Crispy fried shredded beef, garlic-citrus marinated and pan-seared until the edges crackle, the Cuban-American workhorse plate at Versailles, La Carreta and Sergio's.
Vaca frita translates as fried cow; the dish is a Cuban diner classic built on flank or skirt steak boiled until tender, then shredded and pan-fried with garlic and citrus until the edges char. It became central to Miami's Cuban dining-room canon in the 1970s, served with moros y cristianos (black beans and rice), maduros and tostones.
3 editor picks for Vaca frita in Miami, ranked by editorial score. All Miami signature dishes · Vaca frita across every city.
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.
La Carreta ★ 4.1
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.
Sergio's ★ 4.0
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.