Exploring Little Havana’s History and Culture

Calle Ocho is the pulse of Miami’s Little Havana and over 30 members of Marco Island’s Woman’s Club took a self-guided walking tour through this historic neighborhood. The tour was organized through Trendy Tours which included lunch at the “world famous” Versailles Restaurant - a French sounding name in a Cuban neighborhood.

Why Versailles? From its review, it is the go-to place serving Cuban cuisine for more than five decades. Personally, it is not about the classic Cuban cuisine but it’s the experience and reputation as the “most famous Cuban restaurant in the country.” It is a huge place with the interior covered with wall to wall mirrors. It’s been catering to locals and busloads of tourists for over 50 years. 

Most of us ordered the famous “ropa Viejo,” a popular entrée in Cuban cuisine; beef slow cooked in fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic and wine and accompanied by rice or black beans and sweet plantains. Other options included oven roasted pork, chicken and yellow rice and grilled Mahi-Mahi. For dessert is Flan de leche, the most recognizable Cuban dessert in the world!

These dishes are new versions of “traditional Cuban cuisine” passed down through generations. For Cubans in Little Havana, food is an important expression of preserving their heritage and tradition. These days in Cuba, you are not likely to find pork, beef, chicken, milk or cheese.

What is Calle Ocho? In the 1930s, Little Havana was a thriving Jewish community and the name “Little Havana” emerged in the 1960s as more and more Cuban immigrants transformed the neighborhood into what it is today. The history, architecture, culture, music and food is now a blend of “old” and “modern Cuba.”  

What’s with all those rooster statues? These tall and colorful roosters are found along Calle Ocho and of course, they also have the live “gallos” strutting all along the side streets. These whimsical roosters rule the neighborhood and started back in 2002 as part of the “Rooster Walk” project by local artists. They are considered “feathered ambassadors” and stand guard outside restaurants and storefronts. Tourists love them for colorful photos and selfies.

Calle Ocho is full of colorful murals and shops that offer hand-made jewelry, art pieces, and sculptures. Often, you will find an artist creating a contemporary piece inside a gallery. 

Cigar shops are also deeply rooted in Cuban heritage and even if you are not a cigar smoker, you will still enjoy a quick visit. Maximo Gomez Park is also known as Domino Park where many older Cubans gather to play dominos, checkers or chess.

Easy to miss are the Walk of Fame star-shaped plaques celebrating Cuban born vocal artists such as Celia Cruz, Gloria Estefan and Willy Chirino, just to name a few.

The Ball and Chain Restaurant used to be a mobster owned gambling restaurant offering live Latin music all day. If you are looking for a Hemingway tribute, Sala’o Cuban Restaurant and Bar is the place.  

You can visit Calle Ocho in one day to experience Cuban/Latin art, music and traditional cuisine. Or you can also come back and take a slower stroll; listen to the various languages and speak to the younger generation of shop owners who represent various Latin American cultures from the Caribbean, Central America and South America that call Little Havana their home.