Blog
September 23, 2024

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in Miami: Food, Culture, and More

Miami, known as the "gateway to Latin America," vibrantly celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month each year from September 15 to October 15. With over 70% of Miami’s population identifying as Hispanic, the city offers an unmatched opportunity to immerse yourself in the traditions, flavors, and stories that define Hispanic culture. 

A Hispanic influence runs through our Miami food and culture tours too, making them a great way to embrace and support Magic City’s diverse communities.

But for now,  let’s find out how you can experience the best of Hispanic Heritage Month in Miami, whether you're a resident or a visitor! If you think of any questions for us as we go, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Woman in an orange dress stands smiling near a colorful mosaic sign for Calle 8, Little Havana, Miami.

Discover Hispanic History and Art

Little Havana's Viernes Culturales (Cultural Fridays)

Little Havana stands at the heart of Miami’s Hispanic culture. On the last Friday of each month, Viernes Culturales turns Calle Ocho into a bustling street festival featuring live music, local art, and delicious street food. Viernes Culturales is a nonprofit organization that manages the only official Welcome Center in the area thanks to the help of generous volunteer supporters and donors. The incredible team works daily to preserve the proud history and rich culture of the Little Havana Neighborhood. 

For a more intimate, in-depth experience in this remarkable place, join our Little Havana Food and Cultural Tour. On this guided walking tour, we uncover the stories behind the murals, family-owned cigar shops, historic landmarks, and more.

Two men working on cigars in a Miami shop.

The Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)

The PAMM frequently hosts events highlighting Hispanic artists during Hispanic Heritage Month. From new exhibitions and live performances to special programs that bring art to life, a trip to PAMM is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the creative energy that has helped to establish Miami as a global arts destination.

Taste Miami’s Latin Flavors

As a culinary melting pot, Miami boasts a vibrant food scene inspired by countries like Cuba, Venezuela, and Colombia. Miami Culinary Tours invites you to explore this culinary richness through our expertly crafted Miami food and culture tours.

Here are some must-try dishes and hotspots:

  • Cuban Sandwich: A quintessential Miami treat available at iconic spots in Little Havana.
  • Arepas: Try these Venezuelan cornmeal cakes stuffed with savory fillings.
  • Guacamole and Margaritas: Celebrate National Guacamole Day (September 16) at local favorites such as Bodega Taqueria y Tequila.

For a hands-on experience, consider participating in a cooking class during Hispanic Heritage Month at venues like the Miami Children's Museum, where families can learn to make traditional dishes like quesadillas.

A group of people enjoying a sandwich on a plate during a culinary tour in Miami with Miami Food Tours.

Dance to Latin Beats

Music and dance are central to Hispanic culture, and Miami comes alive with rhythm during Hispanic Heritage Month.

  • Salsa Nights: Head to Collins Park for free salsa classes and live music during the Salsa Lovers Block Party. You’ll also find performances from talented local bands like Xperimento All-Stars.
  • Latin Jazz: Enjoy free outdoor concerts like Jazz at MOCA, where musicians blend traditional Latin rhythms with jazz, creating an unforgettable auditory experience.

For a full night of entertainment, check out Miami Beach Salsa Fest, a lively event featuring live DJs, Latin cuisine, and complimentary salsa lessons.

Family-Friendly Activities

Hispanic Heritage Month isn’t just for adults; families can enjoy vibrant celebrations too:

  • Miami Children’s Museum Events: Engage in cultural crafts like making Guatemalan worry dolls or decorating sugar skulls, and learn about Latin traditions through interactive activities.
  • Ocean Drive Promenade Music Series: Families can enjoy Latin jazz and salsa performances while soaking up the ocean breeze at Lummus Park.

Did you know that the Miami leg of the Latin Restaurant Weeks tour typically coincides with Hispanic Heritage Month? There’s no better time to dive into a whole new culinary world (or revisit one!) with friends or family while supporting locally owned businesses.

little havana tours

Support Hispanic-Owned Businesses

This month is the perfect opportunity to support Hispanic-owned restaurants, shops, and artists. Explore unique crafts at pop-up markets or visit family-run eateries that have been staples in Miami for decades. Whether it’s sipping a cafecito at a local café or purchasing handmade jewelry, every choice contributes to celebrating Hispanic culture.

Plan Your Miami Hispanic Heritage Month 2025!

Ready to start planning your 2025 Hispanic Heritage Month in Miami? Let us help you! As leaders in Miami food and culture tours, we've got some local tips and insights to help you make the most of this unmissable event.

Café La Trova, Little Havana

Café La Trova, the award-winning Cuban-inspired bar and restaurant in Little Havana, is honoring Hispanic Heritage Month with limited-time-only cocktails available Monday, September 15, through Wednesday, October 15 for $16. Featured creations by Maestro Cantinero Julio Cabrera include Latin twists on two classic cocktails: the Cuban Manhattan, crafted with aged rum, sweet vermouth, and coffee-chocolate bitters, and the Paloma Sagüesera, a vibrant mix of tequila, mezcal, Aperol, grapefruit and lime juice, agave syrup, and tonic water.

Talent Spotlight

Julio Cabrera, Maestro Cantinero and co-owner of Café La Trova in Miami’s Little Havana, is a world-renowned bartender celebrated for preserving the legacy of Cantinero-style cocktail culture. Born in Cuba, Cabrera’s career spans decades across Havana, Italy, Mexico, and the U.S., culminating in international acclaim, including being named Best American Bartender at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards and the 2023 Roku Industry Icon. Today, Cabrera mentors the next generation of bartenders while leading Café La Trova, one of the World’s 50 Best Bars.

James Beard Award–winning Chef Michelle Bernstein, born and raised in Miami of Jewish and Latinx heritage, is celebrated for her vibrant Latin-inspired cuisine that reflects her global travels and South Florida roots. Alongside her husband and business partner David Martinez, she leads acclaimed ventures including Café La Trova as well as Michelle Bernstein Catering, La Cañita, Sweet Liberty, and the newly reopened Sra. Martinez. A beloved TV personality and culinary tastemaker, Bernstein continues to shape Miami’s dining scene while championing food education and community health through her work with Common Threads.

A person’s hand reaching for a cocktail with ice, lime, and a straw on a Miami bar counter, capturing the city’s vibrant culture with bartenders and patrons visible in the blurred background.

JARANA, Aventura

JARANA invites guests to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month from Monday, September 15 to Wednesday, October 15, with a selection of special culinary delights. The restaurant will feature exclusive dishes alongside its regular menu, showcasing the rich flavors of Hispanic cuisine. Highlights include the Cebiche Power, which features Hokkaido scallops, uni, razor clams, creamy rocoto and uni leche de tigre, choclo, sweet roasted potatoes, olive chalaca, and cilantro oil. Diners can also enjoy the Anticucho de Short Rib, marinated in birria adobo and served with crispy Peruvian potatoes, habanero, and lime.

The menu further includes King Crab Wantacos, crispy wontons filled with king crab tartare, avocado, and aji amarillo cebichera sauce. To satisfy sweet cravings, guests can indulge in the Suspiro Loco, a decadent dessert layered with manjar de yemas foam, dulce de leche ice cream, almond crumble, and a fresh strawberry salad.

Talent Spotlight

With a vibrant career spanning over two decades, Martha Palacios has seasoned her keen culinary skills across South America, stirring up flavors in Peru, Colombia, Argentina, and Chile. Her international exposure is vast, including a significant decade in Japan. Born in Lima, Peru, Martha's culinary journey has been shaped by her education at San Ignacio de Loyola University and influenced by her grandmothers' teachings from Cuzco and Lima.

With significant roles at renowned establishments like Panchita and La Mar by Gastón Acurio, Martha's leadership as Executive Chef at JARANA in Aventura highlights her commitment to authentic Peruvian cuisine and the philosophy of cooking with love. Beyond her culinary achievements, Martha's dedication to her family and her joy in both the kitchen and personal life reflect her passion, earning her recognition such as the title of “Best Female Chef” by El Comercio in 2022.

A person holding freshly cut pasta noodles from a pasta machine, with flour on their hands and a work surface in the background, celebrates culture and tradition through homemade cooking.

PASTA, Wynwood

Following immense success in Lima, Peru, and being awarded the “Best Italian Restaurant” in the country by the prestigious “Somos Awards 2024” given by El Comercio (the oldest and largest Peruvian newspaper), acclaimed Peruvian chefs Juan Manuel Umbert and Janice Buraschi brought their celebrated modern pasta-focused concept, PASTA, to the U.S. last October. 

The husband-and-wife duo’s second outpost located in Miami’s Wynwood Art District delivers an artisanal culinary experience that commits to the true craftsmanship of preparing fresh homemade pasta. PASTA is a true labor of love, with a menu rooted in authenticity and simplicity, driven by traditional Italian cuisine, yet blended with innovative techniques and Peruvian influences. The chefs have further cemented their reputations after Umbert was named 2025 StarChefs Miami Rising Star Chef this year, while Buraschi, a seasoned pastry chef, continues to create newsworthy dessert creations reflecting her belief in natural beauty and the flavor of high-quality ingredients. 

Close-up of assorted tacos with shredded meat, pineapple, cilantro, sliced onions, carrots, and microgreens in corn tortillas—a flavorful tribute to Hispanic Heritage Month and vibrant food culture in Miami.

LIME Fresh Mexican Grill, Various Florida Locations

What started with a taco spot on Miami's South Beach has, almost 20 years later, grown into nine locations, from Orlando to Miami. You won't find any freezers or microwaves! LIME Fresh Mexican Grill is all about delicious, fresh food, good vibes, and famous homemade salsa. Everything is made to order using fresh, local ingredients.

Talent Spotlight

Proudly Puerto Rican and raised in Tampa, Florida, Chef Sharon Fernandez brings over 15 years of culinary and operational excellence to her role as Operations Support Manager and Executive Chef at LIME Fresh Mexican Grill. Her Hispanic heritage has deeply shaped her passion for food, family, and hospitality, fueling a career rooted in culture and community. After winning the prestigious Taste of Florida competition in high school, Fernandez earned a scholarship to Johnson & Wales University, launching a path that would take her from General Manager at Franktitude to leading one of LIME’s top-performing locations. Today, she plays a vital role in LIME Fresh’s growth, blending her Latin roots, culinary expertise, and leadership to inspire teams and elevate guest experiences across the brand.

A group of people enjoying a private culinary tour while sitting around a table.

Plan Your Visit with Miami Culinary Tours

So, how will you be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in Miami? You’re spoilt for choice! At Miami Culinary Tours, we offer immersive our Miami food and culture tours that connect you with the city’s Hispanic roots. From sampling traditional dishes to learning about the history behind iconic neighborhoods like Little Havana, our tours are the perfect way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

Whether you're dancing salsa under the stars, savoring guacamole, or exploring Hispanic art, Miami offers a month-long celebration like no other. Join us to experience the richness of Hispanic culture through food, music, and community.

Have any questions for the Miami Culinary Tours team? Please just contact us for all the answers you need.

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Our Little Havana tour is perfect friends & family groups, corporate outings, and bachelorette parties.
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