Sala'o Cuban Restaurant & Bar

Being from Miami it is hard to eat in an area that feels like a tourist trap. But if I had to choose a solid representation of Cuban food and hospitality Sala'o is a fabulous choice. I came in on a Saturday night with a friend from out of town who wanted to hear live music. Sala'o delivered. They had a 5 piece band on stage singing an array of classic salsa songs. We sat at the bar and ordered dinner there as the restaurant was very busy. There were no tables available inside or out for dining. But there was some seating at the bar and we're happy with the service there. Our bartender was very sweet and accommodating. I had a shot of Don Julio, and was pleasantly surprised it was only $15. Given the prices in Miami and on 8 street, I genuinely expected to pay more. For dinner we tried the tostones rellenos de mariscos, the ropa vieja with moros, and the camarones al ajillo (an appetizer that comes with tostones). All were tasty and the portions were healthy so I felt like they were fairly priced especially for being on Calle Ocho. Overall, if you are looking for a place with a lovely and lively atmosphere to have dinner, this place checks all the boxes.

My friend and I were on vacation in Miami and wanted to explore Little Havana. While we were walking around, we noticed a sign in front of Sala'o advertising Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-7pm, with $5 appetizers (cheap drinks too but we didn't drink anything). We decided to check it out and got a table quickly, despite it being very busy.We ordered one of each appetizer to share (there are 6 appetizers on the happy hour menu). Almost everything was fried food, so don't expect anything healthy lol. Most of the things we got were pretty good... Except for the "fresh oysters." I can use a lot of adjectives to describe the oysters I was served, but "fresh" would not be one of them. Big yikes. It comes with 3 raw oysters on the half shell, and all 3 of mine were spoiled...... like looked/smelled/tasted weird. And I've eaten plenty of raw oysters in my life so I know when it's fresh vs not. I put one in my mouth and immediately spit it out and the other two looked just as bad so I didn't end up eating any.My friend got her own order of oysters and she says hers were okay, and she ate all 3 of hers. Not sure why mine were so bad.Other than that, the service was fine and there's live music which was cool. But those bad oysters kind of ruined my experience :/

Salas, located on the bustling main strip of Little Havana in Miami, Florida, I saved this restaurant because it had a lot of good reviews . Walking up to the restaurant there was a crowd outside on the patio and a line at the entrance as we approached.We were really drawn in by its vibrant atmosphere and live entertainment, so we added our names to the waitlist.The service was exceptional from the hostess to the bartender, ensuring we were comfortable throughout . Despite an estimated 30-minute wait, we were seated in just 15 minutes.Let's get to the drinks, my husband tried the Cuban old-fashioned with traditional brown liquor (that's what the bartender called it), he wanted to try It made the Cuban way, He prefers Woodfird Reserve or Makers Mark, but the Cuban way didn't quite match his expectations. However, I enjoyed a delightful Coconut Mojito, perfectly balanced in flavor and that heavy pour. When it came to food, it was just OK.. The beef empanadas had a dense crust and small amount of beef filling, while the oysters were smaller than expected and they didn't have Tapatio sauce lol ..On the bright side, the Maduros were a hit--thick, crispy slices of plantains with a delicious caramelized flavor.Lastly, despite the initial excitement, the food didn't really impress us enough to stay for dinner. We decided to explore a local Mom and Pop restaurant that turned out to exceed our expectations (review and location to follow). For those visiting little Havana we're comfortable shoes it's a must in this area, especially in the heat and humidity. I'm giving it a three stars because the food just wasn't on point and it was so small in there you could barely move your chair when you go to a restaurant. You really want the food to be delicious and it just wasn't there for us. The ambience and entertainment is what draw people in..

Really enjoyed trying out this place during Viernes Culturales. If you're looking for a quiet and comfortable place, this is not it! But if you're looking for a fun vibe with Latin music and dancers, this place is great! It does get crowded but they were able to accommodate us without a reservation at a table outside. The tables are small and close to the street but we had a great time. I enjoyed the music (mix of live music and Dj) as well as watching the performances. Food was good too. Tried the Miami Spice menu with tostones cups filled with ground beef, a churrasco as a main (add $5), and the fanguito as dessert. The churrasco was really yummy, the desert too but a bit too rich. Service was good but a bit all over the place not for the lack of effort but because there was a lot going on.

The passion fruit margaritas were amazing. I will start by saying the food is pretty good- flavors were on point, octopus was tender, and oxtail was sublime.... The others (shredded beef and lobster in sauce were either a bit dry/tough). But staff and transparency were subpar. We were told that happy hour was on and half off mojitos and drinks but were only told after the bill came - that it was for TWO OR MORE (per person). No apologies for not explaining, and for lack of transparency. Outside of this though- the vibe and live music were great. Just make sure you ask or read the menu very carefully.

Incredible experience, if you want a little Havana experience in one spot this is it. We listened to 2 Cuban musicians while drinking a mojito and eating an authentic Cuban sandwich. It doesn't get better than that! The service was great, the waitress made great suggestions and was tentative to our allergies.

Nice spot on Calle Ocho. Service was fantastic. Fast, friendly. Good wine and cocktail selection. The coconut Old Fashioned is amazing!! We only stopped in for an appetizer- croquetas- no our favorite. But live music was fun. Loud inside but if you can snag a table out front- it's perfect.

First stop in Miami before checking into hotel. Late ti sit for dinner, but late night menu available. We had the EL PILAR (SAMPLER) $30which included homemade fish croquettes, calamares fritos, empanadas (x1), fish fritters, tostones (picadillo & seafood). All were tasty especially the empanada; best ever tasted. Unfortunately it was only 1 piece. We also ordered CUBAN SANDWICH $18 - Ham, sliced roasted pork, swiss cheese and pickles on a pressed Cuban Bread. Was looking forward to having this during our Miami trip. Satisfied my craving and exceeded my expectations for the sandwich; tasty delicious! Perfectly toasted and great balance with the ham and pickles to the crunch. Too bad we missed the dinner menu; great excuse to come back.Love the decor and appreciation of Ernest Hemingway and music vibe.

This was a great tour stop. The food was really tasty and the entertainment was fun. We were served a Mojito, a Cuban sandwich and a pastry that had meat in it and cheese on top. It was all really good.

The most amazing thing was the live music dancing and atmosphere.The mojito, mule and Prosecco were warm and watered down. The food was bad. Only the fried fish chicken chunks and corvina was good. The Moro and tostones were not good at all.The service was horrific. There was no AC, it was hot, and we didn't have water. We ordered the check and it took 30min to get it.