El Cristo Restaurant

Cuban restaurant · Little Havana

El Cristo Restaurant

Cuban restaurant · Little Havana

2

1543 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135

Photos

El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null
El Cristo Restaurant by null

Highlights

El Cristo Restaurant blends Cuban tradition with a lively atmosphere, serving up delicious classics like ropa vieja and vibrant mojitos in Little Havana.  

Placeholder
Placeholder

1543 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135 Get directions

elcristorestaurant.com
@elcristorestaurant

$$ · Menu

Reserve

Information

Static Map

1543 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135 Get directions

+1 305 643 9992
elcristorestaurant.com
@elcristorestaurant
𝕏
@ElCristoRest

$$ · Menu

Reserve

Features

wifi
payment credit card
Tap to pay
reservations
outdoor seating

Last updated

Jul 31, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@onthegrid

On the Grid : El Cristo

"This simple, family-style restaurant offers an enormous selection of traditional Cuban dishes. Every Cuban dish imaginable is on the menu. Arrive before 11:00am and enjoy the best Cuban breakfast in the area. For lunch or dinner, try the "Vaca Frita De Pollo"—a garlic-marinated chicken breast, fried and pulled over moros and sweet plantains. Portions are sizable so be prepared to share or take home leftovers for the following day. Like all cuban meals, be sure to finish it off with a Café Cubano. Sit outside and catch the hustle of the locals." - Colada Collective

https://onthegrid.city/miami/little-havana/el-cristo
View Postcard for El Cristo Restaurant
@onthegrid

"El Cristo, Little Havana by Colada Collective. This simple, family-style restaurant offers an enormous selection of traditional Cuban dishes. Every Cuban dish imaginable is on the menu. Arrive before 11:00am and enjoy the best Cuban breakfast in the area. For lunch or dinner, try the "Vaca Frita De Pollo"—a garlic-marinated chicken breast, fried and pulled over moros and sweet plantains. Portions are sizable so be prepared to share or take home leftovers for the following day. Like all cuban meals, be sure to finish it off with a Café Cubano. Sit outside and catch the hustle of the locals."

Miami
View Postcard for El Cristo Restaurant

Anthony Stewart

Google
Good food and service. We had ropa vieja and the skirt steak. Both good, though the ropa vieja wasn't as tender as I've previously had. Service was good. Our waitress was friendly and attentive. The atmosphere is outdated and could use a refresher.

Stewart Armstrong

Google
What a great place! Coffee, breakfast, and flan. The flan was amazing. The service was very friendly and we enjoyed the atmosphere.

ankana bhatacharya

Google
Nice croquettes and empanadas. We ordered the grilled fish (mahi-mahi) and it was dry and tough. The shrimp fettuccine pasta was overcooked and bland. The highlight of our lunch was the orange juice - freshly squeezed and yum!

Ollie Brothwood

Google
Great cubano sandwich in little Havana. Good menu variety, including some other cuban specialties. Drinks menu is affordable and like most of little Havana it always seems to be happy hour! We were there for lunch when there are likely a few more tourist tour buses around, so it felt a little busy, but we'd love to come back in the evening!

Ed Hoskin

Google
Straight away, the empanadas (tasted on a good tour) were su-perb; crunchy, tasty, beefy, and big. We also had dinner here which was great too: copious, salty enough, interesting, but not too weird. Great service as one would expect.. Also, mojito happy hour is pretty good ;)

Shriraam Murali

Google
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.

Shaunie Haynes

Google
Amazing food. The oxtails were perfect. Not for those who don’t like the fatty parts. Still it had plenty of meat on it. The rice and beans were just right. Not too savory. The plantains..best yet for ME! Thx lil Havana and the big bus tour for the transportation lol. Only two block away to a pickup/dropoff bus stop. Oh my they have $6 mojitos across the street at EL PUB. Gonna be feeling good for this night boat cruise.

Hibes Galeano

Google
El Cristo in Little Havana was such a great stop on our trip—lively, welcoming, and full of flavor. The food hit all the right notes, and the drinks were delicious, but the real standout was the cortadito—hands down the best we’ve had during our visit to Miami. What really made the experience special, though, was our server, Duani. She was so warm, kind, and genuinely attentive—it felt like we were being taken care of by a friend. We left full, happy, and already talking about coming back.
google avatar

Dan D.

Yelp
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...
google avatar

Tim C.

Yelp
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
google avatar

Connie M.

Yelp
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
google avatar

Kenya E.

Yelp
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.
google avatar

Kenya W.

Yelp
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!
google avatar

Jackie J.

Yelp
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.
google avatar

Jaime P.

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

Will M.

Yelp
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.
google avatar

Jen V.

Yelp
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.

Noah H.

Yelp
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!
google avatar

Vanessa M.

Yelp
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!

Brenda G.

Yelp
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
google avatar

Denise H.

Yelp
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.

Jayden H.

Yelp
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.
google avatar

Selena N.

Yelp
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!
google avatar

Terry W.

Yelp
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.
google avatar

Herbert T.

Yelp
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.
google avatar

Nick B.

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

Teresa M.

Yelp
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!

Agnes J.

Yelp
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.
google avatar

Lin L.

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

caroline f.

Yelp
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.
google avatar

Van H.

Yelp
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.

Lecy R.

Yelp
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 ".
google avatar

Mel H.

Yelp
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.
google avatar

Javier R.

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

Mariah ..

Yelp
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!
google avatar

Angelo S.

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

Mike P.

Yelp
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.
google avatar

Thomas R.

Yelp
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!
google avatar

Itzel E.

Yelp
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
google avatar

Margarita G.

Yelp
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!
google avatar

Mike K.

Yelp
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.
google avatar

Dodgers L.

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

Harshini J.

Yelp
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.

Henry C.

Yelp
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

Eric Dostie ..

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

Juan G.

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

Maria B.

Yelp
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!
google avatar

Holland W.

Yelp
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.
google avatar

Ang V.

Yelp
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.
google avatar

Fernando B.

Yelp
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
google avatar

Betsy M.

Yelp
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!
google avatar

Jessica L.

Yelp
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
google avatar

Egbert B.

Yelp
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!
google avatar

Jae R.

Yelp
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

Justin P.

Yelp
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

Krystel C.

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

Maria M.

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