Cancel

Open app

Search

El Novillo Restaurant

3.6 (359 reviews)
Closed • 12:00 pm - 9:00 PM

El Novillo Restaurant Photos

Business Info

EL NOVILLO RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating
Good for groups

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - El Novillo Restaurant

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Seating
Anays S.

Recently went to "El Novillo" restaurant for a 25 year anniversary celebration. It was a group of about 25 of us and it was spacious in the seating and table arrangement for all of us to feel comfortable and not cramped up together. It was on a Friday night and they had live music playing with was nice for the occasion. With our pre-selected menu, we ordered a glass of Cabernet, their house salad (very vinegary!!! A tad bit too much in my personal opinion), and for entree the 8 oz baby tenderloin churrasco. (Shout out to one of our waiters! I didn't catch her name but she was honest with the menu recommendations and advised us to order the baby tenderloin churrasco which was a hit!). The mariquitas kept on coming around the table and we were stuffed. Another perk was how fast the service was. Even with our large group, we barely waited in between courses. If you want good Hispanic food on the fly, this is your place.

Sampler platter
Andres L.

I went to Novillo in Miami Lakes and let me tell you, I'm usually super loyal to my favorite Nicaraguan spot, but this one really tops it. The moment you walk in, it feels like you're stepping into the smallest pueblito in Nicaragua with all the authentic dishes you grew up around. That's exactly how it felt for me. The ambiance is perfect and the food is amazing. I ordered a sampler that came with a bit of everything and then the grilled steak with gallo pinto (btw when they come to serve you the rice on your plate don't feel shy to ask him to fill the plate up some more!) I was in heaven. The sangrias were also a hit. If you're seeing this, seriously give this place a try. I sure look forward to coming back!

Outdoor seating
Debbie N.

We went to celebrate my hubby's birthday. I picked somewhere close to our hotel. We loved every bite!! We sat on the patio and it was lovely. We ordered drinks-Cadillac margarita and a modelo. We ordered the sampler platter of appetizers-plantain chips, tacos, cheese, ribs, sausage and beans. Then we ordered the churasco steak and the fried whole fish. As stated earlier every morsel was delicious!! Then we ordered chocolate cake and a coffee. The cake we both said is exactly what you want when you order chocolate cake. It was moist, had a layer or pudding (we think) great frosting, and chips. If we lived closer this would be a regular place. It was busy, people coming in constantly, and just yummy!!!

Baby chimichurri steak meal
Julie M.

First off I just want to say that I was skeptical at first because I was in the mindset of Miami looks and "what's trending" but when my boyfriend told me this was a an authentic Nicaraguan restaurant I was ready to try it. He was born and raised here, but being that he lives in California now and I am a California native he wanted me to see authentic local cuisine. As we walked up, there was a cute little outdoor seating area. However, I wanted to sit inside so inside and the decor was very vibrant, and had a Central American vibe. From start to finish the service was amazing. They greeted us and smiled. They walked us to our table and sat down in a nice quiet booth. We passed by the corner. We noticed a man singing live inside, which gave it a pleasant ambiance. Our server came over and he was very friendly. We knew what we wanted to order right away. We ordered one chicken chimichurri and steak chimichurri. We sat maybe for about 10 minutes and then our server came out with our food. it was a good amount and so cool as they come with a tray that has rice and beans with planting chips! And what's the kicker here is you can have refills! The food was bursting with so many flavors. It was cooked perfectly. My steak and chicken had grill marks and the chimichurri sauce tasted so good. We were so delighted. I had so much food I was able to take my food with me back to our hotel. Afterwards, we were so excited so we both agreed to order two Café con leche and a tres Leche cake! Café con Leche came out with the Tres leches and let me tell you it was amazing bursting sweetness in your mouth. The tri leches was cooked to perfection with the amount of sauce. It was an overbearing. My boyfriend raved about this place and now I see why he loves it and every single time he comes to visit he stops by El Novillo! This definitely will be our go to restaurant when we come to Miami to visit family. we highly recommend it. We give it five stars. Everything was amazing. So when you are visiting Miami, do not forget to stop by Miami Springs and eat at El Novillos.

Maria B.

We find this lovely Nicaraguan restaurant in the Miami Lakes area, the venue has a beautiful colonial architecture . Upon we arrived we received water and bread, unfortunately the bread was hard as a rock but we ended up getting fresh bread after our waiter came to check on us. Hoping our experience turned better we ordered the Nicatizer Sampler this was served with fried cheese, black beans, sausage, meat and a cabbage/carrot salad. The beans and the cheese was delicious and the meat was very tender. As for main entrance I ordered the Novello churrasco, and this dish takes all the stars of my review, the meat was phenomenal, perfectly cooked and nicely seasoned. I enjoyed every piece of my entree. My dish came with gallo pinto (rice and beans), plantain chips, house side salad and chimichurri sauce. They served the amount you desire so that was a big plus. As for the service, all the staff were very attentive and accommodating. There was a lot of parking available and we were able to get a table with very little waiting time. This is a restaurant that I will gladly like to turn and recommend if you enjoy a delightful churrasco!

Baby churrasco, gallo pinto, platano maduro and mariquitas
Victoria O.

It had been years since I ate at El Novillo and so happy I decided to stop in for a late dinner. The staff was very welcoming and sat us immediately. The servers were quick and diligent and made sure to serve us delicious bread as we were starving ! The food came out in great timing, was cooked perfectly and was absolutely delicious. The restaurant was closing but the servers made sure we had everything we needed and offered us coffee along with our yummy tres leches dessert. Perfect meal with great service = a new go to neighborhood restaurant for any time of day!

Abel R.

Went here to celebrate my friends birthday. Had a wonderful experience. Delicious food with pleasant service. I will definitely eat here again.

Honestly Y.

Sadly, the food at this restaurant has drastically gone downhill. We have been coming to this restaurant for almost 30 years, but the significant decline in the last year or so is too hard to ignore at this point. This evening, the baby churassco was the slimmest, smallest piece of meat, and it was dried up and tasted awful. We have never complained before this evening, and pointed it out to the waitress who just laughed and said that is how it should be - and then laughed and when about her business. The manager was summoned over, and he proceeded to say that's how it should look, a small dried up piece of meat they charge almost $30 for - and then he laughed and walked away and didn't even try to make it right. He walked by a couple times, and this old smug man saw the steak was still off to the side untouched and he had a smile or enjoyment about it as if he thought it was humorous. When the waitress came back she saw the steak was essentially untouched and when told the steak was completely dried out and disgusting she just smiled and shrugged her shoulders and asked if we wanted desert. As a side note, the restaurant was quite empty even though it was still dinner time. We have had other less than perfect meals there in the last year or so, but this was by far the absolute worst experience and the only time we lodged any complaint. It was only out of a matter of orinciple but they had no class much less any interest in making it right. I have replaced my old review which has been rendered irrelevant and meaningless. El Novillo has become a complete joke and a disgrace to its former self. No more lunches, dinners, or yearly Christmas parties will ever take place here with me present. Look who is laughing now

chicken churrasco

See all

Photo of Carmen G.
76
165
34

6 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 9
Thanks 1
Love this 7
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 2
Love this 1
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 1
Love this 3
Oh no 0
Photo of Elayne D.
30
146
238

7 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Ana S.
0
32
0

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 months ago

Love this place. Food is amazing. Family oriented. Spanish vibes inside . Service was excellent . Friendly

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

10 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

8 months ago

Comida y servicio muy bueno ,un ambiente tranquilo excelente para poder compartir en familia

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 6
Thanks 0
Love this 5
Oh no 0
Photo of Sean S.
0
10
14

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Sadly, not like it used to be. Food is ok and service could be better for the price you're paying.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 years ago

Helpful 10
Thanks 0
Love this 11
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 years ago

Helpful 5
Thanks 0
Love this 6
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 9

El Novillo Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - El Novillo Restaurant

Ustedes hacen reservaciones?

Call the restaurant for reservations.

View All 2 Questions

You might also consider

Latin American Grill

Latin American Grill

3.2(231 reviews)
1.3 mi
•$$

Best breakfast in Miami lakes. Jessica was great! Great service! Have come here for many, many…read moreyears.

You can't spend two weeks in Miami and leave without eating a Cuban sandwich. It would feel like…read morevisiting Philadelphia without trying a cheesesteak or New Orleans without ordering gumbo. Fortunately, a coworker pointed me toward Latin American Grill in Miami Lakes, just a few minutes from our hotel. It turned out to be exactly the sendoff I was hoping for. We started with the Sopa de Pollo, a bowl that made it immediately clear this kitchen isn't interested in shortcuts. Large chunks of chicken, tender vegetables, and noodles floated in a broth with remarkable depth. It wasn't simply chicken soup, it was the kind of soup that makes you wonder why every other version tastes so timid. A squeeze of fresh lime added just enough brightness to wake up every spoonful without distracting from the richness of the broth. Then came the reason for the visit. The Medianoche. I've always preferred the sweeter cousin of the traditional Cuban sandwich, and Latin American Grill makes a terrific one. Thick slices of ham and juicy mojo pork were layered with Swiss cheese, mustard, and pickles before being pressed between soft, sweet bread until the outside turned beautifully crisp. Every ingredient had a purpose. The pork brought richness, the ham added salt, the mustard and pickles cut through the fat with welcome acidity, and the sweet bread tied everything together. It's one of those sandwiches that reminds you how satisfying simplicity can be when every component is done well. Sometimes the best restaurant recommendations don't come from guidebooks or social media. They come from someone who simply says, "You should eat here." In this case, they were absolutely right. A great Cuban sandwich doesn't need reinvention. It just needs great ingredients, careful execution, and a hot press. Latin American Grill delivers all three.

Photos
Latin American Grill - Show how empty the place was

Show how empty the place was

Latin American Grill
Latin American Grill

See all

Francisca Charcoal Chicken & Meats - Learn more at https://franciscarestaurant.com/miami-lakes/

Francisca Charcoal Chicken & Meats

4.2(151 reviews)
0.1 mi
7 years in business
Happy hour specials

In the 7 years that Francisca has been at Main Street, I had never visited and I only live blocks…read moreaway. To my surprise this place blew me away. I had always pictured it as a fast food setting but it's not. Everything we ordered was delicious. Their chicken recipe is fantastic. The Coconut Lemonade was spectacular. Ambiance was modern and cozy. The service was first class. She explained the menu to us along with pictures of every dish. Who does that?? We felt so relaxed and satisfied. Can't wait to go again. Our server Crissel was an angel. She's a natural! Ask for the half off cocktails. Not sure of the times. Go and enjoy!

I've eaten at their Doral location - as well as gotten takeout from their popup(?) in Wynwood, and…read moreit's always been a solid meal. I had a chance to check out their Miami Lakes location Saturday to "balance out" after a cocktail tasting event at nearby venue. Their rotisserie chicken - even the half chicken portion - is pretty sizeable and well flavored with a tasty citrusy, tangy flavor, and the tequenos are my favorite side, right up there with the sweet plantains that came with the chicken. My server was really pleasant and attentive, and they even saved my souvenir bag from the cocktail event. The restaurant itself was clean, well maintained, and with plenty of windows to look out over the Miami Lakes street scene. One thing I would improve is with the extra fee for the nata (butter) sauce to dip the tequenos. It comes with a green sauce (cilantro?) that I am just not a fan off. I did ask my server to take it off and substitute it with the, and found out that it is a bit extra. I mean, it is a substitution. It's not like I'm asking an extra sauce.

Photos
Francisca Charcoal Chicken & Meats - Learn more at https://franciscarestaurant.com/miami-lakes/

Learn more at https://franciscarestaurant.com/miami-lakes/

Francisca Charcoal Chicken & Meats - Learn more at https://franciscarestaurant.com/miami-lakes/

Learn more at https://franciscarestaurant.com/miami-lakes/

Francisca Charcoal Chicken & Meats

See all

Bocas Grill Miami Gardens

Bocas Grill Miami Gardens

4.4(10 reviews)
1.2 mi

TLDR: yes, you should go…read more Food: Chicken carbonara was perfectly creamy! The chicken was good. Absolutely delicious. Service: I was greeted at the door right away. The servers were all attentive, I saw several Drinks: The mango juice was amazing. Natural. Blended with ice, just the right amount of thickness. Environment: clean. It's a bit chilly.... At least where I sat. Comfortable seats. Modern music and ambiance.

For a city built on layers of culture, language, and food, Miami has a way of making cravings feel…read moreinevitable. This week, ours happened to be arepas. Maybe it was the World Cup atmosphere, with fans from every corner of the globe pouring into town. Maybe it was simply surrendering to the Latin heartbeat that drives so much of this city. Whatever the reason, we found ourselves at Bocas Grill in Miami Gardens. The restaurant wears its intentions proudly. The menu stretches in every direction, but one message rises above the noise. "In Arepas We Trust" is splashed across the wall. It is both slogan and challenge. We accepted. An order of sweet plantains with cheese arrived first, still steaming from the fryer. The plantains were caramelized and sweet, the shredded cheese providing the salty counterpoint that makes the combination so addictive. Simple, familiar, and satisfying. For my entrée, I ordered the Simon Bolivar arepa, a hulking creation stuffed with sliced picanha, shredded cheese, and pico de gallo. Calling it a sandwich would be misleading. This thing arrived looking less like a handheld meal and more like an engineering project. The corn cake itself had excellent flavor, earthy and sweet in the way a good arepa should be. The picanha was cooked to a beautiful medium-rare, juicy and deeply beefy. The only issue was its texture. The steak slices were just chewy enough that each bite threatened to pull half the filling out with it, leaving me in a tug-of-war between my teeth and the arepa. My wife ordered the Wok Smoked Shrimp arepa, another generously stuffed creation. The shrimp seemed endless, piled high with tomatoes and a cilantro crema that brought brightness to every bite. I searched for the promised smokiness and found very little of it, but the shrimp themselves were cooked properly, firm with a pleasant snap. Combined with the crema, they made for a flavorful and satisfying filling. Bocas Grill understands something many restaurants forget. If you are going to build your reputation on one item, that item should feel abundant. These arepas do. They are overstuffed, messy, and unapologetically generous. Did they satisfy the craving? Absolutely. When a craving for arepas hits, Bocas Grill is more than capable of answering the call.

Photos
Bocas Grill Miami Gardens
Bocas Grill Miami Gardens
Bocas Grill Miami Gardens - Shrimp chaufa

See all

Shrimp chaufa

1910 Restaurant & Bar Miami Lakes

1910 Restaurant & Bar Miami Lakes

4.1(42 reviews)
0.1 mi

After a full day of work, the last thing I wanted to do was drive across Miami in search of dinner…read more Fortunately, Miami Lakes has its own surprises. One of them is 1910 Restaurant & Bar, a Spanish-inspired restaurant that blends premium steaks, seafood, and a little theatrical flair without losing sight of flavor. The meal opened with an order of Cheese Balls, crisp golden spheres that reminded me of pão de queijo, except they skipped most of the bread and focused almost entirely on the cheese. The exterior shattered pleasantly, giving way to a molten, creamy center. Paired with a pineapple sauce, each bite balanced sweet and salty in exactly the right proportions. My wife ordered the Australian Wagyu Flap Sirloin, a 12-ounce cut grilled over charcoal and served with house-made chimichurri. It was everything you hope Wagyu will be, deeply beefy, wonderfully tender, and rich without becoming overwhelming. The chimichurri added brightness without stealing the spotlight. Then came the dish that first caught my attention. The La Reina de la Casa, or "Queen of the House." At first glance, it almost feels designed for social media, a cheese pizza crowned with an enormous grilled octopus. I would be lying if I said that presentation didn't influence my order. Fortunately, this wasn't style over substance. The pizza itself stood on its own with a crisp crust and generous layer of bubbling cheese. The octopus, however, was the reason to order it. It was expertly grilled, tender without a hint of chewiness, and seasoned with a spice blend the server politely described as the chef's secret. Whatever was in that seasoning deserved to remain a secret, because it transformed an already well-cooked octopus into something memorable. Dessert brought things back to the classics with a crème brûlée. The sugar crust cracked cleanly beneath the spoon, revealing a silky vanilla custard underneath. Simple, elegant, and exactly the ending the meal needed. 1910 could have leaned heavily on flashy presentations and premium ingredients. Instead, it paired both with thoughtful execution. That's a far more difficult trick to pull off. Some restaurants earn attention because they're photogenic. The best ones earn repeat visits because the food is every bit as impressive as the photos.

I had dinner here recently and really enjoyed the food. My boss and I came by on a weeknight around…read more8pm and were seated immediately. Lots of street parking available and outdoor seating. This place had Great Gatsby vibes and I loved it. The menus were electronic and I decided to order the 1910 pizza which is shaped like a star with prosciutto, fig and balsamic glaze topping and ricotta stuffed crust. It was goooood. My boss ordered the shrimp risotto which was very delicious. I would definitely come back here to try other things.

Photos
1910 Restaurant & Bar Miami Lakes - Entrance area.

Entrance area.

1910 Restaurant & Bar Miami Lakes
1910 Restaurant & Bar Miami Lakes - Nice ice cold Heineken and a beautiful glowing Flor De Medianoche.

See all

Nice ice cold Heineken and a beautiful glowing Flor De Medianoche.

El Novillo Restaurant - latin - Updated October 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...