The Best Mediterranean Restaurants In Miami

When it comes to labels, “Mediterranean” is as vague as it gets. The sea stretches between three continents and touches over 20 countries, each with its own distinct culinary identity. And yet, it’s a term you hear every day. So the next time a friend tells you that they have Mediterranean on the brain, here are a bunch of spots—with influences that range from Morocco to Türkiye—that should fit the bill.

THE SPOTS

Mandolin Aegean Bistro

The Mediterranean food at Mandolin is excellent, but this place is always crowded because it’s one of the most beautiful outdoor dining options in Miami . The tables are almost all outside, shaded by trees in the gorgeous courtyard of a converted 1940s bungalow right on the edge of the Design District . Between the baba ghanoush and the restaurant's blue and white color scheme, the only thing that’ll remind you you’re not vacationing in Greece is the notification on your phone to extend your parking. If you're trying to have dinner here, start looking for a reservation now because Mandolin is one of the toughest reservations in Miami . But finding a table for lunch is less of a headache.

Doya

We tend to be as suspicious of big Wynwood restaurants as we are of an unknown number that wants to talk to us about the money we’re owed by the IRS. But Doya is a wonderful surprise, and a meal here is as delightful as finding out the IRS does, in fact, owe you $5,000. There’s really nothing we don’t enjoy about Doya. The big Aegean restaurant has lovely outdoor seating and a spacious dining room. The best part about Doya is the food, though. The menu is a huge list of very good meze plates. The Doya octopus is as tender as fresh mozzarella, and the lamb kebabs are beautifully cooked.

Eva

Whole branzino, grilled octopus, kebabs, and meatballs—these dishes live in most of the 5,000 Mediterranean restaurants across Miami. But Eva makes more exciting versions than most. There’s no flair, tweezers, or edible flowers involved. Instead, Eva’s food uses spices and flavors other Mediterranean spots just don’t, like aji amarillo in tahini and harissa in tomato sauce with meatballs. It’s located deep in the belly of CocoWalk, an outdoor mall we normally wouldn’t recommend for food. But Eva can make even the most unhinged person in the friend group incredibly happy.

Motek Coral Gables

You're probably closer to a Motek than you think, and this is a good thing. This Eastern Mediterranean restaurant in Coral Gables is just one of several Moteks sprawled across Miami (with more on the way)—and we’ve liked all of them. The one on Miracle Mile has a big bar, a large dining room, and outdoor seating. Our favorite dishes are the chicken schnitzel sandwich, mushroom hummus, and arayes burger. But if you’re on a tight lunch break, order any of the cold mezzes—they come out fast, and you’ll make it back in time for the weekly budget meeting.

Khoury's Mediterranean Restaurant

Khoury’s is a Lebanese restaurant in South Miami that has free pita (and parking). This Middle Eastern spot has been around for over 30 years, which makes sense once you have their fluffy falafel that comes pre-dipped in tahini. Order the sampler that comes with grape leaves, baba ganoush, kibbeh, hummus, and tabbouleh—it’s a filling meal perfectly portioned for one. They also make an excellent kafta kabab, which you should assemble into a pita sandwich (with said free pita).

Aba Miami

Aba is a Mediterranean restaurant in Bal Harbour that’s a good option if you need to refuel during a shopping spree. Originally from Chicago , their menu has more hummus and spread options than your local Milam’s—like the spicy lamb ragu hummus that perfectly balances rich ragu with creamy hummus. They also have heartier dishes like shawarma-spiced skirt steak with horseradish labneh. The interior is decorated with more fake foliage than a Jurassic Park theme ride, and it's a fitting power lunch spot for the Bal Harbour crowd.

Jass Kitchen

Jass is a Mediterranean restaurant about five blocks north of the Design District, slightly hidden on a residential street. And this place is almost too perfect a date night spot. It has real candles, brick walls, and live jazz almost every night. But even if you're not trying to woo a potential suitor, you should still come here. The food is good (and reasonably priced). Definitely order the clay pot of lamb, which comes encased in a dome of delicious brioche your server will slice open at the table. And know that the live music usually starts around 8:30pm, because that’s a big reason why you’re coming here too.

Kalamata Mediterranean Cuisine

Finding a casual, straightforward restaurant in South Beach that does one thing (and does it really well) is always a struggle. This is why Kalamata should be on your radar. Maybe it’s not the place to celebrate a birthday, but it works great for an easy lunch or dinner. You won’t find dessert pyrotechnics or skeptical hosts eying your outfit here—just some of the best classic Turkish dishes in Miami. Start with the meze platter, and try to eat the baba ganoush and shakshuka before the rest of the table notices how good it is. For entrees, focus on lamb—particularly the lamb chops. End with baklava and a general feeling of gratitude that normal, consistent restaurants still exist this close to Ocean Drive.

Al-Amir

What sets this Bird Road spot apart from the rest of Miami’s Lebanese restaurants is their oven. You can spot the monstrous double-decker thing through a small service window just past a deli counter filled with kibbeh, butter cookies, and baklava. And you’ll want anything that gets quality time inside of it, like pillowy pita to dip into baba ganoush or the lahm bil ajeen flatbread with lamb and cheese. Part of the fun of coming here is interacting with the owner, who will help guide you through the menu. After you order a juicy lamb sandwich filled with peppers and a tangy sauce at the counter, take your food outside to the covered patio that the restaurant shares with three neighboring spots.

Lebanese Guys

This food truck is one of our favorite spots for Lebanese food in Miami. There’s no sign out front, so look for a smoke shop named “N Hale” and turn into that plaza. The truck is equipped with two vertical shawarma spits that pump out juicy beef and lamb shawarma sandwiches wrapped in Lebanese flatbread. The fries are hand-cut, the hummus is made with freshly squeezed lemon juice, and their toum sauce is so garlicky it will put you on a Transylvanian no-fly list. There’s nothing on this menu over $19, and all of it is fantastic.

The Original Daily Bread Marketplace

This place is part restaurant, part market and specializes in very good Middle Eastern food. Once you claim your spot in the cafeteria-style line, you can pick a salad, platter, or pita wrap, which you can order with things like falafel, kafta, shawarma, and sides including stuffed grape leaves and za’atar fries. It might be tough to get a table during the lunch rush, but you can always kill time browsing the market, where you’ll find some delicious looking oils, tea, and other things you definitely will not find at Publix .