Unique Things to Do and See at the Miami Airport, Including a Ton of Cuban Food

Every few weeks or so, I get a text from a friend connecting through Miami International Airport that says something along the lines of, “I hope your airport dies in a grease fire.”

I always think they’re being a little harsh on MIA, because as a regular visitor to our airport I don’t think it’s all that bad. Do the escalators and moving walkways work? No. Does the tram run regularly? Also no. Can you ask for help if you’re not fluent in multiple languages? Probably not. But where else in America can you get in your 15,000 daily steps looking for an operative restroom? You’re welcome, people of Earth.

Half-jokes aside, MIA is actually pretty nice if you know where to look. According to my creepy-but-still-kinda-cool Google maps, I visit MIA more than any other place that’s not my house. And over those hundreds of visits I’ve gotten to know the ins and outs of the place, both good and bad. So if you find yourself stuck at MIA for longer than you’d anticipated, here are some ideas for things to do. None of which involve texting your local friends about how awful their airport is.

Miami’s Metrorail takes you directly to the Miami Intermodal Center, a four-minute ride on the MIA Mover from the main terminal. Make sure you get on the Metrorail’s orange line, which you can pick up in Downtown, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, or Dadeland/Kendall. If you’re in Miami Beach, you’ll need to take a bus to Government Center downtown, and jump on the Orange line from there. Note on weekends, the Orange line only runs from Earlington Heights to the airport, so you’ll have to change trains to the Green line there. The wait can be up to 25 minutes, so on weekends the Metrorail is pretty useless.

If you’re in north Miami-Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach County, you can take the TRI-Rail right to the airport. The double-decker commuter train is surprisingly easy and comfortable with WiFi onboard. You can also opt for the sleek, high-speed Brightline train from Aventura, Ft. Lauderdale, Boca Raton, or West Palm Beach. It operates a shuttle to MIA from its downtown Miami station for $10. Or you can jump on the Metrorail from the Historic Overtown station right next door.

The restaurant atop the Miami International Airport Hotel, located in the Central Terminal, sits pre-security. So if you’ve got a long layover getting a drink here will involve another trip through TSA. But the views from the restaurant are worth it, looking out over Wilcox Field and all the planes taking off and landing. The food is pretty mid, and the drinks are standard but effective. But like a lot of restaurants outside the airport in Miami, you’re paying for the view.

MIA has done an excellent job of transforming some of its infamously long hallways into local art galleries. So if you’re not in a rush to make a connection, take some time to appreciate them. For example, the D/E terminal connector has rotating exhibits, currently showcasing the real/surreal Dreamscapes: Untold Magical Stories. If you take the time to look up while making the trek through Concourse D you’ll see art installations ranging from metallic birds to a Wright Brothers-era airplane.

Famed muralist Jen Stark’s Meltdown adorns the walls just past the third-floor connector to the MIA Mover, which takes you to the Intermodal Center. You can also see a colorful depiction of Caribbean history in the Carybe Murals, which sit along the escalators from Floor 3 to Floor 2 pre-security in Terminal H. They once hung in the American Airlines terminal in JFK and were reinstalled at MIA in 2009.

Find it in: Terminal D
Set high above the masses on the far end of Terminal D, the Amex Centurion Lounge is the undisputed king of MIA lounges. There’s a full bar with a pretty decent wine selection, mini-massages, and a buffet with food curated by famed Miami chef Michelle Bernstein. The buffet lines can get long, as can the queue at the bar, but if you’re not in a hurry this is the best place to post up. The big disadvantage is that if you’re not flying through Terminal D or E you’ll need to go through security for those terminals to access it. Also, it’s a long walk from the Centurion to high-number D gates and all E gates, so leave 15-20 minutes to walk if that applies to you.

Find it in: Terminal D/Concourse E Bag Claim
La Carreta is a staple Miami Cuban restaurant, easily recognizable by the giant, flashing wagon wheel outside. It has two outposts at MIA, both serving Cuban classics like Cuban sandwiches, arroz con pollo, ropa vieja, and croquetas.

Find it in: H-J Connector
Because MIA isn’t one continuous terminal, you can’t access all the great Cuban food in Terminal D if you’re flying out of H or J, where Air Canada, Air France, Avianca, Delta, and other big airlines live. The best bet in the South Terminal is Bongo’s, a creation of Gloria and Emelio Estefan that was once a post-game party staple at the American Airlines Arena. The food’s fantastic at the airport location, though the party is considerably tamer.

Find it in: Terminal D/Terminal E
Fuel up for your epic journey through Terminal D with Miami’s official legal upper: Cuban coffee. The stuff will send you flying, and Miami’s most famous Cuban restaurant has a couple of small stands in the airport where you can pick up a cortadito, cafe con leche, and pastelitos para llevar.

Find it in: H-J Connector
If you somehow missed your chance to enjoy jerk chicken and rice during your visit to Miami, this spot in the H-J connector is your last chance. It offers a Bacon-cado Burger, if you want to load up on fats pre-fight. And it also offers a pretty sizable menu of Cuban classics if you need just one more Palomilla steak.

Find it in: Terminal D
This empanada stalwart has been around for over a decade, and somehow worked its way into airports and stadiums around the city. But its success makes sense, as Half Moon’s combination of quality of flaky, savory turnovers are unrivaled. It’s got the classic beef and chicken, but also offers more interesting creations like chicken cordon bleu, chimichurri bacon, eggs and pinto beans, and other stuff that’ll give you a taste of Miami without stepping outside.

Find it in: Terminal D
We swear, airport ceviche isn’t a bad idea. This local legend had been serving citrus-cooked seafood for over a decade in the Magic City, and if you want a little local flavor on a short layover this is one of your best options.

Find it in: Terminals D and E
A few years ago, Wynwood was the hub of Miami’s beer scene. That era may be ending but the spirit lives on at these two neighborhood-themed bars, who carry a great selection of local beers if you want an in-airport tour of the local beer scene.

Find it in: Terminal D
We get it. Sometimes you’re stopping in MIA on your way to some fabulous Caribbean island and can justify dropping $22 on a mojito because it’s the last drink that’s not included in your resort package. You’ll find many soon-to-be-sunburned, like-minded people at the Mojito Bar, conveniently located near the D60 gates where most flights to the Bahamas and smaller Caribbean destinations depart.

Frankly, the best thing to do during a long layover at MIA is leave. Even though we’ve been welcoming in droves of tourists since the airport opened, we still haven’t quite managed to add many attractions. So if you want to get a cool sense of the city, you’ll find a few great spots less than five minutes away via taxi or rideshare.

831 NW 42nd Ave., Miami
This NFT-themed Cuban joint gets its motif from the infamous Bored Ape series, and feels more like an upscale coffee shop than a gritty Cuban cafeteria. It’s happy to play the classics, with Cuban sandwiches and Cuban-style Pixas, but also has some modern takes, like bowls topped with vaca frita or pollo a la plancha. It even offers acai bowls and smoothies if you’re trying to eat healthier

875 NW 42nd Ave., Miami
On the other end of the Cuban dining experience is the Latin Cafe, a local staple that serves all the classic dishes in a simple, unpretentious setting. You may leave smelling like roasted pork, and you’ll definitely feel your meal during your post-meal flight. But for the authentic Miami Cuban diner experience, nowhere near the airport is better.

1395 NW 57th Ave., Miami
Set along the airport’s perimeter road, this Miami landmark buts up to the MIA runway and lets you enjoy your dinner right next to taxiing Dreamliners. It looks like a small, stucco ranch house, but inside you’ll find a spacious restaurant with a traditional steakhouse menu. It’s not quick service like the Cuban spots, but if you’ve got several hours it’s a truly unique experience and might make your layover a little more interesting.

Find it in: Terminal D
American Airlines’ lounge has two locations in Terminal D, conveniently located on either side of security. The club near D30 is also home to the Flagship Lounge, American’s upscale lounge for first class international passengers and top-tier status members flying overseas. Both make for a nice respite with free beer, wine, and well drinks, plus a buffet you can make a meal out of if you get creative. The Admirals Club is open to members only, though day passes are available on lighter travel days for $79.

Find it in: Terminal D
We mentioned this place before, but it’s the best lounge in MIA and the others are not even close. It’s open to Amex Platinum cardholders with boarding passes on any airline. Guests now require a $50 fee.

Find it in: Terminal E and H
For Priority Pass members or anyone flying first or business class on Turkish or another Star Alliance airline, this is your place of respite from the masses. The food is an expected mix of Middle Eastern specialties, so you can enjoy falafel and lentils alongside a full open bar. Before big international flights—especially on Turkish Airways—seating can be at a premium. So, if you’re planning some lounge time be sure to get there early.

Find it in: H-J Connector
Delta’s lone lounge at MIA sits at the beginning of the H-J connector, just past security on the left. Go upstairs and find a world of fresh food and an open bar, with shower and bathroom facilities. It’s open to Delta lounge members as well as Amex Platinum card holders with a valid Delta boarding pass that day.

Find it in: Terminal J
This LATAM, invite-only lounge is mostly for its first and business class passengers flying to Latin America. On lighter days, you can buy day passes as well, though despite the exclusivity it is still, basically, an airport lounge.

This hotel just outside the airport flies a little under the radar, but if you want to get a workout in during your overnight layover this is hands down the top spot. There’s a nice pool and the gym here is massive, with heavy dumbbells, plenty of cardio equipment, and physio balls and cables. Each room comes with in-room fitness equipment too, and a book of workouts you can do without having to go downstairs.

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