There are few things as Jewish as a New York bagel, top of that list would definitely be a vacation in Miami. Whether you’re visiting for winter vacation, as a “snowbird”, or whatever excuse you’re using to escape to Miami, we set out to explore what’s new and unique in the Kosher Miami restaurant scene.
Restaurant connoisseur Michelle Saka, aka ‘Miami Food Yenta’ said “The Miami food scene is redefining kosher and they are putting extensive work into the flavor palette and moving further away from old school Jewish food”.
We asked local foodie Diana Sragowicz what visitors to Miami should know before coming, she said “Kosher food in South Florida is so varied in cuisine, in location, in flavor, in pricing, and ambiance, that there’s really no reason to eat at non-kosher restaurants.”
And with that we present to you a mix of old-school flavors like kosher deli, and traditional sefardi cuisine, as well as new, trendy and fusion restaurants.
Street Hibachi
Experience dinner with a show at this first-ever kosher hibachi in Florida. Seated around a large table with a hot cooking center, the chef brings the ingredients and prepares your dish in front of you with lots of flare and flames. Your chef will surely entertain you, light his hat on fire, and toss food in your mouth, if you dare. The Hibachi Table is a great bonding experience. Come with a group, or you will easily have new friends by the end of your dinner.
The Hibachi Table does have a minimum requirement for how many in your party need to order from the hibachi menu. Choose between ribeye steak, lamb chops, flat iron sukiyaki beef and others. All hibachi meals are served with miso soup, salad, vegetables, and steamed rice.
Whether you choose to sit at a communal Hibachi Table, or a personal non-hibachi table, be sure to try the Indian-style fish taco, and Korean short rib bibimbap. Their extensive and creative menu has a selection of exquisite Southeast Asian dishes from India and Vietnam, to Korea, Japan and China.
Located in Waterways in Aventura, at 3599 NE 207th St, Aventura, FL 33180
https://streethibachi.com/
PALA Mediterranean Kitchen
They’ll show you the world of splendid Middle Eastern flavors and dishes. Enter a warm and authentic Sephardi kitchen, with a vast selection of authentic Moroccan dishes, as well as a rotating array of specials like Tuesday’s Libyan mafrum, Wednesday’s Iraqi beet or pumpkin kubbeh, the occasional T’becha, Libyan meat stew, or a Persian Khoresh Sabzi. Each dish carries the richness of traditions passed down in Jewish Sephardi families.
Warm and welcoming, like a guest in their home, we recommend you “open the table” with a selection of dips served with Moroccan frena bread. We loved the handmade couscous served with vegetable soup, Moroccan beef cigars, Moroccan beef stew with garbanzo beans, and caramelized onion meatballs. End your meal with desserts such as knafeh, mufleta, or sfenj and of course a hot nana (mint) tea.
What started as a popular Shabbat takeout spot is now named for the owner’s grandmother. PALA is a Hollywood gem you won’t want to miss. It remains a top choice for Shabbat takeout.
Located 3317 Sheridan St, Hollywood, FL 33021
Click here for website
Harbour Bistro
The Jewish French owners, noticing the limited options of deli meats in the Kosher US market, developed their variety of charcuterie, sausages, and dry-aged meats. Offering a wide variety of Kosher meats you won’t find anywhere else in the US. Such as bresaola, maple beef bacon, veal pancetta, basturma, truffle smoked turkey, duck rillette, and many more.
The perfect lunch spot for an authentic pastrami on rye, a kosher Reuben (with vegan cheese), “the Italian” with smoked veal, beef prosciutto, house salami, and a bright balsamic vinaigrette.
Try one of their many gourmet sandwiches including classic DELI-cacies like pickled tongue, smoked salami, and chicken liver mousse. Be sure to order the charcuterie board, for a flavorful Jewish adventure.
They are only open for lunch (or early dinner) 10:30 AM-6 PM
They ship vacuum-sealed packaged charcuterie across the United States.
Located in Surfside at 9427 Harding Ave, Surfside, FL 33154
https://www.theharbourgrill.com/
Ostrow Brasserie
All Ostrow photos -
Credit: Salar A - Miami Creative Agency
As you step into this French Brasserie, with the eclectic mix of whimsical art pieces lining the walls, and an open kitchen, you’ll be transported to Paris, with a strong proudly Jewish ‘je ne sais quoi.’ Chef Olivia’s larger-than-life personality draws from Shabbat meals at her Holocaust-surviving grandparents home in France, and the choice of art, taken from her personal collection.
Ostrow brings us French gourmet food, that just happens to be kosher. With creative solutions such as using duck fat in place of butter, and vegan cheese topping the toasted bread in the hearty duck and veal broth with braised onions.
Their appetizers include wagyu steak tartare, served with quail eggs, shallots, and cornichons, and their Lyonnaise salad with poached egg, beef “bacon,” and tarragon vinaigrette. For the mains you can choose from duck confit with potatoes sarladaises, filet mignon bordelaise, steak frites, and Olivia’s favorite, the veal chop Provençale. The menu truly ‘leaves no crumbs’.
Chef Olivia is also collaborating with Michelin-starred Chef Michael Collantes, offering O’s raw bar, a crudo sushi bar blending French and Japanese flavors.
Located in the Buena Vista neighborhood of Miami, at 4850 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33127
https://www.ostrowbrasserie.com/
Fuego
The ever-classic and popular Fuego has been serving Miami tourists and locals since 2010. Having moved over the years to larger spaces to accommodate the demand, they serve nearly 1,000 people a night, without losing a beat. Fuego’s energy and flavors will have you coming back again and again. Known for Miami and Latin flavors, house-aged, cured, and smoked meats.
Some of their most popular dishes include dirty nachos, beef queso birria tacos (with vegan mozzarella), BBQ-pulled brisket flatbreads, pastrami egg rolls and Mexican street corn. For the main, enjoy one of their juicy burgers, an aged cowboy steak, or share a Fuego parrillada mixed grill, a variety of charcoal grilled meats for 2. With a full bar, enjoy their unique and refreshing signature cocktails to compliment your meal.
Located in Sunny Isles Beach at 3861 NE 163rd St, North Miami Beach, FL 33160
https://fuegobymana.com/
G7
Step into the ambiance and glamor of what it must feel like when you’re an international world leader. Bask in the light and breathtaking views of the iconic Guitar-shaped Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. This new elevated dining experience sits on the rooftop of Dolce by Wyndham Hotel in Hollywood.
Spectacular Japanese-Fusion cuisine with a bar with craft cocktails. The menu features mahi-mahi ceviche, curry street noodles, veal curry gyozas, Korean beef tartare, premium steaks, and more.
Dinner is for guests 21+
Located in Hollywood across the road from Hard Rock Casino, on the Rooftop at 5510 FL-7, Hollywood, FL 33314
https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/dolce/hollywood-florida/dolce-hollywood/dining
The Guest
Explore the rich culinary Bukharian traditions with the flavors of Uzbekistan the way Babushka served them. Modern elegance meets Bukharian warmth at The Guest, where every guest is family. The in-house DJ sets the mood and live music on Sundays.
Enjoy an authentic Ukrainian borscht, traditional Bukharian delicacies like samsa, a meat filled puff pastry, chebureki, or the addictive crispy manti dumplings, and bakhsh, a Bukharian green pilaf, all full of herbs and flavor. But of course no Bukharian meal would be complete without Plov, the traditional lamb and beef pilaf, and kebabs. Finish your dinner with Baklava or Russian Napoleon cake.
Located in Sunny Isles Beach at 2995 NE 163rd St, North Miami Beach, FL 33160
https://www.theguest-miami.com/
