Calle Ocho - The Heart of Little Havana
While you'll touch on many riffs and flavors of Latin America throughout Miami, and find the Cuban influence present in many spheres of life throughout the city, you really have to make contact with the center of Little Havana itself by stopping off on Calle Ocho. Yes, that's Eighth Street, and you'll find it easily enough on any map of the city if you search down south of the river and the area marked as Jose Marti Park.
A few highlights to include on even the briefest visits:
Maximo Gomez Park - more casually known as Domino Park, for the obvious reason that you'll usually find it occupied by generatiions of Latino gentlemen, immersed in games of dominoes and the greater intricacies of faraway politics. 801 S.W. 15th Ave., at S.W. Eighth Street.
La Casa de las Guayaberas - ever wonder where and how you could acquire one of those authentic hand-tailored, pleated Caribbean shirts for men? Or a lady's classic guayabera dresss? Stop in at the La Casa de Las Guayaberas for the finest and most extensive selection amongst the crowded racks. Tel: (305) 266-9683
Versailles - a landmark in its own right, this restaurant has the most wide-ranging Cuban menu. While the choices are all tempting, don't be surprised if you find yourself already full by the time you consume a main entree like the Versailles Famous Garlic Chicken, and a side order of platanos. The take-out window is especially popular if you have no time for sit-down, take a little piece of Old Havana home to our own table from here. 3665 S.W. Eighth St.; Tel: (305) 444-0240
Calle Ocho Festival - if you're ever in town in March, this annual event brings it all together in a celebration of Hispanic culture spanning 23 city blocks.