Dennys Latin Cafe on Key Largo // Authentic Cuban Cuisine in the Florida Keys
Our first official stop in the Florida Keys was at Denny’s Latin Cafe for the best flan on Earth, and authentic Cuban coffee. It’s on Key Largo, across from Diver’s Direct and that huge dive flag. You can’t miss it.
I truly believe flan is “Florida Gold.” Wherever we travel, if it looks like it might be authentic, I have to give it a try. I’ve had sweet flan, bland flan, runny flan, stiff flan – and this one has the best consistency I’ve ever had.
We learned – only order one slice of flan. These are huge! Enough for two people to share; the slices are extremely tall.
Denny’s is also next door to a coffee chain – but why go there when you have authenticity available! We prefer to eat “off the chain” when possible.
The excitement to try something new and different, and the opportunity to meet locals and hear their stories interests us more than cookie cutter franchises.
We’ve now been to Dennys twice, so this time, we were looking for it. The flan is huge, made daily, and displayed in a case near the front of the restaurant. You can see the espresso machine in the background!
Outside, there is a walk-up window and a board with the daily specialities. We wanted to savor the experience, so we headed in and had a seat near the window so we could watch the traffic on the main drag in the Keys.
Our espresso was served in tiny cups – a warning that it is quite strong!
Empanadas, croquettes, and freshly-made offerings in the case.
The empanadas sell out quickly every morning.
Going… going…
Gone!
Dennys is right about there. Their address is 99600 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, Florida. Phone number is (305) 451-3665. Their menus are available at Key Largo Menus, and feature appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, Mexican dishes, breakfast dishes, and even natural juices.
Making Your Own Authentic Cuban Coffee at Home
For those wanting the authentic Cuban coffee experience, it’s actually quite simple to replicate at home. All you need is a Moka pot, a stove, water, maybe some authentic Cuban coffee. We use Cafe Bustelo’s esspresso ground coffee, and coarse Turbinado sugar.
The Moka pot above is called a “6 cup pot.” Don’t be fooled – the resulting coffee is measured by the thimbleful, so six is a lot of potent coffee.
You simply fill the bottom section with water, and then fill the middle section with coffee. If you want to get fancy, you can use a specially-designed coffee tamp, or the back of a teaspoon. Just lightly press.
Screw on the lid, and boil. When the first perks come bubbling through, you will have to lift the lid to check, pour out about a tablespoon into your cup, and whisk about two tablespoons of coarse sugar to a caramel-colored froth. Your full-sized whisk might not fit in your coffee cup, so a small whisk will work better. By the time your sugar is whisked; your coffee is all perked and ready to pour in your cup. !Salud!
What to Read Next:
Planning a Legal Trip to Cuba from the US // Travel Restrictions // Rules for Americans
