La Carreta Restaurant, Miami

La Carreta is a chain of Cuban restaurants with multiple locations across Miami. It may well not enjoy the global fame of Versailles, its main rival, but for most Miamians La Carreta is the place to go for better food and better cafecito than that offered by its more iconic neighbor.

Guarded by a colorful rooster statue, the original La Carreta restaurant in Little Havana's Calle Ocho is particularly loved for its authentic Cuban fare. The latter comes in an extensive choice including vaca frita (grilled shredded beef and onions with a side of rice and beans), chicken breast milanesa (Cuban iteration of chicken parm), ropa vieja, picadillo, palomilla, and more. In addition to Cuban classics, they also serve some American dishes like chicken wings and spare ribs in barbecue sauce, plus some Spanish-inspired fare, too.

Each day, those in favor of Cuban basics will find at La Carreta a selection of three to four specials, plus weekday lunch deals featuring breaded pork chop, shrimp creole, and fried grouper for a rather moderate price. Any meal here will make you feel at home.

Why You Should Visit:
La Carreta may not serve the most gourmet Cuban food in Miami, but it is a convenient place to get the classics.
A fast, inexpensive spot for good lunch, dinner, breakfast or late-night snack stop. La Carreta opens late and its walk-up coffee window stays open till 5am on weekends to serve you the much wanted post-club cafecito and pastelito to kiss your hangover goodbye.