Cuban ham croquetas with thick bechamel, breaded and deep-fried, the cocktail-hour bite served by the box at every Cuban panaderia and the bar opening at Ariete.
Croquetas crossed from Spain to Cuba in the 19th century, then to Miami after 1959. The Cuban-American croqueta differs from the Spanish original in shape (oblong, never round) and in filling, leaning lightly on smoked ham. Islas Canarias on SW 26th Street is widely defended as the city's reference; Ariete and Chug's Diner do refined versions.
5 editor picks for Croquetas de jamon in Miami, ranked by editorial score. All Miami signature dishes · Croquetas de jamon across every city.
Ariete ★ 4.6
coconut-grove · 3540 Main Highway, Miami, FL 33133
Ariete in Coconut Grove is Michael Beltran's Michelin-starred Cuban-American room on Main Highway, holding a star four years running since 2022.
Islas Canarias Restaurant ★ 4.5
13697 SW 26th St, Miami, FL 33175
Versailles ★ 4.5
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.
Chug's Diner ★ 4.3
coconut-grove · 3444 Main Hwy, Miami, FL 33133
Chug's Diner in Coconut Grove is Michael Beltran's Cuban-American counter at 3444 Main Highway, a 2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand pick for daytime Cuban classics.
Vicky Bakery ★ 4.3
13925 NW 67th Ave, Miami Lakes, FL 33014
Vicky Bakery in Miami is the family Cuban panaderia chain founded in 1972, with the Miami Lakes location at 13925 NW 67th Avenue carrying the founding recipe.