Gran Forno is a Las Olas institution — a Cuban-Italian bakery and café that has been feeding the lunch crowd on this block for years. The bread is baked on the premises daily, and the Cuban sandwiches — pressed, layered with roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard — are as good as any in Broward County. The medianoche (the softer, slightly sweeter cousin of the Cuban) is equally worth ordering. Go before noon or expect to wait.
The café side of the operation turns out espresso and cortaditos that would not be out of place in Havana. Pastries include guava and cream cheese pastelitos, croissants, and a rotating selection of Italian-influenced breads. The place is small, the counter service is brisk, and the sidewalk tables on Las Olas get sun most of the day — bring sunglasses. Gran Forno is primarily a lunch spot; it closes in the afternoon.