El Cristo Restaurant

We are vegetarians and we thought we would struggle to get some food. El cristo came to our rescue with a limited but yummy vegetarian options. The vibe looks great and I am sure it would look more lively during the night times. We were greeted with garlic bread and we ordered a vegetarian platter which looked bland but tasted delicious. We also tried fresh lemonade which was not too sweet and refreshing. Caramlized plantain was our favorite.

Stopped here for a quick bite. Enjoyed their take on Cuban sandwich and fried shrimp. Also, Cuban style lagers proved to be quite decent

The food is amazing and they serve generous portions! Delicious and freshly prepared:) one of my favorites and so tasty, love it!!! Gracias!! ♥️

This place is so good. The food was amazing. I’m pretty sure the plantains I had here were some of the best I’ve ever had. Great mojitos too. We got a half pitcher for 2 of us, and it was almost too much. Almost. I do wish the music wasn’t so loud though.

What a terrific meal. Authentic Cuban menu and flavors with a nice vegan / vegetarian section. It was perfect for my family because two had traditional Cuban meat dishes of ropa vieja and pulled roast pork, one had seafood soup, and the fourth had a vegan plate of arroz y frijoles, plantains, two kinds of yuca, and more. It was clearly marked vegan. And everything was tasty. It is for tourists, but not offensively touristy

All my table plates were chipped!!! I can not believed it. From the start my lunch, looking at those plates, i was uncomfortable. The food is ok, but not delicious. i can truly say is ok, average restaurant.

12/22 First visit. Wonderful food!! Food 5 Service 4 Atmosphere 5 12/23 Second time coming. Had to come back. I've enjoyed the food, drink, and vibe. Very nice. Food 5 Service 4 Atmosphere 5 12/24 Third visit. The lamb shank is soooo tender. My roasted pork full of food taste with some crispy strands . Loved it. Cuban coffee mmmmmm good. Service changed from 4 to 5.

El Cristo Restaurant, a cornerstone of Little Havana since 1972, orchestrates a sensory symphony of Cuban tradition and modern comfort. Within its white-washed walls and beneath the carnival-themed artwork declaring "La Vida Es Un Carnaval," the restaurant pulses with an energy that's both nostalgic and alive. Ropa vieja arrives in tender, aromatic cascades of beef, each strand telling a story through its sofrito-infused essence. The Cuban sandwich, a study in textural contrast, comes precisely pressed and crowned with house-made potato straws that shatter delicately with each bite. Even simple sides command attention: white rice appears in geometric perfection, while maduros offer their caramelized sweetness as counterpoint. The space itself breathes history through exposed brick walls, while Cuban flags flutter alongside modern wine displays. From the intimate interior, where staff in crisp black uniforms navigate with balletic precision, to the sun-dappled sidewalk seating where red café tables dot the brick pavement, El Cristo masters the art of place-making. Operating daily from dawn's first cafecito to midnight's final feast, the restaurant hums with an efficiency that keeps wait times brief even during the busiest hours. Despite its tourist-friendly coordinates, El Cristo maintains its soul as a neighborhood sanctuary. The beverage program spans from throat-warming Cuban coffee to "Japi Aquar" happy hour libations, serving cultural purists and curious newcomers alike. This delicate balance of authenticity and accessibility, preserved through five decades of service, explains El Cristo's enduring position as a Little Havana landmark. Here, each meal is more than sustenance—it's a sensory portal to Cuba's culinary heritage, served without pretense but with plenty of pride.

While in Miami recently, I Yelped for the best Cuban breakfast place and this one had the top reviews. It wasn't crowded early on a Saturday so four of us sat inside and enjoyed traditional Cuban breakfasts and cafe con leche. Everything was pretty good: The food, service and seating area. One hiccup: I received a $20 off offer (of a $100 purchase) by checking into Yelp when I arrived. None of the staff was familiar with the offer even though there were Yelp stickers on their doors. I wasn't about to leave without getting the discount so I remained firm and they eventually relented after calling someone. I was then told, "You'd better give us a good review!" OK, here it is...

Super friendly and helpful staff, in English or Spanish. Huge portions all at very reasonable prices!! The food was delicious, everything was super tasty and the lechon was one of the best things I've eaten in a a long time and I will be thinking about it for awhile. Also didn't snicker when I ordered double dessert

Service is really bad here the big man who's the hostess couldn't be bothered to seat us really was the vibe, when he sat us down he then went to the table next door to keep chatting with that customer. Very annoying. They also sat us on the street with all the other tourists lol probably to appear busy. After 7 they blast the Latin music it was so hard to hear people talk. The waitress came over to get our order. I'm basic AF and got the ropa vieja and to be honest it was very mid to me. My partner got the special which was the stewed oxtail and while both came out looking nice they were like warm. The mojo rice and plantains were good. Sitting on the street with people walking by gets noisy I recommend going on the side patio or inside. Overall the place was okay but it felt grimy

I had the red snapper in red sauce and it was the most amazing meal I think I've ever had! No additional seasonings required. The black beans were *chefs kiss* mm mm mm good!! I'd eat here everyday if I could. Our service was fast and the mojito was perfectly crafted. Prices are reasonable for large parties.

Best Cuban food I've ever had. The service was also phenomenal and everyone was friendly, plus the food came out quick. Would return again!

Let me begin by saying we initially visited a highly popular Cuban restaurant nearby, but I wish we had chosen this place first. As we passed by its charming enclosed patio shaded with trees, it immediately caught our eye. Stepping inside, the hospitality was exceptional--from the welcoming hostess to the attentive waiter and even the gentleman who surprised us with a complimentary beer. We were promptly seated, and our drinks arrived swiftly. Although smaller in size, the tables were well-spaced, offering more room to maneuver compared to the other restaurant. Now, onto the food. I can't stress enough how we should have started here! The Ropa Vieja and beef Empanadas burst with flavor, and the empanadas were generously filled with beef, perfectly complemented by their flaky crust. The interior ambiance was pleasant with effective air conditioning and comfortable seating. Despite not having a long line outside, this place truly deserves one. It's a hidden gem right on the strip. Avoid the overly crowded spot (Salas) because the food quality there didn't match up.

La atencion excelente , la comida exquisita muy bien elaborada y rica un lugar acogedor , las margaritas no tienen buena calidad

Part of a little Havana tour. Very good Cuban coffee. Empanada had a very nice crunch. Ground beef with potatoes on the inside. A lot of different sauce options depending how spicy you want it.

First time eating in Miami and the Cuban food was delicious. My nephew is quite a finicky eater but loved everything he tried. Mayte could not have been lovelier. We had a lovely chat with her about Michigan where she recently lived and we are from. Her husband was also so friendly and they both made the experience so great.

Phenomenal food. Service was very fast and the food was incredible. Probably the best vaca frita we've ever had and excellent empanadas as well. This place is a hidden gem!

We went today and the waiter Lazaro recommended a wonderful Cuban lager, the Cuban sandwich, the ceviche and the arroz imperial and they were all wonderful. We have had ceviche but this one was phenomenal. The arroz dish was out of this world. Lazaro was so friendly and knowledgeable and made the whole experience great. We just moved to Miami and we'll definitely go back!

OMG! The food is amazing. My husband and I are visiting from Chicago and spoken happy we stopped for lunch. Yenny offered great service during our visit. I highly recommend this restaurant! Rick and Brenda

We sat for 15 minutes at a table before we were served after I finally stopped a waiter who said he didn't see us. The beans were decent. Plantains seemed like bagged, frozen type. The veggies speak for themselves in the pic. My friend had Churrasco, medium well done, that he said was not tender at all. I can say the mojitos were tasty.

Mayte and Andrew were absolutely fantastic with their service. The food was divine as well, the Cubano Sandwich was delicious, and the Ox Tail was easily the best, especially as a Michigander. I loved the location, right in the heart of Little Havana with beautiful lights, music all around, and beautiful art, even a great mural on the building itself. I would come back again, and will definitely come back when I'm back in Miami.

Tried to come here and there was a seat right out front and the server instead seated is in the far back corner. I thought she was rude and we felt like a bother so we left. Found a much better place. Be nice to visitors! You lost us as costumers!

So we returned to Little Havana to grab some lunch. This wasn't our first choice, but the first choice was closed they day we were in the neighborhood. Cuban food. The server said "everything is good" when asked about the menu, which isn't very helpful. Not everything was explicitly Cuban, but he claimed it was "Cuban style". Also not very helpful. I ended up ordering the Bandeja El Cristo, and my wife ordered the Solomillo. Both were fine, but a little disappointing. The Solomillo was what appeared to be a stir-fry with a pile of rice/beans and a few slices of plantains. The flavor of the rice/beans was actually very nice. The "stir-fry" was nothing special. Meanwhile, my bandeja was a mixed bag. The tamale was almost all masa; very little filling. The rice was rice, the beans were black beans. Very basic, no seasoning. Then there were two cups with meat. Those were pretty good. I ended up mixing the rice and beans (which still wasn't as good as the rice/beans mix my wife was served), and the one meat with the tamale to make up for the fact there was almost no filling. The mango smoothie was all smoothie (i.e. creamy), and very little mango. My lemonade was better. All in all, a mixed bag of "pretty good" and "mediocre". And a bit pricey.

The perfect place for authentic Cuban food in Little Havana. The food was excellent, and we felt very welcomed and were left impressed by the humble and exceptional service. A great team that focuses on extraordinary food provided by a dedicated team. Will be going back for more decadent food.

Food was amazing, great breakfast. Very friendly service & welcoming to travelers. Lovely music, art, & overall ambience. 10/10

This is an amazing breakfast place here on the strip! The food is fresh, and everyone is pleasant, Jose took great care of us as we were making a small stop before our flight back to Los Angeles. The coffee is great, fresh, squeezed, orange juice in the morning, the breakfast platters are amazing! Hospitality is so great, and accommodating!

The food and ambiance of the place is definitely worth a try. The decor, foods, drinks is definitely a must. I came in with family and we all had a great time. Our waiter, Lazaro even gave my daughter a complimentary cake because she is graduating from college. What I loved most was the braised oxtail in a tomato sauce. It was beyond delicious. Tender and very flavorful. That dish is a must try!! If you ever have a chance to visit Little Havana in Miami this is the place.

Delicious shareable sized paella, made with fresh seafood, good flavor. Drink was made very strong (very good).

Authentic and Delicious Just got back from a Caribbean Celebrity Cruise and looking for a restaurant that serve homemade options. Someone referred this placed and it was absolutely yummy. The place is clean, cozy and the music was perfect. We had the Red Snapper Fish, Tostones, Yucca, Plátanos and Salad. I also ordered a Mojito. We left so happy. Jason the server was so cool, friendly and super helpful with any questions you have! Enjoy.

The mojito was good, but our pitcher did take really long to come out (like 20+ minutes). We had a big table (15 people) and everyone ordered at once so I expected the food to take a while, but it took an HOUR, and the restaurant wasn't even that busy (there were maybe 5 or 6 parties that were 2-4 people each). Even after being hangry and starving I couldn't stomach the food. The pork chop was by far the driest thing I've ever had in my life, the sides were ok, but for a $24 pork chop I expected much better. Someone in the party had the sauteed beef and couldn't bother finishing that either, the kid's burger looked dry as hell and was also left unfinished. I would've given one star but Lily was nice and attentive so I added another star for her service.

The food is extremely expensive and the service is very poor. I'm a black woman and I had to pay twice for my bill. They charged me in my credit card and said it di go through and I had to pay cash for the food and tip. Now I have to dispute with the credit card to receive a refund for my the extra payment. it is unbearable that I had to pay twice because "black people credit card is not good enough ".

If you are ever in Miami little Havana, this is a must try. Authentic Cuban food was so delicious. The fried red snapper was destroyed by us. We ate all of it. Crispy on the outside but soft and tasty inside. Lechon Asano was crispy but tender. First time eating boiled yucca and surprisingly good. Love the sweet plantain with cuban Coffee. Plantain was not overly sweet just right. Their mojito though was my favorite drink. So refreshing with passion fruit and had fresh sugar cane. Strawberry margarita with salted glass rim was also very delicious. Overall, had great experience here. Customer service was great too and had a very lively vibe with Zumba music.

Nice spot, good service. Stop for a quick coffee with the family and the atmosphere is very nice.

Came to this place for the empanadas and man! They are super good! Crispy exterior and very saucy and savory beef. My server was Jenny and she was fast, super nice and made sure I had a great experience! Definitely recommend!

Food was great. Wasn't as crazy busy as the other cuban restaurants around the area. Would definitely come back

Ok my friends. Found another gem in little Havana. This is a cool little spot with a mighty flavorful punch. The service is excellent and the food is amazing. Ambiance is very lively and full of life. We ordered drinks and lunch. A fresh lemonade a coquette and a mojito.Baby Churrasco, Pan Con Bistek (steak Sandwich with a Cuban flare) Cubano El Cristo and some Morros rice. Those Cubano sandwiches either the steak or the El Cristo were excellent. Made with the famous Cuban bread. So perfectly layers with sausage ham and pork and cheese. The baby churrasco was so tender and flavorful served with the Cuban morro rice and fried plantains. Great service came with amazing food. Very attentive. Made sure we were like family. A great place to eat. Enjoy.

I have been coming here for nearly 20 years. It had been a while since I've come though. The place is still great! I had a friend come in from out of town with a large group of about 30. I called a couple days ahead and they were able to arrange a fixed family style menu for our large group. Everyone in the group loved their food. The service was amazing, and the ambiance is that of a great local little Havana spot! Thank you to Jose, and the rest of the El Cristo team!

Such a great authentic restaurant. The food and drinks are delicious. Thanks Lili for the recommendations for the for the drinks and also making us feel welcome

Great experience and amazing food. Our server was Emilio who gave the best service and recommendations which hit the spot! Try their maracuyá Margarita, it is delicious!

I'm not going to give you a in depth review of El Cristo Restaurant based on my limited time there and small samples of food and beverage. We were on a weekend trip to Miami and wanted to visit Little Havana. As soon as we arrived in Little Havana at 9:00a we wanted to try a Cuban Coffee for the 1st time. I had seen the great reviews of El Cristo elsewhere on the inter web and had our Uber driver drop is there. Andrew greeted us on the street and seated us outside at a table on the sidewalk. Overall his service was A++. Very attentive, nice guy and able to hold a conversation. He got us a couple Cuban Coffee's with sugar and 2 beef empanada's. Yeah, strange breakfast, but it worked. Cuban Coffee was strong and sweet with a little layer of foam. Reminded me of an Expresso, but not as bitter. I loved it. The empanada's had a nice flakey crust and a savory ground beef inside. Highly recommend.

This place has delicious Cuban food. So authentic. I would definitely be coming here again.

Great food, fish and veg options! Amazing fish and shrimp.Great mojito! Amazing service by Lily. We were a group of 9 and Lily served everyone really well. Great ambiance.

Scam ! We clearly said 2 pan con queso Server brought 3 pan con queso con jamón. When we said we ordered 2 he insisted and argued that we had ordered 3 and then he charged them as sandwich combos. All we wanted was 2 pan con queso .. very disputatious! I refused to argue with him because I was with my wife and daughter. We had been there before but never again. And then tip is included -- he says minimum tip is on the check. The CRISTO above is watching you Emilio. Nunca más ! Casi $90

Awesome little spot in Miami (Little Havana). Great tasting with large portions, an excellent place to taste and share authentic Cuban dishes.

Good food, great service and right in the middle of the action on Calle 8. Could serve a little more black beans!

This is an incredible restaurant. Believe when I say they have delicious Cuban food. The service is fast and very hospitable. It was a very hot day, and we asked for water our server was very attentive. She brought us water right away and suggested a couple of dishes of the menu. We ordered the Trio Habanero dish was very tasty and the meats were tender. Loved the shrimp and the avocado in our salad that complemented the dish nicely. Fresh and vibrant ingredients. The rice was also delicious. (Dish shared by two people). The garlic bread served while we waited was also great. Great service, delicious food and overall fantastic experience!

Loved our food and service here! Our waiter was very knowledgeable and answered all questions we had about the menu. It wasn't crowded and we got our food quickly. This is a great spot to try some delicious Cuban food while visiting Miami, without a lengthy wait or having to make reservations.

Had really high hopes for this place since it seemed busy. Service and vibes were great but the food took forever (at least 30 minutes) to come out. And everything was SALTY! The plantains were the only delicious thing about my meal and helped balance out all the saltiness. My first meal of the day and I couldn't even finish cause it was too salty. A little disappointed.

I have tried several restaurants in this Area, ( Calle 8 ) this is the best , without a doubt. Our server Jenni was a delight . The ambiance was so comfortable. I would come here anytime for sure. The food was beyond delicious. Fresh, flavorful, simply amazing. I completely recommend it

Looking to take a load off after walking around Little Havana we stopped into El Cristo for some lunch. It was a must to have Cuban food and the menu looked good. We were a group of five, three of our group ordered full meals and my hubs and I ordered sandwiches. I mean, I had to have a Cubano Sandwich at least once on this trip done right and El Cristo did not disappoint. The server recommend the Pan Con Lechon sandwich to my husband, saying it was better than the Cubano in his opinion and he did really like it a lot. The sandwiches do come with these potato sticks that are like tiny fries, so you really do not need to order fries -- although we did order a side of fries not knowing. Oddly they came out cold, a few were actually still frozen! They immediately took them back and made it right. Everyone enjoyed their meal, the prices were reasonable in my opinion all things considered in today's inflated economy. Our service was good and so was the food!

If you come to Little Havana and you have any ounce of fun in you left, you have got to come here, if only for one drink at least. Forget Wet Willie's- this is the spot. $9 for boozy slushies (I was getting the Frozen Paloma, which was so good, and my friend got the frozen sangria. Also, if you come here (especially if you're Catholic or have a Catholic background of any sort), you've got to visit the "Confessional," aka the bathrooms. It is legit. Summary: A MUST COME TO PLACE

Ordered the mahi mahi and the lobster. The Mahi mahi was dry and tastless. The lobster looked prefrozen and was overcooked. The worst thjng was they charged us 75 for it. Ok, it did say MP for the lobster but we should have been warned that the lobster was for $75, when everything else was between 12-25. Also had the sangria which came with canned fruit salad! If i could give a 0 star i would. A tourist trap. Beware!

Coño que rico! Flight arrived and straight to Little Havana for some food and a hair cut. Cuban spots will always have vegan options and these are the basics, so they always come out danky! Happy Munchies, aVeganAndHer

I came in due to no one being in the restaurant. I was sat down at the bar and ordered a beer . I asked to close my tab and was told I had to order $10 or my beer would be worth $10. They don't have a sign saying you have to order a $10 minimum and the owner was rude

Nice experience our first time here. Lazaro was exceptional - he was friendly, energetic, efficient.

Great service , food was amazing . Staff was great . We loved the ambiance . Lazaro was great , gave us great recommendations. 10/10 .