After our tour through Miami’s Asian delicacies, it’s time we introduce you to the top Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dining spots around Miami. Here’s part 2 in our journey through Miami’s best ethnic restaurant scene:
Best Greek Restaurants in Miami
Mandolin Aegean Bistro
4312 NE 2nd Avenue, Design District
This airy, romantic restaurant is perfect for those looking for a classic Greek (and Turkish) experience. Start out with the famous Greek and Turkish samplers. Follow through with moussaka (cheesy potatoes), chicken kebabs, pulled lamb sandwich, stuffed zucchini or grilled octopus. Their famous white sangria washes everything down perfectly.
Photograph : Courtesy of Mandolin Aegean Bistro
Photograph : Courtesy of Mandolin Aegean Bistro
Meraki Greek Bistro
142 SE 1st Avenue, Downtown
This little Downtown gem with shaded patio seating is known for its authentic fare. Regulars rave about their gyro platters, especially lamb. You also wouldn’t want to leave without trying their sizzling saganaki (flambé cheese appetizer) or honey and sesame cheese puffs that have people hooked.
Photograph : Courtesy of Meraki Greek Bistro
Photograph : Courtesy of Meraki Greek Bistro
Maria’s Greek Restaurant
2359 Coral Way
This one’s been around since 1982, and rightly so. Sample generous portions of authentic Greek eats like hummus, the gyro platter, moussaka, grilled octopus, or roast chicken with pita. A slice of sweet, flaky galaktoboureko or baklava makes a heavenly conclusion to meals here.
Photograph : Courtesy of Maria’s Greek Restaurant
Photograph : Courtesy of Maria’s Greek Restaurant
Poseidon Greek Restaurant & Outdoor Lounge
1131 Washington Avenue, South Beach
This is a must-try for seafood lovers. From their sea bass bronzino and grilled octopus to whole fish and seafood pasta, everything is mouthwateringly delicious. Lamb chops and flaming cheese are other favorites from the menu. An extensive cocktail menu helps everything go down easy.
Photograph : Courtesy of Poseidon Greek Restaurant
Photograph : Courtesy of Poseidon Greek Restaurant
Best Lebanese Restaurants in Miami
Shaddai Fine Lebanese Cuisine
9519 S Dixie Highway
This fine eatery serves authentic Lebanese in a hip and modern setting. Vegetarians will delight in their light-as-air falafels, lip-smacking grape leaves and baba ganoush. Meat lovers won’t be disappointed either with on point lamb kibbeh, lamb kabobs and samakeh harrah (spicy red snapper). Do keep an eye out for their daily specials, ethnic wine list and coffee.
Photograph : Courtesy of Shaddai Fine Lebanese Cuisine
Photograph : Courtesy of Shaddai Fine Lebanese Cuisine
Layali Miami Lebanese Restaurant & Hookah Lounge
11402 NW 41st Street, Doral
This regal spot lets you enjoy authentic Lebanese with live belly dancing, heady hookah and one of the best happy hours in town. Sit down for a sizzling evening with hearty shish tawook (chicken kabob platter), kibbe, shawarma bites and Arabic coffee or wine to wash it all down. A great pick for a fun night out.
Photograph : Courtesy of Layali Miami
Photograph : Courtesy of Layali Miami
Habibi Diner
751 Washington Avenue, South Beach
This to-the-point diner is big on flavors. Regulars are hooked to their juicy chicken shawarma and kafta kabob wraps. Fitness freaks can order customizable meal plans. For those who care, the diner uses all halal meat.
Photograph : Courtesy of Habibi Diner
Kabobji
3055 NE 163rd Street, North Miami Beach
This neat joint has been around since 2008. Serving authentic Middle Eastern flavors, almost everything on the menu comes highly recommended. You won’t be disappointed sampling the falafel, fattoush salad, lentil soup or chicken shawarma with freshly baked pita. Their pistachio baklava and Turkish coffee make the perfect conclusion to any meal.
Photograph : Courtesy of Kabobji
Best Turkish Restaurants in Miami
Babylon Turkish Restaurant
560 Washington Avenue, South Beach
This upscale Turkish restaurant features romantic outdoor seating, live belly dancing and hookah for a surreal experience. Serving authentic fare in a relaxed, elegant ambiance, patrons swear by the beyti here (ground lamb skewer). Scrumptious chicken shish, lamb shish, ali nazik (roasted eggplant) and grilled halloumi cheese are other hits from the menu. Finish off with on point baklava or kunefe for a sweet conclusion to your meals.
Photograph : Courtesy of Babylon Turkish Restaurant
Photograph : Courtesy of Babylon Turkish Restaurant
Safron Mediterranean Grill
1049 Washington Avenue, South Beach
Another South Beach gem for Turkish food, this one also offers a medley of Mediterranean and Middle eastern favorites. Their gyros, especially doner, are said to hit the spot. The falafels are crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. The kofte (meatball) sandwich, cigar rolls, Greek salad and adana kebab platter are other hits from the menu.
Photograph : Courtesy of Safron Mediterranean Grill
Photograph : Courtesy of Safron Mediterranean Grill
Best Iranian/Persian Restaurants in Miami
Rice House of Kabob
50 SW 10th Street, Brickell
The popularity of this Mediterranean kitchen is evidenced in its increasing number of restaurants across Miami. Their dedication to authenticity also finds its way into the menu with proper Persian naming. Topping the list of must-tries here is the rice with sumac sauce, go Greek salad, falafel wrap, chicken kabob platter and baklava.
Photograph : Courtesy of Rice House of Kabob
Photograph : Courtesy of Rice House of Kabob
Fooq’s
1035 N Miami Avenue, Downtown
This refreshing eatery not only serves amazing Persian food, but is also the best place in town for French and American comfort food. Unlike most fusion places, they stay true to authentic Persian flavors and spices in their menu. You wouldn’t want to leave without trying their Persian salad with pistachios and cherries, grilled octopus, meatballs, burger, kebab platter, roasted bademjan chicken and of course, the Persian ice cream sundae.
Photograph : Courtesy of Fooq's Miami
Photograph : Courtesy of Fooq's Miami
Shahs of Kabob
5975 Sunset Drive, Unit 109, South Miami
This cozy little eatery is dedicated to serving the authentic taste of Persia. Guests swear by their lamb (both in the wrap and platter), the family platter with its variety of kabobs (big enough to cater to a party of 5-7) and savory yogurt dip.
Photograph : Courtesy of Shahs of Kabob
Rumi Persian Grill
12257 S Dixie Highway, Pinecrest
This neat little Persian gem is tucked away in Kendall. Mouthwatering lamb chops, lamb stew, kabob kubideh, chicken kabobs and cucumber yogurt, all make it to the must-try list here.
Photograph : Courtesy of Rumi Persian Grill
Other Mediterranean/Middle Eastern in Miami
Al Basha Grill
1533 Washington Avenue, South Beach
This family-friendly eatery sure makes a mean shawarma. Other must-tries at this Arabic joint include the mixed grill (with ground beef, steak and chicken kabobs) and a side of Jerusalem fries. The special kids’ menu makes sure little ones enjoy the experience as much as you do.
Photograph : Courtesy of Al Basha Grill
Cleo
1776 Collins Avenue, South Beach
Sample the best of Mediterranean flavors at this ornate restaurant with romantic outdoor seating. Their Mezze platter (Mediterranean tapas) makes an appetizing start to any meal. The branzino (fish), grilled octopus, brussel sprouts and kale flatbread come highly recommended. And, it would be plain wrong to leave without a taste of the flourless chocolate cake here.
Photograph : Courtesy of Cleo Restaurant South Beach
Photograph : Courtesy of Cleo Restaurant South Beach
Maroosh Mediterranean Restaurant
223 Valencia Avenue, Coral Gables
A colorful and lively tribute to Morocco, guests can enjoy belly dancing while they sample Mediterranean delicacies here. Dominating the list of must-tries are the stuffed grape leaves (vegetarian or meat filled), falafel, lamb sausages and succulent rack of lamb. Ending the meal with Turkish coffee is not customary, but highly recommended.
Photograph : Courtesy of Maroosh Mediterranean Restaurant
Photograph : Courtesy of Maroosh Mediterranean Restaurant
Mina’s Mediterraneo
749 NE 79th Street, Upper East Side
This loft-style restaurant offers the entire spectrum of Mediterranean to Middle Eastern eats. Walk in to sample gluten free cabbage rolls, rice and meat stuffed grape leaves, moussaka, Egyptian pizza, koshary (Egyptian rice and noodle dish) and much more. Their happy hours and brunch are the talk of the town.
Photograph : Courtesy of Mina’s Mediterraneo
Photograph : Courtesy of Mina’s Mediterraneo
See a restaurant you love? Or, have a personal favorite? Write to us in the comments below and let us know which Mediterranean/Middle Eastern restaurant keeps you coming back for more.