Five Cuban bakeries that sell the best pastelitos

It’s difficult to walk into a Cuban bakery and not inhale the sweet smell of a warm and perfectly baked pastelito.

Pastelitos are the signature pastry of every Cuban bakery, known for their golden-orange color and flaky dough. Cuban bakeries make their pastelitos with traditional fillings like guava, cream cheese and coconut. Some bakeries give their pastelitos a kick by using savory fillings such as bacon, chocolate and eggs. Here are five Cuban bakeries that make the most mouthwatering pastelitos. So grab your cafecito Cubano and let’s go.

Pastelitos de carne from Vicky Bakery (Ruth Correa/SFMN)

Vicky Bakery  
2885 W 68th St.
Hialeah
Hours: 6:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 6:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday
305-231–3133

Vicky Bakery has been serving pastelitos since 1972. Antonio Cao, and his wife Gelasia Cao, brought their pastelito recipe from Cuba when they migrated to the United States. Together they turned what once was a small bakery in Hialeah into a 16-store empire of pastelito goodness. For $1.05, customers can come to Vicky bakery and enjoy delicious pastelitos.

Hand-crafted pastelitos from Dos Croquetas (Ruth Correa/SFMN)

Dos Croquetas
10505 SW 40th St.
Miami
Hours: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 12 a.m. Friday – Saturday
305-912-3672

Pastelitos are known for their guava, cream cheese and coconut filling. Dos Croquetas takes it to another level by making pastelitos filled with chocolate, ham, cheese, bacon and egg. Guava $2.75;  chocolate $3.50; ham and cheese, $3.99; and bacon and egg $3.75.

Guava, coconut, cheese, meat and guava-cheese pastelitos from Sabroso bakery (Ruth Correa/SFMN)

Sabroso Bakery
2508 SW 87th Ave.
Miami
Hours: 5:45 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Saturday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday
305-680–103

Sabroso Bakery is a hidden jewel in the heart of Westchester. Baked to perfection, their pastelitos offer a crunch in every bite, served warm by a friendly staff. At just 90 cents a customer can enjoy these tasty classics that go great with a Cuban cafecito.

Pastelito de coco from Vito’s Bakery (Ruth Correa/SFMN)

Vito’s Bakery
3934 Curtiss Pkwy.
Miami Springs
Hours: 5:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Friday, 6 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, 6 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Sunday
305-871-6693

In 1989, Vito Gomez started his business hoping to make his bakery a neighborhood favorite. After his death his twin daughters, Tiffany and Eileen, took over and have worked to perfect their father’s recipe and keep his dream alive. At Vito’s Bakery, customers can buy crunchy pastelitos that sell at a low price of 84 cents, and are drizzled with a heavenly touch of Vito Gomez.  

A box with coconut and guava pastelitos accompanied by cuban coffee from La Carreta (Ruth Correa/SFMN)

La Carreta
11740 SW 88th St.
Miami, FL 33186
Hours: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday – Sunday
305-596-5973

Going to La Carreta is like taking a trip to abuelita’s house and getting served mouthwatering baked goods. La Carreta is a place where friends gather to share stories, opinions and ideas with a savory pastelito in one hand and a hot café Cubano in the other. It doesn’t serve all the traditional pastelitos, but one bite of their freshly baked guava pastry will leave you wanting more . Though they don’t serve all the fillings, what La Carreta pastelitos lack in variety, they make up in quality for just $1.15.

Ruth Correa is a junior at Florida International University majoring in broadcast media. She likes to draw, and write stories and poems. After graduation, she hopes to get hired on a network and report the truth to her community.