Versailles Restaurant

Versailles serves some of the best Cuban food in Miami! Not only does it serve some of the best Cuban food but it also is the hub of all Cuban culture in Miami. It is located in little Havana. Patrons vary from young to old. Many political or cultural affair within the Miami Cuban community usually gather at Versailles to discuss any issues. Versailles is usually open late and is a great place to experience some authentic Cuban food. My personal recommendation is the Vaca Frita. Overall it is a very unique place and the best Cuban restaurant in Miami.

Versailles is a great place to get reasonably priced Cuban food in Little Havana, whether you are a local or a tourist. They are open 24 hours and serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. I don't recommend going for breakfast because they don't really have much on the menu that is Cuban. For the most part, they only offer eggs, grits, toast and fruit, HOWEVER, on sundays they have a breakfast buffet and they have several unique Cuban breakfast items, so that would be a good morning to visit Versailles. Of course, there is always the bakery next door (which is also a part of Versailles) that is a good breakfast spot, if you tend to like eating pastries or other sweets in the morning, along with coffee. Cuban coffee is great in the mornings, since it is extremely strong.
Most of the people in Versailles restaurant are Cuban, in fact if you don't know Spanish you may feel a little bit lost because many of the waiters and waitresses barely speak any English at all.
The menu is large and they offer everything from ropa vieja and vaca frita, to Cuban sandwiches, arroz moro, black bean soup, fried plantains, to Cuban-style BBQ chicken and an enormous amount of batidos and desserts including my beloved torta tres leches, arroz con leche and bread pudding. All of the desserts looked really good.
I wish there were places like this in the Bay Area. The few Cuban restaurants I have been able to find in San Jose and SF have been pretty expensive, which is a shame considering that Cuban food is, in nature, very simple... it's almost a crime to be charging so much especially for the staples of this type of cuisine. I can understand with some of the seafood dishes, but I have seen some places in California charge $15 for a plate of chicken with rice and a couple pieces of fried plantains- a total rip off, especially when the Cuban food in Miami is much better!
If only they would open a Versailles in the Bay Area.... *sigh*....