Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Hy Vong Vietnamese Restaurant
VIETNAMESE
(
;
%
305-446-3674; 3458 SW 8th; mains $7-22;
h
6-11pm Wed-Sun, closed mid-late
GOOGLE MAP
Aug)
In a neighborhood full of exiles from a communist regime, it makes sense to find a Viet-
namese restaurant. And it's telling that despite all the great Latin food around, Little
Havanans wait hours for a seat here. Why? Because this spot serves great Vietnamese food
with little touches of Florida, like Florida-style mango marinade.
Islas Canarias
CUBAN
Islas may not look like much, sitting in a strip mall, but it serves some of the best Cuban in
Miami. The
ropa vieja
is delicious and there are nice Spanish touches on the menu (the
owner's father is from the Canary Islands, hence the restaurant's name). Don't pass up the
signature homemade chips, especially the ones cut from plantains.
El Cristo
CUBAN
A popular hangout among locals, the down-to-earth El Cristo has options from all over the
Spanish-speaking world. Lots of people say it's as good as Calle Ocho gets. The menu has
daily specials, but the standout is fish - try it fried for a local version of fish and chips, or
take away some excellent fish empanadas and
croquetas
(deep-fried in breadcrumbs).
Yambo
LATIN AMERICAN
If you're a bit drunk in the middle of the night and can find a cab or a friend willing to
drive all the way out to Little Havana, direct them to Yambo. We've never actually been
here during the day, although the restaurant is surely a pretty place for lunch or breakfast.
At night Yambo does a roaring stock in trade selling trays and take-away boxes about to
burst with juicy slices of carne asada, piles of rice and beans and sweet fried plantains. If
you're going to soak up beer, this is a great sponge.
Los Pinareños Frutería
FRUIT STAND
