Chef Michelle Bernstein
Photo by Michael Pisarri
Miami Beach’s iconic Ocean Drive has a new rhythm with the arrival of La Cañita, the Cuban‑Caribbean restaurant and rum bar from James Beard Award–winning chef Michelle Bernstein; her husband, David Martinez; and business partner, Davide Borgia.
Known for blending island flavors with Miami’s Art Deco flair, La Cañita brings a lively mix of food, music and culture to South Beach.
The name, meaning “little sugarcane,” nods to the spirit at its core: rum. With more than 100 bottles behind the bar, diners can sip classics such as the Domino Old Fashioned, explore a variety of mojitos or indulge in the house specialty, the La Cañita cocktail, a tropical blend of rums, guava and banana liqueur.
Menu highlights include an Empanada Trio, featuring criolla (hand-cut beef, olives, raisins), spinach and chicken; croquetas elevated with jamón serrano, mushroom or shrimp scampi; and the addictive Smoked Wahoo Fish Dip.
Empanada Trio
Photo by Salar Creative
Island favorites shine: Conch Fritters dusted in cayenne powdered sugar, Lechón Asado and Bernstein’s mother’s recipe for Arroz Con Pollo A La Plancha, served with an olive and herb salad. For seafood lovers, the local fish of the day arrives with citrus butter, coconut rice, roasted squash, black‑eyed peas and curry.
La Cañita has two other locations, in Kendall and Bayside.
La Cañita Miami Beach is located at 1200 Ocean Dr. in Miami Beach. For more information, visit lacanitamiami.com.