PLAYA CAFE – Mexican
Family-owned hole-in-the-wall on South Beach cooking home-style Cuban comfort since 2003 under the Playita Cafe name. Breakfast plates, sandwiches, appetizers, and completas — full meat-or-chicken meals with the proper sides — anchor a menu built on two decades of kitchen experience, with Uber Eats and Postmates delivering. The following is loyal and mixed: neighborhood regulars, beach workers, and tourists tipped off to the real thing. It suits cafecito-and-completa lunches, unpretentious-food loyalists, and anyone who trusts a Miami Beach kitchen more the smaller it is. Sides and drinks round out a menu that hasn't needed reinvention since opening.
1515 Washington AVE, Miami Beach, FL, 33139 +1-262-430-2019 https://playitacafe.com/0Cuisine: Mexican
Price range: $
Dietary options: dairy-free, gluten-free, halal, high-protein, keto, low-carb, nut-free, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-fat, low-sodium, mediterranean, paleo, pescatarian, plant-based, whole30, anti-inflammatory, atkins, dash-sodium-reduced, gerd, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, south-beach, aip, alkaline, carnivore, low-fodmap, raw-food, renal, tlc, volumetrics, zone, juice-cleanse, lectin-free, macrobiotic, slow-carb, sesame-free, soy-free
Diet fit at PLAYA CAFE
Dairy-Free at PLAYA CAFE
PLAYA CAFE in Miami Beach has 12 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Onion Rings, Simple Baleadas and French Fries. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Gluten-Free at PLAYA CAFE
PLAYA CAFE in Miami Beach has 10 gluten-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Simple Baleadas, Steak in Casserole and Central American Steak Breakfast. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at PLAYA CAFE
PLAYA CAFE in Miami Beach has 16 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Fried Cheese, Onion Rings and Simple Baleadas. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
High-Protein at PLAYA CAFE
PLAYA CAFE in Miami Beach has 1 high-protein-tagged dish on its current menu, including Chicken Wings. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Keto at PLAYA CAFE
PLAYA CAFE in Miami Beach has 2 keto-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Fried Cheese and Chicken Wings. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Carb at PLAYA CAFE
PLAYA CAFE in Miami Beach has 6 low-carb-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Fried Cheese, Egg Wrap and Central American Steak Breakfast. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Nut-Free at PLAYA CAFE
PLAYA CAFE in Miami Beach has 2 nut-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including French Fries and Chicken Wings. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegan at PLAYA CAFE
PLAYA CAFE in Miami Beach has 3 vegan-tagged dishes on its current menu, including French Fries, Midnight Sandwich and Soup. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
How tags work: Dish-level menu analysis by Chefi's rule-based diet engine with AI assistance; nutrition values are estimated from ingredients unless marked verified. Allergen and certification claims are never inferred.
What to order at PLAYA CAFE
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Soft Tacos | 1 g | 77.3 g |
| Chicken Wings | 1.4 g | 57.1 g |
| Midnight Sandwich | 37.2 g | 50.7 g |
| Special Breakfast | 56.8 g | 46.4 g |
| Omelette Sandwich | 19.8 g | 37.8 g |
| Turkey Club | 67.4 g | 36.1 g |
| Steak Sandwich with Ham & Cheese | 61.3 g | 33.7 g |
| Ham and Cheese Sandwich | 35.1 g | 23.6 g |
| Simple Baleadas | 50.2 g | 19.6 g |
| Egg Wrap | 19.9 g | 13.6 g |
| Fried Cheese | 3.5 g | 12.5 g |
| Pork Sandwich | 33.3 g | 12.1 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Currently closed
Menu
Breakfast
- Special Breakfast - $6.89: 2 Eggs, Ham, Bacon, Sausage or Turkey with toast, French Fries and Coffee Dietary tags: High-Fiber Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Cuban Breakfast - $6.89: 2 Eggs, Rice, Sweet Plantains Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Palomilla Steak Breakfast - $10: 2 Eggs, Palomilla Steak, Cuban Toast Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Central American Breakfast - $9.5: Fried beans, Fried cheese, 2 eggs and 1 Tortilla Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Ham and Cheese Egg Sandwich - $8: 2 Eggs, Sandwich with Ham and cheese Available at: breakfast, brunch, lunch
- Egg Wrap - $8: Wrap with eggs, Ham, Bacon, Sausage or Turkey Dietary tags: Low-Carb, South-Beach Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Pancakes, Eggs & Bacon - $6.5: Pancakes served with eggs and bacon Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Central American Chorizo Breakfast - $11.99: Traditional breakfast with chorizo Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Soy Free Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Central American Pork Chop Breakfast - $11.99: Traditional breakfast with pork chop Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Anti-Inflammatory, AIP, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Central American Steak Breakfast - $11.99: Traditional breakfast with steak Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC, AIP, Renal, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: breakfast, brunch
Sandwiches
- Pork Sandwich - $8.5 Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Steak Sandwich - $8.5 Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Sweet Plantain Steak Sandwich - $10: Steak sandwich with maduros Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Steak Sandwich with Ham & Cheese - $10.99 Available at: dinner, lunch
- Fish Sandwich w/ Soda - $9.5: Fish sandwich served with a soda Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Hamburger w/ Fries & Soda - $9.99 Available at: dinner, lunch
- Ham and Cheese Sandwich - $8 Available at: dinner, lunch
- Grilled Cheese Sandwich - $6 Dietary tags: Halal, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Prepared Croquette Sandwich - $9: Croqueta Preparada Available at: dinner, lunch
- Midnight Sandwich - $8.5: Media Noche Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Cuban Sandwich - $8.5 Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Sandwich - $9.5 Dietary tags: Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Tuna Sandwich - $8.5 Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Omelette Sandwich - $8 Dietary tags: Halal Available at: breakfast, brunch, lunch
- BLT - $8.5: Bacon, lettuce, tomato Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Turkey Club - $8.99 Dietary tags: Anti-Inflammatory, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
Appetizers
- Croquettes - $1 Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, South-Beach Available at: dinner, lunch
- Corn Tamales - $4.5: Tamalitos de maiz Available at: dinner, lunch
- Empanadas - $3: Chicken, Beef, Ham and Cheese Dietary tags: Anti-Inflammatory Available at: dinner, lunch
- Stuffed Yuca - $1.5: Yuca Rellena Available at: dinner, lunch
- Stuffed Potato - $1.5: Papa Rellena Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Wings - $8 Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Atkins, South-Beach, Low-Fodmap, Carnivore, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free, Sesame Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chicken Chunks - $8: Chicharrones de Pollo Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Low-Sodium, South-Beach, Renal, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Tamales - $5 Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Fried Cheese - $2.5: Queso Frito Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Atkins, South-Beach Available at: dinner, lunch
- Simple Baleadas - $4.5 Dietary tags: Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, High-Fiber, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: breakfast, brunch, dinner, lunch
- Fried Tacos (3) - $9.99: Chicken or Beef Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Soft Tacos - $9.99: Chicken, Beef, or Pork Available at: dinner, lunch
- Wraps - $8.5: Beef, Chicken, Tuna or Turkey Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
Specials
- Chicken Stew - $9.99: Pollo Guisado Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Steak in Casserole - $8.5: Bistec en Cazuela Dietary tags: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Paleo, Anti-Inflammatory, AIP, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Soup - $5: Sopa Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Ceviche - $4.5 Dietary tags: Halal, Pescatarian, Raw-Food, Alkaline Available at: dinner, lunch
Sides
- French Fries - $1.5 Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Cheese Fries - $2.5 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Atkins, South-Beach Available at: dinner, lunch
- Chili Cheese Fries - $3.5 Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, South-Beach Available at: dinner, lunch
- Onion Rings - $2.5 Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
Beverages
- Natural Juice / Smoothie - $4.5: Orange, Strawberry, Passion Fruit, Soursop, Tamarind, Guava Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Juice-Cleanse
- Lemonade - $1.5
- Horchata - $1.5
- Milkshake - $4.5: Malteada
Frequently Asked Questions about PLAYA CAFE
- Is PLAYA CAFE dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. PLAYA CAFE has 12 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Onion Rings, Simple Baleadas and French Fries.
- What can I eat at PLAYA CAFE on a dairy-free diet?
- Onion Rings, Simple Baleadas and French Fries carry the dairy-free tag, out of 12 tagged dishes on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Does PLAYA CAFE have vegan options?
- Yes. 3 dishes are tagged vegan on the current menu, including French Fries and Midnight Sandwich.
- Is PLAYA CAFE gluten-free?
- 10 dishes are tagged gluten-free on the current menu. Chefi never infers allergen tags from a dish name alone, but a tag is not a certification — confirm preparation with the restaurant if you have celiac disease or a severe sensitivity.
- What is the highest-protein dish at PLAYA CAFE?
- Soft Tacos, at roughly 77.3g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
Restaurants near PLAYA CAFE
- CALL ME CUBAN/ESTEFAN KITCHEN EXPRESS — Mexican
- Azteca South Beach — Mexican
- TACOS YOYO MIAMI — Mexican
- HOLY GUACAMOLE — Mexican
- MANGO'S TROPICAL CAFE — Mexican
- AURA ON LINCOLN — Mexican
- Oh! Mexico — Mexican
- KANTINA — Mexican
- TB CANTINA — Mexican
- TACO TACO — Mexican
- Señor Frog's — Mexican
- BIRDCAGE — Mexican
