This was the only photo I took because it was the best-looking part of the meal. I had been craving…read moreMiddle Eastern food and chose this location since the Pembroke Pines spot had been so good before. We came on a Sunday evening, and surprisingly, the place was completely empty--not a single customer inside. Honestly, I would have left, but my husband was too hungry. We both ordered the "Delight Mix," which is supposed to be a variety of meats. Unfortunately, the meat didn't even taste like meat, and everything was covered in what seemed like barbecue sauce. That was especially disappointing because when you think of Middle Eastern cuisine, those kinds of sauces just aren't typical or authentic. Overall, it was a very underwhelming experience.

The food was exceptional everything was wonderfully priced with huge portions and spectacular…read moreflavor! I highly recommend this restaurant they have delicious Mediterranean food! We ordered their Sufrat Dip sampler, lamb gyro platter, and a beef shawarma sandwich. The owner Sam was very attentive and so kind to us! It was great to meet him and our waitress! Very lovely people, excellent service and a 11/10!!!!! The restaurant was set up very nicely it had a very classy and casually elegant atmosphere we loved their decorations and plate ware!

Came here for a post happy hour snack. We weren't feeling too too hungry but needed a little…read moreSOMETHING. As we walked by Safron, the smells and aroma with the lit up menu was what drove us right in. It's a very small hole in the wall, more for takeout, but they have a few tables and chairs outside that make the perfect people watching while you eat, that's free entertainment! We ordered the falafel plate to share and it was plenty. There's rice was absolutely delicious and the falafel were made on the spot served perfectly warm and crispy. Pro tip: ask for their house made hot sauce, it will rewire your brain. That was the perfect touch to our platter. Next time would LOVE to order the falafel wrap which comes with fries. Great little spot for authentic Mediterranean cuisine with bold, delicious and fresh flavors.

I tried Safron last night after a long day of travel. I got it to-go and waited about 10 minutes…read morefor me Greek salad and lamb sandwich. The sandwiches use pita bread and the wraps use tortillas. I got mine with pita, which was nice and soft. Tithe sandwich had bite-sized lamb chunks, which were very good and seasoned well. The fries are a "pass" for me. I don't like bartered fries. The Greek salad was a Greek salad, which is what I expected and wanted, so no complaints! Walking distance from my hotel, friendly staff. It's small inside with o my one table, so you'll sit outside if you stay. I waited inside for my food.

can't rave enough about our first experience eating at this delicious restaurant. Food was…read morefantastic - ordered too much but it was so incredible we finished every bite. Marina the hostess and Maria, our waitress were incredibly helpful and gracious explaining dishes we were unfamiliar with. You need to try this place!

I order from Motek at least once a month, and it never disappoints. Honestly, nothing makes me…read morehappier than seeing my order arrive because everything on the menu is consistently fresh and delicious. It's in a perfect location just down the road from the resorts on Miami Beach, making it a great option whether you're a local or visiting the area. I usually order through Uber Eats, and the experience is almost always fast, easy, and reliable. If you're looking for amazing Mediterranean food in Miami Beach, Motek is definitely worth trying.

We've been hitting up Mediterranean restaurants like nobody's business on this leg of our spring…read morebreak, in part because of our proximity to many, and in part because my progeny and I are currently obsessed with babaganoush in its many variations. For this particular dinner, we were also focused on finding a truly vegetarian friendly restaurant where we could take our dear friends. Kabobji was a wonderful choice for vegetarians, omnivores, and carnivores alike. It's a large restaurant with plenty of booths and large tables for gathering with friends and family. Someone I suspect to be an owner was working hard alongside his wait staff and displayed a sense of genuine hospitality. Above all, the restaurant has a rock solid kitchen. The falafel ($13.99 / 5 pieces) here were ****STELLAR****!!! They're shaped like Indian medu vada (fried with a hole in the middle), probably for the same reason: to allow as much of the surface to fry to that perfect golden crisp as possible. And Kabobji's falafel were, in fact, awesomely crisp and well textured, made from soaked chickpeas in the traditional style, perfectly sized, nuanced and subtle in flavor -- some of the best we can remember having. (For reference, we love Nish Nush and Tanoreen for falafel in NYC -- and I think our neighborhood must be one of the major international epicenters for falafel.) Also excellent: the baba ghannouj ($10.99 for the small size), just a bit chunky, enriched with a lot of tahini, a moderate amount of garlic, a touch of lemon. This is how we like to make it at home. The vegetable ghallaba platter ($20.99) was simply made with thinly sliced onions and bell peppers, a small amount of zucchini, I think, and a touch of tomato. I would've loved to have had a spritz of lemon or sprinkle of sumac for a more acidic component, perhaps a little less onion. Note that this dish works better as a main course when accompanied by something protein-y like hummus, but it was pleasant to eat alongside our other orders. A convive, who went with the mixed shawarma platter ($27.99), found it to be a generous portion size and enjoyed it, especially with a side of well composed fattoush salad (+$5.99 to upgrade). Beef shish kebab ($14.99) and lamb shawarma ($15.99) wraps were both excellent and moist, a good balance of protein and vegetable. I didn't try them, but the "cheese pies" ($12.99) turned out to be pitas covered with a large amount of melty white cheese that some young children might enjoy as pizza. (Mine probably would've found them to be "too cheesy," but they're mutants.) They came three to an order. When you dine in, they bring a big basket of warm pita / pida to the table -- quite a generous touch!! I think it's house made and of course went beautifully with our food. Bottom line: GREAT FALAFEL! Great, low-key, family-friendly vibe. Good for vegetarians and non-vegs. Go.

Kabobji has become one of my favorite spots in Miami. Every time I visit, the food is consistently…read moredelicious and fresh. The grilled dishes are amazing , full of flavor, perfectly cooked, and you can tell they take pride in the quality of what they serve. Beyond the food, the service really stands out. The staff is friendly, welcoming, and attentive . It's clear that the people running the place care about the experience of their guests The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable, which makes it a great place whether you're stopping in for a casual meal or bringing friends and family. Places like this are the reason I keep coming back. Highly recommended if you're in Miami and craving authentic Mediterranean food

My husband and I found this restaurant on Instagram and, honestly, we were a little hesitant…read morebecause so much of what you see on social media can be misleading. But we were craving Mediterranean food, so we decided to give it a try and we're glad we did. The food was really good, and John took care of us. His recommendations were excellent and definitely made the experience even better. The atmosphere was nice, and I recommend making a reservation, especially if you want to make sure you can see the belly dance show on Saturdays. The only downside for us was that the chairs were a bit uncomfortable. Other than that, we had a very good experience and would definitely come back.

The service was friendly and attentive, and the live music created a really nice atmosphere…read more The food was mostly very good. We ordered the beef kabobs, which were cooked perfectly and full of flavor. Unfortunately, the ribeye steak was a major disappointment. We ordered it medium well, but it came out extremely overcooked, dry, and tough, with hard charred pieces on the outside. It was clear that steak is probably not their specialty. That said, we would still recommend this restaurant for the atmosphere, service, and many of the other menu items -- just skip the steaks.

Wow this place was such a vibe! The ambiance was beautiful, the energy was great, and it felt like…read morethe perfect spot for a night out. Everything we ordered was packed with flavor and cooked so well, but the lamb was definitely the standout for me. It was incredibly tender, juicy, and full of flavor, the kind of dish where every bite just melts. We also loved the other dishes we tried and the sides complemented everything perfectly. Definitely a spot I'd come back to for both the food and the overall experience!

We came for a late dinner on a Saturday night and were delighted to find reservation availability…read morefor the 3 of us still. We were whisked inside to the intimate, dimly lit interior with a DJ table tastefully tucked away in the back of the space. Service was welcoming but overall, not quite as warm and attentive as I've experienced at other places in town. We started off with the Turkish Manti Dumplings, which were the standout of the night. The complexity yet restraint of flavor, balancing indescribable buttery, roasted, earthy notes with a touch of umami and subtle tanginess from the yogurt. The Mezze Sampler was a nice option for trying three of the dips. All very tasty, but I've had slightly better elsewhere. The Sweet Jeweled rice was the other standout with flavor and textural variety that made each bite pop. I found the Roasted Brussels Sprouts undercooked and lacking the same level of flavor as the other plates. The weakest dish of the evening. The Grilled Whole Bronzino got top marks from the meat eaters at the table. Overall, 4/5 stars for a delicious meal but with tough competition around town limiting my ability to hit that 5.

Ambiance -5 Price - 4+…read moreQuality 5 Price-to-quality ratio - 4.5 Service - 5 Located on the lower level of Bal Harbour Shops, right next to Sacks, Mediterranean Aba is one of the best Mediterranean spots in town. Sure, some dishes may be a bit pricier compared to other fine dining Mediterranean places in Miami, but trust me--the quality is 5 stars and the service is top-notch. This restaurant truly elevates the dining experience. For cocktail lovers like me, Aba has something special. I tried their "Aloe, It's Me," a cocktail with two different mezcals, aloe, green juice, jalapeño, and pineapple juice. It was refreshing, smoky, and packed with flavor, and at $19, it was a steal. The hummus, especially the one served with short ribs, is a festival of taste--its warmth and richness come from the short ribs' juices, making it the second best hummus I've had after Byblos in South Beach. The house pita bread is the perfect accompaniment. The ahi tuna carpaccio was to die for, bursting with fresh mint, kiwi's sweetness and tartness, and a spicy kick from jalapeño. The braised short ribs with sweet potato mash delivered juicy, tender meat perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the mash, while the lamb and beef kefta kabobs were seasoned and cooked to perfection. Sadly, I just heard on Instagram that Aba may close permanently after only two years since its November 2022 opening. I really hope they turn things around because this place is a real gem. Don't miss your chance to experience this unforgettable dining destination. An absolute must try!

Aba is amazing! Fresh, high quality ingredients and bold, authentic flavors make every dish a…read morestandout. The Chic vibes, delicious food, and great service make this restaurant a must visit!

From the moment you walk into Mandolin Aegean Bistro, it feels like you've been transported to a…read morecharming village in Greece. The beautiful outdoor setting creates such a unique and relaxing atmosphere that you almost forget you're still in the city. The food was outstanding. The grilled meatballs were flavorful and perfectly cooked, and the cheese saganaki was absolutely delicious. But the real star of the meal was the beef souvlaki--it was incredibly tender, juicy, and full of flavor. And I have to mention the fries that came with it. They were honestly some of the best fries I've ever had, and definitely not something I expected to be raving about at a Greek restaurant! This was an amazing dining experience from start to finish, and I can't wait to come back and explore more of the menu.

I'd like to start by saying that I'm really disappointed at people in Miami that say this is a good…read morerestaurant. Mandolin's food was mediocre at best. We had made reservations a week ahead of time which is recommended by them, and it worked perfectly. We called them to let them know we were running a little late and they were happy to hold our reservation for a few more minutes and it was great because this restaurant does get packed. Service is attentive and friendly... where they lost me was actually the quality of the dishes. Greek salad... was very sad. Overly ripped tomatoes, almost spoiled. Fish of the day sandwich (gyro style) was bland. It needed seasoning. NOT Good. Grouper from their specials... also flavorless. It comes over orzo which was overcooked. (Gummy)... and so on. I don't often have to write bad reviews but in this case I feel it is necessary. Way overrated. Way overpriced for the quality. Definitely not a restaurant I would recommend to anyone.