Late Night Tacos on Giralda

COYO Taco Opens its New Location in the Gables

By Lizzie Wilcox

October 2019

Coyo Taco was one of the first restaurants to open in Wynwood, back when it was actually edgy and raw. Having perfected their Todo es Fresco philosophy on the wanna-be-hipsters of that district, and then among the young professionals in Brickell, COYO Taco arrived on Giralda Plaza in August with its third location in Miami.

The eatery, instantly popular among Gables residents eager to not have to trek to Brickell or Wynwood for its fresh menu, Coyo is the first of several restaurants bringing life to the former Scientology building on Giralda. Back in the day, the building was originally a post office, and part of the reclamation from the secretive Scientologists was to restore the original high ceilings of the building’s first floor. While the elevated space feels refreshing, however, COYO’s wide variety of tacos are even more so.

For a more familiar taste, the Pollo al Carbon tacos are nothing short of mouthwatering. Marinated grilled chicken, queso, pico de gallo, and salsa fresca are all packed into hand-pressed tortillas. Feeling risky? Try the Lengua – or beef tongue – tacos. What really won us over were the Grouper Frito tacos, made with Modelo beer-battered Florida grouper, roasted jalapeño aioli and avocado. The fish, though battered, was light and crisp, and the aioli gave it a zesty burst of flavor.

Besides tacos, COYO also shines in the drinks department. Like any respectable Mexican restaurant, they make a mean margarita, frozen or on the rocks. Our personal favorite is the passionfruit margarita with a heavily salted rim. And on weekdays from 4 – 7 p.m., you can get it for half off in
the speakeasy, located through the Employees Only swinging doors.

Even more welcome are the hours. Open at 11 a.m. every day, COYO doesn’t close until midnight Sun. – Wed., and not until 2 a.m. Thurs. – Sat. Is this the beginning of a new late, late night scene in Coral Gables that we didn’t know about?