Mi Colombia cafeteria Miami Beach — Restaurant in Miami Beach

My partner wrote a glowing review for this restaurant ten minutes ago, but I had to write my own, because I am a vegetarian and need to ensure that VEGETARIANS DO NOT SKIP THIS restaurant!!! Yes, there is meat in many dishes, but this is not a sad, sides-only disappointment. Lida, the manager, was SO kind in making sure I was taken care of, and made sure we didn't order too much or too little which was so honest and kind. Even so, a meal of all "sides" (the rice, plantains, beans, yucca, and arepa) each came on dinner-sized plates! It was so filling we ended up splitting it between the two of us AND still took leftovers home. Utter magic happens in that kitchen-- even the rice tasted incredible and I will be dreaming of those plantains and yucca till we return. But really, the salad is the STAR of the entire show. It's downright delicious and if you're lucky, comes with avocado. :) Like another reviewer below, we were advised on the etiquette for eating the arepa which I truly appreciated!

Between the advice, conversation, and on-the-house extras while sitting at the counter, we felt like family. We were treated with SUCH love and care. We ended up going back twice in five days because it felt so warm/welcoming (Lida, the manager, remembered us!!), and I knew I could get a full meal (not some dinky overpriced vegetarian sandwich).

Also worth mentioning: traveling in Miami on a budget is hard, this place is so affordable, and family-owned restaurants are the backbone of our local economies. Mi Colombia Cafeteria y Restaurante is an amazing institution-- if I were local I'd be there all the time. So, go support them!!!...

Incredible experience walking in for a quick breakfast while in Miami for a friends wedding weekend.

We were staying at a hotel about a 10 minute walk away and I found this spot on google maps. In south beach there are places that ask you to leave a 5 star review to game the listings so it’s sometimes hard to tell if reviews are real. Can confirm all reviews for this place are real and they didn’t ask or pressure me to leave a review.

This is a locally owned spot that was MUCH friendly than we expected. They were very happy to accommodate in English or Spanish and were patient explaining some of the traditional menu items to us (we were unfamiliar with columbian cuisine). Prices very reasonable and generous servings of food.

Service was fast, and the food was excellent. I had a bandera paisa plate which had a few types of meat, rice, beans, plantains and a nice fresh piece of avocado. My wife had an egg plate with a corn type of bread and cheese.

To drink we had coffees and juices. The juices were especially awesome. The passionfruit is a classic awesome juice, but I personally would recommend trying the blackberry one. That one exceeded expectations!

Finally, I wanted to call out how kind and friendly the two sisters who were running the place were. They wanted to know where we were from and how we enjoyed the food. They shared the business has been running for 39 years! Clearly the know what they’re doing. This is by far our favorite part of traveling. Very happy to have stopped in and hope to...

What a treasure to find this place! You will be so happy you went...especially if you want to feel like your back home in Colombia!

As soon as I walked in I felt like I was back in Colombia with my grandpa going for the casero lunches. We were greated by Lida who is such a sweet and kinda women who welcomed us to take a seat at the bar oriented us to their menu.

I ordered a Bandeja monañera, this plate can easily be shared by 2 people...but i would highly recommend ordering your own, because I promise you will be thankful to have leftovers. Everything tasted soo good! The jugo de mora was so fresh and had a real fruit flavor! There's so many things on their menu that I would like to try, especially with how good the Bandeja was.

In conversation, I learned that Mi Colombia is a family owned business ran by Lida and her siblings that has been in Miami for many many years, if I remember correctly, she said almost 40 years.

I only have amazing things to say about Mi Colombia, and I know I will be going back to eat again before leaving from my trip to Miami. The food here is amazing, the staff is friendly, attentive, and make you feel like you're having lunch at home with family.

They make you feel special, from your very first visit, you can tell they take pride in people enjoying their food, welcomimg you in like family, and sending you home with ñapas.

Gracias Lida por su...