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    COTOA

    4.6 (100 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 3 weeks ago

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    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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

    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.

    Delish Menu
    Myrna R.

    May I give them 10 stars!?!?!! Do you want an explosion of flavors in your mouth???!!! You MUST take the opportunity to come to COTOA. There's a reason why you may find it hard to find a reservation because it's that special. Finally made it here this past Saturday and I immediately made a reservation for next Saturday afternoon! Can't wait to bring my family here... WOW! Definitely one of my new fav spots. The restaurant itself is small but charming and comfortable. Every plate looked and smelled divine. The staff is extremely warm and welcoming. It's vibrant and clean, just good feels all around. I'm so excited to come back. Make yourself a favor and come to this Michelin Gem!

    Tonga langostinos
    Carla B.

    Love COTOA.. this is my second time back and I'm super happy this restaurant is now a part of our neighborhood community. The service is very attentive and on point. The decor is super cute. And even though the space is not large, it does not get too noisy and never feels overcrowded. My favorite appetizers so far are the yucca rolls, the crudo, the mahi ceviche. From the mains so far I've tried the Tonga langostinos, the fish and the steak. All three have been delicious and very good portion sizes. The lava cake made with dark chocolate was spectacular. The acidity from the passion fruit ice cream pairs so well with the cake. Bravo chef. This place is definitely worth the hype.

    Cheese empanadas

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    COTOA Reviews in Other Languages

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    Klandestino

    Klandestino

    (3 reviews)

    I recently went to Klandestino to watch my friend's band play. What a fun place. It's like a speak…read moreeasy in the sense that when you enter, you enter a store that sells leather goods and then go through another door to get to the bar, which on this night took me all the way to Buenos Aires. Not sure if it was because my friend's band was playing so it was full of Argentinian people as well as a celebrity, or if that's the usually crowd. Any which way, it was a blast. The bar is run by two Argentinian women who were awesome. Very sweet. I just had one drink because came from a happy hour so was already primed. I ordered the popular Argentine drink which is Fernet with Coke which is usually in the proportion of 70/30 but these girls have a heavy pour so more like 60/40. I also ordered empanadas which were delicious!! I had a Malbec meat empanada and a cheese and onion one. Unfortunately I live far from this place but if I lived close, it would definitely be a great place to hang out on weekends. Enjoy!! Ps. I came with my American friend who does live in the area and loved both the Argentinian people's vibe and the bar's vibe. He said he will be back on his own.

    In the back of what I can only imagine as a leather store in the Latin quarter of Nomi (North…read moreMiami) Where leather clad cougerlike gorgeous bottle blonde Amazonian women tell you what you're drinking as they only give you a second of unearned attention, sipping their mate'at their private corners. And the walls are Jackson Pollocked with a mixture of steampunk and Frida like artworks. Persian rugs, galore. Great little speakeasy..very Miami. Cheers and enjoy!

    Magie - Glass of white crisp sangria by pulpoloco

    Magie

    (58 reviews)

    $$

    Little River

    I love wine and I love Magie wine bar…read more What a gem of a place that embraces the neighborhood, has an incredible wine selection, and the perfect vibes for any occasion. I've been visiting a lot recently, and even joined their wine club which offers two curated wines a month. Locally owned and operated, I feel really good supporting a place that the owners put so much effort into to offer such a gem of a spot for locals. I've tried a lot of wines here, and I'm always amazed at finding something new to me that I enjoy. If you haven't been, it's the perfect place for a date, a girls night, or a day for yourself. They also have good snacks and charcuterie for you to munch on while you drink vino. Don't know much about wine? No problem. Their team will point you in the right direction and they have something for everyone. This is an approachable wine bar- they want you to enjoy the wine as much as they do and I love that about Magie. This spot has a nice indoor space and a beautiful outdoor area. They also have a sister location in the Grove.

    This Magie location opened about a year and a half ago. My friends and I stopped by to do a wine…read morenight, and it was such a nice time. There is a parking lot right on the side of the building, but if that lot is full, there is also street parking, and parking across the street in a lot behind the Citadel. The service here was great! All of the staff were very nice and welcoming. The set up of the lounge is also very cozy. There is plenty of space for people to sit whether you're on a date or with a small group, but seating is first come first serve, so if you're coming with a group it's better to get there earlier in the evening so you have a space comfortable enough for the size of your group. There is also indoor and outdoor seating which is nice. There are many wines to choose from and they also have a decent menu with light bites. We opted for the Dino nuggets and caviar which were a hit, the fried olives and some meats and cheeses with some cornishons, fig jam and a sliced baguette. Overall this place has a great vibe to it and I heard they host events every so often. I highly recommend it if you're looking for a nice space to chill with some friends and enjoy a nice spot in Miami.

    Silverlake Bistro - Branzino

    Silverlake Bistro

    (259 reviews)

    $$$

    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.

    I'm in love with this restaurant and can't wait to come back here again. We were there just a few…read moredays ago for dinner. The food was fantastic and the decor is so heartwarming and cozy/comfortable! Even the dinnerware was special with 2 adorable reindeer handpainted on it to add even more charm to your dining experience. Everything has been carefully thought out to make this restaurant stand out from all the others. Pride of ownership definitely shows throughout. The service was outstanding by Leo, who warmly greeted us at the entrance and let us choose where we would like to sit and got us started with our water glasses, complimentary bread plate, and food recommendations. He was a gem and a hardworker catering to other guests also, but never forgot us. We also were impressed by the cordial and prompt service performed by Ximena. She was happy to answer all questions and also had great menu recommendations. Her smile was delightful! We both ordered the same things. For the appetizer, we shared the Baked Vacherin, which was just amazing! It was a crusty loaf of bread with hot baked cheese for the spread. So good! It came straight from the oven with steam rolling off the top of the cheese dish with honey that you dribble over it. I have never had that dish before but I want it again! For the main entree, we chose Pork Chop a la Creme. This was the Chef's kiss! I have never had such delicious pork chops in my life. Accompanied with their special creamy sauce and Polenta and greens. We were both nodding our heads at how delicious our dinner was. The portions were generous and we saved half to take home in order to save room for dessert. For dessert, we had the Traditional Salted Butter Crepe that we shared. It was wonderful with powdered sugar and creamy vanilla ice cream that melted over the crepe. We thought we died and went to heaven. Wow, what a great meal! Perfection. There was nice dining music playing and the guests were all happy and chatting. There is also great outdoor seating in the front of the restaurant but it was too hot outside to do it that day. We enjoyed our experience and will be back soon. We were lucky to park in the front on the street. I highly recommend this awesome restaurant!

    Madame Olivia - Raspberry Danish

    Madame Olivia

    (74 reviews)

    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!

    I've been here before to satisfy a cookie craving (which it absolutely delivered on), but this time…read morewe came for breakfast and it did not disappoint. The place itself is beautiful and usually buzzing, but even though it was busy, we were seated right away. I actually love their system: you get assigned a table, look over the menu, order and pay at the register, and then they bring everything out to you. It's efficient without feeling rushed, and once you're done, you can just head out. We ordered a honey latte (so good) and a shake, plus two sweet treats and a breakfast croissant to share. Everything felt like a true treat, definitely indulgent. Not something I'd do every weekend, but honestly... I wish I could. The ambiance is stunning. Think Mamman or Pura Vida vibes, but more elevated, more boutique, higher quality ingredients, and less of that fast-casual feel. Service was great all around, and I'll definitely be back.

    COTOA - latin - Updated May 2026

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