<< back to foods in Florida Keys

Cuban food

What: Florida’s historic ties to Cuba start with Key West, as there are just 94 miles between the two islands. Cuban fishermen populated the southernmost key in the late 1700s and refugees flocked there in the late 1800s to avoid Spanish rule in Cuba. While the cigar factories have long since moved up to Tampa and many immigrants settled in Miami, the Cuban presence is still alive and well in the Keys, particularly in Key West, which has had its fair share of Cuban mayors and in 2011 became one of the few U.S. cities permitted to allow direct charter flights to Havana (with restrictions, of course). What this means for the average visitor, aside from a healthy handful of cigar shops, is lots of good Cuban food: Cuban coffee, Cuban sandwiches, vaca frita, ropa vieja, roast pork and chicken; all the rice, beans, yuca, and plantains you could ever want. If you’ve been scarfing down a lot of seafood here, this is an ideal change of pace.

Where: We’d heard raves about Key West’s El Siboney Restaurant (900 Catherine St., map), a family-owned joint that’s been around since 1984, and the friendly staff, bustling atmosphere, and authentic eats lived up to its reputation. It’s located on a quiet street four blocks from crazy Duval, which qualifies it as off-the-beaten-path in this town.

Good to know: El Siboney has a second location on Marathon Key (5800 Overseas Hwy, map).

When: Daily, 11am-9:30pm

Order: Pictured is the pollo asado, or half roast chicken ($10.95)—with an addictively salty, crisp skin and sides of yellow rice, soupy black beans, sweet grilled plantains, and lime, it is a very satisfying, filling meal. We also tried the delicious puerco asado, or tender roast pork shredded and cooked with onion, and a great Cuban mix sandwich (Swiss, ham, salami, roast pork, lettuce, tomato, mustard, mayo, and pickles on pressed Cuban bread). But many more options await: grilled garlic chicken, croquetas, whole fried fish, breaded steaks, fried yuca, etc.

Alternatively: Another popular, longstanding Cuban restaurant in Key West is El Meson de Pepe (410 Wall Street, Mallory Square, map), though it’s located in one of the city’s more touristy areas. We’re also fans of the Cuban Coffee Queen (multiple locations including 284 Margaret St., map), a small shack dealing in caffeinated beverages—think café con leche and Cuban espresso drinks—as well as a slew of breakfast and lunch options, many involving pressed Cuban bread.