About this time every summer, we may long to be on vacation somewhere in the Mediterranean – Italian Mediterranean, Turkish and Greek Mediterranean, Eastern Mediterranean. But there's no need to be on the Med coastline to live the lifestyle this summer, because these restaurants are all in Miami.
The Mediterranean lifestyle is a relationship with life that is sustaining and meaningful. Meals are slow and special and always shared with friends and loved ones.
The Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand-awarded restaurant, Doya (305-501-2848) 347 NW 24th St., Miami, is an Aegean-inspired restaurant located in Wynwood. Doya's menu is focused on the Eastern Mediterranean, with dishes flavored by wood-fire and open-flame grilling.
Led by executive chef/partner Erhan Kostepen (formerly of Mandolin Aegean Bistro), Doya serves meze (shared plates) from Greece and Turkey, with the belief that food tastes better when shared with people you love.
The menu is divided into cold meze and hot meze. Start with lavash Turkish bread, made in the wood-fired oven and served warm. Try the roasted eggplant with roasted red peppers, garlic labneh, and parsley; or the tomato salad with heirloom and cherry tomatoes, red onions, lemon and soy sauce. For mains, savor the tasty lobster salad with paprika orange sauce, green olives, lemon, and garlic; or choose the Chef's Favorite – The Fisherman – a mélange of branzino, shrimp, mussels, and calamari in a white wine reduction.
(Courtesy of Dōma)
The Tiramisù Dōma, a Miami Spyce dessert
Don't miss the signature short-rib baklava, a savory take on the traditional baklava dessert, that Chef Erhan proudly claims is the only one of its kind in the world, made with strained labneh, pistachios, and kasseri cheese. For a side, try the fresh artichoke bottoms with caramelized onions, orange dill, and novavera extra virgin olive oil. And be sure and try the pistachio cheesecake for dessert.
Wynwood's beloved Mediterranean/Italian restaurant Doma (786-953-6946) 35 NE 26th St., Miami, is unveiling two new experiences this summer, called Miami Spyce. Miami Spyce serves as a precursor to Doma's participation in the ever-popular annual Miami Spice program in August and September.
Perfect for a celebratory start to the weekend, Doma has launched a new tasting menu available every Friday for lunch, noon - 3 p.m. served during the afternoon soiree ($35). The three-course lunch menu highlights include zucchini blossom tempura filled with ricotta, basil, and eggplant emulsion, drizzled in Modena balsamic vinegar; eggplant parmigiana layered with fior di latte mozzarella, purple eggplant, tomato sauce and basil; and branzino fillet served with purple potato puree, grilled baby leeks, crispy black rice and basil aioli.
For dessert, try the crème brûlée infused with vanilla, accompanied by pineapple sorbet, caramelized popcorn, and passion fruit gel.
Monday through Friday evening, from 6 p.m. until close, diners may choose a three-course menu ($60), which includes items such as handcrafted pastas, beef carpaccio marinara layered with datterino tomato coulis and parmesan cheese chips; mazara del vallo, red Mediterranean prawns carpaccio drizzled with blueberry gel, stracciatella, yuzu caviar and shishito peppers; and ricotta and basil ravioli tossed in a datterino tomato sauce served alongside basil puree, provolone del Monaco and a fior di latte mozzarella mousse.
The Tiramisù Dōma is a must for dessert, deconstructed with homemade cappuccino ice cream, mascarpone espuma, homemade savoiardi cookie, and a dark chocolate crumble homemade pistachio ice cream, drizzled in pistachio gel and crushed pistachios.
(Courtesy of CLEO/Photo by Paul Ayala)
CLEO /
CLEO, located in South Beach's South of Fifth neighborhood (305-913-6552) 350 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach, celebrates the diverse flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean, featuring a meze-style menu with shareable dishes. Led by award-winning executive chef Camila Olarte, who has more than 15 years of culinary experience at Miami's top-rated restaurants such as Los Fuegos by Francis Mallman, and the Surf Club Restaurant by Thomas Keller, as well as Napa Valley's Michelin-starred restaurant, the French Laundry. The restaurant offers an inclusive, communal dining experience designed to bring people together over wholesome, family-style dishes.
Specialties range from house-baked jou jou pita bread, served with signature, colorful meze. Start with appetizers such as spicy ground lamb cigars and corvina ceviche in leche de tigre. Kebabs include butcher's lamb kofte and beef skirt steak; standout seafood choices include the grilled shrimp skewer and grilled branzino.
For dessert, save room for the amazing baklava tower shared among your tablemates, with pistachio cream, phyllo, and pistachio gelato. To accompany dinner, try the highly-rated Kir-Yianni Assyrtiko "The North" 2024 wine, from Florina, Greece.
(Courtesy of Bakalo)
Bakalo table spread
Bakalò Miami, situated on the quieter side of South Beach (305-603-7434) 959 West Ave., Miami Beach, voted the 2025 OpenTable Diner's Choice, is loved by locals and visitors who are seeking authentic Greek cuisine made with simplicity. With over 20 years in the hospitality industry, Nikos Nanou and Edigio Guerreri first established their restaurant on the island of Mykonos. They chose Miami as Bakalo's first U.S. location, because Mykonos and Miami share a rich architectural heritage, history and culture.
Bakalò Miami stays true to its Greek roots by importing ingredients directly from Greece. Share a variety of cold and hot mezes served family-style. Tempting dishes include Greek ceviche with tomato leche de tigre, dehydrated kalamata olive, green pepper, cherry tomato, onion, and cucumber; taramosalata, a spread made with Greek fish roe, red onion, lemon, and olive oil; keftedakia, like your yia-yia's (grandma's) meatballs with yogurt sauce, and sweet paprika oil; grilled octopus with Santorini split fava, caramelized onion, crispy capers, and dill oil; and lobster giouvetsi with orzo pasta, tomato sauce, and manouri cheese; and Greek kebab, grilled with sumac onion, grilled tomato, yogurt sauce, pita, and sweet paprika. The restaurant also offers fish, shellfish, meat, and vegetarian alternatives.
For dessert, try the Bakalo bougatsa, golden, crispy pasty pillows filled with velvety vanilla custard, topped off with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
The wine list covers an extensive range of Greek regions such as Santorini, Peloponnese, and Macedonia, as well as Italian and French classics that pair perfectly with the Mediterranean flavors.
WHAT'S NEW
The Four Seasons Hotel Miami has unveiled NUNA (305-358-3535) 1435 Brickell Ave., Miami, a limited-time-only Nikkei dining experience by award-winning chef Jaime Pesaque, who is noted for pushing the boundaries of contemporary Peruvian cuisine. Born and raised in Peru, Chef Pesaque trained in Europe and apprenticed in Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy and Spain. In 2008 he opened Mayta in Lima, and in 2022, Mayta earned a coveted place on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
(Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel/Photo by Ruben Cabrera)
NUNA Chirashi Ceviche/
Officially opened in May, NUNA took over the Four Seasons' Edge Brasserie space for dinner service. Experience Pesaque’s masterful interpretation of Nikkei, a fusion of Japanese precision and bold Peruvian flavors. He uses the freshest seafood for the ceviche and sushi bar, premium Wagyu beef and a selection of Peruvian chili peppers, Asian vegetables and traditional Japanese elements such as ponzu, yuzu and miso. Expect dishes like ceviche limeño with corvina, leche de tigre, sweet potato, and cilantro; NUNA Roll with tuna, acevichado sauce, avocado and crispy shrimp; and saltado al wok, a bold stir-fry of beef and lobster infused with Nikkei flavors.
Overlooking expansive Biscayne Bay views, Amara at Paraiso (305-676-9495) 3101 NE 7th Ave., Miami, creates a special vibe as one of Miami's most quintessential waterfront restaurants, combining Latin American flavors with the ingredients of South Florida’s diverse food culture.
(Courtesy of Amara at Paraiso)
Amara at Paraiso / Brunch desserts
At Amaro's Bayside Brunch every Sunday afternoon this summer, a DJ will be on deck creating a lively atmosphere to keep the party going. Experience irresistible drink packages from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and choose options ranging from raw bar selections, cured meats, artisanal cheeses, homemade pastries, bountiful salads, carving station showstoppers, savory sides, breakfast staples and an unforgettable dessert spread.
The famed Italian food giant Eataly (305-760-8100) 19501 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura, opened last month at Aventura Mall, which is the famous brand's 13th North American location. One of the premier shopping destinations in the country, Eataly partnered with Aventura Mall and the team at Turnberry on their first venture into the Florida market.
The three-level Italian food emporium has quick service counters, two sit-down restaurants featuring pizza and pasta, and a retail section packed with imported and house-made Italian products that we love, plus a wine store and a cooking school.
The news from Miami WorldCenter (305-895-8914) 652 NE 2nd Ave., Miami, the 27-acre, $6 billion mixed use development redefining Downtown Miami’s urban core is the culinary lineup, showcasing the Center's diverse mix of global flavors and formats, from signature destinations like Maple & Ash; Sixty Vines; Earls Kitchen + Bar; Sweet Paris Cręperie & Café; and Starbucks; and local favorites including Brasserie Laurel; Chug’s Express; and El Vecino Cigar & Cocktail Bar.
Other eateries coming soon include the New York-famous Italian staple Serafina; Go Greek Yogurt; and the highly anticipated JUVIA; a Miami favorite formerly located in South Beach, known for its rooftop views, striking design, and a fusion of French, Japanese, and Peruvian flavors.
Families and visitors alike can enjoy the immersive, multi-sensory Museum of Ice Cream – making Miami World Center a fun destination for shopping, dining, and play.
Irene Moore is a Miami-based writer and certified sommelier whose vivid descriptions take readers through culinary cultures around the world.
