How Guava's Came to Be
Frank Machado grew up in Miami eating the real thing — slow-roasted pork, crispy tostones, strong cafecito — and he brought all of it to South Minneapolis. This is that story.
Guava's Cuban Cafe | Our Story
Frank's Miami Kitchen
Frank Machado didn't learn Cuban food from a cookbook — he grew up on it, in the kitchens and cafeterias of Miami. That upbringing is the whole reason Guava's exists.
Breakfast Through Dinner, Cuban Style
Most Cuban spots skip breakfast. We don't — Eater Twin Cities named us among Minneapolis's best. From the Havana plate in the morning to Pan Con Fish at lunch, the kitchen earns every hour.
Walk In Like a Neighbor
Counter service was a deliberate choice — no stiff formality, no waiting for a host. Just order, settle in, and feel like you've walked into someone's kitchen.
Wednesday Nights With Paella and Flamenco
Every Wednesday the cafe transforms — paella on the table, house wine poured, live flamenco starting at 6pm. The best midweek escape on Chicago Avenue.
The Regulars Made It Home
Guests who walked in once started calling Guavas their all-time favorite restaurant — bumping places they'd loved for years. That's not marketing. That's what the food does.
