About El Cristo Restaurant

Let me introduce you to El Cristo Restaurant, a classic Cuban restaurant sitting right in the heart of Little Havana at 1543 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135, a spot locals casually recommend and visitors happily stumble into. The moment you arrive, the energy feels familiar and welcoming, like the kind of place where conversations flow as easily as the coffee. El Cristo Restaurant carries that timeless Cuban vibe, mixing comfort, culture, and flavor without trying too hard, which honestly makes it even better. Whether you’re stopping in for a relaxed dine-in meal, grabbing a quick takeaway, or opting for kerbside pickup when time is tight, the service options fit smoothly into everyday plans. Outdoor seating adds an extra layer of charm, especially when Miami’s weather is doing its thing, and no-contact delivery makes it easy to enjoy Cuban comfort food from wherever you are. The menu leans into bold, familiar flavors, offering everything from hearty comfort food and small plates to quick bites that don’t feel rushed. Drinks play a big role here too, with beer, wine, cocktails, and coffee all flowing throughout the day, plus happy-hour drinks and food that keep the atmosphere lively without being overwhelming. Late-night food makes El Cristo Restaurant a reliable stop when cravings hit after hours, while vegetarian and vegan options ensure everyone at the table finds something that works. I like how the place balances tradition with flexibility, so whether you’re sipping a cocktail, sharing small plates, or popping in for coffee and a bite, it never feels out of place. It’s the kind of restaurant that blends into your routine quickly, becoming a go-to spot rather than a once-and-done visit, especially if you appreciate Cuban flavors served in a setting that feels real, relaxed, and rooted in the neighborhood.

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Business Info

Service options

Service options

+ Outdoor seating

+ Kerbside pickup

+ No-contact delivery

+ Delivery

+ Takeaway

+ Dine-in

Highlights

Highlights

+ Fast service

+ Great cocktails

+ Great coffee

+ Great dessert

+ Live music

+ Serves local specialty

+ Sport

Popular for

Popular for

+ Breakfast

+ Lunch

+ Dinner

+ Solo dining

Accessibility

Accessibility

+ Wheelchair-accessible car park

+ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

+ Wheelchair-accessible seating

+ Wheelchair-accessible toilet

Offerings

Offerings

+ Alcohol

+ Beer

+ Cocktails

+ Coffee

+ Comfort food

+ Happy-hour drinks

+ Happy-hour food

+ Late-night food

+ Quick bite

+ Small plates

+ Vegan options

+ Vegetarian options

+ Wine

Dining options

Dining options

+ Breakfast

+ Brunch

+ Lunch

+ Dinner

+ Catering

+ Dessert

+ Seating

+ Table service

Amenities

Amenities

+ Bar on site

+ Toilet

+ Wi-Fi

+ Wi-Fi

Atmosphere

Atmosphere

+ Casual

+ Cosy

+ Quiet

+ Trendy

Crowd

Crowd

+ Family friendly

+ Groups

+ LGBTQ+ friendly

+ Tourists

Planning

Planning

+ Accepts reservations

Payments

Payments

+ Credit cards

+ Debit cards

+ NFC mobile payments

+ Credit cards

Children

Children

+ Good for kids

+ Has changing table(s)

+ High chairs

+ Kids' menu

Parking

Parking

+ Paid street parking

+ Parking

Pets

Pets

+ Dogs allowed

+ Dogs allowed outside

Hour time open

Right Now :

  • Monday: 09:00 AM - 11:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 09:00 AM - 11:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 09:00 AM - 11:00 PM
  • Thursday: 09:00 AM - 11:00 PM
  • Friday: 09:00 AM - 01:00 AM
  • Saturday: 09:00 AM - 01:00 AM
  • Sunday: 09:00 AM - 12:00 AM
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1543 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33135, United States

Reviews

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We tried several other more “popular” spots for lunch along Calle Ocho, but long lines and an inflexible timeline inspired us to try this inviting spot. While El Cristo had solid ratings, we were overjoyed with the quality of the food. We ordered a Cuban sandwich, a Chicken sandwich and Ropa Vieja. The Chicken sandwich was served hot with a delicious combination of mustard and mayo that I loved. The Ropa Vieja was served in a perfect lunch portion and flavor was as complex and delicious as we’ve ever had. The Yucca was spiced well and amazing. The Cuban sandwich was also terrific, and the Tres Leches was soaked through and incredible. Don’t overlook this fun and amazing spot on a famous street.

- Justin Stein -

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Food was sooooo good. Fast service, great music playing in the background. Just got off Carmival Cruise, best food I’ve had all week! I had the platter.

- Alexis Spann -

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What a wonderful experience we had at this restaurant. The food was definitely Cuban. Tasty and flavorful. My tacos just had to many onions for me and my wife needed a little sauce or mayo for her sandwich. The price was great. Service was great.

- Pastor James Thornton -

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Damn brace yourself for a burst of delicious flavors when you come here. From appetizer to main entree, dessert and drinks, everything on the menu is a solid 5/5. I got empanadas de pollo y carne, churrasco, tres leches, and cortado. This place came highly recommended by my Uber driver, who is a local here in Miami. The flavors were so authentic! I was very pleasantly surprised! The service is awesome, the hostesses were really nice.

- Morvarid Tavassoli -

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The cuban food was awsome! The price is appropriate for the amount of food you get. However, 18% tip was added to the bill automatically without telling us.

- jjulianf -

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i ordered the lechon new years meal and boy was it all so delicious and a perfect quantity for 10 persons, i have also tried the palomilla and the rabo encendido and never been dissapointed so far , i highly recomend if you are looking for delicious cuban food that is reasonably priced

- alberto martinez -

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Stopped their on an excursion from a Carnival Cruise. Michael our Guide from Top 10 Miami List recommended it and took us there. Great choice!

- Fred Batchelder -

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