Written by Kate Cooper
Within pockets of Miami, you will find delectable Israeli-Mediterranean bites without the added costs of long-haul travel. As not all Mediterranean eateries are worth the hype, there are best three restaurants that are worth your time and money.
Number 3:
Nestled south of Fifth, Abbale Telavivian Kitchen is a pocket of Israeli delights. Opened in 2021, Abbale is beautifully decorated and is a welcoming space for everyone. Their Telavivian lunch menu offers a delectable selection. It ranges from spreads, bowls, sandwiches, and salads, among other options. Within the hummus section, the tahini with “herbs, paprika, olive oil, and zhug” ($18), is accompanied by their Jerusalem bagel. It is the ultimate pairing. The Salatim section of the menu is worthy of your attention, specifically the Babaghanoush which has “charcoal tahini, cilantro, olive oil, smoked sea salt." I also recommend the Muhammara made from “fired roasted peppers and tomato, herbs, Aleppo pepper, olive oil”, and za’atar labneh. You can select one dip for $8, or select three for $21, all paired with their fire-baked pita.
Their falafels with “tahini and pickled onions" ($12) are well-done and very delicious with their pita and hummus. Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper Telavivian restaurant without a version of Shakshuka ($20) Shakshuka is a dish of eggs poached in a sauce made with tomatoes, olive oil, peppers, onion, and garlic, and sprinkled with cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Paired with their fire-baked Jersulamen bagel, the Shakshuka is the ultimate brunch or lunch dish, and perfect to share with friends and family.
Number 2:
Motek (Hebrew for sweetheart) is making waves throughout Miami for its versatility and unique twists to the traditional Israeli-Mediterranean cuisine. Unlike other Mediterranean restaurants, Motek is kosher-style and draws inspiration from Israel, Lebanon, Yemen, Morocco, and Turkey. With a nicely decorated interior, Motek is a welcoming experience and is perfect for a casual family dinner or brunch.
With all of the different options the menu boasts, Motek is not a place where you will be hungry. From their selection of dips, the Hummus Tehina with “tahini, olive oil, pine nuts, and s’chug” ($13), and the Babaganoush, which is grilled eggplant combined with za'atar and pomegranate seeds ($10) are not to be missed. Another appetizer worth considering is the Zucchini Cakes (Latkes), made from a combination of zucchini, “crispy potato, onions, and herbs” and served with a side of labneh. Featured in many plates, labneh is a soft Middle Eastern cheese made from strained yogurt.
Within the sandwich category, the Crispy Chicken Schnitzel, with “challah bread, cabbage slaw, pickles, tomato, sumac, onion, and harissa aioli ($29) is a feast for the eyes, and for the senses as well. This might be Miami’s best crispy chicken sandwich, as it packs a flavorful punch from the first bite. The falafel sandwich, with “tahini, Israeli salad, crispy eggplant, radish” ($14) might be able to convert falafel skeptics to lovers. While this is one option to taste the falafels, they are also able to be enjoyed as an appetizer, entree plate, or in a bowl, which will be mentioned shortly. Although the original Arayes burger, consisting of “pita, beef kufta kebab, tahini, and harissa aioli'' ($23) won the People’s Choice Winner Burger Bash in both 2022 and 2023, I prefer the vegan version made with “impossible” meat more ($22).
Served with “Israeli salad, hummus and sumac onions'', one can customize their bowl to their liking, choosing from a range of proteins (Faroe Island Salmon, Falafel, one of three versions of chicken, etc) and selecting between Majadra Rice or Cauliflower Couscous for their base. From experience, the falafel bowl is the preferred choice, as the crunchiness of the falafel works well with the freshness of the salad and the creaminess of the hummus.
Make sure to leave room for dessert, as they are heavy hitters. Between the many options, one reigns supreme above the rest. Their delectable Chocolate Bread Pudding is indulgent, as it is made with sweet bread, with its roots hailing from Israeli-Askezani Jewish communities of Ukraine and Poland.
Number 1.
Mandolin Aegean Bistro is worth the hype and the time-consuming drive to the industrial and fashionable enclave of the Miami Design District. Opened in 2009, the airy, Greek-taverna design will take you to the seaside eateries that dot the Mediterranean coastline. Not fancy at its core, Mandolin is the place for those who seek a relaxing night out and want to enjoy an awesome meal without breaking the bank. The menu runs the gamut from light appetizers to heartier entrees, all inspired by the cuisine of the Aegean. From the appetizers ($14-$32), I recommend the Turkish sampler ($24), an array of “hummus/tomato/eggplant” dips that are accompanied by either the freshly made pita bread or vegetables for an additional charge. As a fan of hummus, I felt that their version was perfectly creamy and silky.
Another appetizer worth splurging on is their kofte, or the “grilled sirloin meatballs”, which are arguably one of the best meatball dishes in Miami. When paired with the light and creamy tzatziki, these are not greasy or heavy. For the entrees, the chicken kebabs “with orzo pilaf and maroulosalata” ($32) were juicy and had a flavor explosion at first bite. Another favorite entree is the manti dumplings, made with a combination of “minced beef, garlic yogurt, Aleppo pepper, and burnt better” ($30) It is one of the richer plates, and a few bites are necessary to fully enjoy this dish. While the dumplings are tiny, they pack a powerful punch, and the yogurt sauce is tangy and creamy.
Regardless of which restaurant you decide to visit, you will not be disappointed as you will be met with a meal that packs a flavorful punch.
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