If you’re reading this Sanguich Downtown Miami review because you’re trying to decide where to eat at Bayside Marketplace, let me save you some scrolling: order the Cubano and thank me later.
When you’re walking around downtown, especially near the cruise port, finding a quick lunch that’s actually good (and not just convenient) can be harder than it should be.
Founded by Daniel Figueredo and Rosa Romero — lifelong Miami locals with deep Cuban-American roots — Sanguich was built around one very clear idea: elevate the classic Cuban sandwich without messing with what makes it great. The goal wasn’t to reinvent Cuban food. It was to honor it properly.
And that care shows from the first bite.
This counter-service sandwich shop earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand distinction, which recognizes exceptional food at a great value. For a pressed sandwich spot to land on Michelin’s radar? That says a lot.
If you’re planning a full downtown food crawl, you can see my full review of Café Bastille Downtown Miami for brunch earlier in the day — but for lunch, this is where you want to be.
You’re going to ask what to order, so let’s just get into it.
City ham, lechón, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on Cuban bread — pressed until golden and crisp.
This is the benchmark. The pork is flavorful, the ham adds saltiness, the pickles bring acidity, and the bread has that perfect pressed crunch. It’s balanced, traditional, and exactly what you picture when someone says “Cuban sandwich.”
The bread alone deserves a moment. That crisp exterior with a soft, warm interior is what makes the whole thing work. No soggy middle. No overwhelming mustard situation. Just proper proportions.
Shredded pork, pickled mojo onions, and garlic cilantro aioli on Cuban bread.
This one leans deeper into pork flavor. The mojo onions brighten everything up, and the aioli adds creaminess without overpowering the meat. It leans harder into the pork than the Cubano.
Both are outstanding.
If you’re with someone, order both and split them. That’s the move. It’s basically research.
If you’re solo, go with the Cubano — it’s the classic for a reason.
The downtown location sits inside Bayside Marketplace right on the water, which makes it incredibly convenient if you’re staying nearby or heading out on a cruise.
It’s counter service with limited seating, so think “grab your sandwich and enjoy the waterfront” rather than long sit-down lunch. You can also order online ahead of time and do pickup, which is perfect if you’re short on time.
If you’re staying downtown, I always recommend staying near Bayside so you can walk to places like this instead of fighting traffic. Being able to grab a Michelin-recognized sandwich and stroll by the water without calling an Uber? That’s efficient planning.
If you’re flying into Miami just for a quick stay or cruise, I usually check flights on Skyscanner first to compare times and airlines easily — especially if you’re trying to land early enough to grab lunch here before boarding.
And if you’re building out your full day, check out my guide to Bayside Marketplace Miami for more food spots and things to do within walking distance.
Sanguich has expanded beyond just one storefront. You can also find locations in:
Calle Ocho
Little Haiti
Coral Gables
Bayside
Aventura
Same quality. Same focus on traditional Cuban sandwiches done properly.
If you’re exploring beyond downtown and renting a car makes this much easier, I usually browse options through Discover Cars so you can compare pickup spots around Miami without overpaying at the counter.
Yes! Sanguich works because it doesn’t try to be trendy. It focuses on doing the classics correctly. There’s no unnecessary twist, no dramatic reinvention, no “fusion” surprise. Just roasted pork done well. Bread pressed properly. Flavors that make sense together.
It’s nostalgic. It’s intentional. It’s rooted in culture. And it just happens to be one of the best lunch stops in downtown Miami. If you’re walking around Bayside wondering where to eat, this is an easy answer.
If you’re planning a bigger food-focused trip, you can learn more in my post about the best restaurants in Downtown Miami to map out your meals ahead of time. Because if you’re going to do Miami right, you might as well eat well while you’re at it.
And yes — I’d plan my timing around this sandwich again.
Let’s talk about when to actually book that Dubai trip you’ve been pinning for two years. I get asked this constantly, so here’s the honest breakdown: October through April is your window. Anything outside that and you’re basically touring in a sauna!
October and November give you warm days and cooler nights, which is basically the sweet spot for wandering around without melting. December through February is peak season: gorgeous weather. March and April are the quiet insider pick, right before summer heat shows up and ruins everyone’s plans.
Saving this for later? That’s what it’s here for. Full breakdown linked in bio.
If you’re chasing energy, beaches, nightlife, and nonstop luxury, Dubai takes the crown. If you’re craving culture, iconic architecture, and meaningful landmarks at a slower pace, Abu Dhabi shines.🤍
My advice? Base yourself in Dubai and do Abu Dhabi as a day trip! The perfect balance of excitement and culture in the UAE.
Want the full breakdown? Check out my Dubai and Abu Dhabi guide for tips, itineraries, and must-sees!
I do not like seafood. 🐟 So when I booked a tasting menu at a restaurant built around aquarium walls at Atlantis The Palm, I was nervous.
Ossiano sits underwater fish gliding past the whole meal, moody lighting, the kind of room that makes you lower your voice without meaning to. It’s not cheap, and it’s not trying to be. You’re paying for the entire experience.
Here’s the honest part: they have a vegetarian tasting menu, and I assumed it would be an afterthought. It ended up in my top five meals of all time. Course after course, the same care and precision as the seafood-forward menu everyone comes for. They even swapped in a steak for the main and it still felt cohesive with everything around it.
By course four you’re full. They bring out three more breads anyway. I ate all of it. No regrets.
Small detail that stuck with me my dress was black, so they swapped my napkin from white to black without me asking. That’s the kind of thing that tells you everything about a place.
Full breakdown of the menu, the vegetarian option, and what to expect linked in bio.
Dubai is all skyline until you drive an hour into the dunes and it goes completely silent. Bab Al Shams was that shift for us: slower, quieter, more intentional than anything we did in the city.
If you want nightlife or walkable everything, this isn’t your stop. But if you want a night that feels like a reset, it delivers, polished service, food I’m still thinking about, and a setting that never tries too hard.
Full review (and whether it’s worth adding to your Dubai itinerary) is linked in bio. 🏜️
I flew @emirates economy to Dubai fully expecting to just survive the flight. We booked seats by the exit row — @bradplummer1 got the legroom (he’s 6’7”), I got a normal seat right next to him, and it saved us money over booking two extra-legroom seats. Smart trick if you’re traveling with someone who needs the extra space and you don’t.
The food alone earned this post. Warm chicken, a Waldorf salad that actually tasted fresh, real butter on the roll, and a breakfast spread that put most airport brunches to shame. Add in the twinkling-star cabin lighting once dinner wrapped, and it felt less like a flight and more like the trip had already started.
Not everything was perfect — the wifi didn’t work for me at all, so if you’re planning to get work done in the air, download what you need beforehand. But that was the only miss in an otherwise excellent long haul.
If you’ve got Emirates lounge access in Dubai, use it. Showers, buffets, quiet corners to nap it makes the layover feel like a reset instead of a slog.
Full review seats, food, lounge, and the wifi situation is on the blog. Link in bio. ✈️
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
