I am so glad I finally tried this gem! This place in an absolute VIBE. The place has an energy about it that is unmatched; people dancing, incredible live music, and all around friendly staff. There is such an incredible uniqueness about the staff as well. During live performances, one waitress would get up on stage and play instruments and at other times bartenders would join in. I was truly smiling from ear to ear all night. I drank delicious mojitos all night and even with a packed venue the drinks came out extremely fast! Although the restaurant was packed, our waitress remained extremely kind and attentive throughout the night. To me, the food was just good. We had the Jamón Serrano Croquetas to start. They were a little cold for my taste and not the best I've ever had but they weren't bad. My husband really loved his skirt steak ropa vieja and didn't leave a single grain of rice. I opted for the rabo encendido pasta. I like that they weren't skimpy on the rabo. The downside of this place is that to maximize space, you're packed in like sardines. The tables are basically on top of each other. A larger sized person would not fit getting in and out of their seat and my husband was constantly backing up into the people seated behind him. Overall, this is a place you definitely visit for the atmosphere above food. I will 100% be coming back for drinks, appetizers and more live music. It is an incredible spot especially for those looking for Cuban nostalgia. read more

While visiting the manager at Makoto, he recommended Cafe La Trova for their Michelin mentioned mojitos so away we went! Originally made reservations for shortly after they opened for dinner and moved it to 6:45. We are so glad we went later! The place quickly filled up and the live band got started! The staff was a little slow to greet us after getting us seated but made up for it in food recommendations! We enjoyed the portion sizes, flavor, and live entertainment! read more

I am so glad I finally tried this gem! This place in an absolute VIBE. The place has an energy about it that is unmatched; people dancing, incredible live music, and all around friendly staff. There is such an incredible uniqueness about the staff as well. During live performances, one waitress would get up on stage and play instruments and at other times bartenders would join in. I was truly smiling from ear to ear all night. I drank delicious mojitos all night and even with a packed venue the drinks came out extremely fast! Although the restaurant was packed, our waitress remained extremely kind and attentive throughout the night. To me, the food was just good. We had the Jamón Serrano Croquetas to start. They were a little cold for my taste and not the best I've ever had but they weren't bad. My husband really loved his skirt steak ropa vieja and didn't leave a single grain of rice. I opted for the rabo encendido pasta. I like that they weren't skimpy on the rabo. The downside of this place is that to maximize space, you're packed in like sardines. The tables are basically on top of each other. A larger sized person would not fit getting in and out of their seat and my husband was constantly backing up into the people seated behind him. Overall, this is a place you definitely visit for the atmosphere above food. I will 100% be coming back for drinks, appetizers and more live music. It is an incredible spot especially for those looking for Cuban nostalgia. read more

Lively atmosphere and a fun environment, although the music makes it a little difficult to have a conversation. I'm giving 4 stars because the space is quite tight. Every time a waiter walked behind me, they bumped into my head, and even after we moved the table, it was still pretty cramped. The menu is a bit limited, but the food was very good. The croquetas were hot and flavorful, the chicken was juicy, and the empanada was delicious. Unfortunately, the tostones were too hard for us, so we didn't eat them. Overall, we had a good experience. The service was good, and I would definitely return. They offer $15 valet parking, but we were able to find street parking nearby. PS: Reservations are suggested. read more

It's very unassuming from the outside but once you walk-in and you hear the live music, I felt transported to a lively Cuban restaurant. Our server was friendly throughout the evening and the food was pretty quick to come out. I didn't know before coming here but Cafe La Trova was listed on the Top 50 Bars of North America for 2026 and so I had to get the Buenavista drink which is highlighted as their award winner. Admittedly, I was let down by the drink. The balance was a bit off and overall I wasn't very impressed. However the food more than made up for it. The ropa vieja was very savory and the avocado cream was very zesty/citrus which helped cut down some of the richness of the dish. My only note would be to give some more avocado cream since there were only 2 little dollops. The Arroz Con Pollo was excellent! Super flavorful and I could eat this everyday and be happy. The tomatoes and olives add that extra bit of acidity which was perfect. The live music also added to the ambiance and so if you're someone trying to get that local Miami/Cuban vibe, I think Cafe La Trova is it. read more

See all

I am so glad I finally tried this gem! This place in an absolute VIBE. The place has an energy about it that is unmatched; people dancing, incredible live music, and all around friendly staff. There is such an incredible uniqueness about the staff as well. During live performances, one waitress would get up on stage and play instruments and at other times bartenders would join in. I was truly smiling from ear to ear all night. I drank delicious mojitos all night and even with a packed venue the drinks came out extremely fast! Although the restaurant was packed, our waitress remained extremely kind and attentive throughout the night. To me, the food was just good. We had the Jamón Serrano Croquetas to start. They were a little cold for my taste and not the best I've ever had but they weren't bad. My husband really loved his skirt steak ropa vieja and didn't leave a single grain of rice. I opted for the rabo encendido pasta. I like that they weren't skimpy on the rabo. The downside of this place is that to maximize space, you're packed in like sardines. The tables are basically on top of each other. A larger sized person would not fit getting in and out of their seat and my husband was constantly backing up into the people seated behind him. Overall, this is a place you definitely visit for the atmosphere above food. I will 100% be coming back for drinks, appetizers and more live music. It is an incredible spot especially for those looking for Cuban nostalgia. read more

Cafe La Trova - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Miami, Florida

We had an amazing dinner at Café La Trova last night with a group of friends who were visiting from out of town, and it was the perfect choice. We started with the grilled octopus, which was absolutely outstanding and one of our favorite dishes of the night. I also ordered their take on a Moscow Mule, and it was refreshing, well-balanced, and delicious. For the main course, we shared two of the specials--the red snapper and the meat platter. Both were excellent, and the portions were generous enough to comfortably feed our group of six. The atmosphere is what really makes this place special. The live Cuban music, energetic entertainment, and vibrant ambiance create such a fun and memorable experience. Our server was attentive, friendly, and helped make the evening even more enjoyable. A couple of things to know before you go: reservations are definitely recommended because the restaurant is very popular, and tables are limited to a two-hour seating. If you'd like to continue the night, you can always move over to the bar, which keeps the great energy going. If you're looking for authentic Cuban food, fantastic cocktails, and a lively night out, Café La Trova is absolutely worth visiting! read more

See all

Café La Trova is always a great time. The food and services is always spot on, the live Latin music is entertaining, the Cantineros playing at the beautiful bar is an "only at La Trova" experience and then topping the night off with 80's music in the back makes for perfect and complete night out. If you are looking for a place to keep you entertained all evening long great food, drinks and music, Cafe La Trova is it! read more

See all

Drinks and Ambiance are good. Had a fun time being from out of town. Empanadas were quality. Calamari was chewy. Didn't even want to complain. read more

Cafe La Trova - Calamari - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Miami, Florida

san ton ni son, san ron no hay son la la trova sin trago se traba This is on the wall next to the bandstand... It's Cuban. I guess it is a combination of musical terms and slang. Basically, the gist is you gotta have music and you gotta have rum. The food is quite good, though, to tell you the truth, the music is so loud it dulled my taste buds. Probably best to stick with the rum drinks. The salsa dancing was fun but there was not enough space to move freely. Many people seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the scene. My group didn't return because of the painful volume. read more

While visiting the manager at Makoto, he recommended Cafe La Trova for their Michelin mentioned mojitos so away we went! Originally made reservations for shortly after they opened for dinner and moved it to 6:45. We are so glad we went later! The place quickly filled up and the live band got started! The staff was a little slow to greet us after getting us seated but made up for it in food recommendations! We enjoyed the portion sizes, flavor, and live entertainment! read more

See all

We were looking for a place to dance on Saturday night and when someone mentioned this place, I was shocked because I didn't think it would be fun. When I went, I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of people that were enjoying themselves and the selection of 80's music. I had so much fun dancing with my friends the night away. I will definitely be returning. read more

If you're craving Cuban food, this is the spot. Just make sure you make a reservation no matter what day of the week it is, this place stays packed. We ordered a ton, and right off the bat: if you love croquetas and empanadas, order extra. They're on the smaller side and come individually, but they are so good they disappear fast. The beef empanadas were a 10/10 perfectly seasoned and crispy. The chicken empanadas didn't hit the same for me, but the jamón croquetas? Absolutely insane. A must. For appetizers, the prawns al ajillo were delicious super flavorful and cooked perfectly. We also tried the grilled octopus, which was good, but not my favorite. It leaned a bit bland for my taste, even with the sauce. Now, the must-get: the carnitas with pickled onions. Easily one of the best dishes of the night so flavorful, tender, and perfectly balanced. For entrées, we had the ribeye steak and arroz con pollo, plus sides of tostones and yuca. Everything here delivered. The steak was cooked perfectly and seasoned just right not overly salty. The arroz con pollo was phenomenal, the kind of dish you could eat every single day. The tostones were crispy and tossed in garlic, which took the flavor to another level, and the yuca was melt-in-your-mouth good. I also ordered a mojito, which unfortunately was very watered down, I barely got any of that classic mojito flavor. Service overall was solid, especially considering how loud the restaurant gets it was honestly hard to hear each other at the table, so shoutout to our server for keeping everything straight. The appetizers came out quickly, back-to-back, which we loved. The only downside was the wait for the entrées they took quite a while after we finished the apps, even though we ordered everything at once. Overall, amazing food, great energy, and definitely worth going just be prepared for a lively (and loud) atmosphere. read more

See all

Came here early before any of the festivities for happy hour and the bar filled up quick! The interior feels like you've been transported to the past, I can only imagine how it feels at night with the performances. The drinks were good and my husband really enjoyed his choripan. read more

See all

Iconic bar and restaurant on the edge of Little Havana Miami...hit happy hour for a cocktail and some tasty apps then came back a few hours later to enjoy the live music. Highly recommend the Coconut Negroni... Staff were exceptional as well. (Top 50 Bars award YoY to boot!) read more

YUM. I recently came here with a group of ten and absolutely loved it. We made a reservation and were give a table right in front of the stage and live music - the atmosphere is such a vibe! We ordered a few apps to share and then each had our own entree. The food was simply delicious - such high quality and flavorful. My personal favorite bites were the halloumi, ceviche and the seafood stew. Fresh and fun! read more

See all

The food is fresh and served hot. Great variety of food but the ceviche was not great due to freshness. The service and excellent by Manolo and Leo the manager. Leo made sure we treated like royalty. The ambiance is festive but a little loud for conversation. Bon appetite!!! read more

The restaurant was cozy and inviting. All servers and hosts were friendly and professional. All ready and willing to help all tables. Food was delicious and proportions were generous. They have live music and the music was excellent. We had an excellent bartender named Javier. I love this place. read more

Cafe La Trova - Lechón and yuca. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Miami, Florida

See all

Cafe La Trova is a vibe. It was packed inside when we arrived and luckily got seats at the bar. The band was in full swing and people were dining, chatting, and dancing. We had to wait a bit to order our drinks as shortly after sitting down, the bartenders started playing musical instruments joining the live band and then they solely played. Such a fun and lively start to our night! We were able to order drinks after the bartenders finished. We tried a bunch - Diaquiri, Mojito, Presidente, Cubano Viejo, and La Trova Old Fashioned. They were all pretty good overall. We also got a bit hungry and ordered their Skirt Steak Ropa Vieja which was delicious. The meat was tender and flavorful. Such a fun place! read more

See all

Cafe La Trova is the real deal and then some. We came for dinner and got a full Little Havana night out of it. The food is the kind of Cuban cooking that makes you go quiet for a second: a beef and rice bowl with black beans, sweet plantains, and avocado that was rich and deep and comforting, plus a flaky empanada that disappeared in about four bites. Nothing felt like a tourist version of Cuban food. It felt like someone in the kitchen actually cares. Then the live music kicks in and the whole room lifts. A band right in the space, real Cuban son, the bartenders working behind that gorgeous bar like it is a performance of its own. The cocktail program is legendary for a reason, the cantineros are pouring with serious skill, and the energy is electric without being a chaotic club scene. Yes it is on the pricier side, entrees run into the thirties and up, but you are getting top tier food, world class drinks, and live music in one seat. Worth every dollar. Five stars, easy, and I am already trying to figure out when I can go back. read more

See all

I love this place, love the music and the food is super good, after midnight 80s music is put on at least on Saturday's this is one of my favorite spots read more

Pleasantly surprised as a Miami native I thought this could feel like a tourist trap and even though it did it, it was super fun and inviting.. I went for happy hour on a Sunday around 6 PM to try to catch the happy hour and instantly found seats by the bar and was able to get a cocktail in less than five minutes. Ordered a few bites which I do not have photos of but delicious and my main entrée was spectacular. I love a good Mojito and this was one of the best Mojitos I've had. I had other cocktails as you can see in the photos. Honestly well balance, and you can get a bit of a kick from the liquor so the pores are perfect. I highly recommend if you like a lively atmosphere and a good time! read more

See all

I've been meaning to come here for years and glad we finally made our way in. The food was so good, the drinks were fantastic and the atmosphere was so fun. Although we went for a private event, I have a feeling the vibes are just as fantastic on a normal day so I'll have to come back and confirm. The service was also great even with a packed bar. Standouts are the arroz con pollo and the old fashioned. read more

Cafe La Trova - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Miami, Florida

See all

Cafe La Trova is a vibe. It's fun, lively, and very Miami. For a party of two, we shared the following: -jamon serrano croquetas ($13): with melty cheese and fig jam -queso frito ($15): fried halloumi cheese, tomato-raisin-Jerez stew with crunchy capers -empanadas -arrroz con pollo ($29): bombsrice, saffron, cerveza, free range chicken braised in its own juices To be completely fair, I thought the food could have been stood for a little more seasoning. The apps as well as our entree tasted very safe. Given the diverse crowd the restaurant draws, I get it. The food doesn't polarize any palette. We also ordered the chicken and rice because everybody on the Internet talks about it and it was pretty underwhelming. There just wasn't any oomph to the dish. I'd stick to the appetizers. I'd recommend stopping in for a drink if you're not ready to commit to meal. The dueling music action is super fun if you love live music. read more

See all

Lovely restaurant with a unique menu and live music. Everything we had was yummy from start to finish. The music wasn't too loud like it has been at other venues in the area. Down the street you can get to the main drag and see a lot of different bars and restaurant. There is a nice ambiance and lots of seating but it was full. They get so busy that there is a 2 hour limit for the meal and they suggest one of the two bars after that if you want to stay longer to listen to the music. If you can't get a reservation, if you have an Amex Platinum then you can get one through the Global Dining Access program when booking through Resy. Bonus: you can use your Resy dining credits there if you have a Gold or Platinum card. read more

See all

In short: Old world retro Havana meets contemporary Cuban Cuisine. Cafe La Trova from the outside appears to be a tiny Casita but once the doors open you are transported to a Bar in Havana. Live music on stage , tables of couples and families socializing and walls adorned with photos from way before I could remember . I knew instantly I would love it here. James Beard Award winning chef Michelle Bernstein collaborated with the famous Catinero Julio Cabrera to open Cafe La Trova in 2019. I'm glad it survived the pandemic because it took me years to finally come here. Appetizers: Lobster croquetas with a scampi aioli.. very unique.. I recommend them. Queso frito made with halloumi cheese... it was a nice Latin take. Delicious. Buñuelo de bacalao with an aioli dipping sauce... I'm not sure if I haven't had bacalao in a while but it was very salty ... I know.. it's salted cod but it was too much for me at the moment. Main dishes: I had a lechon... it was scrumptious of course and my companion had the Rabo Encendido pasta. The Oxtail was so tender I felt like you barely needed to chew it. Dessert: Michy's bread pudding.. very light and not too heavy like many bread puddings. Service was great and I command our server for being able to communicate in such a loud space. I repeat, it is verrry loud here. But I am completely fine with this boisterous environment.. I loved it. Chef Michelle Bernstein never disappoints. Good food, live music and an atmosphere that makes you feel alive . Come for the food and stay for vibe. read more

See all

For a night filled with live Cuban music, tons of salsa, great cocktails and delicious Cuban food then cafe La trova located in little Havana is the spot. The place is filled with Cuban nostalgia decor which makes you feel like you've been transported to the island. The Cuban food really surprised me with is creativity and flavor. The pulpo was cooked to perfection. Their Cuban sandwich empanadas and jamón croquetas brought be back to my childhood. The highlight for me had to be the ropa vieja with rice and beans. That was a 10/10 for its flavor, size of the plate and the price. I'd recommend that to anyone who wants to try great Cuban cuisine. Will definitely be making my way back for some more dancing and delicious food. read more

See all

I love this place. I always come for their live music and their Cuban food. I recommend this place. And fridays are great for their 80s night. read more

Michelle Bernstein always knows what she's doing, so after attending a Gala in which she was the chef, naturally we had to come to one of her restaurants. The Michelin plaque graced the walls and you knew you were in for a treat. A fun festive atmosphere, many tourists filled in the venue on a Tuesday night. Live music playing traditional son Cubano - good trio. They play classic Cuban throwbacks from the mid-century. Food: Pizza croqueta: surprisingly amazing. Tastes like pizza. I give it a 10/10 Lobster Croqueta: delightful and not overwhelming. 10/10 Foie gras: served on a torreja (Spanish French toast) with maple syrup and plantains. Very interesting combination of salty and sweet. Not my favorite foie gras (I've had another with a Miami twist that exceeds this one) but not terrible either. I would have liked it more seared. 6/10 Meal: Special of the day Branzino: 7/10 The taste of the branzino was good: lemony and topped with nuts (waitress did not specify what kind which can be problematic), no idea what the seasoning was because again she did not tell us. The taste was good. It's served for two family style with rice and maduros. The plantains were fine, the rice was topped with coconut flakes but it tasted like regular Cuban rice and did not have coconut flavor though they called it "coconut rice". The fish was plated with the head and tail but deboned, but we found a ton of bones (8-10) making it a little uncomfortable to eat. Be warned that they don't take them out properly. Dessert didn't really grab our attention so we passed on that. Guava cocktail was fun and the mocktail was a soda water with lime and mint. I recommend checking out Michelle's other restaurant "Señora Martínez" --less tourists, good live music, and food was delightful. read more

I was so excited to finally dine at Café La Trova -- a Michelin-recognized gem on Calle Ocho and one of Miami's most popular spots. We made Wednesday evening reservations (7:30 pm) to be safe, and while there were plenty of tables available that night, I've learned my lesson -- we once tried to walk in on a Saturday and it was packed. Atmosphere & Service: The vibe is fun, low-key, and casual, with the dining room, bar, and stage sharing one lively space. Once the band starts playing, it gets loud but in a festive, Cuban way that makes it feel like a night out. Service was friendly, attentive, and never rushed. It's also worth noting that they have a daily happy hour from 4-7 pm, making this a great spot to pop in for drinks or bites. I ordered the following from their Miami Spice Menu: Starter: Cuban Sandwich Empanada -- generous portion with two full-size empanadas stuffed with lechón, ham, Swiss, mustard, and pickles. Delicious but definitely filling for one person. Main: Skirt Steak Ropa Vieja with arroz, black beans, tostones, and avocado cream -- well-prepared, though the ropa vieja leaned salty and lacked some tomato depth. The rice and beans were traditional perfection. Dessert: Flan de la Flaca -- passionfruit, Chantilly, and truly one of the best Cuban flans I've had. À la Carte Order: Rabo Encendido Pasta -- slow-braised oxtail with mascarpone, pecorino, and trofie pasta. The oxtail was melt-in-your-mouth tender, though overall the dish could have used a bit more seasoning for me. Still, the pasta texture and richness made it satisfying. Server's Tips (and they were spot on): You can combine a Miami Spice menu with an à la carte order as long as the other diner orders at least one main -- perfect for when one person isn't as hungry but you still want to sample beyond the prix fixe. When I asked whether to try the flan or pay the $5 upcharge for the arroz con leche, our server steered me toward the flan -- and it did not disappoint. Overall: Café La Trova lives up to its hype as a casual-yet-special Cuban dining experience. The food is flavorful, the cocktails and vibe are unmatched, and the service is top-notch. Whether you're here for a full dinner or just a happy hour drink with live music, it's a must-visit Miami spot. read more

I was incredibly stupid and thought our reservation was at 6:30pm. So we got there at 6:27pm. Turns out, our reservation was at 6pm instead. They were incredibly nice and had not given our table away yet. However, instead of the standard 2 hours, we would get whatever time was left. That was absolutely fine with me - and to be honest - more than fair. Service was quick and efficient, so we actually ended up being right on time - but they didn't rush us out. Again, super nice. For our party of 3, we split an order of lobster croquetas, steak empanadas, their ensalada miraflores, and the Rabo Encendido Pasta as well as a side of fried plantains, the bread pudding, and the flan. Everything was fantastic, although our favorites were the steak empanadas and the salad. The salad was super fresh and light and the empanadas were so flavorful. The flan was also excellent. Drinks were strong and we really enjoyed the live music on stage. read more

The drinks are delicious happy hours is a must The bartenders were friendly and very helpful. They have a band playing the space is spacious great for groups. read more

See all

We were in town for the weekend and decided we wanted some yummy Cuban food Read the reviews and decided to give La Trova a try. From the moment we walked in we were treated like special guests. The lively Cuban music in the background, dancing bartenders, decor all make for a really fun night. We weren't that hungry but shared the stuffed Branzino, coconut rice and maduros. These were all yum! The mojitos were a little weak on the alcohol however. read more

See all

We visited on a late Tuesday afternoon. The place has a more traditional old Cuban atmosphere. Even the bartenders are dressed formal! We sat at the bar and were pleased to discover there was a happy hour for both drinks and some appetizers. We enjoyed our margaritas, and greatly enjoyed every bite we ate. My favorite was the jamón serrano croquettes. My husband's was the frituras de malanga. The service is a bit slow. They get busy and it can take awhile to get a refill, but the wait is worth it because what they serve is high quality! read more

I'll start with the positive! The bar experience is 5 stars, hands down! The cocktail menu is creative and interesting and the experience at the bar is awesome! We arrived early for our dinner reservation specifically so we could have time to sample some of the cocktails. We were able to sit at a 2-top and have table service included with the happy hour pricing! The server was also making drinks and despite the crowds at the bar and the intricacy of some of the cocktails, service was pretty quick and also very friendly! We started with the mojito and the Always Sunny in Miami. Both were excellent. The mojito was not too sweet and filled with fresh mint. The Always Sunny was a tad on the sweet side but beautiful to look at and very creative. Happy hour pricing is great - $8 drinks and a pretty extensive menu available! We ordered the gimlet and the margarita to take with us to our table. The margarita was spicy and a little smoky, almost like it was made with mezcal instead of tequila (it wasn't). The gimlet was tart and refreshing; a perfect pairing with food. We ordered off of the Miami Spice menu for dinner. It's a great value! The regular menu is very expensive and the Miami Spice portions are full size. However, I must admit that Cuban food is probably my least favorite cuisine. I find it heavy and bland. I had pretty low expectations and they were mostly met. We each had empanadas to start; Larry had the Cuban sandwich, and I had the roast potato. They were clearly handmade but were not warmed enough. Mine was cold inside. Next, Larry had the ropa vieja and I had the catch of the day. The fish was good; a thick, steak-y whitefish, on top of a bed of coconut rice with some plantains on the side. The rice was the true standout; creamy, slightly sweet, just delicious! The dish could have used a real vegetable on the side however. Also, the menu and the server did not note what kind of fish it was. Larry ate all of the ropa vieja, so I am assuming he liked it! For dessert we had the bread pudding and flan. I wish we had both ordered the bread pudding. I find the texture of flan off putting and there wasn't much flavor to overcome the texture. Along with dessert, we ordered the toasted coconut negroni and the La Trova old fashioned. Both drinks were an excellent way to end the meal! I found the service to be completely indifferent. It seemed like the server was annoyed and didn't want to be there. I don't think it was a case of it being too busy because there is plenty of wait staff. We opted not to have bottled water, so we weren't offered water at all. We had to wait a long time for the check, and when we were ready to pay, I had to go find the server to give her the credit card. They auto tip 20%, so I think the wait staff knows they don't have to put in any effort. The tables are super close together. I get that it's a popular establishment, but they could take out a few tables so you don't feel like you are right on top of your neighbors. The volume level is also terrible. Not just the band, which was super loud, but the music in between the band's sets is also at top volume, combined with terrible acoustics. I gave up trying to converse with Larry at all. I would come back here for happy hour and enjoy the bar snacks before heading somewhere else for dinner. read more

See all

As much as I would like to call Cafe La Trova a hole in the wall, it is a lot larger than expected and seems from the outside. Be prepared to step into a lively bar with plenty of tables for groups of two to six people, followed by an additional bar towards the end. There's even a stage across from the bar for live music during your dining experience. The food was delicious -do not miss the Cuban sandwich empanadas and the bread pudding dessert. The service was very quick and our waiter was very sweet and attentive. Expect a quick pace and dim lighting . But a lovely experience throughout, will be coming back soon read more

See all

If you visit Miami make a reservation for 7:30 so you can enjoy the live music. The food is amazing the service was great and the cocktails don't disappoint. The exterior is very deceiving as to the fantastic vibe and experience that awaits inside. Enjoy! read more

See all

Cafe La Trova is a super fun place with excellent music and a show. The drinks were delicious, I had the Buenavista and the yin & Tony and I recommend both. The waitress was really sweet and made excellent recommendations. My favorite dish was the Cuban sandwich empanadas (trust me on this). The band was phenomenal and the bartenders playing instruments along with the band was really fun. read more

I'm going to start with the positives: the ambiance, food, and music were all excellent. Unfortunately, I have to warn future guests about our service experience. An older waitress served our table. She first brought us calamari that was undercooked, sticky, and raw. She replaced it with octopus, which was more expensive, and we agreed to keep it. We also asked for tap water, but she brought us bottled water instead, which cost $10. The restaurant was very dark, making it difficult to notice these things right away. Before we had a chance to review everything, the food was already served. When the check arrived, she pressured me to pay quickly, so I didn't have enough time to carefully review the bill. Later, I realized we had been charged for additional side dishes that we never ordered, which increased the total significantly. This restaurant is wonderful and doesn't need these kinds of tactics. I only wish they employed more honest waitstaff. My advice is to carefully check your order and your bill before paying so you don't end up spending extra money or dealing with unnecessary stress that could ruin an otherwise enjoyable evening. I truly loved the atmosphere and the food, but I was very disappointed by the service. For me, the ambiance and food deserve 5 stars, while the service deserves only 1 star. That averages out to a 3-star review. read more

This spot is all about the ambience. We came to celebrate a friend's birthday and had an overall enjoyable evening. Valet parking is definitely a plus, especially on Calle 8. The food was decent, I'd rate it around 3.5 out of 5. Service, however, fell short at about a 2.5. The wine list is quite limited. I had called ahead to request a specific sparkling wine they confirmed was available, only to find out upon arrival that it wasn't. Even wrongly labeled on the menu! That said, the bar area is easily the highlight lively, well-designed, and perfect for a night out. I wouldn't come here for a full dinner again, but if you're looking to soak in the atmosphere, arrive around 10 PM. You can request a table without dining, enjoy the live music until midnight, and then stay for the DJ spinning great '80s hits. All in all, I'd consider coming back, not for the food, but for the vibe. read more

See all