Little Havana, or La Pequeña Habana, got its name from the large population of Cubans who once called it home. The diaspora came together in this little pocket of the city in the decades following the Cuban Revolution, and its food, culture, and entertainment have defined the area ever since.
Today, Little Havana is home to people of many more nationalities, and the neighborhood is more than just Calle Ocho (though many of its must-see spots are indeed located on the famous Eighth Street thoroughfare). The neighborhood essentially starts on Douglas Road and stretches all the way to the Miami River, ending west of Brickell.
From dining to drinking to dancing, here are the best things to do in Little Havana.
Watch the viejitos battle it out at Domino Park.
Photo by Phillip Pessar / Flickr
Watch a Game at Domino Park
1444 SW Eighth St., Miami305-859-2717
miami.gov Although its official, proper name is Máximo Gómez Park, everyone in Miami calls this Little Havana institution Domino Park. As its moniker suggests, locals hang out here and play — you guessed it — dominos. Passersby can get a glimpse of the action from the sidelines, but if you’re fortunate enough, you might find an empty table to claim as your own (they’re typically reserved for park members). Come for the banter, stay for the smell of fresh cafecito — and some shade.
Go Dancing at Ball & Chain
1513 SW Eighth St., Miami305-643-7820
ballandchainmiami.comWalking along Calle Ocho, you'll find a bar/club every five steps in all directions. However, few are as alluring and historic as Ball & Chain. The venue first opened in 1935, and though it’s closed for extended periods and changed ownership quite a few times (and was famously shut down by a local commissioner not too long ago), it still stands proudly today. The posters on its walls pay tribute to some of the legendary performers who've played here, including Count Basie and Billie Holiday, among many others.
Dance the night away at Ball & Chain or pop in for an afternoon cocktail.
Ball and Chain photo
Visit the Tower Theater
1508 SW Eighth St., Miami305-960-2936
towertheaterculturalcenter.comWhen driving or walking down Eighth Street, you can't miss a larger-than-life, light-up Art Deco marquee that reads "Tower Theater." Once owned by Miami-Dade College and a staple of the annual Miami Film Festival, the venue is now owned and managed by the city. The theater doesn't show many movies these days, but it's home to the Celia Cruz Forever exhibition, which pays tribute to the legendary Cuban singer.
Smoke a Cigar on the Street
Top Cigars1551 SW Eighth St., Miami
305-643-1150
Little Havana would not be Little Havana if its streets weren’t riddled with cigar shops. Once the sun begins to set and as the crisp air settles in, the smell of freshly-lit cigars wafts up and down Eighth Street. You’ll find restaurant patrons smoking stogies while dining al fresco. Inside places like Top Cigars, you’ll find comfortable seating and even some domino tables. As anyone who's visited can tell you, few things pair better than cigars and dominos.
Hoy Como Ayer is back and better than ever.
Hoy Como Ayer photo
Go Dancing at Hoy Como Ayer
2212 SW Eighth St., Miami305-209-4297
hoycomoayer.miamiA classic Cuban dance club in Little Havana, Hoy Como Ayer recently got a modern facelift (as one does in their twenties, apparently). The beloved venue closed in 2019 after 20 years of business, only to reopen five years later in 2024. The venue still plays the best merengue, salsa, and Latin music for a quintessential night out on Calle Ocho. But the venue now has three separate — but totally vibey — spaces: its main room; La Sala, a cozy lounge with leather couches and a wine bar; and an outdoor patio to take in the warm Miami breeze.
Catch a Game at Marlins Park
501 Marlins Wy., Miami305-480-1300
mlb.com/marlinsAs you pull up to Marlins Park (true locals will never call it LoanDepot Park), you might be tempted to sing, "Take me out to the ball game!" Although the Marlins might not be national heroes like other baseball teams, they’re Miami through and through, and we support them. Whether you visit for a game or for one of the park's many community events, the large retractable awning at Marlins Park provides shelter from blistering heat and rain delays, so you're in for a good time no matter what.
Eat Ice Cream at Azucar
1503 SW Eighth St.305-381-0369
azucaricecream.com It’s hard not to get sucked into Azucar Ice Cream Company when you’re walking down Calle Ocho. A larger-than-life ice cream cone protrudes out of the building to entice you. It ignites your tastebuds to suddenly crave something cold and sweet — preferably in a cone. The shop has your ordinary (read: boring) flavors like vanilla and chocolate, but visitors really go for the crazy, ultra-Miami sabores. Among the options here are cafe con leche and the Abuela Maria, filled with guava, queso crema chunks, and chusmeria. Plus, you can also snag a tee with memorable Miami Cuban phrases like "Eso no pasa en Cuba" or "Que arroz con mango" to commemorate la visita.
Visit the Bay of Pigs Museum
1338 SW Eighth St.305-649-4719
bayofpigsbrigade2506.com The Cuban people’s history is embedded into the history of Little Havana. The area's Bay of Pigs Museum is dedicated to Brigade 2506, who fought in the infamous failed 1961 CIA operation under President Kennedy. More than 100 died, while many more were captured and imprisoned. Surviving repatriated members staff the museum, which currently operates out of a temporary location at 1338 SW Eighth St. Its permanent location at 1821 SW Ninth St. is slated to open sometime in 2025.
Versailles: where every Cuban in Miami loves to go.
Photo by Nicole Lopez-Alvar
Grab a Cafecito at La Ventanita at Versailles
3555 SW Eighth St.305-444-0240
versaillesrestaurant.com A visit to Little Havana would not be complete without a stop at the famed Versailles Restaurant. Since 1971, the Vals family has been serving up authentic Cuban cuisine loved by locals and tourists alike. You’ll often find a line out the door, with guests waiting for a bite of a Cuban sandwich or an order of masitas de puerco at la ventanita or inside the restaurant's ornate, French-inspired walls. Trust us: The wait is always worth it.
