Aba's Interior COURTESY OF Ruben Cabrera
Miami has grown into a solid culinary destination post-pandemic, with many restaurants opening in all its corners, offering different but equally delightful cuisines to visitors and locals. It seemed like the trend was bringing many fantastic Japanese/Asian-inspired restaurants with sleek designs to the Magic City between last year and earlier this year. However, this time, the trend is opening Mediterranean restaurants inspired by Greek, Italian, Israeli, and other fantastic countries' cuisines, adding to the city's existing Mediterranean restaurants locals love. Below discover some of the brand new and fairly new Mediterranean restaurants in Miami so you can indulge and transport to this fabulous part of the world.
17945 Collins Ave / Website
Avra Estiatorio, the acclaimed Greek restaurant brand a greek, just opened at The Estates at AcqualinaTM in Sunny Isles Beach. The new location is the fifth for the nearly two-decade-old brand, which opened its first location on Manhattan's East 48th Street in 2000. It now has two more Manhattan locations and one in Beverly Hills. Avra is more than just a restaurant; it's a destination that transports diners to Greece's whitewashed islands through its setting and cuisine, which features incomparably fresh seafood, vegetables, and hand-pressed extra-virgin olive oil.
9700 Collins Ave Suite 101 / Website
Aba, a popular Mediterranean restaurant with locations in Chicago and Austin, opened its doors on Nov. 2 in Miami's Bal Harbour Shops. Aba will be the first South Florida location of the Chicago-based restaurant group Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants. The restaurant, meaning "father" in Hebrew, features a lighter style of cooking with Mediterranean influences from Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, and Greece. The Carrot and Sunflower Dip with Sunflower Tahini, the Everything Jerusalem Bagel with smoked salmon spread, hamachi, and charred avocado, and the Shawarma Spiced Skirt Steak with black garlic mushroom jus are among the menu's highlights. Aba's bar program and wine list feature wines from the Mediterranean and Southern California, with a focus on those grown using sustainable, organic, and biodynamic methods. The 250+ seat restaurant, inspired by a scene off the Mediterranean coast, evokes Summer in the Mediterranean. Its lush interior dining room features earthy tones and natural elements that bring the outside in.
232 Miracle Mile / Website
KAÏA Greek Restaurant, a new concept by SP Hospitality Group, introduces a casual, elevated dining experience with its menu of mouth-watering dishes made with quality ingredients. Beautiful Greek dishes best shared with friends and family are set in earthy, neutral tones and natural materials. The restaurant strives for Greek Aegean and exceptional Greek cuisine in a modern, bohemian setting. With each bite, energizing ingredients are prepared with Mediterranean spices that evoke warm, breezy nights on Greek islands. The menu includes authentic Greek starters such as Beef Kefte, traditional ground beef with fresh herbs, delicious, shareable spreads such as Skordalia, a garlic dip with almonds, and extra virgin olive oil. And, of course, delectable main courses such as Lamb Chops, a home-made kebab made with ground beef and lamb, and fresh Branzino, to name a few.
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50 NW 24th St. / Website
Fabel, named that way to provide guests with the opportunity to create their enchanted fairytale, is an all-new open-air rooftop restaurant and lounge by Matthew Rosenberg's award-winning M-Rad Architecture firm. The restaurant is inspired by the Greek islands and the beaches of Southern France while also celebrating Miami's eclectic energy. The 10,000-square-foot outdoor haven opening in Wynwood in early December will combine old-world glamour with high-energy dining, making it the ideal evening destination. Fabel will take guests on a whimsical journey through its design, gastronomy, fashion, fragrances, and entertainment, with an Israeli and Greek-inspired menu curated by executive chef Ian Fleischmann. The anticipated restaurant will also feature a world-class cocktail program and an extensive wine portfolio with some of the rarest and most exquisite wines, led by master sommelier Christopher Miller.
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919 Alton Road / Website
Meraki Greek Gyro & Bakery, a fast casual gyro/pastry shop and Greek market, will open this fall in South Beach. Greek owners Executive Chef Giannis Kotsos and Alexander Karavias are thrilled to bring their Greek flavors to South Beach finally. This new spot will serve a casual menu focused on gyro pitas and kabobs, and famous Greek baked items like spanakopita, tyropita, and bougatsa, traditional pastries like baklava, and imported Greek beverages. In addition, a light breakfast menu with pastries, imported coffee, and fresh juices will be available. The shop will also include a small Greek market section with imported Greek groceries such as olive oil, pasta, honey, vinegar, salt, and herbs, as well as Greek beer and wine, including natural wines hand-selected by Karavias from his favorite small, family-owned micro wineries in Greece. Meraki Greek Gyro & Bakery will have the same cozy and inviting Aegean Island-inspired design as Meraki, with blue and white hues, mini pergolas, and bougainvillea.
1436 Drexel Ave / Website
The Drexel, co-founded by Anastasia Koutsioukis and Ahmet Erkaya, is a Coastal Mediterranean restaurant with elevated yet uncomplicated European flavors. The couples' travels influence The Drexel's culinary offerings and vision throughout the Mediterranean and Chef Nano Crespo's expertise in grill and Mediterranean cooking, which draws inspiration from old-world cooking techniques to ideate fresh, innovative recipes. Here you may delight in Mussels with saffron broth, fennel, and tomato; Lamb Chops with tzatziki and cucumber salad; Heirloom Tomato Salad with avocado, hearts of palm, and kalamata olives; Wild Prawns with fresh herbs and lemon; and Whole Sea Bream with salmoriglio and lemon.
404 Washington Ave / Website
Major Food Group (MFG), the creative force behind some of America's most celebrated restaurants, opened HaSalon a year ago, the renowned Israeli restaurant founded in Tel Aviv. The restaurant's team works from an open kitchen decorated with a bounty of ingredients in the heart of Miami Beach—a HaSalon signature. They prepare vibrant salads, vibrant vegetable dishes, filling pastas, and show-stopping courses meant for sharing, such as a variety of whole fish preparations, giant lamb kebabs, and steaks. Menu items will change with the seasons and the restaurant's restless creativity, but the restaurant's famous emphasis on generosity and bold flavors will remain.
1669 Collins Ave / Website
Bagatelle Miami is back, and so is French chef Jimmy de Almeida. The Ritz Carlton South Beach has reimagined the French Mediterranean hot spot that was previously known as Miami's favorite club-staurant as a chef-driven concept that brings the flavors of the South of France to Miami. Guests can enjoy Saint Tropez's "la belle vie" moto through eclectic DJ performances, personalized service, and an exquisite seasonal menu that will not disappoint. The chic space is decorated in classic Parisian style and houses an impressive art collection.
Photography by: Courtesy of Ruben Cabrera, los_angela/Getty, Avra, Cristian Gonzalez, Carlo A/Getty, katiejuneburton, Mandolin Aegean Bistro, Mr. Mandolin, Melissa Hom Photography, Michael Chin
