Finally got to eat at Cotoa and it did not disappoint!! This is the first menu in a while where I want to try Every. Single. Thing. We will be back. The service was welcoming and attentive, not overbearing. It's a very friendly and lively spot. I can't wait to return and try even more items!! Absolutely delicious. You can tell there's love and joy in these dishes. I just wish I had more stomach space! I won't be forgetting that passionfruit sauce for a long time. 10/10. read more

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Overall the food was not worth the price. The ceviche we got was tasty and fresh, especially the passion fruit sauce, which was very unique. However 7 pieces for $27 is absurd. We also got the pork tenderloin which was tough and overcooked. Again, for a $40 dish, we expected more. For appetizers we got the Pan de Yuca which was the highlight of the night by a mile, so good and warm and buttery. Would go back just for that. The chicken empanadas were also good. The restaurant itself was intimate and cute but gave more coffee shop vibes than anything else. The waitress was nice and attentive and explained the menu well. After seating us, the host asked what type of water we preferred, then never came back. The actual waitress brought the water. Just thought that was weird. A place charging these prices ought to be more attentive of these details. read more

COTOA Restaurant - Crudo Salsero ceviche - Latin American Near Me - North Miami, Florida

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Delicious food, ecuatorian with a upscale touch, keeping the original flavor in a amazing presentation. Small place with just a few tables, highly recommended that you make a reservation, specially for dinning. The best shrimp ceviche and the cangrejada read more

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We saw the episode on Knife Edge and immediately booked a reservation for Sunday lunch! It did not disappoint. The space is small, but they are moving to a much larger location in a few weeks. Decor, music, vibes are on point. The pan de yuca appetizer was perfect, cheesy bread with a savory chutney that paired so well. We tried the wahoo appetizer and both agreed it was easily the best raw fish we had ever tasted - the passionfruit sauce is incredible. We shared the crab dish next and it was good, but we would like to try the langostinos next time. For dessert, we had the banana rum cake, and again, easily one of the best banana desserts we've ever had. The flavors in every dish are so unique and delicious! Can't wait to come back and check out the new space! Staff is lovely and welcoming as well. read more

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I came here for Miami space with a couple of friends, and wow, I can completely understand the hype about this place. It was so good, and they really go above and beyond for you with their service in there. I felt very attended to, and they came and checked so many times, and presented things very well towards whenever it came out . I loved all the food that they had there from the ceviche to the appetizers to the dessert. It was all so unique and I definitely understand why this has a Michelin star. It definitely deserves it read more

COTOA Restaurant - Latin American Near Me - North Miami, Florida

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Wowowow 10000/10. Every plate we had was a flavorful, delicious, tasty mix. Our favorite was the shrimp ceviche. Make sure to make a reservation cause the restaurant is small but the service is great they're so attentive. But wow food was so good we can't wait to go back read more

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Beautiful food - flavorful and gorgeous presentation. We enjoyed the Abuelita bread, served warm with butter. The ceviche with shrimp had a tomato base and paired well with crispy rice. The crab dish with fried plantains was a work of art; simply stunning and delicious. Finally the pork with red onion, potato and corn was reminiscent of dishes we've eaten during Central American travels. Absolutely loved our dining experience at Cotoa read more

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Been eyeing COTOA since I watched a YouTube video on it last year and we finally made the drive! Husband wanted to take me out for dinner and this was the perfect place. It was close to an hour drive but easy to find and plenty of parking. It's a small place with less than 15 (?) tables so I would make a reservation just in case. Service was very attentive and friendly, food came out fast, and we enjoyed every dish. We left with our bellies full and def recommend! read more

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Michelin rated Cotoa was excellent! We went on a Sunday for lunch. It was memorable. The Mahi Mahi Manicero was fantastic. The sauce was delicious. It came with fried plantains. The Cassava Muchines were also great. Lightly fried with a creamy filling. We also tried the purple corn dough empanadas with goat ragu, tamarind and dabs of labneh and the pollo empanadas. For mains, the Cangrejada con patacon was excellent with blue crab in a tomato base - the dish looked like a work of art. The Cerdito & Llapinagacho was very good - smoked tenderloin pork with daikon, big corn and picked onions. For dessert, try the banana rum cake - it was SOOO good - gelato with cocoa nibs, and salted toffee. The cake had a slight smokey char to it, amazing. I thought the food was inventive and artistically presented - attention to detail. The dishes were unique All the flavors singularly came out, but were also well-blended. Cotoa is a gem. Service was excellent and very nice atmosphere. read more

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My husband and I actually delayed our flight back to New York to have the opportunity to dine at this restaurant, and it was worth it. We had an extraordinary culinary experience! read more

COTOA Restaurant - Ceviche de camarones - Latin American Near Me - North Miami, Florida

Wow, Cotoa blew it out of the park for us. To start, the service was amazing. Our server let us know about Cotoa's conception and recommended a few dishes as well. We went with two mains - the Cangrejada con Patacon and the Tonga de Langostinos Ecuatorianos The Cangrejada con Patacon was our 10/10 dish. The presentation is stunning, but the flavor... the dish is surrounded by a rich tomato/coconut sauce and the sweetness from the plantains, plus the crunch from the patacones, and the generous amount of crab meat - I've never had a dish like it. The Tonga de Langostinos Ecuatorianos was also great 9/10. It's set in a mildly spicy peanut sauce and the langostinos are slightly charred which gives the dish a nice smoky flavor. read more

COTOA Restaurant - Tonga de Langostinos Ecuatorianos - Latin American Near Me - North Miami, Florida

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Second visit to Cotoa and somehow it was even better than the first -- this place just keeps getting better. We ordered the Humita de la Abuelita, Ceviche de Camarones, Crudo Salsero, the Tortellinis con Seco de Pollo, and finished with the Chocopop for dessert. Every single dish delivered. The cornbread (Humita de la Abuelita) was sweet, moist, and the smoked palo santo butter gave it the perfect balance. The Crudo Salsero came with an incredible sauce -- beautifully balanced. But the ceviche was the standout: honestly the best I've ever had. The acidity was dialed in exactly right, which is rare -- most ceviches miss that mark. What really got me was the precision in the knife work; everything was cut so consistently that every bite blended perfectly. I didn't have high expectations for the tortellinis, but they surprised me -- the sweet plantain filling paired with a crispy parmesan for the perfect hit of salt against the sweetness. Closing on a dessert that matches a meal like this is hard, but the Chocopop pulled it off. Deep, strong cacao, sea salt flakes for balance, and the passion fruit sorbet added just the right bitter-sweet edge to finish. Cotoa keeps raising the bar with every visit. Highly recommend. read more

COTOA Restaurant - Shrimp ceviche - Latin American Near Me - North Miami, Florida

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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if you're thinking about coming here, just do it. The food is INCREDIBLE. We enjoyed our meal waaaaaay too much we left their stuffed because we couldn't stop eating. 100000/10. Will definitely be coming back read more

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honestly really disappointed by this spot. was super excited to try it, seeing so many great reviews. the food came out so slowly. the pan de yuca was alright, nothing special. the steak main dish came out 20 minutes after the cangrejada. the cangrejada de patacon was just OK.. tasted very one dimensional - the cumin was extremely overpowering. it was interesting and unique, but nothing to write to home about. the steak was cooked a little more than ive seen in photos, and oversalted. i am currently home, writing this review with my electrolyte water next to me. the flavor was good, and the cucumbers and potatos were great. overall, I was not impressed and wouldnt return read more

COTOA Restaurant - Latin American Near Me - North Miami, Florida

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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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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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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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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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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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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

Booked a month in advance, and I can proudly say it was 100% worth it. THIS RESTAURANT IS INCREDIBLE. The minute you walk in, you're transported into a family atmosphere that feels like home cooking--but at a Michelin-star level. If you have a problem with smaller, more intimate restaurants, this might not be for you. But if you don't mind, please do yourself a favor and visit! Our servers were incredibly attentive and so accommodating throughout the entire experience. And if you come during Miami Spice, come with an empty stomach--you're going to need it! Absolutely incredible experience from start to finish. 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'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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Cotoa is a small restaurant with a simple, understated interior. It won't wow you with its ambiance, but it stands out for something just as important--it's exceptionally clean and well maintained. The service was attentive throughout the meal, with staff checking in at the right times without being intrusive. The real highlight is the food. Everything we ordered was delicious, from the pan de yuca and crudo to the langostinos and banana rum cake for dessert. The cocktails and wine complemented the meal nicely, and even the French press coffee was a great way to finish. read more

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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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! 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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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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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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Genuinely the best food I have ever had. Came here with my husband for my birthday and had zero regrets. We have been craving it ever since. Nothing bad on the whole menu. 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

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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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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The food was delicious! The best ceviche I've ever eaten. The birthday note and candle was very thoughtful. Everyone was friendly and fun to talk with. read more

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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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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