Havana 1957 | Ocean Drive (1410) | Cuban Cuisine — Restaurant in Miami Beach

Havana 1957 is a wonderful Cuban food restaurant located inside the Marriott Vacation Club Pulse on South Beach in Miami. The entrance to the restaurant is shared with the hotel and features a nautical style rope display just inside the glass doors for a visual marker. Prepare to be transported back in time to the glamor of Cuba in the 1950’s. Every detail is reflective of the old school concept from the dark wood, colorful floor tiles, rich red ceiling, Tiffany style lamps and chandeliers and the magnificent wood framed bar.

Authentic Cuban flavors are represented in their vast menu starting with salads that utilize Cuban ingredients such as Tostones, Plantains and avocado. The appetizers are not vegetarian friendly, but include Croquettes, Chicken, Beef, Pork, Shrimp and Ceviche. The dinner options were a continuation of meat heavy offerings including Chicken, Steak, Lobster, Shrimp, Burgers, and sandwiches. Some of the individual sides like black beans, rice, tostones and Yuca frita are À la carte options for Vegans and Vegetarians. The deserts, fruit juices and drinks were a continuation of Cuban fare, while the kids menu offered more American style food like Chicken fingers, Steak and grilled Chicken breast.

We decided to try out their breakfast menu since it was connected to the hotel where we stayed. We all ordered the same customizable breakfast item: the Big Havana Breakfast. Easily the most affordable breakfast on the strip, the Big Havana Breakfast includes 3 eggs cooked any style, your choice of breakfast meats, fried croquettes, breakfast potatoes, sautéed peppers and onions, delicious Cuban toast, a small tossed salad, freshly squeezed orange juice and a Cuban style coffee for only $12.00! Somewhere between the crusty Cuban toast and fried cheese croquettes, I fell in love!

Pros: The wonderful service, fair prices, delicious food and fabulous location, just across from South Beach beaches, will keep you dreaming of their Cuban food long after you’ve left! What a gem of a restaurant on Miami Beach that stands out from all of the other obnoxious, overpriced, Americanized bars and restaurants. If you’re planning a trip to South Beach, this place should be on your list!

Cons: parking anywhere on South Beach is always an issue. Due to the streets being blocked off for pedestrian’s on the strip, there is nowhere close to park, so come...

My recent visit to Havana 1957 on Miami Beach's Ocean Drive was a mixed culinary journey that left me pondering the delicate balance between tradition and innovation in Cuban cuisine.

Stepping into Havana 1957 at 8:30 on a Monday evening, I was promptly seated by a friendly host sporting the classic Cuban Guyabera shirt. The cozy tables and decor took me back to the 1950s Havana Social Club lounges, but with a contemporary twist, featuring an inviting bar area and the promise of numerous mojito variations.

The mojitos, while visually appealing with mint leaves and real sugar cane, unfortunately fell short. They were notably watered down and on the pricey side. My attempt to order a straightforward shot of Bacardi Black earned me a quizzical look from the bartender, an unexpected hiccup.

The menu raised eyebrows with an out-of-place guacamole appetizer, and the use of truffle oil in yuca frita felt like a misstep in preserving Cuban culinary traditions.

The masita de puerco, though decent, was eclipsed by the mojito-based dipping sauce. The true culinary offense, however, came with the Lechón Asado. It was touted as freshly roasted pork shoulder but was served shredded, deviating significantly from the traditional presentation.

I decided to try the Churrasco, a non-Cuban item. The Moro was well-seasoned, but the rice was slightly undercooked. The saving grace came in the form of perfectly prepared maduros.

The restaurant's decor was a tribute to Cuban culture, with Celia Cruz images and an array of Cuban memorabilia, even a Singer Sewing machine reminiscent of a bygone era. However, the musical playlist, featuring covers of Sting's old songs and Studio 54 tracks, felt somewhat out of sync with the Cuban ambiance.

Amidst these culinary quandaries, our server stood out as a shining star. A Cuban immigrant of 20 years, his unwavering dedication and knowledge added a genuine touch to our dining experience.

In conclusion, Havana 1957 presents a culinary experience that straddles the line between tradition and innovation in Cuban cuisine. While some elements of the menu left me perplexed, the exceptional service added a warm, authentic touch to the evening. It's a place that could benefit from a more faithful adherence to Cuban culinary traditions while still...

With 5 locations in the Miami Beach area (as of 2018), they're not all the same as far as menu selection goes. This one on Ocean Drive however, offers everything. With Miami's heavy Cuban population, why not eat the cuisine you can't get everywhere?

ATMOSPHERE: You want lively, fun and energetic? This is your spot! We scored a high top on the front porch. The dim lighting required cell phone flashlights but table Illuminators were available. Cuban cuisine, Ocean Drive and the humidity set the mood well.

MENU: Cuban cuisine of apps, salads, soups, sandwiches, poultry, seafood, meats, daily specials, kids menu, desserts.

BEVERAGE: Ultimate Mojito I got a real nice buzz off their top-of-the-line cocktail. It was so good I had another. Ahh, the sugar can stick/stirrer brought back memories of the now defunct crop of my hometown of Maui.

FOOD: Empanadas Two empanadas generously stuffed with a tasty, savory meat filling then baked. Firm and almost-flaky crust. The cilantro mayo sauce wasn't needed.

Cocktail de Mariscos The was a cold app of chopped lobster tail pieces and a few shrimp. Very fresh and came with two tasty dipping sauces of tartar and seafood butter.

Havana 1957 Specialty After seeing a pic of this, I had to have it despite it being a food I consider to be boring, chicken. Even though mine wasn't as visually appealing of said photo, it tasted great, just as I thought it would. The two chicken pieces were perfectly cooked with a subtle crunch to the skin, drizzled with a savory gravy and fluffy rice to the side.

SERVICE: Michel was the utmost professional. A food runner brought out our entrées as we started on our apps. Without asking, he took the entrées away and brought back fresh & hot ones when it was time. There were a few other hiccups with food delivery but it's Michel handled them well.

TIP: 18% tip is added to all checks, a common practice in Miami.

OVERALL: Busy and bustling. Great...