4 Holiday Food Traditions That Define Miami’s Cultural Flavor
Miami isn’t just a destination — it’s a celebration on every plate. During the holiday season, this vibrant city transforms into a melting pot of festive food traditions, each telling a story of community, culture, and centuries-old heritage. From the sweet creaminess of Puerto Rican coquito to the savory spice of Haitian griot in Little Haiti, South Florida’s holiday table is packed with delicious diversity. Here are our top 4 Miami holiday food traditions you’ll want to try:
🥥 1. Coquito – Puerto Rican Holiday Cheer
What it is: Coquito — literally “little coconut” — is Puerto Rico’s beloved holiday drink, rich and creamy like a tropical eggnog. Made with coconut cream, sweetened condensed milk, rum, cinnamon, and vanilla, coquito arrives in Miami homes and bars as early as November and stays through the New Year.
Why it’s special in Miami: Local spots like Hialeah bars and upscale cocktail lounges offer creative twists on this classic, blending cultural comfort with contemporary flair. It’s more than a drink — it’s a holiday hug in a glass.
Here’s a recipe so you can try your hand on making this at home.
🐖 2. Lechón Asado in a Caja China – Cuban Christmas Feast
What it is: For many Cuban families in Miami, Christmas Eve isn’t complete without a whole hog roasted in a caja china — a roasting box that delivers juicy, crispy-skinned lechón. This tradition anchors countless holiday gatherings across neighborhoods like Little Havana. In fact, many of our holiday guests at our Little Havana Retreat have reported a strong “barbeque” aroma in the air on Christmas Eve.
Local flavor: Some locals even celebrate this tradition with a festive twist: the annual pig pardoning event, where community members symbolically spare pigs bound for roasting — a uniquely Miami holiday ritual rooted in Cuban Christmas food culture. See this article in The Guardian
🍲 3. Soup Joumou & Griot – A Haitian Celebration
What it is: Around New Year’s — especially on January 1 — Haitian communities in Miami honor a food deeply tied to independence and identity: Soup Joumou, a hearty squash soup traditionally served to celebrate liberation and new beginnings.
Another staple is griot, marinated and fried pork served with pikliz (spicy pickled vegetables) and fried plantains — a festive centerpiece that resonates throughout Little Haiti and beyond.
Cultural significance: These dishes go well beyond taste — they symbolize resilience, memory, and community gathering, especially poignant among diaspora families in South Florida.
Here’s a list from Infatuation Miami of some of the best Haitian restaurants in Miami so you can try it for yourself.
🍃 4. Hallacas – Venezuelan Holiday Tamales
What it is: Brought here by a thriving Venezuelan community, hallacas are festive bundles of yellow corn masa filled with a richly seasoned blend of meats, olives, and raisins, wrapped in banana leaves and boiled to perfection.
Why Miami loves them: Hallacas are a holiday staple around Christmas and New Year’s, served at community gatherings, home celebrations, and local bakeries. They embody the spirit of hands-on holiday cooking and family sharing.
Try to make them with your family this holiday season, here’s a recipe we 100% sign-off on.
Tips for Visitors
- Explore Little Havana, Little Haiti, and Doral for authentic holiday food experiences.
- Visit local markets or cultural festivals during December to taste dishes straight from community kitchens.
- Don’t miss small family-run restaurants— they often serve holiday specialties not found on typical restaurant menus.
Miami’s holiday food traditions reflect the city itself: rich, diverse, deliciously layered, and deeply cultural. Whether you’re sipping coquito by Biscayne Bay or sharing table space with neighbors celebrating Haitian Soup Joumou, the holidays in South Florida are as much about food as they are about community.