Cafecito
Photo: Charlie Marchant from UK · CC BY 2.0

History

The Cuban espresso shot arrived in Miami with the 1960s exile and the ventanita window followed: Versailles opened the form on Calle Ocho in 1971, La Carreta two doors down repeated it in 1976. The espuma de azucar (whipped sugar crema) is the technique that separates the cafecito from an Italian espresso. Pinecrest Bakery serves it 24 hours.

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Make it at home

Yield 2Hands-on 5 minTotal 8 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 2 heaping tbsp finely ground espresso coffee (Cuban brands: Bustelo, Pilon)
  • Cold water
  • 3 to 4 tsp granulated sugar

Method

  1. Fill the bottom chamber of a 4-cup stovetop moka pot with cold water to the safety valve.
  2. Fill the filter basket with coffee, level with a knife. Do not press.
  3. Place the sugar in a small jug or cup.
  4. Heat the moka pot on medium. When the first dark drops come through, pour about 1 tsp of coffee onto the sugar.
  5. Whip vigorously with a spoon until a pale, thick crema forms (espuma de azucar). This takes 60 seconds.
  6. When the moka pot finishes brewing, pour the rest of the coffee slowly into the sugar paste, stirring to dissolve. Serve in small cups.

Tip from the editors. The crema only forms if the first drops are the very first to emerge from the moka. Cold sugar and a small cup matter; large cups cool the cafecito too fast.

Where to eat cafecito

Cafecito in Miami

Versailles ★ 4.5

$$ CaribbeanUntil Mon-Thu 00:00, Fri-Sat 01:00, Sun 00:00

Versailles in Miami is the 1971 Cuban institution at 3555 SW 8th Street, open until midnight every night and 1am on weekends with the ventanita pouring.

TryCuban full plates and ventanita cafecito

TipWeekend 1am closing on the dining room; the ventanita stays open later. Order vaca frita and a cortadito.

Directions

La Carreta ★ 4.1

$$ CubanLittle Havana

La Carreta in Miami is the Calle Ocho Cuban diner at 3632 SW 8th Street, a sister room to Versailles serving abuela-style plates and cafe con leche from 8am.

OrderLechon asado with moros y cristianos and a side of tostones.

TipThe ventanita pours strong cafecito at any hour; the dining room is quieter than Versailles next door.

Directions Book

Enriqueta's Sandwich Shop ★ 4.6

$$ Caribbean

Enriqueta's Sandwich Shop between Wynwood and Edgewater in Miami is a 1988 Cuban counter with pan con bistec under ten dollars, closed Sundays only.

Why locals goHidden between Wynwood and Edgewater since 1988, this Cuban counter still keeps a pan con bistec lower than ten dollars and locals know to arrive by 9am.

TipClosed Sundays. Counter only; the line moves fast but the dining-room seating is limited.

Directions

Sergio's ★ 4.0

$$ CubanCoral Gables

Sergio's in Coral Gables is the original family Cuban diner at 3252 SW 22nd Street, serving abuela-style Miami plates across South Florida since 1975.

OrderPan con bistec with crispy potato sticks and a cafe con leche.

TipOpen early for breakfast, late for after-show plates. The Coral Way location is the founding room.

Directions Book

Pinecrest Bakery ★ 4.1

$$ New AmericanUntil 24 hours (flagship)

Pinecrest Bakery in Miami is the 24-hour Cuban-American chain at 12101 S Dixie Highway, opening pastelitos and croquetas around the clock to the I-95.

TryPastelitos, croquetas and cafecito 24-hour

TipFlagship runs 24 hours. The cortadito is strongest at 3am when the pastry trays refill.

Directions

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