Cafe La Trova Menu Prices 2026: Full Menu, Cocktails & Tapas

Cafe La Trova serves Cuban-inspired cuisine developed by James Beard Award-winning Chef Michelle Bernstein alongside an extensive cocktail program crafted by Maestro Cantinero Julio Cabrera. The food spans croquetas, Spanish-style tapas, empanadas, salads, and hearty Cuban mains like lechon, ropa vieja, and arroz con pollo. The cocktail menu centers on classic Cuban drinks — daiquiris, mojitos, and the Presidente — plus creative house originals. The overall style is upscale Cuban, rooted in Little Havana tradition but refined by two of Miami's most celebrated hospitality figures.

Budget roughly $60-$100+ per person for a full dinner with cocktails. Cocktails run $15-$18 a la carte ($8 during happy hour). Croquetas and bites are $14 each. Tapas range from $17 (queso frito) to $29 (tuna carpaccio, octopus). Empanadas are $14-$16 for two. Main courses (platos fuertes) run $29-$90, with the cowboy rib eye at the top. Desserts are $14-$15. A couple sharing two cocktails, a croqueta plate, two tapas, and one main each should expect $120-$160 before gratuity.

Yes. Happy hour runs daily from 4-7 PM at the bar only. Bar-only happy hour pricing includes daiquiris and mojitos for $8 (versus $15 regular price), gimlets and the Margarita Picosa for $8, select wines for $6-$7, select beers for $6, croquetas and calamari for $8-$10, and empanadas for $8. This is the best-value window to experience La Trova's celebrated cocktail program without the full dinner tab.

Cafe La Trova holds significant rankings in the global bar industry. As of 2025, it is ranked #82 on the World's 50 Best Bars list (the ranking extends beyond 50) and #42 on North America's 50 Best Bars (2024-2026). It was ranked #1 Best Bar in the South in 2022. Maestro Cantinero Julio Cabrera was named the Roku Industry Icon in 2023. These recognitions make it one of the most decorated bars in the United States and the most celebrated cocktail destination in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood.

Cafe La Trova is a collaboration between two Miami legends. Julio Cabrera is the Maestro Cantinero — a title reflecting mastery of Cuban bartending tradition. He leads the cocktail program and is recognized as one of the leading rum and Cuban cocktail experts in the world. Chef Michelle Bernstein, a James Beard Award winner, designed and oversees the food menu. Her signature dishes — including the Flan de la Flaca and Michy's Bread Pudding — bear her personal stamp. Together, they created a space that honors Little Havana's heritage while reaching global recognition.

The most affordable items on the regular menu are croquetas at $14 (four pieces per order in all four varieties), followed by fries at $8 as a side. During happy hour (daily 4-7 PM, bar only), prices drop considerably: daiquiris and mojitos are $8, empanadas are $8, and croquetas are $8-$10. If you want to experience La Trova on a budget, arrive during happy hour and sit at the bar — you can get cocktails and snacks for roughly $20-$30 per person.

La Trova's most celebrated cocktails are the Daiquiri Clasico ($15) and Mojito Criollo ($15) — the benchmark Cuban classics Julio Cabrera helped popularize in Miami. Among the house originals, the La Trova Old Fashioned ($18, with cafecito syrup) and the Toasted Coconut Negroni ($18) are consistently ordered. The Canchanchara ($15) — one of Cuba's oldest cocktails, made with clairin rhum and honey — is a more adventurous pick that regulars seek out. All cocktails are prepared at the traditional Cuban cantinero standard, meaning precision technique, fresh juice, and no shortcuts.

Cafe La Trova is located at 971 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33130, on the historic Calle Ocho corridor in Little Havana. The address places it on one of Miami's most culturally significant streets — the commercial and cultural heart of the Cuban-American community in Miami. It is accessible from downtown Miami and Brickell, roughly 10-15 minutes by car or rideshare. Street parking is available on SW 8th Street and surrounding blocks.

Yes. The menu includes several vegetarian-friendly choices across categories. For bites: Creamy Mushroom Croquetas ($14). For tapas: Queso Frito ($17), Cauliflower Steak ($21), and Polenta with Mushrooms ($19). For salads: Ensalada Miraflores ($19) and Winter Salad ($19) are vegetarian as served. For mains: Mushroom Ropa Vieja ($38) is the vegetarian interpretation of the classic Cuban braise. For empanadas: Spinach Empanadas ($14 for two). Many sides — tostones, maduros, black beans, white rice, yuca — are vegan.