La Latina
Venezuelan restaurant · Edgewater ·
Traditional arepas, tequeños, and hallacas served with flair
Traditional arepas, tequeños, and hallacas served with flair
"Edgewater has plenty of casual spots serving very good things to eat, and La Latina is at the top of that list. The small restaurant has excellent Venezuelan food, and makes some of the best arepas in Miami, all of which cost somewhere from $12-14 There are also bigger platters that come with rice, beans, plantain, and a protein, as well as sides like the tequeños that you should always order. All of the above tastes significantly better when drowned in one of the house sauces, by the way." - ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo, mariana trabanino
"This Miami arepera is best known for its tequeños — deep-fried sticks of fresh cheese wrapped in a yeasted dough that have become a Venezuelan party staple and cultural symbol. Owner Alejandro Diaz says a good party must have tequeños “all the way until the very end,” and notes that a hundred tequeños is not a lot for a gathering. The appeal is the stretchy, gooey cheese and crisp fried dough (they are distinct from mozzarella sticks), and the shop emphasizes using soft white cheeses like queso blanco or queso llanero (mozzarella works in a pinch) rather than overly salty, crumbly cheeses. There are many modern variations — laminated dough (not recommended by the owner), guava- or caramel-stuffed versions, and numerous dipping options including guasacaca, garlic or cilantro aioli, club sauce, ají amarillo or ají dulce, papelón or guava marmalade, and even ketchup (a divisive choice among Venezuelans). For best results the dough needs proper proofing (there’s a debate about whether fried tequeños should have bubbly fermentation marks or a smooth surface; the owner prefers bubbles), and practical tips include frying at ~350°F until golden, using full-fat milk and good butter for richness, and freezing shaped tequeños to fry later." - Kat Thompson
"La Latina is a great Venezuelan spot that is right next to the wonderful wine bar Lagniappe and very close to Wynwood, in case you happen to be drinking over there. The Edgewater restaurant might not work for a late meal during the week since they close at 10pm, but they’re open till 2am on Friday and Saturday. Swing by on the way home for one of the best arepas in the city." - mariana trabanino, ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo
"Edgewater has plenty of casual spots serving very good things to eat, and La Latina is at the top of that list. The small restaurant has excellent Venezuelan food and makes some of the best arepas in Miami, most of which cost less than $10. There are also bigger platters that come with rice, beans, plantain, and a protein, as well as sides like the tequeños (that you should always order). All of the above tastes significantly better when drowned in the pink house sauce, by the way, so locate a bottle of that." - ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo
"We would pay more money than we should for a great arepa, but thankfully we can just come to Midtown’s colorful little La Latina for some of the best ones in Miami - and only spend around $5-8. If you manage to focus on something other than the arepa selection, you’ll find empanadas for under $4 and very good Venezuelan platters with rice, plantains, and a protein for less than $10. They also stay open till 5am on Friday and Saturday, which will come in handy next time you’re leaving Wynwood at 2am on a mission for food." - ryan pfeffer
