridian with Cuban blood who proudly identifies with the island just off our shores, this is a true Miami creation.

Address: 9722 NE 2nd Ave, Miami Shores, FL 33138

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 10am–7pm; Sat 10am–6pm

Expect to pay: $15

Why we love it: Perhaps this little cafe, now with locations in Coral Gables and Miami Shores, would rank higher here if its menu listed an actual Cuban sandwich. Perhaps you’ll think they should be disqualified, but Tinta y Café does an incredible sandwich that’s mighty close, and so good it definitely deserves a spot. All that stands in the way of the Patria being a traditional Cuban is the addition of mortadella and a garlicky sauce, two additions you’ll be glad are there.

Address: 1315 Ponce De Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, 33130; 9840 NE 2nd Ave, Miami Shores, FL 33138

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 8am–5pm; Sat, Sun 8am–4pm

Expect to pay: $11

Why we love it: This local Cuban chain appeals to a younger generation with its low-calorie La Flaca menu ("the skinny girl" in English) and riffs on classic American dishes, like the cobb salad and assorted flatbreads. Its Cuban sandwich, meanwhile, is straightforward and a real-deal sando, well-pressed with good portions of all the key ingredients. While the Cuban stays true to its Miami-ish roots, Sergio’s also gives the plancha treatment to some fine alternatives, like a pan con lechón with grilled pork, onions, mojo sauce and Cuban bread.

Address: Multiple locations

Expect to pay: $11.99

Why we love it: Caribe is part of a small Miami-based chain of Cuban restaurants where the servings are massive and the prices are generally low. The Cuban sandwich is no exception. The meats are piled high, especially the roast pork, and the bread is sliced thicker than at other restaurants.

Address: Multiple locations

Expect to pay: $11.99 for the regular, $12.99 for the Cubano special

Why we love it: This tiny shopfront a block off Española Way serves a tight menu of handhelds, from “The Classic” Cubano to pan con lechón and medianoche, all made with pork marinated in citrus-garlic mojo and slow-roasted for over 14 hours. Helmed by a young NYC transplant, Cubatón also serves a couple of new-wave creations, like a Cuban made with hot honey (delicious) and even a veggie option. On the sweet side, pair the pan con timba (a pressed guava and queso sandwich like abuela would make) with an iced café bonbón. The batidos (milkshakes) are seasonal, like this summer's pineapple and coconut flavor. There’s a smattering of sidewalk seats and a small bench inside, so don’t plan to linger long.

Address: 413 15th St, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Opening hours: Daily 9am–6pm

Expect to pay: $13.50

Why we love it: 

It dubbed itself the world’s most famous Cuban restaurant, and the Cubano might be the most popular thing on the menu. The original (there’s a special version that’s slightly larger) meets all the basic requirements: toasted and filled with the correct ingredients. Presidents and celebrities have sat on the Versailles stools, which explains why you’ll often be standing in line to get yourself a fine Cuban.

Address: 3555 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 8am–midnight; Fri, Sat 8am–1am; Sun 9am–midnight

Expect to pay: $9.80–$12.50

Why we love it: Cafe might be a misnomer for this Cuban restaurant, with locations in Brickell, Hialeah and near the airport. All three of them are big spots with equally extensive menus. The standard Cuban here comes with a generous stack of ham, roast pork and Swiss that’s almost too big to all get in one bite. It’s a bargain for a hearty sandwich that easily feeds two hungry people.

Address: Multiple locations

Expect to pay: $10.99 for the regular and $11.99 for the especial that's a bit larger in size

Why we love it: This local staple of Cuban cuisine opened in the heart of Little Havana in 1976 and now has multiple outposts in Miami (including inside Miami International Airport). It offers an expert Cubano that, while heavy on the ham, nails the perfectly toasted bread every single time.

Address: Multiple locations

Expect to pay: $11–$13, depending on the size

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Why we love it: Most everyone hitting this divy West Kendall barbecue spot is here for the ribs, the burger or the loaded fries. But the Cuban here is worth the trip, largely thanks to the substitution of roasted pork for smoked pulled pork, which lends the entire affair a weighty smokiness.

Address: 12461 SW 130th St, Miami, FL 33186

Opening hours: Tue, Thu, Sat 8am–4pm; Wed 8am–3:30pm; Fri 8am–7:45pm

Expect to pay: $13.95