Classic Little Havana Staple Named One of the Best Bars on Earth

This year's edition of World's 50 Best Bars has been released, and one of the very few U.S. bars to make the prestigious top 100 is a Little Havana staple: Miami's beloved Cafe La Trova.

Cofounded in 2019 by world-famous cantinero (bartender) Julio Cabrera and award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein, the Calle Ocho gem landed the 66th spot on the coveted list — no small feat considering just a few months ago it was also the only bar representing Florida in the third edition of North America's 50 Best Bars. (Only five U.S. bars made the top 50 in the new World's Best list; four in New York City and one in New Orleans.)

Now, it's gone beyond being labeled a North American classic bar — it's a worldwide destination.

What makes the bar so special is Cabrera, who has made cocktail-making the heart and soul of Café La Trova. "Being again on the list of the 100 World's Best Bars for the fifth year in a row is an amazing accomplishment and achievement," Cabrera tells New Times. "Every day, it gets harder to be on that list. A lot of great bars open every year around the world, and we're proud to represent Miami, the state of Florida, and the whole Latin community in the U.S. We are also so proud to be on Calle Ocho in Little Havana. We want to thank all our team, the ones who work tirelessly every day to give their best to our guests, who are the reason for what we do."
While Cabrera laid the foundation and built the legacy for the restaurant, he gives much credit to its accolades and success over the years to his team of cantineros.

Anyone who has ever been to La Trova knows they are the heart of the restaurant. Clad in dinner jackets and ready to perform before patrons with shakers and spontaneous choreography to the live music, the cantineros are masters behind the bar. Some of the spectacular cocktails that are a must-order at the bar are "Floridita's Hemingway Daiquiri," the "Cantineros' Special," and the "Trio Matamoros."

Alongside the amazing drinks and cantineros, the restaurant is made complete with Cuban comfort food from Chef Bernstein, which is an integral part of the restaurant. Menu items range from Cuban sandwich empanadas with brown butter and melted cheese and mushroom risotto croquetas filled with pecorino and truffle aioli to Cuban classics like a skirt steak ropa vieja and picadillo.

Cafe La Trova. 971 SW Eighth St., Miami; 786-615-4379; cafelatrova.com.