Madroño Restaurant
Restaurant · Sweetwater
10780 W Flagler St, Miami, FL 33174
Highlights
Upscale Nicaraguan eatery with authentic dishes & exceptional service
Upscale Nicaraguan eatery with authentic dishes & exceptional service
"It’s easy to oversimplify Nicaraguan food and assume it can all fit neatly in a styrofoam box. But Madroño is the best example of how incredibly nuanced and diverse Nicaraguan restaurants can be. This classic spot serves unfussy comfort food in a white tablecloth environment worthy of celebrating your niece’s First Communion. If you're here with a group, get the bandeja, a lazy susan filled with the most popular dishes from the entire left side of the menu. No matter who you're here with, end with a Pio V for dessert. And if you're celebrating a birthday, expect an aggressive amount of colorful streamers to be thrown in your general direction." - ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo, mariana trabanino
"Your dad might say he doesn’t want to make a big deal out of his birthday, but deep down, he does. At Madroño, before he even realizes what’s happening, they’ll blast “Las Mañanitas” and rain paper streamers down upon him. Even if your dad is a stone-faced tax auditor, it’s a joyous display that’ll have him smiling like Mona Lisa. The food has a similar effect. The Nicaraguan restaurant is an incredibly reliable place to take your dad on the days it’s not his birthday, too. Their big plates of carne asada are under $20, and the speedy service is relentlessly accommodating." - ryan pfeffer, mariana trabanino, virginia otazo
"Madroño has the kind of formal service and white tablecloth atmosphere that usually foreshadows a check that’ll hurt your father’s feelings. But this is the best place in Miami to celebrate a financially responsible loved one’s birthday. If you’re here with more than two people, get the bandeja de antojitos El Madroño, a lazy susan overflowing with delicious Nicaraguan food. It can feed four or five, and costs just under $50. You can really celebrate anything at this Sweetwater restaurant, but they do keep confetti and sparklers on hand for birthdays." - ryan pfeffer, virginia otazo, mariana trabanino
"Any loyal patron of the fritanga understands the glory of a Nicaraguan churrasco. If you want to be converted—or just reminded of this cut's greatness—go to Madroño. The marinade they use on this demands a non-disclosure agreement from the kitchen staff. It's juicier than the gossip Teresa dropped in the group chat about her ex-husband's new girlfriend. And (apparently) unlike his new paramour, this churrasco is seasoned, tender, and won’t drain your bank account." - virginia otazo, ryan pfeffer, mariana trabanino
"You’ve been tasked with organizing a double date with just two hours' notice, there’s a birthday involved, and you’re stressed. The solution is this Nicaraguan restaurant. This place is walk-in only and you might have to wait. But things move quickly and ordering for four is as simple as saying, “Can I have one bandeja please?” It’s a lazy susan filled with dishes like indio viejo, queso frito, chicharrones, grilled beef, chicken, and pork among a mountain of other delicious things. After bellies are full, pretend to go to the bathroom so you can sneakily tell your server it's Todd's birthday. Prepare for streamers, sparklers, and a very loud birthday chant." - mariana trabanino, ryan pfeffer
