Chef Ivan is a great cook and very professional. Very clean restaurant!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
LaTanya Damon
Haitian Caribbean Restaurant
Mario Louissaint
My family and I decided to dine in at Ivan’s for Mother’s Day. Upon I walked to the bar area to request a table of four as there was no hostess stand at the door, Ivan raised his voice at me and demanded that I wait at the door. After about 15 minutes we were finally seated and weren't given any menus. Ivan came to our table with and took our orders on a note pad. The price of our order was not disclosed, we had no idea what are the food was plentiful and had great taste. We finally received the check and was completely blown away, we ended up paying $45 a plate plus an 18% service charge. Avoid this place at all cost.
Ivan S
I’m SO lucky we found this place. I had the chicken curry and everyone else went straight for the griot. I kept stealing bits of griot from everyone in exchange for my curry, and we all agreed there wasn’t a bad bit of food on the whole table. Ivan himself served us and he’s a charm, too. We got Ivan’s Punch per his recommendation and it was a little TOO good. Don’t let your designated driver get one ? We’ll be back for sure.
Stephanie Joseph
I really didn’t want to write this review but I’m really hoping that the owner Ivan sees this and takes my words and experience as a learning lesson because I truly want to see all of my Black people break generational curses of financial Illiteracy.I was referred to this restaurant by 2 family members after I told them I was looking to support a black owned restaurant . They said the food was amazing so I took their word for it and did not read the reviews prior to going. I was also very excited that it was a Haitian owned restaurant since my I’m also Haitian . I only visited the website and IG page to view the menu. Since I went on the web site I already knew what the owner/Chef Ivan looked like. Anyway, my friend and I went on a Saturday night at 7pm and upon arrival, we were the only patrons there. My friend found that alarming but I didn’t and figured it will get busy later. As soon as we entered, the bartender greeted us and at the bar, there sat Chef Ivan. I made direct eye contact with him and he looked my friend and I up and down and did not greet us. I didn’t like that but I let it go because again, I wanted to support my people. We wanted to try a few of the “small plates” so we ordered the cookhouse platter(see pic). Since the Chef was there I thought he would cook our food but he didn’t and remained seated at the bar so another cook in the back prepared our food. My friend and I did not like the food at all. It was disappointing since I was expecting authentic Haitian cuisine. The best part was the pina colada my friend ordered and the greens. Since we disliked the food, we decided not to order anything else so our visit there was about an hour. For our entire visit , we were the only patrons there. While the waitress was getting our check, I went to the bathroom and when I returned there were two older white woman sitting at the table next to us . As I was walking to our table , my friend was giving me a look and I immediately caught on as to why because guess what? Chef Ivan Immediately got up and greeted the white guests. He started offering them wine and explaining the menu to them. He was giving them excellent customer service while my friend and I received absolutely nothing from him. He stood at their table lingering while they were reviewing the menu so I made it a point to make eye contact with him again in hopes that he would at least speak to us and thank us for our visit . He looked at us and said NOTHING . The white women placed their orders and he immediately went to the kitchen to cook their food. Makes me wonder if our food would’ve tasted better if he cooked it but I guess we will never know since I will never return.Sadly, I expect this type of treatment from other races but I truly always expect better from my people. Chef Ivan please treat every patron equally. You never know who you are serving so it’s best practice to be kind always. The way you make someone feel sticks with them forever. I was truly disappointed to see that other reviews mentioned the same thing. I really want you to win so please take time to read through each review and make things right with those who took time to spend their hard earned money to support your business.
Steph D
I really didn’t want to write this review but I’m really hoping that the owner Ivan sees this and takes my words and experience as a learning lesson because I truly want to see all of my Black people break generational curses of financial Illiteracy.I was referred to this restaurant by 2 family members after I told them I was looking to support a black owned restaurant . They said the food was amazing so I took their word for it and did not read the reviews prior to going. I was also very excited that it was a Haitian owned restaurant since my I’m also Haitian . I only visited the website and IG page to view the menu. Since I went on the web site I already knew what the owner/Chef Ivan looked like. Anyway, my friend and I went on a Saturday night at 7pm and upon arrival, we were the only patrons there. My friend found that alarming but I didn’t and figured it will get busy later. As soon as we entered, the bartender greeted us and at the bar, there sat Chef Ivan. I made direct eye contact with him and he looked my friend and I up and down and did not greet us. I didn’t like that but I let it go because again, I wanted to support my people. We wanted to try a few of the “small plates” so we ordered the cookhouse platter(see pic). Since the Chef was there I thought he would cook our food but he didn’t and remained seated at the bar so another cook in the back prepared our food. My friend and I did not like the food at all. It was disappointing since I was expecting authentic Haitian cuisine. The best part was the pina colada my friend ordered and the greens. Since we disliked the food, we decided not to order anything else so our visit there was about an hour. For our entire visit , we were the only patrons there. While the waitress was getting our check, I went to the bathroom and when I returned there were two older white woman sitting at the table next to us . As I was walking to our table , my friend was giving me a look and I immediately caught on as to why because guess what? Chef Ivan Immediately got up and greeted the white guests. He started offering them wine and explaining the menu to them. He was giving them excellent customer service while my friend and I received absolutely nothing from him. He stood at their table lingering while they were reviewing the menu so I made it a point to make eye contact with him again in hopes that he would at least speak to us and thank us for our visit . He looked at us and said NOTHING . The white women placed their orders and he immediately went to the kitchen to cook their food. Makes me wonder if our food would’ve tasted better if he cooked it but I guess we will never know since I will never return.Sadly, I expect this type of treatment from other races but I truly always expect better from my people. Chef Ivan please treat every patron equally. You never know who you are serving so it’s best practice to be kind always. The way you make someone feel sticks with them forever. I was truly disappointed to see that other reviews mentioned the same thing. I really want you to win so please take time to read through each review and make things right with those who took time to spend their hard earned money to support your business.
Mikerlenda Pongnon
This was the worst restaurant ever not mentioned the worst Haitian restaurant I ever been to. My husband, I and two of our friends went to this restaurant in hope to eat some amazing authentic Haitian food after a long day of house hinting, little did we know ,it would be the worst experience of our lives. When we walk in, the place was empty, mind you it was Dinner time, so it should have been packed like every other Haitian restaurant we beento in Miami. We were rudely greeted by owner/shef Evan after he guide us to a duty table which we had to brought to his attention . He barely let us seat down in the chair, hasn't look at the menue ,he was standing in front of asking for our orders. When we asked him if he had Fritay, Lanbi, or anything authentic to Haitian food he felt offended and felt the need to school us on why Haitians can't come to fine dining, or how we don't know what fine dining is, mind you we came to his place hoping it would be a little nice,being that his price was off the roof,for the nonsense he was selling for Haitian food. This guy have the nerve to tell us that he been to every Haitian restaurant in this world and that his restaurant is the best, and we laugh and felt he was so arrogant but beside him being rude and egotistic ,we were hopeful that the food would be amazing because he made himself sound like the best cook in the world. When the food come, it wasn't Haitian food, it was salty, the pikliz was trash, food was trash,I order pinot grigio wine ,the gave me Moscato. I order a red snapper, I left it in the table it was tasteless, the tasso my friend ordered was salty. It was so bad that we all left our foods and paid 325$ for 4 plate of foods that we didn't eat. I was so disappointed, I been to so many Haitian restaurants, their customer service may not be the best but their for are literally the best food in the world but was disappointed that evan restaurant is offering people this trash as Haitian food, I am so offended for Haiti and Haitian people. Honestly his restaurant should be close,and it has a foul smell too. The only thing they had that taste ok was the rice,aside from that worst place ever, don't go and waste your money, it's not worth it.I WOULDN'T EVEN RECOMMEND THIS PLACE TO MY DOG.
Madison Murray
Came here with my brother and grandparents looking for a lovely sit down Haitian spot. I was very disappointed by almost everything We had.Cook house burger: the bun had hard parts and tasted freezer burned, I asked for new bread and the new bread came back the same way.. The fries were huge and lack any flavor.Akra: best thing we ate, very crispy and flavorfulWhite rice & black beans: white rice was great but the beans tasted very salty and sour as if they have been sitting around for days.Glazed salmon: grandfather had no complaints- just very sweet.We also ordered lemonade- one strawberry, one regular.The strawberry tasted like purée and water - absolutely no lemon detected.Overall this restaurant is very expensive and highly overrated, I did not have a good time here.The music and decor is dope tho!!
Taylor Slager
I’m SO lucky we found this place. I had the chicken curry and everyone else went straight for the griot. I kept stealing bits of griot from everyone in exchange for my curry, and we all agreed there wasn’t a bad bit of food on the whole table. Ivan himself served us and he’s a charm, too. We got Ivan’s Punch per his recommendation and it was a little TOO good. Don’t let your designated driver get one ? We’ll be back for sure.
saadi galeano
I came to this place looking for some authentic Caribbean/Haitian food, the fact that we were served by THE CHEF IVAN HIMSELF made me think that I was in for a two hour experience of real Haiti, what I got instead was an insult of my intelligence as the "shrimp creole creole" dish (the star of their menu) came with five! (5) shrimp and canned mushrooms with a bland sauce that would make taco bell proud of their original recipes.The cod fish fritters were truly the most surprising element of the evening, given their lack of fish.The people from Haiti have suffered a lot through their history and when I saw this place packed with them, I knew they were in for some more suffering once again.
We drove from Broward County to Ivan's in N.Miami, We walked into the restaurant it was empty around 3:30P.M. Ivan's (himself) seated us, we felt like we was more of a bother instead of a customer to him. No hospitality at all. We planned on having lunch there but his attitude quickly killed our appetites therefore we just had appetizer j*** wings and rum punch. The wings were awesome the rum punch was missing the rum.Nice decor spacious seating however Ivan himself is the damper to his restaurant. Sad sad sad when it's the chef/owner that destroying his own restaurant.
Luis Becker
My family and I decided to dine in at Ivan’s for Mother’s Day. Upon I walked to the bar area to request a table of four as there was no hostess stand at the door, Ivan raised his voice at me and demanded that I wait at the door. After about 15 minutes we were finally seated and weren't given any menus. Ivan came to our table with and took our orders on a note pad. The price of our order was not disclosed, we had no idea what are the food was plentiful and had great taste. We finally received the check and was completely blown away, we ended up paying $45 a plate plus an 18% service charge. Avoid this place at all cost.
Dan Goodfriend
I have to give one star because there is no zero star option. We could not eat here. Arrived for lunch, restaurant was open but empty. There were literally zero tables with people at them other than the owner sitting there himself. When I asked if we could sit outside he refused to seat us outside. Again, there were ZERO customers inside or out but they were open as per the owner.If you won't sit me outside and I'm your only potential customer something is wrong. You can't just wish that Covid is over. Show some respect for people who are trying to protect their health.
Erica Zephir
Ivan's place was great. I ordered Tasso (deep fried goat) and it was well seasoned and tender. The service was great and Chef Ivan came to say hello to our table.
Gloria Love
Ivan, who is the chef/owner is so rude. This man didn't welcome is in, just on the phone. He didnt even offer us anything to drink. For God sake, he didn't even tank us for coming. I'm convinced that this man only want to serve his slave masters. I was so embarrassed, because I had a guest from out of town join me for lunch. My friend said the man looked at us, as if he didn't even want us there. I was going to leave, but my friend was willing to stay. This man has a evil spirit, and I will never recommend or step foot at his business again. As a matter a fact, I wish failure over his business. You have your own race supporting your business, but elect to treat us like trash. I would rather spend my money with other Haitian restaurants, that appreciate my business. They may not be perfect, but I've never had an owner provide such disgusting customer service. From reading the reviews, it seems like he has a trend with treating his own kind badly. Continue to sleep with your slave master, and hopefully she continues to sponsor your business. Nasty Ivan Dorvil.
Chef Ivan is a great cook and very professional. Very clean restaurant!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Haitian Caribbean Restaurant
My family and I decided to dine in at Ivan’s for Mother’s Day. Upon I walked to the bar area to request a table of four as there was no hostess stand at the door, Ivan raised his voice at me and demanded that I wait at the door. After about 15 minutes we were finally seated and weren't given any menus. Ivan came to our table with and took our orders on a note pad. The price of our order was not disclosed, we had no idea what are the food was plentiful and had great taste. We finally received the check and was completely blown away, we ended up paying $45 a plate plus an 18% service charge. Avoid this place at all cost.
I’m SO lucky we found this place. I had the chicken curry and everyone else went straight for the griot. I kept stealing bits of griot from everyone in exchange for my curry, and we all agreed there wasn’t a bad bit of food on the whole table. Ivan himself served us and he’s a charm, too. We got Ivan’s Punch per his recommendation and it was a little TOO good. Don’t let your designated driver get one ? We’ll be back for sure.
I really didn’t want to write this review but I’m really hoping that the owner Ivan sees this and takes my words and experience as a learning lesson because I truly want to see all of my Black people break generational curses of financial Illiteracy.I was referred to this restaurant by 2 family members after I told them I was looking to support a black owned restaurant . They said the food was amazing so I took their word for it and did not read the reviews prior to going. I was also very excited that it was a Haitian owned restaurant since my I’m also Haitian . I only visited the website and IG page to view the menu. Since I went on the web site I already knew what the owner/Chef Ivan looked like. Anyway, my friend and I went on a Saturday night at 7pm and upon arrival, we were the only patrons there. My friend found that alarming but I didn’t and figured it will get busy later. As soon as we entered, the bartender greeted us and at the bar, there sat Chef Ivan. I made direct eye contact with him and he looked my friend and I up and down and did not greet us. I didn’t like that but I let it go because again, I wanted to support my people. We wanted to try a few of the “small plates” so we ordered the cookhouse platter(see pic). Since the Chef was there I thought he would cook our food but he didn’t and remained seated at the bar so another cook in the back prepared our food. My friend and I did not like the food at all. It was disappointing since I was expecting authentic Haitian cuisine. The best part was the pina colada my friend ordered and the greens. Since we disliked the food, we decided not to order anything else so our visit there was about an hour. For our entire visit , we were the only patrons there. While the waitress was getting our check, I went to the bathroom and when I returned there were two older white woman sitting at the table next to us . As I was walking to our table , my friend was giving me a look and I immediately caught on as to why because guess what? Chef Ivan Immediately got up and greeted the white guests. He started offering them wine and explaining the menu to them. He was giving them excellent customer service while my friend and I received absolutely nothing from him. He stood at their table lingering while they were reviewing the menu so I made it a point to make eye contact with him again in hopes that he would at least speak to us and thank us for our visit . He looked at us and said NOTHING . The white women placed their orders and he immediately went to the kitchen to cook their food. Makes me wonder if our food would’ve tasted better if he cooked it but I guess we will never know since I will never return.Sadly, I expect this type of treatment from other races but I truly always expect better from my people. Chef Ivan please treat every patron equally. You never know who you are serving so it’s best practice to be kind always. The way you make someone feel sticks with them forever. I was truly disappointed to see that other reviews mentioned the same thing. I really want you to win so please take time to read through each review and make things right with those who took time to spend their hard earned money to support your business.
I really didn’t want to write this review but I’m really hoping that the owner Ivan sees this and takes my words and experience as a learning lesson because I truly want to see all of my Black people break generational curses of financial Illiteracy.I was referred to this restaurant by 2 family members after I told them I was looking to support a black owned restaurant . They said the food was amazing so I took their word for it and did not read the reviews prior to going. I was also very excited that it was a Haitian owned restaurant since my I’m also Haitian . I only visited the website and IG page to view the menu. Since I went on the web site I already knew what the owner/Chef Ivan looked like. Anyway, my friend and I went on a Saturday night at 7pm and upon arrival, we were the only patrons there. My friend found that alarming but I didn’t and figured it will get busy later. As soon as we entered, the bartender greeted us and at the bar, there sat Chef Ivan. I made direct eye contact with him and he looked my friend and I up and down and did not greet us. I didn’t like that but I let it go because again, I wanted to support my people. We wanted to try a few of the “small plates” so we ordered the cookhouse platter(see pic). Since the Chef was there I thought he would cook our food but he didn’t and remained seated at the bar so another cook in the back prepared our food. My friend and I did not like the food at all. It was disappointing since I was expecting authentic Haitian cuisine. The best part was the pina colada my friend ordered and the greens. Since we disliked the food, we decided not to order anything else so our visit there was about an hour. For our entire visit , we were the only patrons there. While the waitress was getting our check, I went to the bathroom and when I returned there were two older white woman sitting at the table next to us . As I was walking to our table , my friend was giving me a look and I immediately caught on as to why because guess what? Chef Ivan Immediately got up and greeted the white guests. He started offering them wine and explaining the menu to them. He was giving them excellent customer service while my friend and I received absolutely nothing from him. He stood at their table lingering while they were reviewing the menu so I made it a point to make eye contact with him again in hopes that he would at least speak to us and thank us for our visit . He looked at us and said NOTHING . The white women placed their orders and he immediately went to the kitchen to cook their food. Makes me wonder if our food would’ve tasted better if he cooked it but I guess we will never know since I will never return.Sadly, I expect this type of treatment from other races but I truly always expect better from my people. Chef Ivan please treat every patron equally. You never know who you are serving so it’s best practice to be kind always. The way you make someone feel sticks with them forever. I was truly disappointed to see that other reviews mentioned the same thing. I really want you to win so please take time to read through each review and make things right with those who took time to spend their hard earned money to support your business.
This was the worst restaurant ever not mentioned the worst Haitian restaurant I ever been to. My husband, I and two of our friends went to this restaurant in hope to eat some amazing authentic Haitian food after a long day of house hinting, little did we know ,it would be the worst experience of our lives. When we walk in, the place was empty, mind you it was Dinner time, so it should have been packed like every other Haitian restaurant we beento in Miami. We were rudely greeted by owner/shef Evan after he guide us to a duty table which we had to brought to his attention . He barely let us seat down in the chair, hasn't look at the menue ,he was standing in front of asking for our orders. When we asked him if he had Fritay, Lanbi, or anything authentic to Haitian food he felt offended and felt the need to school us on why Haitians can't come to fine dining, or how we don't know what fine dining is, mind you we came to his place hoping it would be a little nice,being that his price was off the roof,for the nonsense he was selling for Haitian food. This guy have the nerve to tell us that he been to every Haitian restaurant in this world and that his restaurant is the best, and we laugh and felt he was so arrogant but beside him being rude and egotistic ,we were hopeful that the food would be amazing because he made himself sound like the best cook in the world. When the food come, it wasn't Haitian food, it was salty, the pikliz was trash, food was trash,I order pinot grigio wine ,the gave me Moscato. I order a red snapper, I left it in the table it was tasteless, the tasso my friend ordered was salty. It was so bad that we all left our foods and paid 325$ for 4 plate of foods that we didn't eat. I was so disappointed, I been to so many Haitian restaurants, their customer service may not be the best but their for are literally the best food in the world but was disappointed that evan restaurant is offering people this trash as Haitian food, I am so offended for Haiti and Haitian people. Honestly his restaurant should be close,and it has a foul smell too. The only thing they had that taste ok was the rice,aside from that worst place ever, don't go and waste your money, it's not worth it.I WOULDN'T EVEN RECOMMEND THIS PLACE TO MY DOG.
Came here with my brother and grandparents looking for a lovely sit down Haitian spot. I was very disappointed by almost everything We had.Cook house burger: the bun had hard parts and tasted freezer burned, I asked for new bread and the new bread came back the same way.. The fries were huge and lack any flavor.Akra: best thing we ate, very crispy and flavorfulWhite rice & black beans: white rice was great but the beans tasted very salty and sour as if they have been sitting around for days.Glazed salmon: grandfather had no complaints- just very sweet.We also ordered lemonade- one strawberry, one regular.The strawberry tasted like purée and water - absolutely no lemon detected.Overall this restaurant is very expensive and highly overrated, I did not have a good time here.The music and decor is dope tho!!
I’m SO lucky we found this place. I had the chicken curry and everyone else went straight for the griot. I kept stealing bits of griot from everyone in exchange for my curry, and we all agreed there wasn’t a bad bit of food on the whole table. Ivan himself served us and he’s a charm, too. We got Ivan’s Punch per his recommendation and it was a little TOO good. Don’t let your designated driver get one ? We’ll be back for sure.
I came to this place looking for some authentic Caribbean/Haitian food, the fact that we were served by THE CHEF IVAN HIMSELF made me think that I was in for a two hour experience of real Haiti, what I got instead was an insult of my intelligence as the "shrimp creole creole" dish (the star of their menu) came with five! (5) shrimp and canned mushrooms with a bland sauce that would make taco bell proud of their original recipes.The cod fish fritters were truly the most surprising element of the evening, given their lack of fish.The people from Haiti have suffered a lot through their history and when I saw this place packed with them, I knew they were in for some more suffering once again.
Restaurantji Recommends
We drove from Broward County to Ivan's in N.Miami, We walked into the restaurant it was empty around 3:30P.M. Ivan's (himself) seated us, we felt like we was more of a bother instead of a customer to him. No hospitality at all. We planned on having lunch there but his attitude quickly killed our appetites therefore we just had appetizer j*** wings and rum punch. The wings were awesome the rum punch was missing the rum.Nice decor spacious seating however Ivan himself is the damper to his restaurant. Sad sad sad when it's the chef/owner that destroying his own restaurant.
My family and I decided to dine in at Ivan’s for Mother’s Day. Upon I walked to the bar area to request a table of four as there was no hostess stand at the door, Ivan raised his voice at me and demanded that I wait at the door. After about 15 minutes we were finally seated and weren't given any menus. Ivan came to our table with and took our orders on a note pad. The price of our order was not disclosed, we had no idea what are the food was plentiful and had great taste. We finally received the check and was completely blown away, we ended up paying $45 a plate plus an 18% service charge. Avoid this place at all cost.
I have to give one star because there is no zero star option. We could not eat here. Arrived for lunch, restaurant was open but empty. There were literally zero tables with people at them other than the owner sitting there himself. When I asked if we could sit outside he refused to seat us outside. Again, there were ZERO customers inside or out but they were open as per the owner.If you won't sit me outside and I'm your only potential customer something is wrong. You can't just wish that Covid is over. Show some respect for people who are trying to protect their health.
Ivan's place was great. I ordered Tasso (deep fried goat) and it was well seasoned and tender. The service was great and Chef Ivan came to say hello to our table.
Ivan, who is the chef/owner is so rude. This man didn't welcome is in, just on the phone. He didnt even offer us anything to drink. For God sake, he didn't even tank us for coming. I'm convinced that this man only want to serve his slave masters. I was so embarrassed, because I had a guest from out of town join me for lunch. My friend said the man looked at us, as if he didn't even want us there. I was going to leave, but my friend was willing to stay. This man has a evil spirit, and I will never recommend or step foot at his business again. As a matter a fact, I wish failure over his business. You have your own race supporting your business, but elect to treat us like trash. I would rather spend my money with other Haitian restaurants, that appreciate my business. They may not be perfect, but I've never had an owner provide such disgusting customer service. From reading the reviews, it seems like he has a trend with treating his own kind badly. Continue to sleep with your slave master, and hopefully she continues to sponsor your business. Nasty Ivan Dorvil.
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