I was not expecting to find “Little Havana” in Miami on a recent sightseeing bus tour but I was so happy that I did! Being a hop off/ hop on bus tour, I told my husband we should hop off and see what Little Havana was all about. Having been 4 years since I was in the real Havana, Cuba, this was a nostalgic opportunity to reminisce. My husband has not been to Cuba so I thought this might be a little taste of it for him.Also known as “Calle Ocho”, Miami (8th Street), Little Havana is the neighborhood/district to the Cuban exiles of the 1960’s, as well as immigrants from Central and South America. Originally, it was a neighborhood established approximately in the 1930’s of other local residents. Little Havana established itself when Cubans fled Castro’s regime in 1960 thinking they would set up a temporary residence until he was deposed. However, by 1970, it was roughly 85 % Cuban and it became a permanent settlement. It is the best known Cuban exile district in the world. Other Hispanic communities have settled there including Haitian, Dominican, Puerto Rican, Mexican as well as Central Americans. The murals are vibrant and expressive, representing the Cuban flavor so well. As you shop among Cigar shops, boutiques, Havanese menswear clothiers, cafes and taverns, you find yourself hoping to linger there longer than an hour or so before the tour bus circles back. Stroll, shop, watch the elderly play dominos in the patio of Old’s Havana restaurant and build up an appetite for a Cuban sandwich or any of the Cuban delicacies.

Boutique owners will tell you where the best cigars are rolled and sold. You’ll also discover where you will want to park yourself for authentic mojitos and tostones or patacones. We chose Old’s Havana where live music beckoned to us, especially since an elderly Cuban man was dancing outside of the restaurant for an hour. He parked his bike and did all the moves from his youth. Nearby, a friend of his shook a hand instrument to the beat of the Cuban music.

Did you know there are several varieties of mojitos? We didn’t! We usually get a classic Mojito but there are fruit-flavored ones, too. I opted for the Aged Rum Mojito. I have always loved how Cubans in Cuba use big springs of mint and not muddled slivers. However, I had never had a mojito with an actual sugar cane stick in it! Chomp on it to taste the sugar. Hold it in your hand to see the bright red streaks on it. Have fun with this sugar cane cigar!Old’s Havana is worth it. Not only does it have the live music and courtyard patio but it also had this unique dining table! A vintage car replica. What can beat that?!Little Havana was full of murals, too. Proud artwork defined the area.After some purchases and a very satisfying dining experience, we caught our bus to resume  our tour of Miami. This taste of Little Havana made me curious about the area. Here’s some factoids about Little Havana:

• Viernes Culturales (Cultural Friday) occur during the last Friday of each month. There are outdoor musical performances on stages and sidewalks. Art exhibits, art galleries and food tastings take place.
• Calle Ocho Street Festival attracts over 1 million visitors. It’s known for the world’s longest conga line, a world record breaking piñata, the world’s longest cigar, the most domino players, and the largest flag image ever created were reportedly records that took place at this festival over various years.

Little Havana might have originated as a temporary experience and settlement but it has definitely made a lasting impression of culture, art, entertainment, and cuisine. It’s an authentic, international experience in Miami.

© Gina Michalopulos Kingsley

photos by Gina Kingsley