Pinolandia
Nicaraguan restaurant · East Little Havana
119 NW 12th Ave, Miami, FL 33128
Highlights
Authentic Nicaraguan carne asada, gallo pinto, and fried cheese.
Authentic Nicaraguan carne asada, gallo pinto, and fried cheese.
"With a handful of locations in South Florida, Pinolandia is one of Miami’s most reliable fritangas. And the Little Havana location, which is open 24 hours, is definetely the most iconic one. There's almost always a line in front of the steam counter. It's a great place to take someone for their first introduction to fritanga, because Pinolandia does pretty much everything well—particularly beautifully marinated carne asada. Make sure to visit the adjacent general store to pick up a traditional Nicaraguan drink like tamarind with chia seeds." - mariana trabanino
"Pinolandia is one of Miami’s most iconic fritangas. Customers line up in front of a cafeteria-style steam counter and pick the items they want. There are a few picnic-style tables in a paved courtyard in front of the restaurant, but it’s also perfectly acceptable to tear into your carne asada while hunched over the hood of your car (there’s a parking lot next door exclusively for customers). That carne asada is the thing to get here, and it has one of the tastiest marinades we’ve had at a fritanga. Make sure to visit the adjacent general store to pick up a traditional homemade drink like tamarind with chia seeds." - ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo
"Pinolandia is an icon in Miami's rich fritanga scene. The Little Havana location is open 24 hours a day (useful information when you’re leaving Space) and so is the adjacent Nicaraguan bodega. The best thing to get here is the carne asada, which is also the reason why the place constantly smells like flame-licked beef marinated in naranja agría. You’ll also want to grab a slice or two of queso frito, which is thick, squeaky, and really creamy. Like almost all fritangas in Miami, you can’t say you’ve been there without ordering a traditional Nicaraguan drink. We like the cacao, our favorite version of chocolate milk made with ground cacao seeds." - ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo
"Pinolandia is one of the best Nicaraguan restaurants in Miami, and the classic fritanga is literally constantly churning out freshly grilled carne asada (because they never close). You're coming here for a takeout box stuffed with expertly grilled meats, crunchy rolled tacos with a swimming pool of crema, and savory tomato-based stews. Like almost all fritangas in Miami, make sure to order a traditional drink with your food, like a sweet barley tea that’s supposed to settle the stomach after a plate of rich food (or a night of drinking)." - mariana trabanino, ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo
"PInolandia is another great fritanga that's open 24 hours a day and constantly churns out freshly grilled carne asada. This place is a little more spartan than some of its nearby competitors, although dedicated fans keep coming back for expertly grilled meats, crunchy rolled tacos with a virtual swimming pool of crema, and savory tomato-based stews. Like almost all fritangas in Miami, make sure to order a traditional drink with your food, like a sweet barley tea that’s supposed to settle the stomach after a plate of rich food (or a night of drinking)." - mariana trabanino, virginia otazo
