7 caribbean rooms worth the trip across United States, editor-ranked. All cuisines in United States.
Versailles ★ 4.5 · Miami
little-havana · 3555 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135
Versailles in Miami is the Calle Ocho Cuban institution that has poured cafecito since 1971 and remains Little Havana's political water cooler at 3555 SW 8th Street.
Tip: The dining room queues at lunch; the ventanita pours cafecito from 8am and pastelitos run all day.
Arepa Lady ★ 4.5 · New York City
jackson-heights · 77-17 37th Avenue, Queens, NY 11372
Maria Piedad Cano started selling arepas under the 7-train tracks in Jackson Heights, New York City in the 1980s. Her Roosevelt Avenue shop now bakes corn cakes daily.
Tip: Cash only at the counter. Take the arepas to the park benches across the street for the full Queens lunch.
La Carreta ★ 4.1 · Miami
little-havana · 3632 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135
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.
Tip: The ventanita pours strong cafecito at any hour; the dining room is quieter than Versailles next door.
La Carreta ★ 4.1 · Miami
little-havana · 3632 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135
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.
Tip: The ventanita pours strong cafecito at any hour; the dining room is quieter than Versailles next door.
Sergio's ★ 4.0 · Miami
coral-gables · 3252 SW 22nd St, Miami, FL 33145
Sergio's in Coral Gables is the original family Cuban diner at 3252 SW 22nd Street, serving abuela-style Miami plates since 1975 across South Florida.
Tip: Open early for breakfast, late for after-show plates. The Coral Way location is the founding room.
Sergio's ★ 4.0 · Miami
coral-gables · 3252 SW 22nd St, Miami, FL 33145
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.
Tip: Open early for breakfast, late for after-show plates. The Coral Way location is the founding room.
Miss Lily's ★ 4.0 · New York City
east-village · 109 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
Miss Lily's on Houston Street has run Jamaican island food in SoHo, New York City since 2010. Jerk chicken from the wood smoker, daiquiris from the back bar.
Tip: DJ nights run loud past 22:00. Brunch is the calmer service if you want to talk.