Miami's 11 Best Croquetas

They're not all from Islas Canarias.

by Greyceli Marin Updated Feb 23, 2017, 12:00pm EST

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by Greyceli Marin Updated Feb 23, 2017, 12:00pm EST

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Croquetas are served in countries all over the world, from Belgium to India to Puerto Rico. But there's no doubt that Miami does them best. They're simple, but though they be but little, they be fierce.

Traditionally, croquetas are made with mashed potatoes or ground meat and mixed with béchamel sauce, then formed into a bite-sized cylinder and fried until golden brown. But nowadays they take on many different shapes, sizes and flavors. From the traditional variety of Miami favorites like Palomilla Grill and Enriqueta's Sandwich Shop, to the more un-traditional leaning croquetas found at restaurants like Sugarcane Raw Bar and Grill and Bulla, the options and flavors are just about limitless in this town.

Here are 11 places you can find the best versions of the tiny but mighty, fried perfection of a snack we all know too well — listed in alphabetical order. Go ahead and try them all. Nobody has ever overdosed.

Rincon Escondido Cafe

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If you were expecting this map to be filled solely with Hispanic bakeries, you have some croqueta reading to catch up on. This hideaway eatery offers all the authenticity from Spain in the comfort of your own continent.

Order: Ham and codfish croquetas.

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2697 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33137

(305) 438-9300

Tinta y Café

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Tinta is a friendly cafeteria with a walk-through window serving the necessary coladas, cortaditos, pastelitos and every flavor of croquetas you need to make it 'til Friday.

Order: El Croquetón. It's Miami's rendition of a Cuban sandwich, in case you we wondering whether that was even possible.

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276 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33130

(305) 285-0101

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Iberico Pata Negra

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If Spaniards and Cubans went head to head in a croqueta battle, Miami wouldn't know who to root for. The mastermind behind Casa Juancho, one of the most decorated restaurants in the city, hemls the kitchen at Iberico Pata Negra.

Order: Croquetas de bacalao (codfish).

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10 SW South River Dr, Miami, FL 33130

(305) 324-1111

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Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill

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Sugarcane is known mostly for its gorgeous decor and hand crafted cocktails, but equally grand are its goat cheese croquetas served with guava jam.

Order: Goat cheese croquetas.

3252 NE 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33137

(786) 369-0353

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Bulla Gastrobar

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"Bulla" is Spanish slang for "Hype," as in, These croquetas are so hype. Which is what you'll be saying right before you remember you were supposed to share those.

Order: Ham croquetas with fig jelly.

2500 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134

(305) 441-0107

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Palomilla Grill

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You'll find all your much-needed Cuban fixes at Palomilla, including feeling like you're part of a family who insists on over-feeding you.

Order: On Tuesdays, they serve buffalo croquetas. On every other day, there's chorizo, ropa vieja and ham.

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6890 W Flagler St, Miami-Dade County, FL

(305) 261-3424

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Larios on The Beach

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Larios was the winner of last year's Croquetapalooza with its Serrano ham croqueta served with a guava reduction and a key lime. 'Nough said.

Order: Aforementioned champion croqueta.

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820 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139

(305) 532-9577

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Sergio's Doral

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Sorry to all the men named Sergio who just can't make croquetas like this one can. Sergio's doesn't stray far from its Cuban roots, and has been making Miami more delicious since 1975.

Order: Chorizo croquetas.

1640 NW 87th Ave, Doral, FL 33172

(877) 647-3230

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Las Tapas de Rosa

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Take a Spaniard tourist to Las Tapas de Rosa and they'll be upset that they're practically back home. Give them a croqueta and they'll remember why they're from Spain in the first place.

Order: (One of each) ham, cod, chicken, spinach, chorizo, and chickpea croquetas.

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449 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33130

Enriqueta's Sandwich Shop

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The busiest and best-smelling lunch hour you'll experience is inside Enriqueta's. Whether you order from the window or sit inside in the long bar, you'll feel like your food was prepared by someone who really, really loves you.

Order: Croqueta preparada.

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2830 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137

(305) 573-4681

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Finka Table & Tap

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Finka serves croquetas from the 35-year-old staple, Islas Canarias, also considered by many the home of the perfect croqueta. This is only a little bit debatable.

Order: The croqueta pizza. It's exactly what you think it is.

14690 SW 26th St, Miami, FL 33175, Miami, FL 33175

(305) 227-8818

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