Everything about Cotoa yells come back for more. Small area so reservations is pretty all but needed. Also it's a bit out of the way if you live in Miami/Kendall so take time out if you're going during the week. Food was phenomenal. Started with the pan de yuca it's a must get. Next we got the mahi mahi ceviche. The peanut taste creeps up out of no where but it's a delicious bite. My favorite dish of the night were the langostinos. The sauce they put on it you could drink straight out of a cup. There was not one bad thing to say about this experience. Definitely going back to try other things. read more

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Need to try again. I've had Cotoa on my radar for a while and found a convenient reservation and jumped on the opportunity. First things first, reservations are more or less necessary, so I highly recommend making one. When you first walk in, you are immediately greeted by the host who guides you into the dining area. This area is relatively small, but good enough for small groups or parties of 2-4; additionally, it's an inviting atmosphere, perfect to enjoy a long meal (which you will need, more on that in a bit). The menu has a wide array of options; you can find some snacks for around $15, then ceviche for ~$25, and mains ranging from $40-65. So be prepared to spend $40-50 per person. During our visit, we tried two ceviches and el pincho. The ceviches were incredible, easily the best "red" ceviches I have ever had. Each bite was a blast of flavor and textures; you can taste the freshness, feel the crunch, and enjoy the combination of flavors. As for the hanger steak, it was quite high quality, perfectly cooked, but nothing out of the ordinary; it lacked that special twist that the ceviche had. Another exceptional part of the experience was the service; although food takes a long time to be ready, so be prepared for this. Our servers made sure we had a great experience from being careful about allergies to making recommendations; simply 5 stars. All in all, Cotoa is definitely a 5-star experience when it comes to the "Pacific" dishes, really something delicious and unique, while some of the other options left a bit to be desired. I have to go back again and try some of the other entrees and will adjust this review as needed. My Criteria 5 stars: The best food I have ever had, or an excellent option given the price. 4 stars: Good food, a restaurant I look forward to trying again. 3 stars: Good food, a restaurant that I am indifferent to. 2 stars: Below average experience, will not go again. 1 stars: This restaurant should be closed. read more

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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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Corps was my first experience with Ecuadorian cuisine. It was delicious!! My wife and I shared dishes recommended by the server and we enjoyed all of them. We have eaten there several times and we highly recommend it this restaurant for good wine and good value. read more

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. read more

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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 read more

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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. read more

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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! read more

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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. read more

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Reservation needed for this place. We ordered three dishes - the pan de yucca, their most popular ceviche, and the steak. The starters were delicious. Really solid pan & the ceviche was inventive and tasty. Our steak was on the salty side and the sides didn't really elevate the experience. Our potatoes were a bit too salty and oily. What all the reviews say is true - extremely long wait for the food at this restaurant. We ordered three things and didn't receive our first starter until 30-45 minutes after it was ordered. The ceviche took another 20-35 minutes and the main took over an hour until after we were seated to arrive. All in all; extremely slow operation here. Not sure if it's the size of the kitchen or how meticulous the cooks are in making sure each plate is perfect, but it's quite slow for a place that does not offer anything complimentary to munch on while you wait. The staff was very apologetic about our wait, but I do think they should let you know about the speed of the kitchen at the start of the meal, just to level set expectations. read more

I went to Cotoa today and honestly didn't know what to expect since it was my first time having Ecuadorian food -- but wow, this ended up being one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time. Every single dish we ordered was incredible. The flavors were bold but balanced, beautifully presented, and you could tell a lot of thought and care went into each plate. Nothing felt repetitive or heavy; everything just worked. Even dishes I wouldn't normally gravitate toward completely surprised me in the best way. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, the service was attentive without being overbearing, and the pricing felt more than fair for the quality and creativity of the food. It's one of those places where you leave already thinking about what you want to order next time. If you've never tried Ecuadorian cuisine, this is the perfect introduction -- and even if you have, Cotoa absolutely sets the bar high. I'll definitely be back. I'm still thinking about that pan de yuca and hanger steak read more

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WOW WOW WOW!!!! This place was ridiculously good!!! Like whaaa? First of all I don't eat cilantro which is an issue for me all the time I wish I liked it but I have the gene what can you do. So I told them and it was cool for the most part except for the 2 mains had cilantro they couldn't remove but they said it was puréed and cooked down so should be ok for me AND IT WAS! I couldn't taste it at all and it was delicious! Okay here's what I had: 1. Pan de yuca - PILLOWY CHEESY bliss. Best first bite ever. 2. Wahoo crudo - good but heavy on the passion fruit for me, tasted a little desserty BUT I didn't get the cilantro oil and apparently the cilantro oil cuts the sweetness very well (darn) 3. Mahi mahi ceviche - really good, also kinda sweet tho but good not a ton to write 4. Cangrejada con Patacon - AMAZING!!!! Wow!!! Literally was so afraid I would taste cilantro in the first bite and have to go next door for a pizza after but it was so delicious that I ate as much as I do on thanksgiving 5. Tonga de Langostinos Ecuatorianos - AMAZING!!!! Wow! I'm sorry I don't have that much to write but it was so good I went brain dead Ate so much I physically did not have room for dessert which was sad but just means I have to go back yay!!! read more

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Very cute and cozy atmosphere. Food was good but unfortunately very slow to come out. Waited over an hour for ceviche and when it was finally brought out it came with the hot food. Waiter was friendly and apologetic for the delay but you can't be a "Michelin " establishment and have every table looking around to see when the food will come out. read more

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5 stars for the food, one star for the wait time that really dull the experience. I really wish I could give this a five, but after speaking to a lot of other people that have been here, the really excessive wait is a norm not an outlier (we were sitting for nearly 2.5 hr for 3 appetizers and 2 mains) I pray they fix this bc the fold-- omg the food! Meal: 10/10, thought the wait time was a little odd it's giving "if boia de opened an Ecuadorian restaurant" -- so unique, so delicious. This is an upgraded location from their previous food hall location, and they're planing to move to a much larger location soon, where it's said the menu will be even bigger and there may be a tasting menu of sorts Must-try dishes: cornbread, pan de yuca, snapper Overall ambiance: small, not too fancy-- I don't know if this was just an off night for the chefs but the food was so so sooo slow (res was at 630 and we didn't get out til 8:45 and only had appetizers and dinner...i reeeeeallt wanted to try the lava cake dessert but we couldn't handle sitting for longer )-- so maybe don't go on a first date pan de yuca: 9/10 the were the best pan de yuca we've ever had... didn't love the sauce though (cinnamon apple situation) abuelita's cornbread 11/10. omg. we thought about ordering like 5 to go  wahoo ceviche: 7/10 honestly this is all presentation -- I'm not a huge fan of wahoo so the texture was kind of meh for me. this is a dish for the aesthetics langostinos: 9/10- tried it bc it was so highly recommended and something different. langostinos jsut won't ever get a 10 from us but if you're a fan, will probably be a 10/10 for you.  the snapper: 10/10 will be returning for this super unique, not heavy at all We will definitely be coming back (and just hoping the food is a bit faster next time ... we once went to a restaurant in Italy called "the single chef" -- it was a 1 person restaurant... and the food was faster there ) read more

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Cotoa was a delightful experience for our party of three. We ordered the Pan de yuca, crudo salcero, mahi mahi mancero, cangrejada, and tonga langustinos. The standout was the mahi mahi mancero--fresh, citrusy, and a perfect ceviche. The cangrejada was also a highlight; while not a "flavor bomb," it felt homey and comforting. This cozy spot feels more like a lunch destination than dinner. Our server, Aldo, was attentive and quick to help with everything we needed. Overall, we loved exploring these Ecuadorian-inspired dishes! read more

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The food was amazing! Everything we ordered was just delicious. Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with any item on the menu. We will be returning! read more

Are you ready for an adventure to Ecuador? Get ready to be blown away by the experience even prior to your arrival. I called to inquire about a seat for one and Domenica, took the call and encouraged me to check it out, but she couldn't guarantee anything. I took a leap of faith and my palate and stomach were very pleased that I did. Allison, the front desk manager worked her charm to get me a seat (thanks Chef) and Aldo took over from there. Every suggestion Aldo made, I tried. Unfortunately, it was too late for ceviche (this just means I get to go back) but I enjoyed abuelita's cornbread loaf with smoked butter and feta cheese (it was soooooo yummy and cheesy inside and out). My main course was the crab rice with plantains in a yummy tomato bisque sauce. I was stuffed, but kept going. The banana rum cake with banana ice cream was on another level of delish! I also received a passion fruit dessert with 70% cacao on top. Cotoa didn't disappoint. The ambiance was beautiful and what made it even more special was the walls told a story (thanks Nicole) of Ecuador. From the toucan birds and the pregnant Toa woman and the other beautiful paintings that reflected Ecuador, I'm impressed and ready to book a flight there. In the meantime, I'll return to Cotoa to indulge on the other dishes I missed out on. Check them out and enjoy! read more

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This place is not on the Michelin guide for nothing. Every single dish is a hit, from the crudo, to the bread, to the pasta and steak, everything is a 10/10. The restaurant is small but not crowded, it is very cute, good vibes and excellent service. I would recommend to everyone read more

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Cotoa is a special place to me, I would say it's like home. From the warm staff to the thoughtfulness in every detail, Cotoa stands out. We started our journey was a classic canelazo, which has was warned many quiteños in their youth when they were out partying. This one made chilled for the Miami folks. The munchines are a classic quick treat. Please don't confuse them with croquetas. They are not. Now the first time I had the pan de yuca here I fell in love. 1 years late and it's still amazing. That sauce is what really makes it all stand out. I'm sure you've had ceviche but the cevichocho is an Ecuadorian classic, made with lumpini beans and served with plantain chips and chulpi. But the llampingachos is why we came. Last time we had it with goat and this time was with pork in an amazing sweet reduction. We ended with a sweet treat. What truly makes this even more magical is how Chef Alejandra continues to oversee the perfection of the process. I can't wait to continue visiting. This is home. Thank you for sharing my culture. Outside of already being recognized by infatuation, this was already ranked highly for me read more

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Every dish was amazing, drinks were great and the atmosphere was relaxing and the servers were so knowledgeable. I'll definitely be back again! read more

COTOA - Latin American Near Me - Miami, Florida

Beautiful Restaurant, amazing service, we really enjoyed the food. Yes the food was delicious. I think if we need to make I suggestion will be the Tonga Langostino, the cassava muchies and crudo ceviche. For the dessert we have the ice cream which was amazing. read more

COTOA - Coffe, coconut and fig ice cream - Latin American Near Me - Miami, Florida

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Tasting menu at $95 + 18% tip Mini Chivo Empanada With a mildly spicy salsa Cheese Bread & Humita Served with mamey jam. Kinda greasy Langostino Shrimp ceviche with almonds, green mango, and passion fruit sauce. Refreshing. A good option if you want ceviche but aren't into fish Cangrejada Crab salad Cerdito Pork with potato patties. Salty, slightly bitter Cacao Whole Fruit Dark chocolate dessert with cocoa nibs. Really good Piña Para La Niña Grilled pineapple with almond vanilla ice cream read more

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Cotoa was such a treat! An amazing way to end our vacation in Miami. They are currently located in B100M, but will be moving soon to their own location. Not only was the food incredible here, but our seats faced the open kitchen where we could see our food being carefully prepared. The chef even came over to bring a dish and say hello! The menu is small, but there are veggie / vegan options such as appetizers, ceviche, or the la tonga can be made vegetarian. You absolutely have to try the pan de yuca, which were incredible with the slightly sweet fruity dipping sauce. They were very similar to pão de queijo! For dinner, I had the vegan ceviche which was so much more filling than I expected, as there are a lot of beans and veggies. They give some roasted corn and fried plantain chips to add a nice salty crunch to balance to sweet acid. You cannot!!! skip!! dessert here! The chocolate lava cake was the best lava cake I've ever had. They use 70% dark chocolate, making it very rich. The passion fruit ice cream was the perfect balance. We also tried the arroz con leche which had a mango ice cream as well. It also SO good and not overly sweet. I can't recommend Cotoa enough! For someone who is not vegetarian, I think the tasting menu would be very fun to try. read more

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It is nodern ecuatorian restaurant mentiomed by Michelin in 2025. I know nothing about the traditional food from Ecuador, so i can't compare. The cheese bread is delicious, same as Brazilian pao de queijo. Ceviche is served in nice portion, not spice as Peruvian with a nice flavor. The langostinos tasted good, I particularly did not like the rice that was served with the langostinos. Service was kind and fast. Overall worth the visit. read more

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This was my first time trying Ecuadorian food and I was blown away! Every plate we ordered was just as good if not better than the one before. All the plates were so special and unique- these are all plates thoughtfully curated by a chef who truly loves cooking and you can taste it! Its a small restaurant but the staff mentioned they're moving into a bigger place which I'm excited to visit once they do. They have such cute things to buy as well, all made by Ecuadorian artisans. When I go back ill love to try their other dishes although it'll be hard not ordering the same. read more

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Yes you are in the right place. This tiny little restaurant in North Miami could be called a hidden gem but because of it's stellar cuisine it isn't hidden anymore. Here is a tip when you order keep in mind that the dishes come out when they are ready. I do wish our server would have told us that. We started with the ceviche which was fabulous then my favorite the Pan de Yuca. WOW! Where have those been all my life. Then we each ordered an entree but mine came out first. it was the snapper and it was delicious. My friend had the dish with crab. I would order that next time. My other friend had the shrimp which she loved. My husband who doesn't eat anything in water had the hangar steak. He liked it a lot. We ended with the chocolate lava cake which was delicious. If I went back I would order entrees that we all wanted to share. read more

This place is special in the quietest, best way. The food is incredible -- carefully made, full of flavor, and clearly cooked by someone who really cares about what's on the plate. You can tell there's a young chef behind it all who's thoughtful, focused, and proud of her work. Just as memorable is the hospitality. It's sincere and unforced -- the kind that makes you feel welcomed rather than served. You leave not only well fed, but grateful to have found a small restaurant doing something meaningful, with heart and quiet excellence. read more

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It was a marvelous experience at Cotoa , great service, great ambiance and best of all great food and we had the opportunity to meet with Chef Alejandra it was indeed a great experience. read more

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Great service and such a cute place! It's more of a modern spin on Ecuadorian food but fantastic. Langostinas were great and the pork dish. Wonder cheese bread and pineapple dessert. read more

Our new favorite restaurant experience. The food is unique, flavorful and creatively presented. The service is spot on and welcoming. We started with the pan de yuca-.not to be missed. The empanadas de seco de chivo was amazing. Corn flour filled with delicious goat. Yes, goat. Don't knock it until you've tried it. My wife had the wahoo ceviche in passion fruit sauce and loved every bite. I had the chicken stew inspired tortellini. The flavors meld in a delightful little party in your mouth with each bite. The food was so good we had to get two desserts: the chocopop, a lava cake like no other with passion fruit ice cream and the Pina para La Niña, like a reconstructed pina colada. Alejandra, the owner is on the floor and a delight. read more

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This is one of the best restaurants I've been to in a while. The El Pincho, steak and potatoes dish in my photos, was phenomenal. Every dish was flavorful in a way I haven't experienced before. The restaurant decor is gorgeous, heavily influenced by Ecuador. It was a very beautiful interior while also feeling cozy enough to sit and enjoy lunch with friends. I will say the food did take quite a while, and each dish came out significantly before the next so that left some of us finished eating and the others just starting, but was overall still worth it. I would definitely come here again! read more

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pretty easy to get a res for 2 on a weekday. they have free parking right behind the restaurant which is great excellent service, food pacing was a bit slow got empanadas, passion fruit ceviche, and the langoustines empanadas and ceviche were nothing to write home abt but the langoustines were straight fire, one of the singularly actually good tasting things i've had in miami in a while. banana rum cake for dessert was good, but portion is small if i came back, i'd skip the ceviches and maybe get the cornbread to start and try 2 mains wines by the glass were solid, but nothing u have to try $75/pp after tax and tip for 1 glass of wine each, starter, ceviche, main, dessert all split read more