Ecuadorian in Miami

Cotoa is a breath of fresh air on Miami's dining scene, bringing a level of Ecuadorian cooking the likes of which the city has never seen. Chef Alejandra Espinoza has transformed a cozy 24-seat North Miami space into a culinary journey through the coast, the Andes, and the Amazon. From her "Humita de la Abuela" cornbread with palo santo butter straight through to a Cotopaxi-inspired chocolate lava cake, every dish feels rooted in heritage yet refined for today. It's easily the most authentic Ecuadorian restaurant in Miami right now — and one that feels both intimate and unforgettable. No wonder Cotoa earned a Michelin star in 2025 — the first such honor bestowed upon an Ecuadorian restaurant.

Nestled in a brick-red shopping center in Doral is Mi Lindo Ecuador. Behold the bolón. In the morning, find it in a breakfast that includes salty white cheese and crisp shards of chicharrón alongside a fried egg and chopped flat steak. At night, order it as an appetizer or side dish with an empanada de verde con queso. For this four-biter, a single unripened plantain is pounded as thin as dough and wrapped around a sturdy rectangle of salty white cheese. Settle in for a bowl of caldo de salchicha, in which a fragrant broth simmers with all the deliciousness of fat blood-sausage links. It's all freshened up with plantain slices and green onion.