A great Cuban sandwich is one of Florida’s simplest pleasures, and you don’t have to be in Miami or Ybor City to find one worth the gas money. Some of the state’s best pressed sandwiches are hiding in tiny fishing towns, farm communities, and quiet coastal squares where the parking is free and the portions are generous.
This list rounds up nine small-town spots, from the Keys to the Panhandle, where the roast pork, ham, Swiss, pickles, and mustard come together the way they should. Pack your appetite and maybe an extra napkin, because these nine are worth planning a whole day around.
1. Sunrise Cuban Market & Cafe, Tavernier, FL
Roll into Tavernier on your way down the Overseas Highway and you’ll find one of the Upper Keys’ best breakfast-to-dinner stops. Sunrise Cuban Market & Cafe opens at 5 AM every single day, which makes it a real find for early risers heading to Key West.
The kitchen leans into traditional Cuban seafood dishes alongside the classics. The pressed Cuban comes stacked with moist pulled pork on Cuban bread that regulars call the best in the Keys.
If you want to branch out, the menu also covers a Palomilla steak Cuban style, empanadas, conch fritters, and plantains with shrimp. Portions run big, service is fast, and a strong cubano coffee is easy to add on.
Located at 91875 Overseas Hwy, this is counter service with seating, plus outdoor tables and plenty of parking. Reservations are not taken, so just show up hungry.
2. Tamara’s On the Go, Apalachicola, FL
Way up on the Forgotten Coast, in a historic oyster town of fewer than 2,500 people, a food truck is turning out Cubans that hold their own against big-city versions. Tamara’s On the Go sits on Water Street in Apalachicola, right in the heart of one of Florida’s most charming fishing communities.
Seafood is the specialty here, so you can pair a Cuban with local grouper cheeks or a blackened grouper sandwich. The chorizo mac and cheese is another favorite side that keeps the comfort-food theme going.
The truck offers a full vegan and full vegetarian menu too, plus a kids’ menu, so it works for mixed groups. Dogs are welcome, and there’s curbside pickup and a drive-through for road-trippers in a hurry.
Hours run 11 AM to 8 PM most days, with a shorter Wednesday and a closed Sunday, so time your Apalachicola visit accordingly.
3. Mayeya’s Cuban Food, Reddick, FL
Blink while driving through Reddick and you might miss this tiny farming community in Marion County, home to only about 500 people. That makes Mayeya’s Cuban Food a genuine surprise on West Highway 318, a vibrant little eatery serving authentic Cuban classics.
The Cuban sandwiches here come in what regulars describe as the perfect size, and the croqueta sandwich is a standout worth ordering alongside. If you want a full plate, the picadillo, black beans, and maduros round things out nicely.
Prices land in the affordable $10 to $20 range, and a cortadito makes an easy add-on. The vibe is casual, family-friendly, and quick, with curbside pickup and takeout available.
One catch worth noting: Mayeya’s runs Monday through Friday only, from 11:30 AM to 6:30 PM, and closes on weekends. Plan your weekday drive around it.
4. Cafe Masaryktown, Masaryktown, FL
History and Cuban comfort food meet in an unexpected spot in Hernando County. Cafe Masaryktown occupies a historic building on Broad Street in Masaryktown, a small agricultural town of roughly 1,000 people, and it’s a family-run fixture serving Cuban and Spanish meals.
The Cuban sandwiches earn a lot of praise, but the rice and beans and black bean soup are big draws too. Homemade deviled crabs, yuca fries, and tostones fill out a menu that stays true to the classics.
Save room for dessert, since flan and cheesecake are on the board. There’s a kids’ menu and high chairs, making it easy for families, and it’s one of the few spots here that actually accepts reservations.
Open Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 5 PM, closed Sunday. Saturday afternoons run busiest, so weekday mornings are the calmer bet.
5. Cuban Grounds Cafe, Dade City, FL
Dessert lovers, take note. Cuban Grounds Cafe by Niaddi is known for its world-famous flan, but the Cuban sandwich has become a reason all its own to visit Dade City’s old-Florida downtown.
The Old Havana Cuban is the sandwich to know here, and it pairs beautifully with a cup of Cuban coffee brewed to match. The cafe is an extension of Niaddi Foods, a dessert maker that supplies hotels, airlines, and Orlando theme parks, so the sweets are seriously legit.
Beyond flan, expect chocoflan, rum cake, key lime pie, and Basque cheesecake, plus their own Cuban Grounds coffee brand. It’s a quiet, laptop-friendly space that also works for a solo breakfast or lunch.
Hours are limited: Wednesday through Saturday, 7 AM to 3 PM, closed the rest of the week. Prices stay reasonable in that $10 to $20 range.
6. Hola Cuban Cafe, Fernandina Beach, FL
Amelia Island’s Victorian seaport gets a jolt of Havana color at this cheerful little spot. Hola Cuban Cafe sits on South 5th Street in Fernandina Beach, a coastal town of around 13,000 with a walkable historic district.
Pressed sandwiches are the headliner, from the classic Cuban to the pan con lechon and the croqueta sandwich. Empanadas, croquetas, and black bean soup fill out the menu, and there’s a full vegan and vegetarian lineup for the whole table.
Coffee gets serious attention here, and churros make a fine finish. The dog-friendly patio, free Wi-Fi, and high chairs make it flexible for families, travelers, and pups alike.
It’s a popular stop after river cruises and around town events like Shrimp Fest. Open Wednesday through Monday, 9 AM to 3 PM, with Tuesday closed.
Note that street parking here is paid.
7. Cafe Tropical, Clewiston, FL
Anyone driving the Lake Okeechobee route knows Clewiston as sugar country, and Cafe Tropical is the easy stop for a Cuban on the way through. It sits on East Sugarland Highway in this inland farming town of about 7,300 on the lake’s southern shore.
The menu keeps things honest with the classic Cuban sandwich, bistec de palomilla, beef empanadas, and plantains. Cafe con leche and reasonable prices make it a solid value in that $10 to $20 range.
What sets this one apart is how it fits a road trip. It’s the kind of counter-and-table spot where you can call ahead and grab a Cuban for the road while you keep moving.
Hours are long and dependable, 6:30 AM to 8 PM every day of the week. Fridays and Sunday afternoons run busiest, while Wednesday evenings tend to be the quietest.
8. The Cuban Dely, LaBelle, FL
On the banks of the Caloosahatchee, LaBelle is a rural riverfront town and the Hendry County seat, and its Main Street holds a Cuban spot worth a detour. The Cuban Dely serves easygoing Cuban fare with daily specials and a clean, comfortable setting.
The signature Cuban comes on crusty Cuban bread stacked with pork, ham, pickles, Swiss cheese, and mustard, the way the classic is supposed to be built. Ropa vieja is another go-to here, and you can wash it all down with a materva soda.
Portions match the price, and service runs quick, whether you dine in, take out, or order delivery. High chairs and a kid-friendly setup make it work for families passing through.
Open Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM, and Saturday, 7:30 AM to 2 PM, closed Sunday. Saturday mornings draw the biggest crowds.
9. Nini’s Cuban Restaurant, Sebastian, FL
Down on the Treasure Coast, tucked into the Village Square shopping cluster, Nini’s Cuban Restaurant brings island flavors to the quiet town of Sebastian along the Indian River Lagoon. It’s a sit-down spot with a cozy dining room and outdoor seating.
The Cuban sandwich here is well grilled and packed with flavorful, juicy meat and the requisite pickles. But the deeper menu is where Nini’s stands out, with the ropa vieja sandwich and entree drawing loyal fans who want something beyond the standard.
The plantains earn their own following, and empanadas make a good starter. This is a bit more of a full-service, dinner-out experience, with prices in the $20 to $30 range and reservations accepted.
Hours are Tuesday through Sunday, closed Monday, with evenings running busiest on weekends and Sundays. Come for the classic Cuban, but stay for the dishes you won’t find at every stop.
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