La Carreta
#19 of 22 Restaurants in Miami
The Cuban comfort-food workhorse where Miami families actually eat — huge portions of vaca frita, bistec empanizado, and cafecito from the ventanita, served until well past midnight. The original on Calle Ocho is the one with soul. Caveat: it's a local chain with dated decor; you come for the food and the regulars, not the ambience.
“La Carreta is Versailles' less famous sister restaurant... the menus at Versailles and La Carreta are extremely similar—but the food is much better here.”
Key facts
| Hours | Mon–Sun 08:00–00:00 Fri–Fri 08:00–02:00 Sat–Sat 08:00–03:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $$ |
| Nearest transit | Metrobus Route 8 along SW 8th St |
| Time needed | 1-1.5 hours (5 minutes if you're just hitting the ventanita) |
| Best time to go | Late night after 11 PM for the real local scene; weekday lunch for calm; Sunday afternoon is packed with families |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
7.1/10- Value8.0
- Freshness9.5
- excellence6.8
- Crowd level7.0
- Authenticity7.0
- Accessibility7.5
What locals actually do here
Order the vaca frita and plan to split everything
Portions are built for Cuban abuela standards — one entree plus a side feeds two comfortably. Save room for flan or tres leches, or you'll regret it.
Verified Jul 2026
Hit the ventanita even if you don't sit down
A colada (shareable rocket-fuel espresso) and a couple of croquetas at the walk-up window costs a few bucks and delivers more Miami per minute than most attractions. Order the colada if you're with friends — it comes with tiny cups for sharing.
Verified Jul 2026
Frequently asked questions
- What is the ventanita at La Carreta?
- The walk-up window on the outside where you order cafecito, cortadito, croquetas, and pastelitos without sitting down. Stand there, sip your colada, and eavesdrop — it's the fastest way to feel like a local.
- Are there other La Carreta locations?
- Yes, it's a family-owned local chain with locations around Miami-Dade, including the airport. They're all fine in a pinch, but the original Calle Ocho location is the one with the history and the crowd worth watching.
- Does La Carreta serve breakfast?
- Yes, from 8 AM — Cuban breakfast done right: cafe con leche with buttered and pressed Cuban toast for dunking, plus egg plates. It's cheap, filling, and full of regulars reading the paper.
- What should I order at La Carreta?
- Vaca frita (crispy shredded beef with onions), bistec empanizado, or the classic croquetas — and whatever you get comes with mountains of rice, beans, and maduros. Portions are enormous; two dishes feed three people.
- Is La Carreta better than Versailles?
- Locals will argue this forever, but the honest answer: La Carreta is where more Miami families actually eat, and Versailles is where visitors and politicians go. The food is comparable; La Carreta feels a bit less like a show.
- How late is La Carreta on Calle Ocho open?
- Until midnight most nights, 2 AM Friday, and 3 AM Saturday. It's one of Miami's classic late-night moves — post-concert Cuban food at 1 AM is a rite of passage.
- How much does a meal at La Carreta cost?
- Entrees are moderate and the portions are genuinely huge, so it eats like a bargain. A ventanita run — cafecito and a couple of croquetas — costs just a few dollars.
- Is there parking at La Carreta on Calle Ocho?
- Yes — it has its own lot, which is a genuine luxury on SW 8th Street. That alone makes it an easier stop than most of Little Havana.
Nearby in Ask Miami
- Versailles RestaurantRestaurant0.13 km · 2 min walk
- Threefold CafeCafé1.64 km · 21 min walk
- Zitz SumRestaurant1.86 km · 23 min walk
- Coral GablesNeighborhood1.89 km · 24 min walk
- Sanguich de MiamiRestaurant2.7 km · 34 min walk
Where to stay near La Carreta
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