Lung Yai Thai Tapas in Little Havana is the Bib Gourmand counter at 1731 SW 8th Street, with Thai street-food plates under $15 each that build into a full meal for two.
Tip: Order four plates for two diners. Closed Mondays; arrive at 5pm or after 9pm to skip the line.
Address: 1731 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135
Versailles in Miami is the 1971 Calle Ocho institution at 3555 SW 8th Street, with full Cuban platters from $13 and ventanita pastelitos at the front window.
Try: Vaca frita platter with sides
Tip: Vaca frita with moros and maduros is the value plate. Counter beats the dining room for solo dining.
Coyo Taco in Wynwood is the Mexican counter at 2300 NW 2nd Avenue, with hand-pressed tortillas and three tacos plus a margarita coming in under $20 most days.
Try: Three tacos and a margarita
Tip: Al pastor and carne asada are the value picks. The kitchen runs until 2am Mon-Wed, 3am Thu-Sun.
Enriqueta's in Miami is the 1988 Cuban counter at 186 NE 29th Street, with pan con bistec under $11 and cafe con leche the locals walk to from Wynwood.
Try: Pan con bistec
Tip: Pan con bistec with potato sticks. Closed Sundays; opens 7am, line by 9.
Pinecrest Bakery in Miami is the 24-hour Cuban-American chain at 12101 S Dixie Highway, with pastelitos at $2 each and croquetas filling out a $5 breakfast plate.
Try: Cuban pastelitos and cafecito
Tip: Flagship runs 24 hours. Add a cortadito for under a dollar. Best bang on a 3am drive home from Calle Ocho.
Sanguich in Miami's Little Havana is the Cuban sandwich counter at 2057 SW 8th Street, a 2022 Bib Gourmand pick, with the city's reference pressed pan cubano under $15.
Try: Cuban sandwich and pan con bistec
Tip: Add a side croqueta. Closed evenings; this is a lunch stop. Card or cash both work.
