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    COTOA

    4.6 (103 reviews)
    Open 1:00 pm - 8:00 PM
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Cangrejada con patacon
    Christina O.

    Finally got to try this place and it's so happened to be the day after they were awarded a Michelin star! They started us off with two little bites that are traditional Ecuadorian cuisine. We then got the humita de abuelita which felt like a corn bread soufflé but even better, especially with that irresistible Palo Santo butter. We then got the passionfruit ceviche and it was so addicting. I almost wish I could have that sauce on the side with a straw. It was so fresh and every bite with all the different flavors was perfection. The cangrejada was incredible, speaking from someone who loves to mix up my food. The tomato base paired perfectly with the creamy crab salad on top. The ambience was very homie, and they even had trinkets from Ecuador. The service was very attentive and it been a small place, made it seem even more intimate. I brought the only Ecuadorian in my life and she gave it to her 100% approval!

    Andrea C.

    Very small restaurant. Really just a few tables. Top notch service. Every fish that came out to us was explained to us in detail. Everything we had was delicious. We had cheese bread, empanadas, wahoo ceviche, tortellini, blue crab, and banana rum cake. Each one was amazing. Also had a Negroni cocktail, which was unique and really amazing. Absolutely top notch.

    Gaby R.

    I'd never had Ecuadorian food before, so I was pretty pumped to finally try Cotoa and wow, what a great first impression. The place is cozy, intimate, and cutely decorated. It's the kind of spot that feels instantly warm and inviting. To start the night, I ordered their signature drink, the Cocktail Canelazo, and they actually let us sample it before committing, which I thought was such a nice touch. It's made with vermouth, ishpingo, and naranjilla, a combo that's unique, fragrant, and seriously delicious. To start we got the the Pan de Yuca, inspired by the start of every meal in Ecuador. These cassava cheese bread rolls were pillowy and paired with a mamey chutney that was to die for. Next up were the chicken empanadas, made with green plantain dough and filled with coconut chicken stew ..just incredible. We also tried the crunchy cassava croquettes drizzled with cacao honey, which i didn't love but it wasn't bad. For mains, the hanger steak was the star. Inspired by Ecuadorian street pinchos, it came perfectly grilled medium rare with smoky chimichurri served alongside by crunchy potatoes (seriously addictive) and cucumber for a fresh balance. We also got the Cangrejada con Patacón which was another hit. It had blue crab prepared ceviche style in a rich tomato base with sweet plantains, preserved black lemon, and cocolón and came with some giant tostones to pair it with. And of course, we couldn't skip dessert. The Caramelized Banana Rum Cake with salted toffee, cacao nibs, and banana stracciatella gelato was the perfect finish. It sweet, rich, and beautifully plated.

    Wahoo ceviche
    Jess H.

    We were so excited to try out this place. It's very cute inside and small; however, such a nice vibe. You definitely need reservations because there are not many tables. With that said, I was surprised it took a long time to be greeted by our server. Service just wasn't good. It was about average. The server barely checked on us and was only nice towards the end of our meal. The food was creative and tasty. It did take a very long time for the food to come out, even the appetizers. It took 40 minutes just for the ceviche to come out. The snapper was my favorite and was absolutely delicious.

    Christina T.

    Getting a reservation here wasn't easy but that just goes to show how good it is. From start to finish everything was delicious. The pan de yucas are a must try and I loved the empanadas. The ceviche was so fresh. Our table shared everything and I definitely recommend doing the same. Our entrees included El Pincho hangar steak, the snapper, and the Tortellinis. Everything was amazing but my favorite of the three dishes was the hangar steak. It comes with potatoes and cucumbers too. Then for dessert, we shared the banana rum cake and the chocopop. I can't tell you which I liked more but if you're on the fence, I'd opt for the banana rum cake, you know, to stay on theme.

    Ilmia A.

    Cotoa was my first intro to Ecuadorian type of food and it left me wanting more! Made a reservation for lunch time on a random week day, arrived and our table was ready. The place is small but cozy and on this particular occasion it was not very busy. We ordered a variety of dishes to try different items and loved every single one. Our favorites were the corn bread and the chivo empanadas, recommended 100! The food comes out as it's ready so everything was warm and fresh! Service was very attentive.

    Cassava Muchines
    Camila S.

    We finally checked out COTOA, a friend flying in from Vegas literally pinned it as her first stop, so we had to go! It's a super cute, small, intimate spot with limited seating. If you want to sit indoors, definitely book a reservation. If they have availability, you can walk in and sit outside just double-check the weather because outdoor seating isn't rain-friendly. It rained during our visit, but we managed to finish our meal tucked under the one big umbrella. We made it work! Food-wise the apps were okay, nothing we'd rave over. But the entrees!!! The churrasco and ceviche were absolutely the stars and would be the reason we go back. Don't skip dessert! the banana dish was a hit at the table. The staff was kind and accommodating, even with a little hiccup with our wine, all was smoothed over quickly. Overall, cute vibe, definitely worth checking out.

    Nicole P.

    I'm so glad I went and tried out this restaurant with my mom. I had driven past it a few times and decided I need to see what it was like. I've never had Ecuadorian food and I must say everything is delicious! The staff and service is amazing. It is best to have a reservation because the restaurant is small but they do take walk ins if they have room available. The restaurant has a very cozy and intimate atmosphere with soft music playing in the background while the cook is preparing each meal as you place your order. To start we ordered the Pan de Yuca which comes with a Mamey chutney. I wasn't sure how that would taste together but the chutney complements the Pan de Yuca nicely. For our main dishes I ordered the Cangrejada con Patacón which is blue crab ceviche style in tomato sauce and comes as a layered dish with the blue crab on top, sweet plantains and rice on the bottom with sauce. This dish is so flavorful and delicious the crab tastes amazing with hints of lemon. I absolutely loved it and my mom loved it so much we had to take our other dish the Tortellini's con Seco de Pollo to go because she was feeling full. But of course she still had room for dessert and not just one but two desserts. We ordered the banana rum cake and the chocopop which is a lava cake with passion fruit sorbet on the side. Both desserts are delicious and easy to share. I think all the portions are big enough to share. We definitely go back again and I recommend trying them out if you're in the area.

    cangrejada con patacón
    Carmen F.

    Cotoa is easily one of the best restaurants I've tried so far this year. The pan de yuca came out warm, soft, and perfectly cheesy. The hanger steak was tender, flavorful, and beautifully seasoned. The cangrejada con patacón... oh my god, so amazing. I'm not even a crab person but it ended up being my favorite dish of the night. The flavors were incredible and the patacón paired perfectly with the richness of the crab. Every dish was well execute and the service was top notch! A memorable dining experience.

    Inside
    Rajiv K.

    First time at cotoa's new place. Free parking in the front. A more intimate seating than their old location but it works. A lot of the similar style as its other spot. As for the food and quality, it's still superb. A lot of heart goes into the dishes, plating, service, and pride for the Ecuadorian culture. They have some new dishes on the menu at this location. Take a look at that crudo Salsero. It was so beautifully plated, I almost felt guilty eating it (but glad I did). Amazing passion fruit flavors paired with the fish. The blue crab and langostinos were also flavored extremely well. In its original location, the goat empanadas were my favorite. I got them here too, but tonight it was missing something... couldn't put my finger on it. Definitely would order again, but worth noting. I also miss their old goat pasta dish, but applaud them for keeping the menu fresh with new dishes. Cotoa remains one of my favorite picks in Miami. Hats off to the chef that deserved that Michelin. Definitely recommend and would return.

    Fay F.

    The food was delicious and staff were friendly and attentive, however, the wait time for food is beyond long! I'm only giving it 2 star because it took over an hour to get our main course. We were about to get up and leave when the food finally came out. Again, it's a cute spot with good food but not well staffed. If you are hungry or on a time crunch then this is not the spot for you.

    Hanger steak
    Shawn H.

    This was incredible. The ceviche, pan de yuca, croquettes, and hanger steak were all perfect. We also loved the cornbread and the tortellini, but I could see us subbing those out next time. I also 100% want empanadas next visit.

    Stefany D.

    Cotoa is a cute little restaurant in the North Miami that serves Ecuadorian food. I enjoyed all of the food that we got. Although simple, the empanadas were my favorite. Our server was very helpful and kind even after I spilled a bit of my wine he was right there to clean it up and serve me more so that was greatly appreciated. Although I am not a banana person, the rest of my table really loved the banana dessert and I did try a bit and liked it. I really liked my wine but some of my friends had a little trouble finding a red wine that they liked. All in all we had a great time. Thanks Cotoa

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    Lo de Lea

    Lo de Lea

    4.3
    (288 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$

    My steak, grilled chicken and mashed potatoes were excellent. Ambiance is peaceful and the staff…read morewas great. Great staff and first great experience with an Argentine steakhouse

    This is, without a doubt, one of the worst restaurants I have ever visited…read more From the moment my wife and I walked in at 4:00 PM, the experience was disappointing. The restaurant was practically empty, which should have been the first warning sign. We started by ordering drinks. The menu listed more than five beers, yet they only had two available because, according to them, their freezer was broken. Fine, things happen. We then ordered a Moscow Mule, only to be told they couldn't make it because they aren't a full bar. Understandable. Next, we asked for an Aperol Spritz. They didn't have that either. Finally, hoping they could at least make a simple mojito, we ordered one--only to be told they didn't have mint leaves. At that point, it was almost laughable. Then the food arrived. They served old bread that wasn't even warm. We ordered two appetizers: the garlic shrimp, which was just average, and the tuna tiradito. The tuna tiradito was easily the worst I've ever had. The presentation was terrible. The tuna looked like it had been cut with a dull rock instead of a sharp knife. The sauce was supposed to have fresh lemon and truffle oil, but it tasted like bottled fake lemon juice with some strange black paste dumped on top. It was completely unappetizing. (I'll attach a photo so you can judge for yourself.) The most frustrating part came when the waitress asked if everything was okay. We politely explained our concerns, including all the issues with the drinks and the food. Instead of apologizing or trying to make things right, she argued with us and became defensive. Customer service is about solving problems, not debating with your guests. Overall, this was an awful dining experience from beginning to end. I genuinely don't understand how this restaurant has a 4.8-star rating with over a thousand reviews because it certainly didn't reflect the experience we had. I would not recommend this place to anyone. Save your money and go somewhere that actually cares about the quality of its food and service.

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    Lo de Lea
    This. Muscles are amazing the sauce was spectacular
    This. Muscles are amazing the sauce was spectacular
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    Magie

    Magie

    4.2
    (62 reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$

    I am updating my review here to talk about Cafe Magie. During the summer, they decided to open…read moretheir doors at 9 am on Fridays serving complimentary coffee and breakfast sandos and pastries for purchase. One thing I love about Magie is they are always going to uplift folks in the community - be it with space for local businesses who don't have brick and mortars to pop-up and sell food, or by creating a space for locals to hang and get work done and not be bored in their houses. I can definitely see myself at Cafe Magie on Fridays this summer. Service is always so friendly here, and the space is so cozy it's perfect to get work done, and then once the clock strikes wine-o-clock you can enjoy wine while you work, too!

    I came here last Friday with some friends to hang out and watch Spain in the World Cup. There was…read moresupposed to be a collab with Edan Bistro, but by the time I got there at 8:45 and apparently there was some miscommunication about the menus for the restaurant experience. I ordered a charcuterie tray for the three of us; it's not premade. You pick the ingredients and then they are charged à la carte. For the one we enjoyed with Brie, prosciutto and jam. It came up to about $40. We enjoyed a bottle of chardonnay - nicely cool and crisp - while chatting and enjoying the game. I think they just have bottles, not wine by the glass. I'd certainly recommend Magie for a casual date night, or nightcap after dinner elsewhere. The patio with string lights and all does seem cute for a quiet evening.

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    Bucket of bubbly
    Bucket of bubbly
    Magie
    Fried Olives DIY Charcuterie tray Dino Chicken Nuggets with caviar

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    Silverlake Bistro

    Silverlake Bistro

    4.6
    (260 reviews)
    4.1 mi
    $$$

    Silverlake Bistro used to be our go-to neighborhood restaurant in Miami. It offered consistently…read moregood food, a welcoming atmosphere, and reasonable prices, making it an easy recommendation for friends and family. In fact, as my wife and I were walking in on our most recent visit, I was commenting that this would be a great place to bring out-of-town guests. Unfortunately, that opinion changed by the end of the evening. When the bill arrived, we learned that the corkage fee had increased from $25 to $35 without any notice. We politely explained that we were longtime customers who had always paid the longstanding $25 fee, but management was unwilling to make any accommodation or honor the previous rate. The increase itself did affect our perception. While $10 may not seem like a large amount, it represented a significant percentage jump for a neighborhood bistro, and it shifted the overall value equation for us in a noticeable way. What made it more frustrating is that a corkage fee increase feels different from a menu price adjustment. Rising food, labor, and operating costs can justify higher menu prices, but a corkage fee is simply a charge for opening and serving a bottle the customer brings in. Increasing it 40% without notice felt excessive, especially for a casual neighborhood restaurant rather than a high-end dining establishment. At $35, the corkage fee no longer feels aligned with the restaurant's positioning or value. Combined with the lack of transparency and the unwillingness to honor a long-standing rate for loyal customers, it meaningfully changed how we view the restaurant. The food was still very good, as it has been on previous visits. However, the overall experience left a sour taste. As a result, my wife and I won't be returning, and we will no longer recommend Silverlake Bistro to friends, family, or out-of-town visitors. That's a shame, because this was once one of the best reasonably priced neighborhood restaurants in the area. A relatively small change, handled differently, could have preserved our loyalty. Instead, it cost the restaurant two regular customers and future word-of-mouth recommendations.

    I have not actually been at the restaurant, but I got an opportunity to try it at La Poubelle, the…read morepiano bar which serves food from Silverlake Bistro. We ordered: - a burger with fries - a buttermilk bibb lettuce salad - ice cream with chocolate sauce Rating these three: - The burger was absolutely outstanding, delicious, very well made, absolutely amazing. - The ice cream with chocolate sauce was also pretty good. - The bibb lettuce salad was not my favorite at all. It was overly-drenched with dressing. The flavor was a little bit off, and I actually couldn't finish the salad, which was a smallish portion to begin with. Overall, I would definitely love to try Silverlake Bistro based on the food I tried at La Poubelle. I've heard so many great things about it, so I'd definitely give it a try.

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    La Poubelle
    La Poubelle
    Pork Chop a la Creme  with Polenta
    Pork Chop a la Creme with Polenta
    Indoor dining area

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    Madame Olivia

    Madame Olivia

    4.4
    (77 reviews)
    1.5 mi

    Met up with friends for brunch here and had such a great experience from start to finish. The food…read morewas outstanding--we ordered the shakshuka bolognese, short rib challah sandwich, and the Brussels sprouts salad with smoked salmon, and every dish was flavorful and beautifully prepared. The service was just as memorable. Everyone welcomed us in so warmly, it honestly felt like we were regulars. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable, and the white wine recommendation paired perfectly with our meal. The ambiance was lively and energetic, but we never felt rushed, which made it easy to relax and enjoy our time together. Such a thoughtful touch to leave with freshly baked bread to enjoy at home. Definitely a spot worth coming back to!

    The Food While exploring food in Miami, we discovered an…read moreaesthetic cafe called Madame Olivia. We decided to make a stop here for dinner. I ordered The Traditional Shakshuka while my wife ordered their Labneh Chimichurri Roasted Salmon. The Shakshuka is served with their house-made Challah bread and Green Tahini sauce. I quite enjoyed the tahini sauce, and, along with the Shakshuka, it was a good dip for the bread. My wife's roasted salmon was not bad either. It came with lentil rice, labneh yogurt, veggies, and the roasted salmon. I actually visited them a second time to try out their pastry items. It was mediocre in the form they gave me. Apparently, there is an option to "warm", but they neglected to mention that. I also got their Basque Cheesecake, and that actually tasted pretty good. The Miscellaneous The Madame Olivia cafe is in a small plaza, among other shops. The interior has quite the aesthetic, which is how we found them. It is quite spacious and can accommodate small and large parties. They have a good selection of dishes on their normal menu. But they also have pastries along with small items. This is a neat little cafe to visit and hang out with friends, with some unique selections.

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    Madame Olivia
    Raspberry Danish
    Raspberry Danish
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    COTOA - latin - Updated July 2026

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