I went to Café La Trova, a Cuban hot spot in Miami, where Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez were spotted eating dinner
· Business Insider
Dave Benett/amfAR/Getty Images; Erin McDowell/Business Insider
- I ate at Café La Trova in Miami, where Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez were spotted having dinner.
- The restaurant was buzzy, but low-key enough for a major celebrity to eat there undisturbed.
- The Cuban hot spot impressed me with its authentic food and lively atmosphere.
Miami is packed with see-and-be-seen restaurants, from flashy steakhouses to beloved sandwich shops, but Café La Trova in Little Havana stands out for blending authentic Cuban culture with a fresh, modern energy.
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The Cuban hot spot made headlines after Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez were spotted dining there in 2022. During a trip to Miami in April, I stopped by to see what all the buzz was about.
With its vibrant atmosphere, live music, expertly crafted cocktails, and authentic, inspired Cuban dishes, it didn't take long to understand why the restaurant has become one of the city's most coveted tables.
After dining there, I also imagined it would be the perfect environment for a celebrity or billionaire to slip out for the evening and be perfectly incognito.
Here's what it was like to dine at Café La Trova in Miami.
On a recent trip to Miami, I dined at Café La Trova in Little Havana.Erin McDowell/Business Insider
Founded by renowned bartender Julio Cabrera, who was born in Cuba, and award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein, who was born and raised in Miami, Café La Trova was designed as a tribute to classic Cuban culture, food, and hospitality.
Since opening in 2019, Café La Trova has earned acclaim as one of the 50 best bars in the world. The restaurant drew additional attention when Bezos and Sánchez were spotted having dinner and drinks there, while enjoying live music, in September 2022.
A year later, the Amazon founder announced he was moving to Miami from Seattle. The Bezoses now live on Indian Creek Island, also known as Miami's "Billionaire Bunker."
From the moment I arrived at the restaurant during my visit to the city, it was clear why it has become such a fixture in Miami's dining scene.
I arrived for my 8:15 p.m. reservation on a Tuesday and found the restaurant in full swing.Erin McDowell/Business Insider
Despite the crowd, the restaurant didn't feel flashy or exclusive. Instead, it struck a balance between lively and approachable, creating an atmosphere that felt welcoming to a visitor like me.
The restaurant was also surprisingly large on the inside. In addition to the bar, there was a spacious dining room with bistro tables positioned in front of a stage where a live band played, and a dining room with larger tables at the back of the restaurant.
I was seated in a prime location directly in front of the stage.Erin McDowell/Business Insider
The dining room immediately transported me from modern-day Miami to a glamorous vision of old Havana.
Crystal chandeliers emitted warm light, and throughout the space, old photographs, memorabilia, and retro design elements — including a vintage car worked into the decor — evoked a sense of stepping back in time.
It appeared to incorporate Cuban influences without making the experience feel overly curated or touristy.
Before arriving at Café La Trova, I had heard that they often had live music.Erin McDowell/Business Insider
Since it was a Tuesday night, I wasn't expecting to catch the show, but after I was seated, the band began setting up, and I soon learned that the restaurant features daily live music by traditional Cuban bands, boleros, and salsa artists.
The menu at Café La Trova is built on Cuban traditions and cuisine.Erin McDowell/Business Insider
While the atmosphere may attract first-time visitors, it's the food that has helped Café La Trova build a loyal following.
Chef Bernstein's menu focuses on traditional Cuban recipes with subtle modern influences, such as the restaurant's Cuban sandwich empanadas. The result is a lineup of dishes that felt authentic without being overly conventional.
The menu offered a range of appetizers, entrées, desserts, and cocktails, making it difficult to decide where to begin.Erin McDowell/Business Insider
Many of the dishes highlighted classic Cuban ingredients and cooking techniques, while others featured creative twists.
I found myself wanting to order far more than I could reasonably fit into one meal, though the restaurant's variety of tapas, or smaller plates, allowed me to try multiple dishes.
My server recommended that I try a mojito criollo, the restaurant's most popular cocktail.Erin McDowell/Business Insider
Mojitos, which originate in Cuba, became popular in Miami following waves of Cuban immigration to South Florida in the mid-20th century.
The mojito criollo ($15) was made with Mount Gay Silver Rum, lime juice, sugar, mint, soda water, and Angostura bitters.
My cocktail arrived beautifully presented. It was light and refreshing, with a strong mint flavor that paired well with the dishes I ordered.
It was a reminder that while Café La Trova is celebrated for its food and atmosphere, its drinks are every bit as much a part of the experience.
Up next were the Cuban sandwich empanadas.Erin McDowell/Business Insider
The empanadas ($15), which balanced classic Cuban flavors with an unexpected, modern spin, came in an order of two with a vinegar-forward dipping sauce.
The empanadas were crispy on the outside and filled with savory pork, cheese, mustard, and pickles.Erin McDowell/Business Insider
These weren't a traditional Cuban sandwich, but they packed all the same delicious flavors.
I also ordered the Peruvian ceviche.Erin McDowell/Business Insider
The Peruvian ceviche ($25) was the most memorable dish I tried. Made with local Florida fish and dressed in a bright mix of cilantro, lime, red onion, huancaína sauce, and crunchy cancha, it arrived looking as vibrant as it tasted.
It was served with slices of sweet potato, which balanced the citrusy punch of the marinade.
Bites of tart red onion and melt-in-your-mouth fish made this dish a standout.Erin McDowell/Business Insider
Though it was intended to be shared, it was so fresh and delicious that I nearly finished it myself.
The creamy huancaína sauce tied everything together, lending richness without overpowering the delicate seafood.
I also tried the prawns al ajillo, a tapas dish that originated in Spain but has become popular in Cuban cuisine.Erin McDowell/Business Insider
The restaurant's version of prawns al ajillo ($28) featured plump prawns nestled atop a rich white bean stew, with crunchy garlic, confit tomatoes, and slices of toasted bread for scooping up every last bite.
The comforting dish was filled with the aroma of garlic and olive oil.Erin McDowell/Business Insider
The prawns were tender and juicy, while the white bean stew added a creamy, hearty element that transformed the tapas dish into something substantial.
Sweet bursts of flavor from the confit tomatoes balanced the savory garlic, while the tostada underneath provided a satisfying crunch.
While many of Café La Trova's dishes celebrate Cuban traditions, this plate also highlights the Spanish influences that have helped shape the island's cuisine over generations.
The live music made my meal one of the most memorable restaurant experiences I've ever had.Erin McDowell/Business Insider
As I ate, I watched fellow diners clap along and sing with familiar songs. The performance added an authenticity that's difficult to replicate, reinforcing Café La Trova's mission of celebrating Cuban culture through food, music, and atmosphere.
The live music is the main reason I would encourage anyone visiting the city to dine at Café La Trova, especially if you can grab a table towards the front of the stage.
After spending an evening at Café La Trova, it wasn't hard to understand why Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez chose it for a night out in Miami.Erin McDowell/Business Insider
The restaurant managed to accomplish something surprisingly rare in a city known for flashy dining destinations: It felt both exciting and authentic.
From the vibrant live music and thoughtfully designed space to the standout cocktails and memorable dishes, every part of the experience felt carefully crafted. The restaurant was buzzy, but not contrived or touristy, and it felt low-key enough for a major celebrity to eat there undisturbed.
In a city packed with trendy restaurants, Café La Trova stood out as a place that genuinely lives up to its reputation — and one I'd gladly return to on my next trip to Miami.
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