El Cristo Restaurant

1543 SW 8th St, Miami
(305) 643-9992

Recent Reviews

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Bansi Shah

The food at el Cristy was authentically Cuban and very tasty. Sebastian guided us very well through the menu given we were all vegetarians and English speaking. Furthermore one of us was not having onions and Sebastian made sure the food arrived without onions.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Eduardo Fernandez

Above and beyond
Yenni was amazing

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Ashley John-Lewis

During a very wet day exploring Calle Ocho I decided to get out the rain and eat at El Cristo Restaurant. The Cuban sandwich was very good, prices are pretty standard for what you pay in Miami

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

Crystal Simpson Jones

Went here on a tour the sandwiches were amazing ,great mojitos too

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Ralph de la Portilla

In the spirit of transparency, I live two blocks away and I’m a local tour guide who has worked with this restaurant over the years by taking many groups to eat there.

That said, I’m finally writing a heartfelt review because what’s happened over this Summer is a miraculous turnaround that locals and visitors must experience for themselves: the service!!

Look, for many of us in Little Havana, we KNOW El Cristo has ALWAYS been reliably excellent Cuban cuisine. You can peruse other reviews and see for yourselves—people LOVE the Ropa Vieja, the Roast Pork (lechón), and the Rice & Beans are tough to beat (not to mention their Beef Empanadas and Cuban Sandwiches).

Oh, let’s not forget about the VERY BEST LIMEADE IN THE WORLD (that’s not even a slight exaggeration, but taste is subjective)!

In any case, yes, the service… It’s been known to be a touch slow in the past.

Folks, RUN, don’t walk, to El Cristo NOW. Whatever the proprietor, the inimitable Jose Santana, has done to right this ship is absolutely palpable… Expertly navigated by the head waitstaff, Lazaro & Yenny, everything seems to be running seamlessly.

Pair that with the consistently delicious fare in this minimalistic Little Havana eatery, and you’re guaranteed a lowkey, delightful meal away from some of the other, more chaotic, options on Calle Ocho.

Hats off to El Cristo and ALL THEIR STAFF!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Ropa Vieja, Cuban Sandwich Cubano, Empanada, Cuban Style Vaca Frita, Trio Havbanero for Two, Lechon Asado, Empanadas Plater, Sweet Plantains, Pan Con Lechon

Christopher Mendoza

Great authentic Cuban food.👌

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Empanada

Jennifer Rascon

This little gem is a great place to eat!! We ordered the Cuban 🇨🇺 It was delicious!!! Highly recommend 😃

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Shante Simms

Great Food !
Great Service!
Great Atmosphere!!!!
I ordered the Ropa Vieja

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

diego olguin

Evererything was perfect. Food, drinks, music and service! If I come back to Miami for sure I’ll be back to El Cristo Restaurant!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

393anz

Nice restaurant, Exquisite food and homely and very close treatment, especially the companion LAZARO, do not hesitate to ask for it and all will go on wheels!

141no_s

Restaurant in the heart of Little Havana with a very friendly setting! The Cuban sandwich is very good, I recommend!

Nikkita A

Nice quaint restaurant . The Cuban sandwich was sooo delicious , my husband had the beef and chicken empanadas! So tasty and fresh !

KITTEN95

Very good Cuban dishes and good cocktails. Cool water is served throughout the meal. Very friendly staff. Service included in the price

PGBDK

While exploring the vibrant streets of Little Havana, we decided to stop by El Cristo Restaurant, drawn in by the lively atmosphere and promise of authentic Cuban cuisine. The food itself was the highlight of our visit—rich, flavorful, and everything you'd hope for when seeking a taste of Cuba. Every bite was a reminder of why Cuban food holds a special place in the hearts of food lovers. However, the experience wasn't without its downsides. The wait for our meal stretched on far longer than expected, testing the limits of our patience. When the food finally arrived, it was hard to overlook the lackluster service. The servers seemed indifferent, paying little attention to the tourists eager to enjoy the local culture, which took away from the warmth you'd expect in such a charming neighborhood. In the end, while the food won us over, the slow service and inattentive staff left us with mixed feelings. El Cristo may not make it onto our list of must-visit spots next time we're in town, but the memory of that meal will linger—if not the enthusiasm to return.

Katie P

Delicious Cuban food and refreshing drinks in a casual setting. Yenny was a lovely server and made our visit memorable.

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