Food tours change the way you see a city, and nowhere is that more true than in Miami's Little Havana. This three-hour walk through Calle Ocho blends 7+ tastings with an insider look at the artisanal traditions that shape Cuban-American culture, from hand-rolled cigars to expertly aged rum.
The route begins at a landmark tied to the story of Cuban exile, setting the scene before the tastings start. Guests bite into crunchy croquetas de jamón and sweet guava pastelitos from a neighbourhood bakery, alongside a shot of strong Cuban coffee. Further along Calle Ocho, a classic Cuban sandwich and a refreshing Cuba libre balance the savoury and the sweet.
Inside a working cigar factory, master rollers demonstrate the totalmente a mano technique passed down through generations, a craft central to Miami's Cuban identity. A stop at one of the neighbourhood's most traditional spirit houses follows, with freshly made mojitos and a strawberry daiquiri poured alongside an explanation of how the rum is blended and aged.
Small groups of up to 12 keep the pace personal, with time to watch a lively game of dominoes at Domino Park before the tour closes with Secret Food Tours' signature Secret Dish, a final surprise that captures the heart of Cuban creativity.
