Here’s where the cool kids hang on Calle Ocho

Once a strip club, this unassuming spot on Calle Ocho is now home to chef Francisco Antón’s intimate restaurant that crosses cultures and cuisines, with a tapas-style menu that takes you on tour of Latin America with many unexpected twists.

Read More: 3.5 stars, Excellent, Miami Herald)

Located in what was once a rough part of Little Havana, this quirky spot is transforming the area.

Doce’s menu, from the subtitles to the execution, is unexpected, a fusion of the flavors found on Calle Ocho with culinary twists such as pickled habanero peppers, Sriracha-honey mayo, aji amarillo and calabaza purees that elevate their bites.

Read More: 2.5 stars, Good, Miami Herald

This off-shoot of the delectable Romanicos Chocolates on Coral Way uses high-quality ingredients, making their chocolate locally. Their truffles, bonbons, dried fruit, alfajores and jams often use locally grown tropical fruits.

Lung Yai Thai Tapas is the real deal, serving food just as you’d find in Thailand. It even has a short section of northern Thai dishes, listed under chef’s recommendations, that you won’t find anywhere else nearby.

Read more: The hottest Thai food in Miami is on Calle Ocho

The former high school buddies from Miami, Andres Barrientos and James Bowers, make their own bacon and other cured meats at this Little Havana outpost and are growing to several other Miami locations, including the upcoming downtown train station. Try: bacon-wrapped plantains, artisanal sausage and house-cured bacon.

Read more: Why being on reality television could be a “game-changer” for this Miami restaurant

David Rodriguez was at the vanguard of craft beer in South Florida, helping Matt Kuscher of Lokal in Coconut Grove and Kush in Wynwood become two of the best craft beer bars in South Florida. He, Kuscher and his wife Cici founded the Brew Bus craft beer tour. Their new craft beer bar may raise the bar in Miami.

Read more: Craft beer, oyster bar and doughnuts in Little Havana? It’s happening.

Ball & Chain brought upscale nightlife to Little Havana. Packed shoulder-to-shoulder on weekends, during the week it’s a more subdued but still lively place for cocktails, live music and dancing.

Read more: Craft beer, oyster bar and doughnuts in Little Havana? It’s happening.

This ice cream shop combined the best of two worlds: gelato-style ice cream with Latin flavors such as guava and “mantecado” (Cuban vanilla). The ice cream is a luxury that draws both tourists and locals alike.

Ella’s Oyster Bar

North Miami Beach native Jordan Marano and Christian Poltczyk, chefs together at Rosa Mexicano, partnered in Ella’s Oyster Bar, where they’ll feature oysters from Kumamoto to Blue Point and a ceviche bar, with a selection of craft beer. The restaurant is slated to open by March and give Little Havana another new option.

1615 SW Eighth St., Miami

Velvet Creme Doughnuts

This Miami-based doughnut franchise had their storefront on Southwest Eight Street from 1948 to 2000. The doughnuts returned to the market in 2014 but will open this first store again later this year in the heart of Little Havana.

1555 SW Eighth St., Miami

John LaMarket gourmet hamburgers

Thick, juicy burgers are promised on the horizon, as soon as April.

1551 SW Eighth St., Miami