La Matriarca | Comida fusión latina | Gastrobar | Restaurante en Miami — Restaurant in Doral

We were looking forward to eating here on Friday night April 12. Unfortunately, I just looked at their website (which is great!) and did not look at the reviews. I must say, all of the 1 star reviews are correct. We ordered two appetizers, the "Aborrojados con guava" and the "Conchitas Marinas." They were tasty, cannot complain about those. For my entree I ordered the "Causa de Chicharron" which was very innovative and delicious. My two sisters ordered the "Bandeja Paisa" and they abhorred it. How can you mess up such a boring dish that we Colombians eat but love? Well like many reviewers have expressed, it was tasteless or tasted old, like if the chicharron was made three days ago and reheated today and the morcilla had been processed a long time ago, it just tasted old. The rice was tasteless, the egg was too hard. The beef was tasteless with no seasoning and very tough even though it was not overcooked (which Colombians tend to like their meat overcooked!) The chorizo also lacked flavor. And the beans were sweet. Why do you guys do that!!?? You put panela in there, what's wrong with you? And our friend who had recommended this pitiful restaurant because she either saw an ad for it or who knows how she heard about it, she ordered the "Cazuela de frijoles" and she didn't eat it all, why because the beans were too sweet! The horrendous part about this is that the bill was $190 for four people who didn't even get anything to drink but water (but guess what, they charged us for the tap water!!!!) Even though 90% of the food was not good, the service was excellent. The music was way too loud, we didn't expect that there would be a live band so it was hard trying to have a conversation. But the band was good if you're there to listen to the music. With all of the Colombian restaurants around I don't think I will make a special trip from Weston to visit you again. If you don't change your recipes and honor the Colombian taste as well as revise your prices I don't think your restaurant will survive the one year anniversary. Please don't tell me that you have eight years of experience doing this--like you've answered other people--because if you don't listen to your customers that experience goes in the toilet. Just look at your one...

I'm not even sure where to begin with this so-called Colombian restaurant. It claims to be traditional, yet it features Peruvian dishes (more on this later). Let's break it down into three sections: Food, Service, and Atmosphere.

Food: The portions are decent, and that's probably the best thing I can say about this place. However, it's overpriced and tastes mediocre at best. As someone half Colombian, who has been eating Colombian food since before I could talk, I can confidently say that these were the worst and blandest frijoles I've ever had. To make matters worse, when I tried to customize my order (lomo saltado), they wouldn't let me swap white rice for arroz de coco—no flexibility at all. Yet, they allowed me to change from fries to tostones (make it make sense). The other dish ordered, ceviche, was far from traditional or Colombian; it was the creamiest and least lime-flavored ceviche I've ever encountered.

Service: Absolutely horrible! The waitress was not only rude but unaccommodating. We pointed out menu flaws, like the menu stating, "please look at side options for alternatives," only for the waitress to claim the menu was wrong. Additionally, the service was painfully slow, with a 20-minute gap between appetizer and the main course.

Atmosphere: Initially promising, the ambiance soured when the live entertainment started singing (if you can even call it that). The singer and instruments were out of tune, and the volume was so loud that conversation required shouting across the table. The music was so bad that I personally witnessed four separate parties walk out due to the noise—three of them in succession. As a restaurant owner, this should be a cause for concern.

In summary, this new "Colombian" restaurant lacks any genuine Colombian touch. It's overpriced, and the experience may leave you regretting your visit. Save yourself money and time—don't bother coming. Instead, drive five more minutes to Monserrate for authentic "tradicional" Colombian food at a reasonable price, without the intrusive noise of an...

From Barranquilla to Miami, La Matriarca Has My Heart

La Matriarca is not just a restaurant—it’s an emotional experience wrapped in flavor, culture, and pure joy. I first discovered it in Barranquilla, Colombia, during a vacation. I stopped by on a Wednesday to try something new… and I ended up coming back on Thursday and Friday, and even celebrating my birthday there on Saturday. That’s how good it was.

Every meal in Barranquilla felt like a warm hug from Abuela, rich in tradition and made with soul. The decor is playful and vibrant, and the staff treats you like family. What about the dishes? Art on a plate. From the platter of mini patacones to the bowl of hearty soups and that adorable pig-topped birthday cake, I left each time full in my stomach and my spirit.

To top it all off, they bring live music—real musical groups that bring joy, rhythm, and an extra dose of celebration. It’s not just dinner; it’s a whole cultural event. You’ll be clapping, singing, and smiling between bites.

Then came the best surprise: they also have a location in Miami. And yes—same soul, same flavor, just a new home. The Miami restaurant is charming and welcoming, with florals, tropical energy, and that same “family party” vibe that makes you want to linger. And don’t start on their Causa de Chicharrón—a tower of flavor layered with creamy avocado, golden mashed potatoes, crispy chicharrón, and tangy dressing. It’s edible architecture. It’s Sunday lunch nostalgia. It’s fire.

There are no shortcuts, just bold, honest seasoning cooked with love. Every dish I’ve tried at both locations has been consistent, beautiful, and seriously delicious.

What makes La Matriarca unforgettable is the warm, joyful, and love-filled energy. Whether you’re discovering it for the first time in Miami or already obsessed like me from Barranquilla, trust me: this is where you want to eat.

Come hungry. Leave happy. Stay for the music. And definitely don’t...