Pure soul, heritage, and pride: Little Havana's heartbeat on Calle Ocho If you want to experience the true cultural heartbeat of Miami, Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street) in Little Havana is an absolute must-visit. It isn't just a neighborhood or a tourist corridor--it is a living, breathing testament to a community that carved out a place to call home and filled every square inch with pride, history, and life. I came out here early in the morning, and even before the midday crowds picked up, the entire street was radiating character: * Living Heritage Everywhere: The storefronts, murals, and vibrant wall art tell real stories. Every block feels handcrafted, from the rich aromas of fresh Cuban coffee brewing at neighborhood ventanitas to the sounds of classic salsa drifting out of open doorways. * The Roosters: You have to love the painted fiberglass rooster sculptures posted along the sidewalk--and the best part is seeing actual, real live roosters proudly strutting and roaming freely through the streets. It adds an authentic, unmistakable charm you simply cannot stage. * A Familiar Cultural Bond: Being Vietnamese and growing up around places like Little Saigon in California, being on Calle Ocho immediately hit close to home. There is a deep, familiar respect in seeing an immigrant community bring their traditions across the ocean, plant roots, and fiercely celebrate their heritage with dignity and joy. Whether you're stopping by Domino Park to watch the neighborhood elders play a heated match, grabbing fresh pastries, or just admiring the art on the walls, Calle Ocho is pure authenticity. It's vibrant, welcoming, and easily one of the most culturally fulfilling places to explore in Miami. read more

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We try to get down to Calle Ocho every chance we get especially with our Cuban friends who always take us to the best restaurants. It never gets boring in Little Havana and that's what I love about it. There's great food from several different countries: Cuba, Nicaragua, Colunbia, Peru, Argentina just to name a few. There are many tobacco/cigar shops. Knick knack shops for souveniers. Great ice cream shops like Azucar's! Fun vibrant art painted on buildings. Impromptu and scheduled parades and festivals. Spanish being spoken everywhere you go. And the best part is to watch the old-timers playing dominoes in the parking lots/sidewalks. Mass traffic on Calle Ocho (SW 8th) with no where to park so go past it a couple of blocks and park in that area or take Uber or a transit bus. No matter what, you will have fun there! Wear comfortable shoes, summer clothes, a hat, and sunscreen. read more

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Calle Ocho in Little Havana is definitely a must stop when visiting Miami. The whole area is full of life and color from the vibrant murals to the local live music playing from the restaurants you can hear as you walk by, so full of culture... I love it I love it. It's a great place to grab a mojito and some really good Cuban/Spanish food. There are also plenty of small shops with affordable souvenirs and handmade items. It's such a vibe, I love coming here every time! read more

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Calle Ocho is in the heart of Little Havana catering to the large Cuban population in Miami. Loads of restaurant including Versailles where every presidential candidate goes. read more

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Little Havana isn't just a neighborhood. It's a living, sweating, salsa-dancing time capsule. I grew up here in the 1990s, back when rent was affordable enough that families could make a life without selling plasma on the side. I went to Shenandoah Middle School, just a few blocks from Calle Ocho, and the sounds, smells, and stories of this place still live in my bones. The history is everywhere. In the 1960s, waves of Cuban exiles fleeing Castro remade Miami in their image, and Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street) became their main artery. Domino Park, cigar rollers, ventanitas serving cafecito so strong it could wake the dead--this is where Miami's Cuban heart beats. The neighborhood became a little Havana-in-exile, filled with longing, resilience, and rhythm. Fast forward: Little Havana is still Cuba away from Cuba. Walk Calle Ocho today and you'll see it all--murals of Celia Cruz and José Martí, roosters painted in every color of the rainbow, abuelas arguing over dominoes, and street festivals where salsa mixes with reggaeton and the whole block shakes. The Calle Ocho Festival, one of the largest Hispanic festivals in the country, started right here, filling the streets with food, music, and unapologetic joy. But let's be real: what was once the affordable refuge of Miami's working class is now so gentrified you'd have to sell blood just to cover first and last month's rent. The apartments I knew as a kid would now cost you half your soul and a credit check written in tears. Still, the flavor hasn't left--it's just gotten more expensive to taste. What makes Little Havana great is that it's alive. You don't come here for polish--you come here for authenticity. For a shot of Cuban coffee that hits harder than an espresso in Rome. For a cigar rolled by hand while the old men talk politics you won't hear on CNN. For music spilling out of every doorway like oxygen. For food so good it ruins you for chain restaurants forever. If Miami is a melting pot, Little Havana is the part that never melted--it just stayed hot, loud, and full of flavor. read more

Main drag going through Little Havana. Lots of Cuban restaurants, cigar shops, gift shops, wine bars ... Domino Park is fun here. The Cuban ice cream, Mojitos & live music .... Calle 8 is always rocking! read more

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So a missed excursion after a cruise on Carnival yielded an unexpected detour. I was looking forward to a guided tour with places of interest: Versace's Mansion, visiting downtown Miami and the piece de resistance "Little Havana." Alas, in debarkation my luggage was lost by the cruise staff. And when it was eventually found I missed the shuttle bus by a few minutes. The thing was our flight wasn't until 7pm and it was only 9am. Add to that Carnival's staff yelling at us to leave somewhere, anywhere. In desperation a solution revealed itself, make some sort of run to "Little Havana." In my realist mode, especially with age I've begun to accept the reality that maybe things happen for a reason. That things don't happen randomly nor arbitrarily. Which would sum up the experience I had on the brief detour. As luck would have it an Uber driver named Guillermo took us straight into "Little Havana" but suggested us to see "Calle Ocho." Riding our way down the long, labyrinth of Miami highways images in my head began to swirl. High rise condominiums I could never afford. Graffiti and antiquity coexisting. I was searching for Crockett and Tubbs as in "Miami Vice" with matching suits. Instead Guillermo, a refugee from Cuba reminded us of how much the city has changed through the generations. And now that it has been freed from the reach of Castro it belongs to conglomerates now. I've been to Florida before but never this far uppermost. We finally made it to "Calle Ocho" and I tried to take everything in. It is a long succession of businesses: restaurants, liquor stores, cafes, art installations and yes, cigar shops. It reminded me of 6th Street in Austin without its plasticity. It's sophisticated, hip whilst having a hand in its past. It was a Sunday and it wasn't highly populated yet, I'm assuming it was due to religious observation. However, you could still buy a bottle of rum. Guillermo suggested we try " El Rey de las Fritas," which is famous for its Cuban Style hamburgers. We tried them and they were excellent. We also had to have "Pollo Tropical" as they used to have locations in San Antonio, Texas. I miss their maduros and tropical sauces. The street, as well as this city is teeming with energy. There's an invisible rhythm here. I felt at any moment Celia Cruz and Tito Fuente would break into song. Its traces are everywhere. I passed by a bar that had just opened and a Latin Jazz band had just set up. With patrons dressed up as if they had left a 50's Hollywood movie set. Again there is this unspoken idea of "Coolness." At the least I should've procured a Cuban cigar but I don't smoke. A week before I visited San Juan, Puerto Rico and like "Calle Ocho" I was struck by how close it holds its roots. In my city progress is taking away the very essence of what makes it unique. Here there is a hand in both the past and future. Miami reminded me of when I went to France. Where fashion, art, food and culture collide. In addition everyone was friendly and helpful. Looking back the missing of the excursion, having Guillermo as our Uber driver and visiting "Calle Ocho" didn't feel occurring coincidentally. It felt like fate had guided us throughout the visit. I hope to return again here if only to purchase a Cuban cigar. ps. Halfway into our visit we saw the shuttle bus that we were supposed to be on. Although there were passengers I would rather soon forget I will never forget my time here. read more

Calle Ocho - A Latin twist on an American staple. - Local Flavor Near Me - Miami, Florida

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Calle Ocho, or 8th Street in English, is the main strip in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami. This is really the heart of Cuban culture in the city, and as such is a popular tourist destination. When researching places to visit during my recent trip, this was definitely on my list - so after taking in a museum for a good part of the morning I made my way over to check it out. Technically 8th Street in Miami is a long thoroughfare, but the Calle Ocho district occupies a few blocks that contain shops, galleries, bars, and restaurants - all with brightly-colored facades. One of the highlights for me were the wall art present up and down the block - most notably a large mural of Gloria and Emilio Estefan. There are also several large, brightly colored roosters - it reminded me of the Cow Parade that NYC had back in the day. Domino Park is another highlight - a small area where regulars play...dominoes. During my time there, I checked out a few of the shops, had some Cuban coffee, ate a Cuban sandwich, and also had some ice cream. I noticed a few walking tours in the area, so that's available if its your preferred way of sightseeing. Overall, I think it's definitely worth spending some time in Little Havana - there's a lot to see here, and was a highlight of my visit to Miami. read more

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Another reviewer is on point: if you live in Miami or are here mid-March one of your stops should be the Calle Ocho street festival. I ended up here this year because after time change this was a much shorter commute than my original plans. The last time I think was prior to "that which shall not be named ". This street festival started in 1978 as a way of Cuban immigrants showcasing their culture and food to the rest of South Florida. Forty years later, with more cultures in the area, you find arepas, burgers, Chinese food and of course Cuban dishes. Freestyle, hip hop, Cumbia and Cubaton fill your ears. You'll see T-shirt vendors, various business trying to sign you up for their marketing lists to get some branded sunglasses and other free stuff. You'll also enjoy impromptu street parades. There are plenty of Miami PD and FD officers in the crowd to keep everyone safe. As it were, today I saw Miami FD in action medevacing someone to an ambulance via a golf carr. Bougie refined gentrified Miami this is not. Go in your best streetwear and comfortable shoes. Wear a hat and sunglasses because you'll get a good tan. Take ride share or public transit, and come hungry to try all of the yummy eats. read more

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Calle Ocho ('8th Street' in Spanish) is the central thoroughfare and vibrant hub of Cuban culture in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood. Walking up and down this street is a treat for those wanting to immerse themselves in Latin Culture, foods and knick knacks. The street runs east-west along SW 8th Street with landmarks that include the Calle Ocho Walk of Fame and the Calle Ocho Plaza which borders Downtown Miami to its east. A stroll here treats you to dazzling street murals and giant rooster statues (a popular symbol for the Cuban community) set against Art Deco buildings and homes. Come during a festival or any day of the week to hear the locals speak Spanish and to try some delicious food, Cuban coffee or Latin American pastries from one of the many restaurants. read more

Calle Ocho - Beautiful roosters. Have painted - Local Flavor Near Me - Miami, Florida

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A must visit in yer Miami visit. Great food, atmosphere, shops and historical value. I recommend booking a walking tour while there. read more

Calle Ocho - Local Flavor Near Me - Miami, Florida

La Carreta food was horrible. The place and Calle Ocho changed for the worst. Super dirty and undesirable

Super cute area! We had a great time walking around this outdoor area of Little Havana Miami! I have never seen so many cigar spots in the few blocks that we walked! We probably saw 15! We wanted to explore the area and made sure to make a stop at Azucar Ice Cream! Loved all the murals everywhere! Lots of cigar shops, restaurants, cigar shops, bars, cigar shops, retail, cigar shops & coffee! Walk of Fame - similar to Hollywood's Walk of Fame, with stars on the sidewalk celebrating exceptional people Azucar Ice Cream - amazing Cuban ice cream!! Definitely get the waffle cone! The flavors are fun, creamy & delicious! I got the Cafe con Leche, yum! Panhawaiian Resort Wear - cute clothes store! I got a couple of dresses that fit perfectly and super comfortable! Lots of accessories too! We initially walked in to look at all the hats! Great service to boot! Little Havana Cigar Factory - nice spot for cigars, but not great service La Colada Gourmet - great Cuban coffee!! Great service! They roast the beans on premises. Mr. Cigars - reasonably priced cigars and specialty liquor dipped cigars that smell heavenly! Domino Park - a small park for dominoes! We didn't see anyone playing though Parking is not the easiest in the area, but we found a spot on the street adjacent to 8th Street near Azucar. In the area, they have parking apps that had reasonable rates based on zones. The parking lot next to us want like $30. Definitely must do! read more

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It's not what it used be! This festival has changed for the past few years, it has become a street bazaar. Don't believe the hype.

If you're visiting Miami and are interested in checking out Little Havana, you'll find yourself exploring Calle Ocho. It's the heart of Little Havana district. There's lots to see just walking through - cafes, bars, restaurants, galleries, shops, public art, murals, and Domino Park. read more

So the yearly festival was going on when we checked this place out. Such a great event!!! ! We were leaving for the airport and had time to burn so we checked this Festival out. Wow! So many food vendors and drink booths! Lots of souvenir booths as well. We only saw it during the day so I'm sure at night it is a party. Wish we could have stayed longer but was so happy we were able to hang out for a bit and listen to live music. read more

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I'm sure this street has changed a lot with the changes to Miami and possibly lost some of its authenticity, but as a non-Cuban, this is still a super cool and fun area of the city. This is what I think of when I think of Miami! Music filling the streets, people playing dominoes, free-range roosters, vibrant colors. It's definitely a great place to bring visitors and a fun place to go as a local occasionally when you want a fun vibe. Be sure to check out all the fun street art and murals, a vibrant street! read more

Calle Ocho - Local Flavor Near Me - Miami, Florida

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What a vibrant area in Miami this is. This is basically a little Havana, a slice of old school Spain. People flock here for this reason. Come for yourself to see salsa, live music, cute Spanish style cocinas, cute stores, watch the old boys play dominos in the nearby park, see the stores with big fat hand rolled cigars, see the street art. Vibrant, loud and fun and an alternative scene away from the malls, modern high rises and Miami Beach. read more

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Tons of restaurants and shops here. They have festivals down this street throughout the year as well. Definitely stop by if you're in the area! read more

Calle Ocho - Local Flavor Near Me - Miami, Florida

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If the Jersey Shore cast ever needs extras, this might be a good place to start. A sea of Affliction shirts, Ed Hardy, bedazzled shirts, shants, Air Jordans, oversized sun glasses, girls packing 10 pounds of groceries into a 5 pound bag of an outfit and a lot of other questionable ensembles.. But.... To each their own. Every one seemed to be having fun, was nice and respectable and had manners. For that many people occupying Pitbulls ode to SW 8th street, it was nice that people were tame. The food smelled so good and looked amazing, but we didn't eat anything for fear we would have to use a bathroom. Had there been some tolerable bathrooms in the area, I would have chowed down. All the food looked and smelled amazing. Lots of different stages with various music being played and people letting loose in the street. I would go if I lived in the area and wanted something to do while it was going on, but not sure I would make a special trip again for it. We are glad we went and got to experience it, but after walking for miles, we tired of the crowd and the sea of people. Lots of Puerto Rican and Latino pride which is fun to see how people display it. It wound up being different than we thought it would be, but it was still fun. No matter what kind of street fair we've attended there is always some guy or gal holding some big creepy snake. This one had one too. Put a disclaimer out there. I can't stand snakes. read more

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You know what you do when you don't speak a language everyone else behind a counter does? You do a bunch of pointing and nodding, with terrified bambi eyes. THAT is exactly what I did as I stepped into the 1980's inside this bakery. Part of me felt like I was in a scene from Narcos and someone would walk in in a safari suit in a second, ha! Anyways, the place is cute and the lady behind the counter really tried to be helpful in her broken English, seeing that my broken spanish was not getting us anywhere! I tried and empanada with cheese in it. It was okay - I wish they had some other veggie options. My sister tried a tres leches like cake, which she said was tasty, but it didn't particularly feel like it was freshly made. Anurag had a cup of their expresso, which he deemed the "real deal", so there is that, now. They were pretty busy even on a sleepy Fri afternoon and custom cakes seemed to be flying out the door. The place also seemed like a solid must-see for their locals. The display cases had sheet pan over sheet pan of mind boggling desserts, all with no names tho, so we had no idea what to get haha! Will I be back? Probably not - they had no veggie options and I am not such a dessert fan! read more

This area of Miami is known as Little Havana, vibrant epicenter of Hispanic culture just 5 minutes west from the Bayside. The most touristy part would be between 12 and 17th avenue on the 8th street (Calle ocho ) with lots of Latin restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops and blasting Latin music performed usually live. Definitely pay visit to the original Visitor center they have plenty of souvenirs for everybody's taste, and take a peak at the Domino Park near. Domino is one of Cuban favorite pastimes and there is a whole park with tables and benches dedicated so people can enjoy it. Unfortunately now during the COVID it is closed, but still one can observe it from the outside and imagine how busy that place used to get. If you like ice cream AZUCAR is the most popular ice cream store in the area. We are at El Cristo Restaurant, just across the visitor center and the food and service were wonderful. Fresh squeezed lime lemonade was superb! And take pictures..lots of pictures with all the roosters! read more

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We just missed the Three Kings Festival here by like 2 hours! Oh well... I still had an okay time. I can see how people can come to Calle Ocho drunk or high and have a blast! But while sober, it looks a bit run down and a little sad... The people are full of life though and that more than anything makes the atmosphere exciting! I think this street really comes to life at night! read more

How can you say you live in Miami or have visited Miami in March and not made a grand appearance at the famous Calle Ocho Music Festival and Street Fair?! This annual two mile stretch of street fun has now been a part of the amazement that is Little Havana for exactly forty years! Wow! This year marks my third go around, and while my wife was unfortunately out of town and unable to join me, my mother came for her first time this year and enjoyed in the fun; and fun we had! From the sights, to the sounds, to the tastes and giveaways galore, all patrons likely went home with a cultured sense of excitement I believe. We like to get started bright and early when we go and so a 10:30 arrival at our go to parking spot at a local church, for sake of charity, is the call. Just a very short two block walk to the very beginning, or west end of the fair, we make our way due east and stop along the way at all there is to offer. Sure there are many giveaways from corporate sponsors that, if you have the patience like we do, can let you leave with all sorts of fun, however the experience is much more than that. From the parade of different cultures of nations, to the street foods alike, for me to choose a favorite things about this festival would be a tough call. I feel the different types of music and people you will see, all enjoying each other and each different type of cultures. Miami being the melting pot it is, sometimes one might think a clash of cultures might be a challenge, but not in the case of the great folks at Calle Ocho. I cannot recommend this experience at least once enough, and if you have the time to spend, stop in early, relax, enjoy and make a grand Sunday/Funday time of it! Cheers! read more

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Calls Ocho is definitely a location you want to visit while in MIA; it's definitely a hot spot, a hang out spot, a tourist trap If you're not careful . A good day killer to walk around checking out the restaurants, shops and cigar spots in the area. Also jump on the free trolley and take a ride( it only rides one way so I would recommend getting on at the beginning of 8th and riding it to the Calle Ocho area). read more

Honestly very disappointed of this place, it was dirty and much nothing to do apart from eating and drinking. I was expecting more I don't know. Never going back! Traffic is horrible and it's difficult to find parking on the street. read more

Attending the Calle 8 Festival had been on my travel list, so when the timing worked out we immediately booked it! It was worth it!!! The festival starts at noon on Sunday and goes until 7pm. There are a bunch of events leading up to the festival which are all a part of what is referred to as Carnaval Miami. Everything culminates with El Festival de la Calle Ocho (Calle Ocho Festival). During the festival there are cook offs, a domino tournament, performances on all the stages, and so much food and fun stuff to buy. This is probably one of the largest street festivals I've been to. The variety of vendors and food is amazing! There is so much Latino Love it's energizing! Be sure to download the street map onto your phone so you can get your bearings once you arrive. The performer schedule was a tad bit confusing. I wish it was clearer so we could have timed our day better. We arrived a bit before 2pm and the place was packed. Expect big crowds, hydrate, and wear sunscreen! After reading the Festivals website we decided to take LYFT. We got dropped off midway and worked our way to one of the 2 main stages which was blaring reggaeton. The bass was deep and the music was good. There were so many people we couldn't get any where near the stage. In fact it felt more like a concert than a dance floor, standing room only. On the way back in the other direction we stopped by a stage playing música norteña. I was clearly one of a handful of Mexicanas representing. You better believe I danced a quebradita to represent! Then we stopped at the Colombian stage and danced some salsa and then headed out when the ballenato started. Along the way there were tons of vendors and food choices. The vendor lines were out of control! It seemed a bit disorganized. I also noticed nearly every business was closed. Some of the restaurants and bars had a limited food menu available but no entry. We passed by Guayaberas Cigars and they had a velvet robe up and required you purchase a mojito to get in. We decided to go in. You can read more about that in my review of them. We never worked our way to the second main stage because it started raining cats and dogs! Our friends went and said it was also packed and people were dancing in the rain soaking wet! Overall, it was an amazing experience and I am so glad we went. I would highly recommend you go at least once! Sidebars: I wish they had a better trash system and way more trash cans! Trashcans were overflowing and there wasn't any recycling in sight. Some of the more organized festivals I've been to, have volunteers manning the trash cans to avoid littering and extra cleanup at the end of the festival. Also, I would love to see a better schedule for the event! read more

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The only three ways that I could understand someone rating Calle Ocho 1 star would be: One--You expected a classical concert with pieces from Beethoven. Two--People having fun scare you. Three---You're racist. Sorry. If you're truly interested in a good time and can deal with large crowd of mostly Latinos, loud music, and NON-AMERICAN food, then Calle Ocho is for you. I had the time of my life here.!!! I went with my friends and had a great time people watching, listening to live concerts, and grubbing on some good eats. It's a festival people, so it's going to be dirty after a while. But who cares? This is Little Havana, not Brickell. I think it's a rite-of-passage for all new Miamiams to attend Calle Ocho. Because if you can't handle this, then maybe you can't handle Miami! Note to all first-timers: It might be a drag to walk the entire event, but if you want good and FAIR prices on food, don't stop at the first stand you see. You'll literally walk two blocks down and see the exact same offering for $5 versus the $12 you just spent. You're welcome. read more

Salsa lessons! We had a great time with Melinda. She went slow and speedy enough for us to learn basic salsa within a hr, we stayed after for the show with the live band and more dancing. I booked this experience through Airbnb. Reasonably priced and worth it. The other couples enjoyed as well. Some of the crowd joined in too. We'll be seeing Melinda again here st home in Chicago.... live music she does with the traveling band. She was very elegant and salsa'd like an angel! Can't wait to show some love here for the music! Thanks again! read more

Calle Ocho - Local Flavor Near Me - Miami, Florida

No matter where you go in Miami, there won't be a place more culturally enriching than the eastern part of SW 8 Street. Every March there is a festival that takes over the area with live performances, food and entertainment. While it is an intense amount of people in relatively small setting, congestion is usual during this time. If you plan accordingly and get dropped off if picked up a few blocks away from the epicenter, you'll avoid most of the congestion that way. The food is always great and the scenic walk around takes you through little excerpts of many Hispanic countries. It's not a quiet and romantic stroll down Calle Ocho during this time of the year but having fun is quintessential to what Miami is all about. I do wish they handled the trash situation better and perhaps would build a huge parking garage to hold the amount of cars that come in masses to take part in this festival. Calle Ocho could be a bit too loud or rambunctious for some people but there truly is something for everyone here so don't be scared of a little fun. read more

Calle Ocho - Local Flavor Near Me - Miami, Florida

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Second straight year at Calle Ocho! Lots of good food,$2 coronas, and plenty souvenirs to buy. I walked the entire strip and had a kool time. read more

Calle Ocho - Local Flavor Near Me - Miami, Florida

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Take an hour or two of your day and visit the most colorful neighborhood in Miami. You feel like you are in a foreign country with foods, music, graffiti, wall murals and so on. Walk up and down the street and immerse yourself in a touch of something new. Read the wall plaques, look closer at the art, watch the "residents" playing dominoes in in the community center... it's bright and interesting. read more

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Great place for pics, cigars, coffee and a snack. My wife and I enjoyed a Cuban sandwich with a natural fruit juice. Walked and took tons of pictures with murals and just art spread out through the street. Coffee was great read more

Calle Ocho - Local Flavor Near Me - Miami, Florida

I love Calle Ocho!!!!! I always find parking for $10. My favorite food is Paella at Casa Juancho $10, they also have flan $2. The piña coladas are refreshing $10 ( no alcohol) . Dorado furniture store parking space is usually designated for kids. Lots of police officers for safety. Really enjoy this street party. read more

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Un lugar muy lindo, alegre con historia y sabor! Fui por primera vez, 100% recomendado.

The culture is alive here in calle Ocho I fell in love with it all. Being a latina from NYC I was so excited to come and visit since I've always heard about it. Loved it so much, there is some genterfication happening and I'm hoping that it doesnt take away from the culture that is alive on the streets and in the shops and restaurants. I will be back to support the businesses! read more

Awesome ambiance with lots of restaurants and music all around. A lot of cigar shops, it definitely gives you the Cuban feel. It makes you feel like if you are in Little Havana ready to dance your life away. read more

Damn, gang squad everywhere! They were quite the impressive presence...I guess Miami has quite a gang problem, kind of like L.A. I guess I've just never been at an event in any other city where the gang squad presence was so prominent, even though gangs are problems in many areas, both urban & rural. Oh well, I still felt like it was a relatively safe environment...felt more in danger of being felt up or pickpocketed since it was absolutely packed with people for blocks & blocks (the street was closed to traffic). I guess part of the reason it felt pretty safe is because there was such a wide variety of ages there, from adults there with their kids & babies to teenage punks. The music was great! It was everywhere, but performers were not located too close to each other so that the noise from each performance wouldn't clash. People were dancing wherever they could. I was there several years ago, so this was when reggaeton was first getting popular, and of course living in the Detroit area at the time, I'd only heard maybe a couple of songs on the radio, so I was curious about it. There were also food vendors everywhere too...so we sampled some empanadas & I forget what else. I'm surprised no one's written a review for this. I happened to be in Miami for a conference one March a few years ago, then stayed for a couple days after as a vacation, & my time there happened to coincide with the Calle Ocho Music Festival, so I lucked out! read more

The food is tasty, yes. However, you have to wait in long ass line to get it. Often times, its overpriced. The main thing that attracted me to this festival is the music. Horrendous! The background music was way too loud and all the artists sounded pitchy and off beat. Anyone worth listening to had a million people lined up in front of them making it impossible to get within listening area. All the hip radio stations (not sure I'm being sarcastic about hip) blast their music so loudly and so close to each other that it sounds like a form of torture. There are so many people and its already extremely hot. There's also no parking. People charge you $20 dollars to park in their house. A yard that fits 3 cars is packed with 10 to the point that people have to leave in reverse order of which they came?? Nonsense. I love a party though, this is why I went back a year after having experienced the above nonsense. I was willing to deal with taking my own snacks, and sweating all day long for a little dancing and Cuban flavor. The last straw was how many people were out of their minds high. High to the point where small children know something is wrong. Vomitting at the corner of Dominoes high. And drunk. I understand its not a professional setting, but last time I checked weed was illegal so if you ARE going to do it make sure not everyone can tell. I saw cops walk by people with lit blunts... and not do anything. This is a place where I don't feel safe. Therefore I will not be going again. read more

After reading the reviews here I thought I add my personal observation No I was not looking or thinking I would find a concert type of event. The food is fatty and I did expect that, that's what makes it so good lol I also expected plenty of diversity, and I came with an open mind, what I did feel was serious issue with safety for my life and well being. I've never seen such a Large group of people that I would avoid contact with if possible. I will come again but alone, would never bring my children of any age, in order to avoid putting their lives in danger. read more