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Café La Trova
Miami · USA
Cocktail Bars in Miami · Cuban-inspired
Photo: Official website · cafelatrova.com
A Little Havana bar and restaurant where Cuban cantinero traditions, live music and Michelle Bernstein's cooking share the stage. It is a significant expression of Miami hospitality rooted in Cuban culture rather than a generic tropical aesthetic.
The Story
Origin
Opened in 2019 by Julio Cabrera, Michelle Bernstein and David Martinez, Café La Trova brought Cabrera's Cuban cantinero practice together with Bernstein's culinary reputation in Little Havana.
Philosophy
Hospitality is a performance of craft, warmth and cultural continuity. Bartenders, musicians and the kitchen contribute to a shared social experience.
Why Important
An important reference for culturally grounded destination bars. It demonstrates how Miami's Cuban heritage can shape internationally relevant hospitality without becoming incidental background.
Differentiation
The cantinero tradition is the defining element. Technical bartending, polished presentation and personal engagement make the service itself part of the attraction.
Food Philosophy
Bernstein's menu interprets Cuban comfort food through a contemporary restaurant lens, giving the kitchen a substantial role alongside the cocktails.
Guest Experience
Classic Cuban cocktails, formally presented bartending and live music create an animated evening that can encompass drinks, dinner and dancing.
Design Philosophy
An evocative Cuban café-bar setting places the bar and live performance at the heart of the room. Nostalgia supports an active social space rather than functioning only as decoration.
Design & Architecture
Lighting
Warm, atmospheric lighting reinforces the evening-led character.
Furniture
Traditional café-style tables and chairs, with counter seating at the bar.
Architecture
A street-facing venue on Calle Ocho, embedded in Little Havana rather than a beachfront hotel environment.
Design Language
Nostalgic Cuban café and music-hall references.
Interior Design
A prominent bar, dining tables and live-performance area establish a room designed for overlapping drinking, eating and entertainment.
Gallery · 14 photos
Menus
Bar
Bar · Menu last verified: 8 October 2026
- $15
Daiquiri Clásico
Bacardi Superior Rum, lime juice, sugar
- $15
Mojito Criollo
Mount Gay Silver Rum, lime juice, sugar, mint, soda water, Angostura bitters
- $15
Canchanchara
Saint Benevolence Clairin Rhum, honey syrup, lime juice
- $16
Presidente
Clement VSOP Rhum, blanc vermouth de Chambery, dry curaçao, grenadine
- $16
Hotel Nacional
Planteray Pineapple Rum, apricot liqueur, pineapple juice, lime juice
- $16
Hemingway Special
Ron Abuelo Blanco, grapefruit juice, lime juice, maraschino liqueur
- $16
Mulata (FROZEN)
Diplomático Mantuano Rum, creme de cacao, lime juice, cafecito syrup, ground coffee
- $17
Cubano Viejo
Bacardi 8 Rum, demerara syrup, lime juice, mint, Angostura bitters, ginger beer
- $16
Yin & Tony
Canaima gin, St. Germain, lime juice, grapefruit bitters, pink peppercorn, elderflower tonic water
- $16
Chivirico
Don Julio Tequila Blanco, Mezcal Union Joven, passionfruit, agave syrup, lime juice, Ancho Reyes Verde, basil foam
- $18
Toasted Coconut Negroni
La Marielita 18 Rum toasted coconut infused, Campari, sweet vermouth
- $18
Quinto Sol
Casa Lotos Sotol, coconut, yuzu, pineapple juice, honey-gochujang syrup, suze, toasted sesame oil
- $16
El Guayabero
Patron Reposado Tequila, guava marmalade, spicy agave syrup, lime juice
- $18
La Trova Old Fashioned
Woodford Whiskey Blend, cafecito-demerara syrup, chocolate bitters, angostura bitters
- $16
Buenavista
Featuring the Award Winner. Bombay Sapphire gin, cucumber, mint, elderflower liqueur, lime juice, sugar
- $32
Trio Matamoros
Ron Tepuy Monumento, Cafecito Cubano, and a Cigar on a tray
- $17
Savory Martini
olive-infused No. 3 London Dry Gin, Truman Vodka, dry vermouth, blue cheese olive
- $17
Obispo
Hennessy VS, Amaro Importante, Amaretto Disaronno, dry vermouth
- $17
Penicillin
Johnny Walker Black Label Whisky, Port Charlotte Heavy Peatted Whisky, honey-ginger syrup, lime juice
- $17
Mi Tierra Old Fashioned
Santa Teresa 1796 rum, demerara syrup, coffee bitters
- $10
Yumislaidy
Mocktail: pineapple juice, agave syrup, lime juice, cucumber juice, soda water
- $10
Mexican Cooler
Mocktail: Almave Blanco, spicy agave syrup, lime juice, ginger beer
- $8
Modelo Especial
Lager, Mexico (4.4%) draught or bottle
- $8
Stella Artois
Lager, Belgium (4.8%) bottle
- $8
Amstel Light
Lager, Holland (3.5%) bottle
- $8
Hatuey
Cuban style ale, Greenville SC (5.5%) bottle
- $8
La Rubia - Wynwood Brewery
Blonde Ale, Miami (5%) bottle
- $8
Estrella Damm
Lager, Spain (5.4%) bottle
- $8
Hop Gun - Funky Buddha
India pale ale, Oakland Park (7%) bottle
- $8
La Tropical
Amber Lager, Miami (4.5%)
- $8
Daura Damm 0.0
Non-Alcoholic Euro Pale Lager (0.0%)
Wine
Wine · Menu last verified: 8 October 2026
- Glass $12; Bottle $48
Mimosa - Granriviera
Veneto, Italy
- Glass $12; Bottle $48
Prosecco La Gioiosa DOCG
Valdobbiadene Superiore, Italy
- Glass $22; Bottle $37
Ferrari - Sparkling Brut 375ml (split)
Trento, Italy
- Glass $11; Bottle $44
Pinot Grigio - Lavis
Trentino Alto Adige, Italy
- Glass $13; Bottle $52
Albariño - Turonia
Rias Baixas, Spain
- Glass $13; Bottle $52
Sauvignon Blanc - Erste+Neue
Alto Adige DOC, Italy
- Glass $15; Bottle $52
Chardonnay - Les Charmes
Bourgogne, France
- $42
Cava Rosé - Dibon
Penedes, Spain
- $75
Sancerre - Domaine Des Coltabards
Loire Valley, France
- $79
Sparkling Rosé Brut - Ferrari Rosé
Trento, Italy
- $99
Champagne - Louis Roederer
Champagne, France
- $115
Champagne Imperial - Moet & Chandon
Champagne, France
- $48
Chablis - Henri de Bareuil
Burgundy, France
- $58
Albariño - Aquitania Bernon
Rias Baixas DO, Spain
- $70
Chardonnay - Ramey
Sonoma, CA
- $120
Cabernet Sauvignon - Caymus Vineyards
CA
- $180
Ribera del Duero - Alion by Vega Sibila
Ribera del Duero, Spain
- $150
Ornellaia- Le Serre Nuove (Bordeaux Blend)
Bolgheri, Italy
- $150
Cabernet Sauvignon - Napanook/Dominus
Napa Valley, CA
- $150
Cabernet Sauvignon - Groth
Oakville, CA
- $400
Cabernet Sauvignon - Joseph Phelps Insignia
Napa Valley, CA
- Glass $11; Bottle $48
Perle Rose - Le Vieux Lavoir
Pujaut, France
- Glass $13; Bottle $52
Malbec - Arumas
Mendoza, Argentina
- Glass $13; Bottle $48
Reserva Pinot Noir - Casas del Bosque
Casablanca Valley, Chile
- Glass $12; Bottle $48
Cabernet Sauvignon - Bacchus
CA
- Glass $13; Bottle $52
Rioja - La Gitana Gold
Rioja, Spain
- Glass $12; Bottle $48
Merlot - Barone Fini
Trentino, Italy DOC
- $63
Priorat Camins - Alvaro Palacios
Catalonia, Spain
- $52
Tempranillo - Marqués de Riscal
Rioja, Spain
- $75
Rioja Grand Reserva - Viña Olabarri
Rioja, Spain
- $79
Ribera del Duero - Valdrinal 24
Ribera del Duero, Spain
- $65
Chianti Classico - Giulio de' Medici
Tuscany, Italy DOCG
- $55
Pinot Noir - Bennet Valley Cellars
Sonoma, CA
- $58
Cabernet Sauvignon - Viña Cobos
Mendoza, Argentina
- $75
Cabernet Sauvignon - The Vice
Napa Valley, CA
- $68
Malbec - Catena La Consulta
Mendoza, Argentina
- $96
Piedmont - Cordero di Montezemolo
Piedmont, Italy
Dinner
Dinner · Menu last verified: 8 October 2026
- $14
Creamy Mushroom Croquetas
wild mushrooms, pecorino, truffle aioli; gluten free, vegetarian
- $14
Jamon Serrano Croquetas
and melting cheese with fig jam
- $14
Pizza Croquetas
mozzarella, basil, pepperoni, basil aioli
- $14
Lobester Croquetas
with scampi aioli; shellfish
- $26
Peruvian Ceviche*
local Florida fish, cilantro, lime, huancaina sauce and cancha; fish
Calamari
mezcal-marinated fried calamari,
Menus
Official page
Learn More
Official page
Watch · Reviews & Tours
Café La Trova Serves Up Delicious Cuban Influenced Cuisine
Review · CBS Miami · 7y ago
Behind the Scenes at Café La Trova: How Miami’s Iconic Lechón Is Made for Nochebuena
Review · Time Out and Time Out America · 10mo ago
Take A Digital Bite Out Of Chef Michelle Bernstein's Queso Frito From Café La Trova
Review · CBS Miami · 7y ago
