Do you know how hard it is to choose the Best Croquetas in Miami? If you’re not from Miami, then you may know these Cuban protein bars as croquettes.
In the 305 (Miami’s area code), there is a full-blown obsession with these meat sticks. But, for the record, the most popular croquetas are made with ham, not meat.
I have eaten enough of these beauties in my lifetime to fill a cruise ship. But, unlike some of these self-righteous croqueta eaters that have recently popped up around town, I even love the kind you find in the frozen food aisle at your local supermarket.
They all have their place in the world of croquetas. So, to show my undying love to them, I created the Croqueta Palooza festival!
And don’t forget, every October 1st, every self-respecting Miamian celebrates Croqueta Day in Miami. Of course, you don’t have to be in Miami to celebrate this holiday, so let’s consider it National Croqueta Day!
Best Croquetas in Miami
So, which ones made your Best Croquetas in Miami list? And don’t say the ones made by your Mom or Abuelita. I’d love to hear them in the comments below.
Breadman Bakery
The minute I step foot into Breadman Bakery, my eyes are drawn to the croquetas in the warming case. I can almost hear them singing to me.
The housemade ham croquetas are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. You really can’t ask for much more.
Breadman Bakery Miami
5804 W 20th Avenue
Hialeah, FL
Cafe Chantilly Bakery
There were rumblings on the interwebs about a delicious croqueta from a delicious bakery. Were they thinking of Breadman Bakery or La Sin Rival? Nope.
Cafe Chantilly has been quietly bubbling under the croqueta radar for some time, but I could no longer ignore the recommendations. Folks, the people who wrote to praise Cafe Chantilly were right; it’s a phenomenal bakery with a delicious croqueta.
Cafe Chantilly
12618 SW 8th Street
Miami, FL
Chico’s
Chico’s probably have the purest ham-tasting croqueta I’ve ever had. Jesus, the man behind the scenes (and co-owner) in the kitchen, spoke of how the croquetas are pure ground ham with little filler.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that Chico’s croqueta is legit.
Chico’s
4070 W 12th Avenue
Hialeah, FL
Doce Provisions
I’ve enjoyed Chef Justin Sherrer’s croquetas since he ran the kitchen at Cinebistro in Dolphin Mall. When he and his partner Lisetty Llampalla opened up Doce Provisions, I knew that the housemade croquetas would not disappoint.
I was right! Some of my dreams involve these chorizo croquetas.
Do you think I’m joking? Doce Provisions is the only two-time Judge’s Choice Award Croqueta Palooza winner.
Doce Provisions
541 SW 12th Avenue
Miami, FL
Dos Croquetas
My hometown, Westchester, has always been a hotbed for croqueta activity, which might explain my obsession with them. Dos Croquetas began as a delivery pop-up out of the Doral area.
In May 2019, their Croqueta Bar opened in, you guessed it, Westchester. Dos Croquetas offers a wide variety of croquetas, but my personal favorite is their take on buffalo wings, the Buffalo Crack Chicken.
*Winners at Croqueta Palooza 2019 for People’s Choice Award
Dos Croquetas
10505 SW 40th Street
Miami, FL
Islas Canarias
Many folks (myself included) believe that Islas Canarias make the best croquetas in Miami. They are the gold standard for croquetas and are untouchable when it comes to Miami’s favorite snack food, numero uno.
Of all the croquetas on my list, Islas Canarias is the farthest from me. But I love opening the box and looking at all these misshapen meat tubes.
One bite of these super creamy fellas will have you driving to the ends of the earth for them. What’s worse (or better, depending on how you look at it) is that there’s a drive-thru, making it easier to keep your addiction going forever.
Islas Canarias Restaurant
13695 SW 26th Street
Miami, FL
La Bodeguita
It’s not a shocker to say that if you start with great ingredients, you end up with a great dish. Serrano ham and manchego cheese are match-made in comfort food heaven, hence these tasty cylindrical delights.
Las Peores Croquetas de Serrano y Manchego (menu name) from La Bodeguita is easily one of the top three in the city, aka a must-try if you’re a croqueta-holic.
La Bodeguita Restaurant
2005 W 4th Avenue
Hialeah, FL
La Carreta
I’ve been eating croquetas from La Carreta in Westchester since I was ten years old; that’s why I always order ten in one shot. Just kidding, but there’s nothing wrong with that story if it were true.
La Carreta
8650 Bird Road
Miami, FL
La Sin Rival
I’ve driven past the strip mall on 97th and SW 8th Street thousands of times, but I somehow missed La Sin Rival Bakery. I knew nothing of their existence until A&G Burger Joint (RIP) added a croqueta atop their burger.
These longish ham croquetas are heavy-duty with the right amount of ham, aka no skimping. I smash these fellas into a Cuban roll along with a slice of Swiss cheese, and I’m in heaven.
La Sin Rival Bakery
9772 SW 8th Street
Miami, FL
Luis Galindo Latin American
Luis Galindo Latin American makes a serious croqueta. Do I sound like I’m smiling? I begin every meal at Galindo’s with a few of these guys to get my engine started.
Once it’s purring, I sporadically keep eating them for fuel. The Luis Galindo croquetas are so good, and when you try the croqueta preparada, you’ll wonder why you hadn’t been eating them like this in the first place.
Luis Galindo Latin American
898 SW 57th Avenue
West Miami, FL
Masa Craft
Masa Craft is known for excellent bar food, which is why it was initially located at MIA Beer Company. But amongst the little gems they sell are these creamy fried ham orbs inspired by the croqueta motherland of Spain.
If their version of the croqueta preparada is on the menu, grab one of those with an ice-cold brew.
*Winners at Croqueta Palooza 2019 for Judge’s Choice Award
You can find Masa Craft at pop-ups around Miami.
Odaly’s Delight Cafe
The only bad thing I’ve got to say about Odaly’s Delight Cafe is that they’re not open for dinner or the weekends at all.
Now, on to the good things. Their creamy croquetas are made in-house and served with a perfect mayo-based dipping sauce.
Odaly’s Delight Cafe
9754 SW 24th Street
Miami, FL
Pinecrest Bakery
I’ve been a fan of these ham croquetas since Pastelmania Bakery in Little Havana sold them.
Joel, the original owner of Pastelmania and the current owner of Pinecrest Bakery, is the mastermind behind these beauties. They’re probably one of the most massive and hammiest croquetas in town.
Pinecrest Bakery
12101 S Dixie Highway
Pinecrest, FL
Sergio’s
I’ve eaten 10 Sergio’s croquetas in one sitting. Of course, I’m not boasting; I’m just trying to show you how addictive these particular ham croquetas are.
When you’re with me, every meal at Sergio’s starts with at least three croquetas. It would be best if you didn’t skip out on the chorizo croquetas, which also deserve a few moments or bites of your time.
Sergio’s
9330 SW 40th Street
Miami, FL
Smoke and Dough
Empanada Harry’s is one of my favorite restaurants in Miami. Owners Harry and Michelle recently unleashed their new creation, Smoke and Dough, in West Kendall.
While croquetas might not be the first thing you’d like to order on a BBQ menu, you’d be wrong.
It’s mind-blowingly great. Please do yourself a favor, and don’t dip the croqueta in anything; it’s perfect the way it is.
Smoke and Dough
4013 SW 152nd Avenue
Miami, FL
soy fanático de las croquetas………
de niño en casa las hacían a diario con lo que sobra a de la cena del día anterior….carne…jamón…lacón…pescado…..pollo…..cerdo…………..
el Casa an de Miami Lakes……no lo mencionan……pero QUE CROQUETA!
ESPECTACULAR!
No quiero cosinar in Miami
Lakes has AMAZING croquetas! Top ten for sure! Super crunchy and just the best ham croquets.
Now you send me on another hunt. I’ve had about one third of your list, the usual Islas Canarias, Sergio’s, Galindo’s, La Carreta, the ones at MIA by Masa, Pinecrest, but I’m looking forward to the next Beast-provoked adventure. Does Doce provisiones at Shoma Bazaar count?
Absolutely, remember, they’re the two-time Croqueta Palooza champs!
El Floridita has GREAT seafood croquetas!