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As we stroll through the streets, during our Little Havana Food Tour. I take-in this new-to-me neighborhood. Though we’re still in the United States, only four hours from the bustling land of theme parks, the food, drinks, and streets, of Little Havana, are a learning opportunity.
One of my favorite things to do, when visiting a city, is to take a tour. Especially a food tour. After several food tour adventures, I know that I prefer,
- A walking food tour
- A tour that focuses on culinary offerings, famous and/or specific to the area. Though I appreciate cities now offering tours for locals and/or frequent visitors, centering on off-the-beaten path eateries, during my first visit to a city, I want to eat the well-known, even touristy, delicious, food.
- A tour that integrates culture and history lessons into the tour. It shouldn’t only be about stuffing your face.
Andi, from Miami Culinary Tours, gathers our group. After introductions, Andi gives us a brief overview of the tour, and shares some history about how the community of Little Havana was established.
El Pub Restaurant
Our first stop is El Pub restaurant. Since it is morning, Cuban coffee is passed around to give us a little (or in this case, a lot) of pep. The coffee is smooth, with a deep flavor.
Our first food of the day is one of my favorites. Empanadas.
The empanada at El Pub ruins me. It is the best empanada I have had. It will henceforth be the measuring tool for all future empanadas. The outside is incredibly light and crispy. The inside is perfectly spiced. They are not dry, as empanadas can sometimes be. I could eat ten, but there is still a lot of food to experience.
The owner of El Pub emerges to chat with our group. Everyone raves about the empanadas.
The Peanut Man encounters our group, while making his rounds.
Apparently everyone in Little Havana, knows the Peanut Man. He is an institution. Most people in the tour group, hand over their $1 bills to buy Peanut Man’s peanuts.
Domino Park
Maximo Gomez Park, also known as Domino Park, is our next stop. This marks the box of fascinating cultural experiences. Every day, individuals gather in the park to play dominos. In order to join the games, you must be fifty- years-old or older, and carry a membership card (once obtained the card is good for life). Watching the players is a popular tourist attraction.
The players welcome the audience. A player raising a hand, prompts someone to approach the table, and fill the player’s cup with Cuban coffee. There is much coffee consumed during the games.
Old Havana Cuban Bar and Cocina
Did you take a Little Havana Food Tour if you didn’t eat a Cuban sandwich? Since Cuban sandwiches originated in Florida (not Cuba), Old Havana Bar and Cocina is a must-stop on our Little Havana Food Tour.
Each member of the group, receives a Cuban sandwich, and a mojito.
Those who don’t consume alcohol, are treated to a fresh-squeezed lemonade. This is a stop where we enjoy the food, but also appreciate the atmosphere. The outdoor space is enveloped with greenery. Sounds from the small fountain, float through the air.
There is great conversation, amongst the tour participants. I could spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing here, but I know there are churros in my future.
Los Pinarenos Fruteria
A good food tour usually includes at least one stop that is solely liquid based. On our Little Havana Food Tour, this stop is Los Pinarenos Fruteria. Like our visit to Robert Is Here, Los Pinarenos Fruteria, sells produce, as well as smoothies and fresh squeezed juice. We are invited to try their sugar cane juice.
I’m excited, as this is something I’ve never tried. It was more refreshing and less sugary and sweet, than I expected.
Park and Cigars
Our taste buds get a respite as we spend time, learning about Cuba. It’s a sunny, pleasant, day, as we stroll through the Cuban Memorial Boulevard Park.
Andi tells us about the significance of the Bay of Pigs Monument and its eternal flame.
There is a quick stop at a cigar bar. We meet Roberto and spend time observing him roll cigars by hand.
Andi discusses the popularity of cigar bars, that of course also sell Cuban coffee.
The group is welcome to peruse the cigars and other merchandise, while Andi purchases our next treat.
Churromania
Assembled on the sidewalk, Andi presents churros. The churros from Churromania, are thinner and crunchier than a theme park churro.
We crunch down during our walk to the final destination, on our Little Havana Food Tour.
Art and Azucar Ice Cream Company
There are beautiful murals throughout Little Havana.
The group stops at a few along the way, but the Damas En Blanco mural, is the most impactful.
I can’t do the history of the Ladies in White justice, so I highly recommend you give it a search, to learn about this impressive, peaceful protest, movement.
The Little Havana Food Tour ends, with ice cream, from Azucar Ice Cream Company. Though Azucar is most known for their chocolate with cayenne pepper flavor called, Burn in Hell Fidel, Andi passes out cups of the sweeter, milder, Vanilla Guava Cookie ice cream.
Abuela Maria’s cookies make this flavor stand- out.
I can’t rave enough about our Miami Culinary Tour Guide, Andi. Andi is friendly, funny, knowledgeable, and energetic.
We never feel rushed at any of the spots.
The Little Havana food tour creates a perfect balance of culinary enjoyment and cultural learning. I absorbed a lot of new information and ate scrumptious food, including three of my favorite things, empanadas, churros, and ice cream.
Food tours are one of the best ways to experience a city, so if you are in Miami, consider booking a Little Havana Food Tour with Miami Culinary Tours.
If you want to read more about Food Tours you can check out
Music City-Sites and Bites Tour-Nashville
Places to Stay in Miami
Comments are closed.
Christine @tailsandstays
atHi –
I’ve just been thinking that we should start doing food tours on our travels! This has inspired me. So we’ve booked a distillery tour for tomorrow, lol!
obligatorytraveler@gmail.com
atThat’s great! We’ve found food tours to be a great way to get to know a destination. Plus, sometimes we have a bite at a place we know we want to go back to during our visit.