Everybody has a story to tell. In many Miami neighborhoods, you’ll hear those stories being told at “la ventanita,” which is the Spanish word for walk-up window. These windows are sprinkled throughout the city, and they owe their history to the influx of Cuban immigrants over the years, especially during the Cuban Revolution of the ’60s and ‘70s. Although they can be found in virtually every neighborhood, they tend to be more prevalent in older, more historic areas. Even Starbucks has cashed in on the craze by opening a location with walk-up window service in Coral Gables—albeit much to the chagrin of ventanita purists. The city has even has a movement, called 3:05 Cafecito, which is a Cuban coffee break at 3:05 p.m. each afternoon.

The popularity of la ventanitas can be linked to residents’ love of Cuban coffee, whether it comes in the form of café con leche, cortadito, or colada. But the food is also a draw with ventanitas serving as destinations for Cuban sandwiches, pastries, and a host of other traditional Cuban fare, particularly during breakfast hours. But the real attraction for many who frequent these establishments is the sense of community they foster through the conversation—whether it’s to discuss the gossip or politics of the day or to reminisce about Cuba’s past.

Here are some of the neighborhoods where you’ll find them.

Little Havana

Little Havana neighborhood photo by Shutterstock

If there’s a ground zero for walk-up window service, then it’s in Little Havana where you can find hundreds. There’s even a book about them called “Cuban Coffee Windows of Miami” written by writer and photographer Jacob Katel who documented his visits to more than 100 “ventanitas” in Calle Ocho along Southwest 8th Street in Miami, including ones at La Palma (which he says is one of his favorites) and El Cristo Restaurant.

Versailles Restaurant is probably the most iconic ventanita in the city, and it’s a destination for both residents and tourists. In addition to a full-service restaurant, it boasts a ventanita where people gather daily and conversations about Cuba’s past, present, and future can be overheard routinely.

Located in the heart of Little Havana, El Exquisito Restaurant is another restaurant steeped in the tradition of Miami coffee culture. On any given day, you can witness professionals who work in the area along with the locals from nearby Domino Park sipping Cuban coffee and catching up on the latest news.

At Los Pinareños Frutería, the walk-up window has barstools and customers rave not only about the coffee, but also the fresh coconut juice and fruit milkshakes. Just make sure to bring cash because debit and credit cards are not accepted.

Hialeah

Hialeah Station photo courtesy of Ebyabe

If you happen to be in Hialeah, then you have several good choices to get your fix of Cuban coffee and tasty Cuban fare to go along with it. Latin Café 2000 is a good choice for coquetas, cafeitos, and dozens of other traditional dishes. The restaurant prides itself on its healthy cooking style, which can be seen on the menu as “El Cubanito Saludable,” or “The Healthy Cuban.”

Although La Carreta has several locations throughout the city, the one in Hialeah on West 16th Avenue is especially known for its conversation and people-watching.

Miami Lakes

Cuban Cuisine / Shutterstock

Casavana Cuban Cuisine has locations in Homestead, Kendall, Coral Reef, and Fort Lauderdale, but the Miami Lakes restaurant is where you’ll find crowds at the walk-up window, which has been serving customers since the early 2000s. Fans of this establishment love the homestyle cooking and large portions.

Wynwood

Wynwood neighborhood photo by Shutterstock

Even neighborhoods like Wynwood, which have seen significant development in recent years, have walk-up window service reminiscent of old Miami. For example, Enriqueta’s Sandwich Shop is still a go-to destination for workers in the area, along with tourists, who stop by for café con leche and coladas, along with Cuban sandwiches. It gets particularly busy at lunchtime, but the service is fast and friendly.

Coconut Grove

Coconut Grove neighborhood

In today’s busy world, many have to multitask to save time, and there’s no better place than Mary’s Coin Laundry and Cafeteria in Coconut Grove where you can have a Cuban coffee and sandwich and do your laundry at the same time. It’s open around the clock, so it attracts a variety of customers, including late-night party-goers, police officers working the night shift, and the usual “viejitos,” which is Spanish for “old men.”