A Nicaraguan Hidden Gem That's Straight Out of the '80s
With meat for days
You wanna find a great hidden gem? Look next to a payday loan and jewelry shop. This theory has worked wonders throughout my life, and was once again proven when I found Guayacan, a little Nicaraguan spot on Calle Ocho flanked by a botanica and the Todo es Cash Joyeria. It’s been around since the 1980s, though unless you stopped to look at the big, flashing red sign that says “Restaurant,” you’ve probably missed it.
It’s been a local go-to for Nicaraguan food for 40 years, a family-run spot where the servers have been there forever, and know many of the guests by name. Guayacan is the kind of Latin food hidden gem tourists always say they want to find in Miami before they end up eating at Versailles, and should be on your radar the next time you’re looking to try something different.
So what, exactly, is Nicaraguan food?
Nicaraguan food encompasses many of the staples of other Latin American cuisine – grilled meats, rice and beans, chimichurri, and fresh seafood. The national dish is gallo pinto, which is effectively a lighter, less pork-y take on congri. Lots of Spanish, meso-American, and Afro-Caribbean influences, and if you like Peruvian, Mexican, or Argentine food this is going to be right up your alley.
The space: Feels like you’re eating in another time and place, and that’s exactly part of the charm. The large, main dining room is done up in ranch house wooden beams, with a smattering of older tables and colorful art on the wall. It brings you back to stripped down steak spots of your childhood, the kind of place that seemed fancy in the ‘90s. Don’t be confused, though, Guayacan still maintains a sophisticated feel with servers in button-down shirts and white napkins, and a bar boasting an impressive selection of international wines.
What to eat and drink: The go-to at Guayacan is the Parriada Guayacan, a sampler of grilled meats that they say feeds two, but can easily feed four. It comes with gallo pinto and plantains, and at $33.95 is an exceptional value. The ceviche is fresh and citrusy, more akin to the Peruvian variety than Mexican. Nactamales are massive, filled with pork and covered in tomato sauce, and roughly twice the size of tamales you’re probably used to. The simple pechuga de pollo is marinated in mojo then flame grilled, and with an avocado salad on the side is ideal for healthy eaters.
Drinks are beer and wine only, though the selection of South American and Spanish wines behind the bar punches way above its weight. Servers know the list well, and yes, they speak English and Spanish.
Don’t miss: The queso frito. It’s not only deliciously satisfying, it’s fun to pull apart.
Perfect for: Dinner that’ll last two days; Out-of-towners who want something authentic and unusual.
Expect to pay: $40 a person.
How’s the parking: There’s a small parking lot in the little plaza, though it makes Trader Joe’s parking look pleasant. Street parking on this part of Calle Ocho is pretty easy.
@guayacan_miami // 1933 SW 8th St., Little Havana