COTOA Restaurant — Restaurant in Miami

A Revelation in a Downtown Nook: Cotoa and the Alchemy of Alejandra Espinoza The murmurs surrounding Cotoa, nestled within that unassuming downtown food hall, had reached a fever pitch. Chef Alejandra Espinoza, a name whispered with reverence, had been on my culinary radar since her debut. Regrettably, life intervened, and it wasn't until last night, accompanied by my beautiful wife, that I finally succumbed to the allure. Let me be unequivocal: it has been an age since I've encountered a chef in Miami so demonstrably in command of their craft. Espinoza doesn't merely cook Ecuadorian cuisine; she elevates it, infusing each dish with a vibrant tapestry of flavors and a profound respect for her heritage. The journey began with the goat ragu empanadas, a masterclass in savory depth. Each bite was a testament to Espinoza's understanding of balance and texture. Then came the mahi ceviche, a revelation. "Eat it with the spoon," she instructed, a gentle command that resonated with wisdom. Forget the fork; you need to savor the precious, citrus-kissed liquor that elevates this dish beyond the ordinary. The langostinos, kissed by fire, were charred with a precision that unlocked a symphony of smoky sweetness. They didn't just taste good; they transcended expectation. We had initially intended to forgo dessert, a foolish notion quickly dispelled by the sheer magnetism of the menu. The goat cheese ice cream, drizzled with honey, was a study in contrasts – creamy, tangy, and subtly sweet. And then, the cocoa dessert. Oh, the cocoa dessert. It was a masterpiece, a testament to Espinoza's mastery of her ingredients, a dessert that will linger in my memory for years to come. The service, too, was impeccable, a seamless dance of attentiveness and warmth. The food hall, surprisingly, felt more like a refined restaurant, offering both high-top and traditional seating. We opted for the counter, a front-row seat to Espinoza's culinary theater, a miniature chef's table experience. Cotoa is not merely a restaurant; it's a culinary pilgrimage. If you haven't yet experienced the magic of Alejandra Espinoza, I implore you: run, don't walk. This is Miami dining at its most authentic...

An absolutely exquisite experience and one of the best meals I’ve had in my life; up there with Providence. We did the tasting menu which was absolutely divine from start to finish and we were so thrilled with the expertly crafted sauces and plantains infused throughout.

Everything was delicious and so carefully, thoughtfully prepared. We were lucky enough to sit at the counter and were able to watch chef work her magic. The Ecuadorean cornbread with smoked butter and Maguey chutney? Shut the front door. The incredible little empanada was a perfectly balanced, three-bite corn pocket powerhouse of flavor served with a bright and oh-so-flavorful three-tomato sauce. The poached langostino in passionfruit sauce with green mango was one of the most beautiful dishes I have ever seen. Pure art that broke my heart a little bit to eat, but healed my soul at the first bite. The Chivo de Muey was incredible, and the adorable little plantain ravioli served alongside were to die for. We shared the pesca encocada and the cerdito y llapingachos, each of which were simply perfect, so well seasoned and adorned with stunning and flavorful accoutrements.

The “pre-dessert” was served by chef herself who remarked that every dinner needs a pre-dessert, and no truer words have ever been spoken. It was a decadent little chocolate mousse with cacao honey that I’ll be thinking about for the rest of my life. The piña para La Niña was also excellent; so bright, complex, fresh and the perfect way to cap an extraordinary meal.

The chef has such mastery of fascinatingly flavorful sauces that expertly accompanied and elevated the main components of each dish. Each plate was truly a work of art. The wine list was superbly curated, service and atmosphere were top notch. Can’t wait to come back for another impeccable...

I am Ecuadorian and my husband is a chef, so I’m naturally a tough critic. That said, the food here is absolutely impeccable—I nearly shed a tear with the first bite. It’s incredibly hard to find Ecuadorian food outside of New York, so having a place like this in Miami is a treasure. Every single dish we tried was outstanding, with flavors that were rich, authentic, and beautifully executed.

We started with the seco de chivo empanadas, and wow—they tasted just like my mom’s seco de chivo, which says a lot because hers has always been my gold standard. The pan de yuca was perfectly done and blew me away. Both the mahi mahi maní ceviche and shrimp ceviche were fresh, vibrant, and absolutely worth ordering if you love ceviche. For entrées, I had the cangrejada and my husband the yapingacho—both were spectacular, layered with complex flavors and cooked to perfection. We ended with the chocopop dessert, and I didn’t want it to be over. Overall: a flawless 10/10 on the food.

Unfortunately, the service did not match the quality of the kitchen. Despite having a reservation, we waited 20 minutes to be seated. Our server forgot key items several times, including side dishes like cocolón and patacones, silverware, and even my lemonade, which only arrived toward the end of the meal after multiple reminders. There was also confusion with our order—the yapingacho arrived before we confirmed it, and although we enjoyed it, it wasn’t what we had initially decided. Overall, the service felt inattentive and unprofessional, which was disappointing.

That said, the food here is so extraordinary that I cannot bring myself to deduct any points. Ecuadorian restaurants are rare, and the cuisine at this one is truly special. I highly recommend it and will absolutely return whenever...