Puerto Sagua, a beloved Cuban diner in South Beach since 1962, serves up no-frills comfort food like hearty ropa vieja and authentic Cuban sandwiches in a nostalgic, bustling atmosphere.
"Puerto Sagua is filled with tourists for a reason. It’s not making Cuban food good enough to get most locals across the Causeways to South Beach. Not only is almost everyone eating here from out of town, we audibly gasped when we saw the ropa vieja listed as “beef stew” on the menu (don't order it, it's overcooked). But the mariquitas, maduros, and frijoles are inoffensive enough. Puerto Sagua has been around since 1962 and it's still retained much of its charm. The wood paneling and diner counter haven't changed in decades. And while we don't recommend a full meal here, stop by for a colada and toastada in the morning. You can’t really mess that up." - Virginia Otazo
"No frills, comfort Cuban food at its finest. This diner-style spot is right in the heart of South Beach, where it’s been a favorite of locals since 1962. The menu is filled with all the classics, from a solid medianoche sandwich to hearty and saucy ropa vieja, served with fluffy rice and well-seasoned black beans." - Amber Love Bond
"There's a ritual to making excellent masas de puerco frito: first, the pork chunks of meat are cut into cubes, marinated in mojo, then boiled and fried in their fat, allowing these little nuggets to get nice and crispy on the outside while staying juicy on the inside. At Puerto Sagua, the chunks are often served alongside yuca and rice but may also be found in a sandwich." - Juliana Accioly, Olee Fowler
"A Cuban standby in a sea of loud music and oversized cocktails, Puerto Sagua still retains its old-school diner charm (it’s been around since 1962). On any given day, it’s packed with people on lunch breaks, tourists eating Cuban sandwiches, and locals hiding from said loud music and oversized cocktails. The seafood-heavy menu is huge, but also has plenty of Cuban classics like croquetas, masitas de puerco, and whole fried snapper." - alyson penn, ryan pfeffer
"Since 1968, Puerto Sagua has been a staple Cuban restaurant in South Beach. The restaurant offers a range of affordable dishes, including the popular house combo featuring a tamale, two croquetas, two tostones, and plantain chips. While seafood is the house specialty, diners are encouraged to try the paella and the selection of traditional Cuban dishes, daily specials, and desserts." - Stacy A. Moya
