Cardon y el Tirano is the restaurant you didn't know you were looking for and shouldn't resist visiting. It is easy to bypass this small restaurant tucked in a shopping center on the way to the flashier Versailles and La Caretta, however this gem should not be ignored. Offering a fusion of Latin American cuisines, Cardon y el Tirano delivers consistently flavorful dishes with a touch of molecular flair. The ambiance inside is a far cry from what you'd expect from the exterior, warm and seductive lit by candles with natural wall art such as potted cacti and mossy flowers. It's modern and yet comfortable, the perfect place for a date or to catch up with friends over a glass of wine. Over the course of several visits I've found a couple of favorite dishes, although I keep trying to branch out as well. They say they are tapas style, meaning the dishes are not meant to be full sized plates, and they do not come out in any particular order. I've found that between 2 people, 3 plates seems to be sufficient, although with the arepitas dishes, that alone can suffice for a single diner. Among my top selections: - The Crema de Calabaza: Served with pumpkin cream, shallot mousse, jalapeno dust, and popcorn is one of the best pumpkin soups I've found anywhere, velvety and rich with a hint of crunch. - Funche Negro: Prepared with a smoked Gouda polenta, asado negro, salsa negra, herb oil, and a celery salad, each bite is incredibly well balanced. - Tostones Picanha: Requires a bit of assembly, but make for a delightful starter, with thin crisp tostones, a charred queso duro, thick slices of tender meat, and a red onion relish. Undoubtedly the best combination is just to dive right in and to create an open-faced sandwich containing all of the above. - Morcillas and Patatas: Comes again with queso duro, cilantro, and bacon powder it is the perfect choice for those craving a more Spanish-style sausage and potato dish, although it can be quite filling. -Arepitas Duo: Two arepas with avocado mousse, queso guayanes, chile ancho sauce, garlic aioli with braised chicken, braised skirt steak, salt cod, or chorizo. The skirt steak is incredibly tender, and the spicing is absolute perfection. - Seafood Arepitas: This is one of my favorite plates, it comes served with two well shaped corn patties, topped with a queso guayanes, avocado mousse, and a massive prawn apiece, then a pile of clams, mussels, and calamari in the middle in a marinara sauce. I enjoy combining each component together in this one as well. This dish used to come as one larger arepa with a slightly different presentation, but I really enjoy the newer style. While plenty of the other options are spectacular, those just happen to be some of my go to items there. The lunch arepas are no less impressive, stuffed to capacity with soft chicken and avocado. They've also got wine, beer, and sake, all of which are used to create cocktails as well. Even when it isn't brunch time, the passionfruit with champagne makes a punchy and refreshing choice. Now because it is so small, often they have one staff member doing everything, so it can be a bit of a lengthy meal. For dessert there are only two options. I've never tried the carrot cake, but we have gotten the plantain bombolini. Picture warm donuts made with maduros, it comes with a chilled avocado mousse for juxtaposition of temperatures, plus nutella, pistachio, plantain caramel, and avocado rocks. It is certainly playful, although I found it to lacking in balance somehow. I think it was the dryness of the bombolini, since the nutella was little more than a thin layer and there wasn't enough avocado for all the donuts. I would prefer having some kind of dipping sauce to supplement the other components, although I give them tremendous credit for creativity. Cardon y el Tirano really manages to bring powerful flavors and whimsical presentation to a unique assortment of dishes. Definitely hurry in before word gets out and you can't get a table.
(5)
Marguerite B.
What a lovely restaurant. We had arepas, crispy kale and the taco. The food was super! Very tasty and unique. The service is very good and the chef is super. Loved this place and recommend it highly. We went on a week night and it was easy to park (right in front). Loved the ambience too.
(5)
A A.
Just tried this restaurant for the first time and I have to say that it was a wonderful culinary experience. The atmosphere was very laid back and inviting, and the food was to die for! We had the seafood arepitas, skirt steak arepitas duo, tostones pichana (must have again), pork ribs (so awesome) and the salmon and polenta cakes (to die for). We'll definitely be back soon for more.
(5)
Cathy R.
A friend recommended this place and, after reading all the excellent reviews, we decided to give it a try. Oh boy! The food was so good, really delicious. We loved the "picanha with tostones". The picanha meat is cooked to perfection. I think this is the first cut of meat I've ever eaten were "cooked to perfection" really applies. If you order this dish do not worry about the cooking time of the meat, like we say in Brazil, it will be "ao ponto", in other words "just right". The Tacos al Pastor were excellent too and the ribs with polenta (Funche Negro) very good, once again the meat was perfectly cooked. Nice ambience, very pleasant jazz music in the background. The Chef and the whole staff extremely courteous... When we told them we loved the food they explained everything (including the Tacos al Pastor tortillas) were 100% home made, slowed cooked meats- everything made with the freshest ingredients they could find (and it shows). If you wonder where it is located, it is about one short block from Versailles in Calle 8. This is a Latin Fusion & explosion of flavors. Enjoy it if you go!
(5)
Fernanda F.
I feel like I have to reiterate what previous helpers have said about this place because... "WOW, just WOW!" is right! I had been dying to go to this place since it opened; well, I finally got the chance to visit and boy am I glad I did! The restaurant is super cozy! The size of the restaurant (very small), dimmed lights, music, furniture, and cool decorations gave me the feeling that this is a family-owned restaurant, which, after reading the comments below, it sound like it is. THE FOOD WAS AMAZING!!!! We began with an order of the pastor tacos, which are the BEST al pastor tacos I have ever had! (And I am a taco addict!). Now, let me take a quick second to say that the service was slow, but this was expected and definitely worth it when we tasted the quality of the food. Again, the cozy feel makes it all ok! So we waited patiently while we drank some wine. We then had the lengua tacos, a kale salad, and a seafood escabeche. Everything was delicious! Unfortunately we didn't have room for dessert, but their menu consisted of carrot cake, and a very exotic plantain dessert which sounded delicious as well. Loved everything about Cardon y el Tirano! Can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu.
(5)
Antonio R.
This is such a Chill Place, with Good Vibes All Around and Amazing Food. The Appetizer Bread with Hummus is the best for miles around. The Bacalaitos look like the Middle Eastern Kibbeh, but taste extraordinary. The Patatas Bravas are incredibly good. I need more of that sauce in my life. I went for the Tostones Picanha, which was probably the best Seared Picahna Steak I've ever had. The tostones with Salsa Criolla was fantastic. The Sangria and Wine was refreshing for a mid-day drink. We sat at the lounge sofa playing Jenga for a while. A great way to pass time. There's a Laundromat next door, so come by here during Lunch Time, do your Laundry, and relax in the atmosphere Cardón offers you while you wait. I will probably be coming back multiple times, and I look forward to those times.
(5)
Marie R.
If you believe in culinary arts, this is where you need to go! Not very appealing from the outside, entering "Cardon y el Tirano", this place appears in a whole different light. Small and cozy, dim lights, pleasant music, you feel immediately at ease and as if you were in your own living room. The menu offers a good variety of Latin American fusion food with a distinctive Venezuelan touch. Portions are well-sized and reasonably priced, but be aware that these are mainly tapas: you will need to order several plates if come in for dinner and want to leave with a satisfied stomach. Our group of eight (six adults and two children) ordered from up and down the menu (tequenos, pumpkin cream, antipasto plate, house salad, langosta and chorizo, arepitas duo, salmon and polenta), and each and every dish was perfectly prepared, beautifully decorated and amazingly delicious - true works of art prepared with a lot of knowledge, talent and love. It would have been a perfect night had it not been for the service, thus only four points. Only one waitress for the - albeit tiny - restaurant, and she seemed somewhat overwhelmed by the task. Water was first only served to half of our party, then refills always had to be asked for, and while some of us received their food after about half an hour, the others had to wait --another-- 45 minutes longer... Obviously, part of our order had been lost. At least, they provided some complimentary tequenos to make the wait easier. So I agree with the other Yelp reviews stating that "Cardon y el Tirano" is a gem, but service definitely needs to improve to make it really shine.
(4)
Isabelle D.
Cute and trendy spot in Little Havana. Would have never found it on my own but glad I did! Prices are great and food is AMAZING! My favorite dish were the Arepitas- MUST TRY!!! It's a mix of dishes from all over Latin America and Spanish flavor. Very original- think Wynwood but much more affordable.
(5)
Franck C.
Great place and great food, based on Venezuelan food but with a author touch and creativity.
(5)
Dan F.
Legit... I was a bit worried when ordering this for delivery but was extremely happy with moving forward with this decision. Food was excellent. Can't wait to try Cardon y el Tirano in-house... Delivery charge is $6 but they offer online ordering and food once again was solid. Plus, it was delivered exactly when they said it would be ready.
(4)
Frank M.
Great place superior service. We order wine and tapas and even tho they are not your regular Spanish tapas they were superb. If your in the area or feel like driving to calle ocho stop by you will love this place. Excellent service great atmosphere and also romantic.
(5)
Chuck E.
Extraordinary inventive Venezuelan cuisine. The seafood arepa was delicious. The Funche Negro spectacular.
(5)
Renier C.
Stopped in on a quiet Monday early evening after finding the restaurant on EAT24. The menu and photos caught my attention and I made way for the destination. Upon noticing the restaurant, which is immediately across Hy-Vong, and besides Versailles, I truly didn't know what to think but I ventured in anyway. The interior is very cute and charming during the day, I'm sure it looks even better at night. The service was great, but I was the only other diner at the time so that was to be expected I guess. I ordered a few things that came recommended on yelp, and I was very satisfied... After seeing the presentation and tasting the food, I thought to myself what a great little treasure I stumbled across!!! Food: My Perrier with Lime was serve ice cold... This was very impressive and loved this small detail. The tacos al pastor were delicious! The picahna steak and tostones were also just as great, though I found it slightly overdone and a bit tough. Other photos on yelp had the steak presented quite tender, but over all I could live with it for a first time experience. Flavors however were awesome! Everything tasted house made. I tried to squeeze dessert and I was pleasantly surprised with the arrangement of Flavors and textures! So good! My only complaint is that my plate had just two small scoops of avocado paste, and after looking at other yelpers photos they had either 3 or 4. I kept thinking I would have liked to have more avocado to balance the Flavors of the sweet plantain and Nutella, and was slightly disappointed to find it was due to inconsistency of the kitchen. Also I was given just a few pistachios... Lol if I didn't know any better, they may have been trying to tell me something All in all, this could have easily been a 5 star review as the place and chef have the potential. I look forward to returning to explore the rest of the menu!
(4)
Kasey M.
This place is so unbelievably amazing. You'd never expect it given where it's located on calle ocho. But this place has a cozy vibe, amazing service, and the FOOD IS AMAZING. Come check it out before the masses start flocking to this place. 5 STARS
(5)
Jonathan C.
Seriously...wow! Wow, wow, wow!! I have been to so many restaurants in Miami, and to be amazed is not usual for me. I came with a friend, and we were both blown away. The flavors are outrageous, and the creative combinations are like none I've ever had. Funche Negro, which is a tender, dish of melt-in-your-mouth beef served on top of Gouda polenta--Wow!! Such flavor! It's in a strip mall, but don't be intimidated by the appearance. One of the best restaurants I've ever been to--this will be packed soon, so come while you still can!
(5)
Fabiola F.
I came here for the first time to try it out to see if it as good as my friends told me. And YES! The food is Amazing! The food,the service and the place is spectacular. This is a MUST place.
(5)
Maria G.
Awesome! That is what I can say! The sauces, the flavors an amazing combination! To add the service was very good as well! You need to try it so you can experience it yourself!
(5)
Sergio R.
The best part of tapas is that you get to experience new flavors throughout the night. This place had amazing seafood tapas suggested by the waitress. Our waitress was super friendly and easy going. Has great mood lighting if you decide to bring a date.
(5)
Joe Y.
I had never been much of an arepa fan until I tried theirs, the taste is amazing and they are reasonably priced. I've had my fair share of arepas here in Miami (arepazo, doña arepa y don toston, amaize, etc) but none come close to what they prepare here. On my second trip I tried one of their sandwiches and was blown away by the taste and quality of the sandwich for a great price. I therefore decided to bring a party (co-workers) of nine people for lunch --I like sharing good spots after all, and they were impressed by the taste and presentation of all dishes. The only drawback I can find with this place is that service is on the slower side, but I have a feeling that they'll get better. I'm glad to add Cardon to my lunch rotation, I was starting to crave a different taste profile near my office.
(4)
Marta L.
Great food in an easily missed location, make sure you stop by wine connoisseurs because bottles are half off Wednesdays after 5pm
(5)
Laura V.
It's hard to find Latin restaurants in Miami like this one. It's not only delicious with the food it offers but it has an amazing, authentic decor and style which gives it a pleasant vibe. I ordered the chicken arepa which was AMAZING. It makes my mouth water just thinking of it. Probably the best I've had. Not greasy as others and AMAZING in taste. My friend had a sandwich which he enjoyed a lot and the coffee was very well made. I truly recommend it
(5)
Sharon R.
Visiting in Coral Gables and searched on Yelp for a restaurant. Drove in to an ordinary strip mall and walked in a little skeptical. What a surprise--we had the most wonderful dining experience! Cardon y el Tirano has a dynamite South American fusion menu. Wonderful combinations of tastes including Venezuelan, Brazilian, and Cuban cuisine. So creative. Everything we ordered ( and we tried a lot) was AMAZING! Great service too. Will definitely be back and will highly recommend to friends and family.
I'm originally from Venezuela and this amazing place hidden in the middle of the SW 8th street is a gold mine! Food is amazing their dishes are delightful and the best beer is sold there! Only one word GREAT!
(5)
Nicholas M.
Ok ..get ready for your taste buds to come alive. Omg. I havent had food like this in 20 years. A totally new twist on latin food! Try all of it!!!! Great ambience! Francisco Anton is the owner and chef. Delicioso!!!
(5)
Cary R.
Love this restaurant. The food is incredible and the staff is amazing! Family feel with haute feel, Mom helps in the kitchen love her and the chef comes out to greet you. Casual and cozy sheik little place.l, it's a gem.
(5)
Carlos I.
Found them on here looking for a new spot. I see myself becoming a regular ! Great food , great prices, can't complain! The tostones hogados are awesome, so are the tequeños. Also has arepas All in all a great experience and will come back real soon to try the rest of the menu! Honestly the only thing I would change is that the restaurant was a little dark so it appeared to be closed. I would slightly turn up the lights. UPDATE: The lights where just dimmed too far, the owner turned them up and that's that :)
(5)
Gabrielle W.
A TOTAL GEM! I found this restaurant on my way to a meeting. I saw the sign outside and considering I drive a lot on 8th street I had never come across this sign before. So I took a little detour and decided to walk in and see what this new restaurant was about. When I walked in I was kindly greeted by the staff and the owner himself(Francisco). First of all, the decor is simple, homey and rustic. Definitely a positive atmosphere. Secondly, the warmth in which I was greeted made it even better. I didn't have time for lunch (had a meeting to go to remember?) so i scurried off and promised to come back for dinner. I went back later that night to dine as promised.... the food was exceptional, the service great and my tummy was super happy. :) I asked to speak to Francisco because I was looking for a quaint venue for my 25th birthday dinner party. I was overjoyed when he said he could prepare a 7 course menu for my party and make it private event in his sweet restaurant. I knew it was going to be special.... and man, was it. He crafted a 7 course menu from fish, to arepas, to empanadas, to bacalao croquettes, endless amounts of wine and craft beers and many many laughs and memories that I will never forget. Everything turned out like a dream. So keep an eye out for this gem on 8th street and go ahead and take a look inside, enjoy a meal and say hi to Francisco for me!
(5)
Steve M.
What an amazing find! Went here the other night with my girlfriend and WOW is this place great! We had pork tacos, short rib on polenta, crispy kale salad and some kind of strange concoction with pumpkin and popcorn and EVERYTHING was absolutely amazing. Will be back soon....one of Miami's great hidden gems!
(5)
Alberto T.
My wife and I were driving to Downtown Miami and stopped in for a quick lunch. I have lived in NYC, Miami, Sao Paulo, Madrid, DC and Los Angeles, and can honestly say that this is one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at. The cuisine is beyond compare. We loved the restaurant. The seafood arepa, tacos al pastor and shrimp & chorizo were perfectly prepared. In regard to the tapas, we also strongly recommend the tostones picanha and the funche negro. We have to return for the seafood misto! The service is incredible, and the staff is genuinely friendly and invested in providing first class service. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. My wife is an American from California and she loved this place as well. It was the first time that we had Venezuelan fusion and she is still raving about this place. We live in Atlanta and will be returning to Miami in the fall. Needless to say, this will be the first place that we dine at upon our return!!! It is a simple place, with a non-descript decor and located in a strip mall, but in regard to cuisine, I believe that it stands up to the best that Miami has to offer.
(5)
Carlos R.
Small little gem close to coral gables. Best arepas in town. Great and quick customer service too
(5)
Lalig B.
Had dinner and a couple of bottles of wine here last night with some friends, excellent food, great atmosphere, and an overall warm, genuine place. Thanks to my coworker for the recommendation, I wouldn't have found this place on my own! Try the pork tacos, calamares, and the tequenos! Yumm!
(5)
Tatiana L.
Good ambiance, delicious food and drinks. Friendly staff. Not the most convenient location. Overall a great place to hang out and eat!
(5)
Aldo G.
I was absolutely taken back by the quality and taste of the food at this place.It was well cooked and extremely flavorful. I was surprised given the location and exterior of the place. I would definitely definitely recommend the arepas they were extremely flavorful.
(5)
Carmen N.
I was looking for a place to help me cater a small birthday party for my sister and I really lucked out with Cardon after find them on Google. Both Francisco and Lore went above and beyond explaining the many different dishes to me and the selections that they recommended. They even went as far as to invite me to pass by and taste some of their dishes. Well everybody loved their food, the appetizers went faster that I had expected and then to complete the night the Carne Asada and the side dish were excellent. Now I will join them at the restaurant for dinner soon. Carmen Navarro
(4)
Eugene M.
Stumbled upon this quaint establishment with my girlfriend after an afternoon of watching the Marlins lose, it was a great way to cheer up. The owner was super friendly and sat us down in the corner with a french movie playing on the screen and Latin music playing in the background. The wine and prosecco was delicious, yet the red wine was served cold, it wasn't to my taste but others may enjoy that. We chose 3 small plates consisting of arepas with braised skirt steak, spicy tostones, and fried calamari. The arepas were succulent and soft served with an avocado mousse. The tostones were accompanied by medium rare steak and a picante salsa. The tostones were super crispy, it was up to my girlfriends standards. Wasn't the biggest fan of the calamari but maybe I was just getting full. The meal ended with some espresso and a 20 minute jenga session. A delightful way to spend the evening. Highly recommended!
(5)
Xavier M.
Modern twist to traditional Latin tapas. The arepas were amazing, and being a native Venezuelan that says a lot. The lomo saltado was juicy and tender and the tostones hogados were unbelievable. This calle ocho gem is a must-try if you're anywhere east of the Palmetto.
(5)
Carlos F.
This is one of the best venezuelan food I've ever tried. If you ever come by, you have to try the tequeño. The owner is super frendly. Highly recomended.
(5)
ROBERTO H.
Worst service ever. Please stay away!!! They took over 2 hours for a delivery, and then cancelled the order, because they couldn't deliver, without telling me. The lady that picks up the phone, needs some customer service classes. Incredibly rude and careless, plus didn't speak english. If you want to have a bad time, order from them.
(1)
Robert S.
what a wonderful restaurant !!!! big and flavorful salads, flash fried arepa's fresh seafood and even hummus with capers.....a fusion of flavors which have everyone sharing their plates...and priced reasonably..both times we went we spent about $20 per person before tip....
(4)
Alayne G.
Located in a small strip mall on 8th St. we stumbled upon this hidden gem. Not knowing what to expect we ventured in and ended up having a culinary adventure. We ordered the Patatas Bravas, Tequenos, Empanadas and Bacalaitos just to name a few. Everything was delicious and beautifully presented. Our waitress was very attentive, making sure all our needs were met and the timing delivery of each plate allowed us to enjoy the meal as well as the conversation. The price for such a delicious meal can't be beat.
(5)
Franklin G.
Very good food...the portions are right. Deliciously good and an authentic Latin American fusion of flavors and taste. I loved the arepas, the bacalaitos and batatas with morcilla. I enjoyed the simple, but clean and minimalist look of the room. The service is friendly, but not quite to the level of professional waiters. The pace between ordering and getting the tapas, bites or food can be improved. However, I will return an recommend others to come and try it.
(4)
Armando C.
Awesome food, definitely try the al pastor tacos and chuleton sandwich, awesome delivery, food always tastes nice and fresh, definitely recommend!
(5)
Christian S.
Just when I was starting to lose hope on the Little Havana area for a good date night / evening hang out spot we discovered Cardon. I generally, consider that area for traditional ethnic eats but often times get burned by the fact that most places are closed. Cardon does a great job with Latin cuisine fusion as far as I'm concerned. We had the arepas duo to start and I was pleasantly surprised with how good the skirt steak was as well as the attention to detail on the presentation. The drinks were good too, I recommend the Sake Lemonade which I found both unique and had the appearance that I was made by a mixologist. I don't think you can go wrong with the entrees, again great presentation and attention to detail. The Al pastor tacos were A+ , in fact I'll say their a must have.. at least I know (And wow talk about fair pricing think they were ~$6 for two). The places had good decor clearly well thought out and as a bonus treat Forest Gump was playing on the big screen along with some a pandora-esque Blues station. Good vibe, tucked away where you wouldn't think, this spot is a must checkout and worth going out of your way for.
(5)
Jordan N.
4.5 stars. A rare occurrence where a .5 star would really fit in nicely for this review. Only thing holding this place back from the full 5 stars is the service being on the slow end and the really little details. However, it is a place worth going to if you're hankering for Venezuelan cuisine, and a worthy new take on it that is pretty much an "Only in Miami" discovery as this type of cuisine will not be had anywhere else in the country. I had the funche negro, which is a combo of two typical Venezuelan dishes - the funche (grilled polenta) and the asado negro (caramelized beef pot roast). I thought this was a well presented and prepared dish and I would order it again if the asado negro wasn't a little on the dry end. I like mine moist especially with the funche but I think this can be easily remedied. The seafood arepa was incredible. Normally Venezuelan arepas are filled but they twist it around, frying the arepa fresh and topping it with Venezuelan cheese, seafood (including the giant prawn), some savory sauce and avocado dressing. The flavor was delightful in the mouth and I would not hesitate to recommend this order at all. And for dessert, I had the plantain bomboloni, which is extremely unusual and novel in my opinion. The Italian bomboloni is widely popular in Venezuela as "bombas" but they're like donuts stuffed with pastry cream. Not these. These are more akin to fried plantain fritters dressed with nuts, Nutella and powdery sugar and with a side of pistachio ice cream. My opinion about this dessert is that it's more of a savory than sweet dessert and can be further enhanced if they added the powder sugar more liberally to make it taste more like a dessert since it didn't really satisfy my sweet tooth. Again, this dish can be improved - but at $9, it's probably not something I would order again since at that price, I would expect a fully satisfying dessert. Now, as far as prices go, it is not exactly cheap but depending on dishes, many things are reasonably priced such as the seafood arepa. They also do have lunch specials and $5 arepa Wednesdays which I plan on checking out soon. I will definitely come back and recommend you guys to check it out! The quality is superb.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Dinner Parking : Garage, Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Mon, Tue, Wed Coat Check : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Stephanie L.
Cardon y el Tirano is the restaurant you didn't know you were looking for and shouldn't resist visiting. It is easy to bypass this small restaurant tucked in a shopping center on the way to the flashier Versailles and La Caretta, however this gem should not be ignored. Offering a fusion of Latin American cuisines, Cardon y el Tirano delivers consistently flavorful dishes with a touch of molecular flair. The ambiance inside is a far cry from what you'd expect from the exterior, warm and seductive lit by candles with natural wall art such as potted cacti and mossy flowers. It's modern and yet comfortable, the perfect place for a date or to catch up with friends over a glass of wine. Over the course of several visits I've found a couple of favorite dishes, although I keep trying to branch out as well. They say they are tapas style, meaning the dishes are not meant to be full sized plates, and they do not come out in any particular order. I've found that between 2 people, 3 plates seems to be sufficient, although with the arepitas dishes, that alone can suffice for a single diner. Among my top selections: - The Crema de Calabaza: Served with pumpkin cream, shallot mousse, jalapeno dust, and popcorn is one of the best pumpkin soups I've found anywhere, velvety and rich with a hint of crunch. - Funche Negro: Prepared with a smoked Gouda polenta, asado negro, salsa negra, herb oil, and a celery salad, each bite is incredibly well balanced. - Tostones Picanha: Requires a bit of assembly, but make for a delightful starter, with thin crisp tostones, a charred queso duro, thick slices of tender meat, and a red onion relish. Undoubtedly the best combination is just to dive right in and to create an open-faced sandwich containing all of the above. - Morcillas and Patatas: Comes again with queso duro, cilantro, and bacon powder it is the perfect choice for those craving a more Spanish-style sausage and potato dish, although it can be quite filling. -Arepitas Duo: Two arepas with avocado mousse, queso guayanes, chile ancho sauce, garlic aioli with braised chicken, braised skirt steak, salt cod, or chorizo. The skirt steak is incredibly tender, and the spicing is absolute perfection. - Seafood Arepitas: This is one of my favorite plates, it comes served with two well shaped corn patties, topped with a queso guayanes, avocado mousse, and a massive prawn apiece, then a pile of clams, mussels, and calamari in the middle in a marinara sauce. I enjoy combining each component together in this one as well. This dish used to come as one larger arepa with a slightly different presentation, but I really enjoy the newer style. While plenty of the other options are spectacular, those just happen to be some of my go to items there. The lunch arepas are no less impressive, stuffed to capacity with soft chicken and avocado. They've also got wine, beer, and sake, all of which are used to create cocktails as well. Even when it isn't brunch time, the passionfruit with champagne makes a punchy and refreshing choice. Now because it is so small, often they have one staff member doing everything, so it can be a bit of a lengthy meal. For dessert there are only two options. I've never tried the carrot cake, but we have gotten the plantain bombolini. Picture warm donuts made with maduros, it comes with a chilled avocado mousse for juxtaposition of temperatures, plus nutella, pistachio, plantain caramel, and avocado rocks. It is certainly playful, although I found it to lacking in balance somehow. I think it was the dryness of the bombolini, since the nutella was little more than a thin layer and there wasn't enough avocado for all the donuts. I would prefer having some kind of dipping sauce to supplement the other components, although I give them tremendous credit for creativity. Cardon y el Tirano really manages to bring powerful flavors and whimsical presentation to a unique assortment of dishes. Definitely hurry in before word gets out and you can't get a table.
(5)Marguerite B.
What a lovely restaurant. We had arepas, crispy kale and the taco. The food was super! Very tasty and unique. The service is very good and the chef is super. Loved this place and recommend it highly. We went on a week night and it was easy to park (right in front). Loved the ambience too.
(5)A A.
Just tried this restaurant for the first time and I have to say that it was a wonderful culinary experience. The atmosphere was very laid back and inviting, and the food was to die for! We had the seafood arepitas, skirt steak arepitas duo, tostones pichana (must have again), pork ribs (so awesome) and the salmon and polenta cakes (to die for). We'll definitely be back soon for more.
(5)Cathy R.
A friend recommended this place and, after reading all the excellent reviews, we decided to give it a try. Oh boy! The food was so good, really delicious. We loved the "picanha with tostones". The picanha meat is cooked to perfection. I think this is the first cut of meat I've ever eaten were "cooked to perfection" really applies. If you order this dish do not worry about the cooking time of the meat, like we say in Brazil, it will be "ao ponto", in other words "just right". The Tacos al Pastor were excellent too and the ribs with polenta (Funche Negro) very good, once again the meat was perfectly cooked. Nice ambience, very pleasant jazz music in the background. The Chef and the whole staff extremely courteous... When we told them we loved the food they explained everything (including the Tacos al Pastor tortillas) were 100% home made, slowed cooked meats- everything made with the freshest ingredients they could find (and it shows). If you wonder where it is located, it is about one short block from Versailles in Calle 8. This is a Latin Fusion & explosion of flavors. Enjoy it if you go!
(5)Fernanda F.
I feel like I have to reiterate what previous helpers have said about this place because... "WOW, just WOW!" is right! I had been dying to go to this place since it opened; well, I finally got the chance to visit and boy am I glad I did! The restaurant is super cozy! The size of the restaurant (very small), dimmed lights, music, furniture, and cool decorations gave me the feeling that this is a family-owned restaurant, which, after reading the comments below, it sound like it is. THE FOOD WAS AMAZING!!!! We began with an order of the pastor tacos, which are the BEST al pastor tacos I have ever had! (And I am a taco addict!). Now, let me take a quick second to say that the service was slow, but this was expected and definitely worth it when we tasted the quality of the food. Again, the cozy feel makes it all ok! So we waited patiently while we drank some wine. We then had the lengua tacos, a kale salad, and a seafood escabeche. Everything was delicious! Unfortunately we didn't have room for dessert, but their menu consisted of carrot cake, and a very exotic plantain dessert which sounded delicious as well. Loved everything about Cardon y el Tirano! Can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu.
(5)Antonio R.
This is such a Chill Place, with Good Vibes All Around and Amazing Food. The Appetizer Bread with Hummus is the best for miles around. The Bacalaitos look like the Middle Eastern Kibbeh, but taste extraordinary. The Patatas Bravas are incredibly good. I need more of that sauce in my life. I went for the Tostones Picanha, which was probably the best Seared Picahna Steak I've ever had. The tostones with Salsa Criolla was fantastic. The Sangria and Wine was refreshing for a mid-day drink. We sat at the lounge sofa playing Jenga for a while. A great way to pass time. There's a Laundromat next door, so come by here during Lunch Time, do your Laundry, and relax in the atmosphere Cardón offers you while you wait. I will probably be coming back multiple times, and I look forward to those times.
(5)Marie R.
If you believe in culinary arts, this is where you need to go! Not very appealing from the outside, entering "Cardon y el Tirano", this place appears in a whole different light. Small and cozy, dim lights, pleasant music, you feel immediately at ease and as if you were in your own living room. The menu offers a good variety of Latin American fusion food with a distinctive Venezuelan touch. Portions are well-sized and reasonably priced, but be aware that these are mainly tapas: you will need to order several plates if come in for dinner and want to leave with a satisfied stomach. Our group of eight (six adults and two children) ordered from up and down the menu (tequenos, pumpkin cream, antipasto plate, house salad, langosta and chorizo, arepitas duo, salmon and polenta), and each and every dish was perfectly prepared, beautifully decorated and amazingly delicious - true works of art prepared with a lot of knowledge, talent and love. It would have been a perfect night had it not been for the service, thus only four points. Only one waitress for the - albeit tiny - restaurant, and she seemed somewhat overwhelmed by the task. Water was first only served to half of our party, then refills always had to be asked for, and while some of us received their food after about half an hour, the others had to wait --another-- 45 minutes longer... Obviously, part of our order had been lost. At least, they provided some complimentary tequenos to make the wait easier. So I agree with the other Yelp reviews stating that "Cardon y el Tirano" is a gem, but service definitely needs to improve to make it really shine.
(4)Isabelle D.
Cute and trendy spot in Little Havana. Would have never found it on my own but glad I did! Prices are great and food is AMAZING! My favorite dish were the Arepitas- MUST TRY!!! It's a mix of dishes from all over Latin America and Spanish flavor. Very original- think Wynwood but much more affordable.
(5)Franck C.
Great place and great food, based on Venezuelan food but with a author touch and creativity.
(5)Dan F.
Legit... I was a bit worried when ordering this for delivery but was extremely happy with moving forward with this decision. Food was excellent. Can't wait to try Cardon y el Tirano in-house... Delivery charge is $6 but they offer online ordering and food once again was solid. Plus, it was delivered exactly when they said it would be ready.
(4)Frank M.
Great place superior service. We order wine and tapas and even tho they are not your regular Spanish tapas they were superb. If your in the area or feel like driving to calle ocho stop by you will love this place. Excellent service great atmosphere and also romantic.
(5)Chuck E.
Extraordinary inventive Venezuelan cuisine. The seafood arepa was delicious. The Funche Negro spectacular.
(5)Renier C.
Stopped in on a quiet Monday early evening after finding the restaurant on EAT24. The menu and photos caught my attention and I made way for the destination. Upon noticing the restaurant, which is immediately across Hy-Vong, and besides Versailles, I truly didn't know what to think but I ventured in anyway. The interior is very cute and charming during the day, I'm sure it looks even better at night. The service was great, but I was the only other diner at the time so that was to be expected I guess. I ordered a few things that came recommended on yelp, and I was very satisfied... After seeing the presentation and tasting the food, I thought to myself what a great little treasure I stumbled across!!! Food: My Perrier with Lime was serve ice cold... This was very impressive and loved this small detail. The tacos al pastor were delicious! The picahna steak and tostones were also just as great, though I found it slightly overdone and a bit tough. Other photos on yelp had the steak presented quite tender, but over all I could live with it for a first time experience. Flavors however were awesome! Everything tasted house made. I tried to squeeze dessert and I was pleasantly surprised with the arrangement of Flavors and textures! So good! My only complaint is that my plate had just two small scoops of avocado paste, and after looking at other yelpers photos they had either 3 or 4. I kept thinking I would have liked to have more avocado to balance the Flavors of the sweet plantain and Nutella, and was slightly disappointed to find it was due to inconsistency of the kitchen. Also I was given just a few pistachios... Lol if I didn't know any better, they may have been trying to tell me something All in all, this could have easily been a 5 star review as the place and chef have the potential. I look forward to returning to explore the rest of the menu!
(4)Kasey M.
This place is so unbelievably amazing. You'd never expect it given where it's located on calle ocho. But this place has a cozy vibe, amazing service, and the FOOD IS AMAZING. Come check it out before the masses start flocking to this place. 5 STARS
(5)Jonathan C.
Seriously...wow! Wow, wow, wow!! I have been to so many restaurants in Miami, and to be amazed is not usual for me. I came with a friend, and we were both blown away. The flavors are outrageous, and the creative combinations are like none I've ever had. Funche Negro, which is a tender, dish of melt-in-your-mouth beef served on top of Gouda polenta--Wow!! Such flavor! It's in a strip mall, but don't be intimidated by the appearance. One of the best restaurants I've ever been to--this will be packed soon, so come while you still can!
(5)Fabiola F.
I came here for the first time to try it out to see if it as good as my friends told me. And YES! The food is Amazing! The food,the service and the place is spectacular. This is a MUST place.
(5)Maria G.
Awesome! That is what I can say! The sauces, the flavors an amazing combination! To add the service was very good as well! You need to try it so you can experience it yourself!
(5)Sergio R.
The best part of tapas is that you get to experience new flavors throughout the night. This place had amazing seafood tapas suggested by the waitress. Our waitress was super friendly and easy going. Has great mood lighting if you decide to bring a date.
(5)Joe Y.
I had never been much of an arepa fan until I tried theirs, the taste is amazing and they are reasonably priced. I've had my fair share of arepas here in Miami (arepazo, doña arepa y don toston, amaize, etc) but none come close to what they prepare here. On my second trip I tried one of their sandwiches and was blown away by the taste and quality of the sandwich for a great price. I therefore decided to bring a party (co-workers) of nine people for lunch --I like sharing good spots after all, and they were impressed by the taste and presentation of all dishes. The only drawback I can find with this place is that service is on the slower side, but I have a feeling that they'll get better. I'm glad to add Cardon to my lunch rotation, I was starting to crave a different taste profile near my office.
(4)Marta L.
Great food in an easily missed location, make sure you stop by wine connoisseurs because bottles are half off Wednesdays after 5pm
(5)Laura V.
It's hard to find Latin restaurants in Miami like this one. It's not only delicious with the food it offers but it has an amazing, authentic decor and style which gives it a pleasant vibe. I ordered the chicken arepa which was AMAZING. It makes my mouth water just thinking of it. Probably the best I've had. Not greasy as others and AMAZING in taste. My friend had a sandwich which he enjoyed a lot and the coffee was very well made. I truly recommend it
(5)Sharon R.
Visiting in Coral Gables and searched on Yelp for a restaurant. Drove in to an ordinary strip mall and walked in a little skeptical. What a surprise--we had the most wonderful dining experience! Cardon y el Tirano has a dynamite South American fusion menu. Wonderful combinations of tastes including Venezuelan, Brazilian, and Cuban cuisine. So creative. Everything we ordered ( and we tried a lot) was AMAZING! Great service too. Will definitely be back and will highly recommend to friends and family.
(5)Mike S.
WOW! Just simply WOW. I haven't had a meal so succulent and flavorful for as long as I can remember......I don't even know where to begin because my mind is racing and mouth is watering thinking about each and every dish we tried. The Food: The Tacos El Pastor....I LOVE me a good pastor taco, I didn't expect to have the BEST El Pastor taco I've ever had! The Pablano, the carmalized onion, the pineapple chutney melded into a sweet sweet orgy of perfect flavoring. The seafood arepitas(I believe that was the dish) comes out looking like a seafood piece of art. Oh my, each bite of the variety of seafood was soooo perfect. Awesome huge tiger shrimp, tender octopus, and the sauces. Sweet Jesus the sauces! I like to think I'm a great cook, but then I realize the flavors in each sauce must be like 50 ingredients. Lastly the wife and I tried the tostones picanha. I love the picanha cut of meat because it reminds me of a Brazilian grill with that tender ring of fat that melts in your mouth. You eat the thing all together with your hands so they actually brought out a cucumber(if I recall) water to "cleanse" your hands before you eat! Never seen that before, but totally sold on that nice touch. Décor is perfectly rustic yet chiche. Great vibe, nice couch to lounge and have a glass of wine with friends while relaxing. Speaking of wine we went on a Wednesday and it was half price bottles! Coming from NYC and the same goes for most places in Miami that is unheard of. I think we paid $15 for WHOLE BOTTLE. More please! The prices were unreal for the amount and quality of food. Don't be afraid since it is in Little Havana and a tad off the beaten path. When I travel I let yelp be my guide. So glad it lead to Cardon y Tirano! Will make this a pit stop ANYTIME I'm in Miami area.
(5)Jose O.
I'm originally from Venezuela and this amazing place hidden in the middle of the SW 8th street is a gold mine! Food is amazing their dishes are delightful and the best beer is sold there! Only one word GREAT!
(5)Nicholas M.
Ok ..get ready for your taste buds to come alive. Omg. I havent had food like this in 20 years. A totally new twist on latin food! Try all of it!!!! Great ambience! Francisco Anton is the owner and chef. Delicioso!!!
(5)Cary R.
Love this restaurant. The food is incredible and the staff is amazing! Family feel with haute feel, Mom helps in the kitchen love her and the chef comes out to greet you. Casual and cozy sheik little place.l, it's a gem.
(5)Carlos I.
Found them on here looking for a new spot. I see myself becoming a regular ! Great food , great prices, can't complain! The tostones hogados are awesome, so are the tequeños. Also has arepas All in all a great experience and will come back real soon to try the rest of the menu! Honestly the only thing I would change is that the restaurant was a little dark so it appeared to be closed. I would slightly turn up the lights. UPDATE: The lights where just dimmed too far, the owner turned them up and that's that :)
(5)Gabrielle W.
A TOTAL GEM! I found this restaurant on my way to a meeting. I saw the sign outside and considering I drive a lot on 8th street I had never come across this sign before. So I took a little detour and decided to walk in and see what this new restaurant was about. When I walked in I was kindly greeted by the staff and the owner himself(Francisco). First of all, the decor is simple, homey and rustic. Definitely a positive atmosphere. Secondly, the warmth in which I was greeted made it even better. I didn't have time for lunch (had a meeting to go to remember?) so i scurried off and promised to come back for dinner. I went back later that night to dine as promised.... the food was exceptional, the service great and my tummy was super happy. :) I asked to speak to Francisco because I was looking for a quaint venue for my 25th birthday dinner party. I was overjoyed when he said he could prepare a 7 course menu for my party and make it private event in his sweet restaurant. I knew it was going to be special.... and man, was it. He crafted a 7 course menu from fish, to arepas, to empanadas, to bacalao croquettes, endless amounts of wine and craft beers and many many laughs and memories that I will never forget. Everything turned out like a dream. So keep an eye out for this gem on 8th street and go ahead and take a look inside, enjoy a meal and say hi to Francisco for me!
(5)Steve M.
What an amazing find! Went here the other night with my girlfriend and WOW is this place great! We had pork tacos, short rib on polenta, crispy kale salad and some kind of strange concoction with pumpkin and popcorn and EVERYTHING was absolutely amazing. Will be back soon....one of Miami's great hidden gems!
(5)Alberto T.
My wife and I were driving to Downtown Miami and stopped in for a quick lunch. I have lived in NYC, Miami, Sao Paulo, Madrid, DC and Los Angeles, and can honestly say that this is one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at. The cuisine is beyond compare. We loved the restaurant. The seafood arepa, tacos al pastor and shrimp & chorizo were perfectly prepared. In regard to the tapas, we also strongly recommend the tostones picanha and the funche negro. We have to return for the seafood misto! The service is incredible, and the staff is genuinely friendly and invested in providing first class service. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. My wife is an American from California and she loved this place as well. It was the first time that we had Venezuelan fusion and she is still raving about this place. We live in Atlanta and will be returning to Miami in the fall. Needless to say, this will be the first place that we dine at upon our return!!! It is a simple place, with a non-descript decor and located in a strip mall, but in regard to cuisine, I believe that it stands up to the best that Miami has to offer.
(5)Carlos R.
Small little gem close to coral gables. Best arepas in town. Great and quick customer service too
(5)Lalig B.
Had dinner and a couple of bottles of wine here last night with some friends, excellent food, great atmosphere, and an overall warm, genuine place. Thanks to my coworker for the recommendation, I wouldn't have found this place on my own! Try the pork tacos, calamares, and the tequenos! Yumm!
(5)Tatiana L.
Good ambiance, delicious food and drinks. Friendly staff. Not the most convenient location. Overall a great place to hang out and eat!
(5)Aldo G.
I was absolutely taken back by the quality and taste of the food at this place.It was well cooked and extremely flavorful. I was surprised given the location and exterior of the place. I would definitely definitely recommend the arepas they were extremely flavorful.
(5)Carmen N.
I was looking for a place to help me cater a small birthday party for my sister and I really lucked out with Cardon after find them on Google. Both Francisco and Lore went above and beyond explaining the many different dishes to me and the selections that they recommended. They even went as far as to invite me to pass by and taste some of their dishes. Well everybody loved their food, the appetizers went faster that I had expected and then to complete the night the Carne Asada and the side dish were excellent. Now I will join them at the restaurant for dinner soon. Carmen Navarro
(4)Eugene M.
Stumbled upon this quaint establishment with my girlfriend after an afternoon of watching the Marlins lose, it was a great way to cheer up. The owner was super friendly and sat us down in the corner with a french movie playing on the screen and Latin music playing in the background. The wine and prosecco was delicious, yet the red wine was served cold, it wasn't to my taste but others may enjoy that. We chose 3 small plates consisting of arepas with braised skirt steak, spicy tostones, and fried calamari. The arepas were succulent and soft served with an avocado mousse. The tostones were accompanied by medium rare steak and a picante salsa. The tostones were super crispy, it was up to my girlfriends standards. Wasn't the biggest fan of the calamari but maybe I was just getting full. The meal ended with some espresso and a 20 minute jenga session. A delightful way to spend the evening. Highly recommended!
(5)Xavier M.
Modern twist to traditional Latin tapas. The arepas were amazing, and being a native Venezuelan that says a lot. The lomo saltado was juicy and tender and the tostones hogados were unbelievable. This calle ocho gem is a must-try if you're anywhere east of the Palmetto.
(5)Carlos F.
This is one of the best venezuelan food I've ever tried. If you ever come by, you have to try the tequeño. The owner is super frendly. Highly recomended.
(5)ROBERTO H.
Worst service ever. Please stay away!!! They took over 2 hours for a delivery, and then cancelled the order, because they couldn't deliver, without telling me. The lady that picks up the phone, needs some customer service classes. Incredibly rude and careless, plus didn't speak english. If you want to have a bad time, order from them.
(1)Robert S.
what a wonderful restaurant !!!! big and flavorful salads, flash fried arepa's fresh seafood and even hummus with capers.....a fusion of flavors which have everyone sharing their plates...and priced reasonably..both times we went we spent about $20 per person before tip....
(4)Alayne G.
Located in a small strip mall on 8th St. we stumbled upon this hidden gem. Not knowing what to expect we ventured in and ended up having a culinary adventure. We ordered the Patatas Bravas, Tequenos, Empanadas and Bacalaitos just to name a few. Everything was delicious and beautifully presented. Our waitress was very attentive, making sure all our needs were met and the timing delivery of each plate allowed us to enjoy the meal as well as the conversation. The price for such a delicious meal can't be beat.
(5)Franklin G.
Very good food...the portions are right. Deliciously good and an authentic Latin American fusion of flavors and taste. I loved the arepas, the bacalaitos and batatas with morcilla. I enjoyed the simple, but clean and minimalist look of the room. The service is friendly, but not quite to the level of professional waiters. The pace between ordering and getting the tapas, bites or food can be improved. However, I will return an recommend others to come and try it.
(4)Armando C.
Awesome food, definitely try the al pastor tacos and chuleton sandwich, awesome delivery, food always tastes nice and fresh, definitely recommend!
(5)Christian S.
Just when I was starting to lose hope on the Little Havana area for a good date night / evening hang out spot we discovered Cardon. I generally, consider that area for traditional ethnic eats but often times get burned by the fact that most places are closed. Cardon does a great job with Latin cuisine fusion as far as I'm concerned. We had the arepas duo to start and I was pleasantly surprised with how good the skirt steak was as well as the attention to detail on the presentation. The drinks were good too, I recommend the Sake Lemonade which I found both unique and had the appearance that I was made by a mixologist. I don't think you can go wrong with the entrees, again great presentation and attention to detail. The Al pastor tacos were A+ , in fact I'll say their a must have.. at least I know (And wow talk about fair pricing think they were ~$6 for two). The places had good decor clearly well thought out and as a bonus treat Forest Gump was playing on the big screen along with some a pandora-esque Blues station. Good vibe, tucked away where you wouldn't think, this spot is a must checkout and worth going out of your way for.
(5)Jordan N.
4.5 stars. A rare occurrence where a .5 star would really fit in nicely for this review. Only thing holding this place back from the full 5 stars is the service being on the slow end and the really little details. However, it is a place worth going to if you're hankering for Venezuelan cuisine, and a worthy new take on it that is pretty much an "Only in Miami" discovery as this type of cuisine will not be had anywhere else in the country. I had the funche negro, which is a combo of two typical Venezuelan dishes - the funche (grilled polenta) and the asado negro (caramelized beef pot roast). I thought this was a well presented and prepared dish and I would order it again if the asado negro wasn't a little on the dry end. I like mine moist especially with the funche but I think this can be easily remedied. The seafood arepa was incredible. Normally Venezuelan arepas are filled but they twist it around, frying the arepa fresh and topping it with Venezuelan cheese, seafood (including the giant prawn), some savory sauce and avocado dressing. The flavor was delightful in the mouth and I would not hesitate to recommend this order at all. And for dessert, I had the plantain bomboloni, which is extremely unusual and novel in my opinion. The Italian bomboloni is widely popular in Venezuela as "bombas" but they're like donuts stuffed with pastry cream. Not these. These are more akin to fried plantain fritters dressed with nuts, Nutella and powdery sugar and with a side of pistachio ice cream. My opinion about this dessert is that it's more of a savory than sweet dessert and can be further enhanced if they added the powder sugar more liberally to make it taste more like a dessert since it didn't really satisfy my sweet tooth. Again, this dish can be improved - but at $9, it's probably not something I would order again since at that price, I would expect a fully satisfying dessert. Now, as far as prices go, it is not exactly cheap but depending on dishes, many things are reasonably priced such as the seafood arepa. They also do have lunch specials and $5 arepa Wednesdays which I plan on checking out soon. I will definitely come back and recommend you guys to check it out! The quality is superb.
(4)