Miami has long been a magnet for expats from Latin American countries like Peru, Colombia and, famously, Cuba. With them came vibrant cultures and traditional cuisines that over time have evolved into something unique to Miami itself. There are two main regions of Miami that have become the focal point of most of the culinary tours: Little Havana and South Beach. While the former is, unsurprisingly, dominated by the Cuban community, South Beach enjoys a little bit of everything. Either way, the best way to get to know it all is on a guided food tour, with plenty of tastings, naturally.
Some would argue that Cuban culture is the defining presence in Miami, and it’s almost impossible to find a food tour that doesn’t touch on that in one way or another. All of the culinary tours on this list have been selected for their consistently high standards, their excellent and well-curated itineraries and their great value for money. Almost all incorporate other elements of interest from Art Deco to culture and music. The hope is that by the end, you will feel both sated and educated. Here are five of the best food and culinary tours in Miami.
FROM: $60/per person
South Beach is the obvious place to head to first on a visit to the city. The playground of the rich and famous for many decades, you won’t find many finer collections of Art Deco buildings anywhere in North America. This food tour explores the neighborhood in small groups (up to 12 travelers), and over three hours stops by five locally owned restaurants, sampling street food in each one. You will get the chance to try food from all over the world on this tour. Your guide will be an expert in all things South Beach, including the Art Deco architecture. Two tours run daily at lunch and dinner time.
From $65/ per person
Little Havana is the heart and soul of the Cuban community in Miami. This is the place to go for all things gastronomic and all things culture in the city. During this three-hour walking tour, expect to learn all about Cuban music, the art of rolling a Cuban cigar, and gain a local’s perspective, with insight on the community’s turbulent history. And of course, a classic Cuban lunch is included in the price, possibly featuring a Cuban sandwich, Cuban coffee, fried plantains and more. Tours are daily at lunch time only.
From $59/ per person
This walking tour of Miami’s South Beach has enough food tastings to constitute a full meal. With two options to choose from, an afternoon or evening tour, follow your guide to the best restaurants that only locals are likely to know about. Try tastings of Cuban, Spanish, Colombian and Peruvian cuisines along the way, while gaining insight into the various nations’ cultures. Not all Miami food tasting tours cater to vegetarians, but this is one of the better options. Please note that advance notice of any dietary requirements must be given.
From $59/ per person
For a shorter culinary tour in Miami, this two-hour jaunt through Little Havana focusses primarily on the region’s artistic community. Visit one of the many galleries displaying the creative endeavors of first generation immigrants from Cuba. Then head to a family-run restaurant to sample Miami’s delicious Cuban food, whilst also getting the chance to try the fabled Cuban coffee and the sweet sugarcane juice, prepared in the traditional way. Crucially, this tour ends the way all good Little Havana tours should, with a complimentary glass of one of Cuba’s finest creations, the mojito.
From $59/ per person
If drinking only one mojito sounds like it’s certainly not going to be enough, and especially if you’re drawn to the more energetic side of the Latin American culture on show in Miami, this tour might be for you. It’s a little lighter on the culinary side and much heavier on the boozy, dancey side, which for many is the right balance. Learn to dance salsa and bachata, a dance originating in the Dominican Republic, while sipping mojitos to loosen those feet. This tour – based at South Beach in Miami – also includes a flatbread pizza and VIP entrance to Mango’s Tropical Cafe.
