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.

I do love this place for it ambience and service. I will say that it is a sister restaurant to…read moreanother one that I went to for my birthday and I guess I came in with the mentality of comparing it and the food just wasn't all there. I had to return the plate that I had gotten. I'm sure that if I would've chosen something else, I would've been happy because the person that I went with did very much enjoy their meal. I think it's worth it but maybe doing a little bit more research on what to get. To say that the person I was with had the Bronzino and it was delicious. Drinks are also good as well. like anything in Miami parking is a little difficult, we made reservations and we were sat right away. Again, this could've been a one off thing, but everything else was amazing.

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 ordered the salmon entree plate (salmon, rice, salad and pita) and everything was seasoned or…read morecooked to perfection. I'm so impressed. My server Kenya was very sweet and I'd come here again. There are tables and a/c in the back if you're overheating.

Escribo para darles las gracias por todas las atenciones en el día de ayer en la celebración del…read moreCumpleaños de mi esposo!! Mil gracias por todo... La comida estuvo deliciosa........... y con muy buena presentación........ La atención realmente fue de primera. Los invitados salieron hablando maravillas de tu comida...... Y yo............................ QUEDE SUPER BIEN!!!! .... claro nadie sabe la angustia por la que pase con esto... pero ya todo quedó olvidado con esa maravillosa atención y comida!! Siguen ustedes entre uno de mis restaurantes favoritos para comer rico y pasarla bien...... y te aseguro que también será de las personas que asistieron a mi celebración porque todos quedaron fascinados... Mil gracias y que se les convierta en abundancia y prosperidad para su negocio!! Saludos a todo el personal que nos atendió..... todos fueron EXCELENTES!! TIENEN UN EQUIPASO!! EN ESPECIAL DAMIAN QUE ESTUVO MUY ATENTO DE TODO!!! !!GRACIAS!!

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.

A very pleasant outside eating area on a perfect day…read more The food was fresh, flavorful, and delicious Our server was excellent

They say beauty can come from suffering. As a land that has seen its fortune boom and bust over…read moremillennia, Lebanon is a multi-layered, complex country, full of contradictions, historical significance, joy and beauty. Lira Beirut celebrates this through its food, decor and service. The whole vibe of the place seems extracted from a cool corner of Beirut with beautiful retro-cool artwork that is colorful, happy and sophisticated. From graphic prints, to black and white photos and architectural studies, it gives you a sense of a culture that takes the best of the middle east and cosmopolitan worlds. That sets the stage for the food served here. This is not a watered-down shawarma spot to pacify over-served revelers. It's a place to meet real foodie friends who appreciate authenticity and carefully prepared dishes in an elevated way. I haven't had a chance to go to the Middle East, but I can tell from the deft use of spices, heat and technique that their intention is to share the best from their food memory of the old country. I've gone on a few occasion and really enjoyed the fattoush salad, the labneh mtwame, the muhammara, the chicken shawarma plate and the kafta. Many of the dishes come with the crispiest, most addictive fries I've had, gorgeous savory rice and a heap of fresh, fragrant herbs. Even the wine list is pretty nice, and I've had the well priced Sauvignon Blanc and the Pouilly Fuisse. I wished the location were better for us and for them. It could use a more visible location where nice traffic goes by it. Since it's at the edge of Wynwood where it borders with the slowly gentrifying Overtown, it could take a while before its riches are recognized. I can't wait to go back for happy hour again, and I long to see the day when this becomes an awesome neighborhood hangout as they build more apartment buildings in the area that can house people who will appreciate all that Lira Beirut offers.

EXPENSIVE!! Good but wow just got rip off 17$$ with a paper thin large Kafka wrap barely had any…read moreweight he's definitely low balling the food

I really had a great experience here. This place bills itself as a Lebanese street food spot, and…read moreit delivers on that concept. I ordered the kafta wrap and a rose lemonade. The wrap was well seasoned, fresh, and very satisfying. Everything tasted great with good texture and flavor throughout. The rose lemonade was excellent and a nice change from the usual options. Service was friendly and the whole experience felt easy and casual. This is a great option if you want something quick but still flavorful and a step above typical fast casual. Put me down as a fan of Lebanese street food. I will definitely be back

We recently went to Amal for a Saturday meal and had a wonderful time. The staff were very…read moreaccommodating of a member of our party with mobility issues, ensuring their walker was stored nearby. Our waiter, Mo, was an excellent guide through the menu and provided excellent service. We picked the tasting menu and were delighted with all the different parts of the menu we got to try - my personal favorite was either the Muhamara or the grilled octopus. The ambiance on a Saturday evening certainly evolved more into a club like setting with dancing and live music but we had a fantastic time and would certainly come back!

I had been excited to try Amal for years. I actually worked in the neighborhood when they were…read morebuilding it during the pandemic, then moved away and never got the chance to go until now. For context, I worked in fine dining in New York and Miami for almost 20 years, so I notice the details immediately, hospitality, management presence, the energy of a room. You can usually tell pretty quickly what kind of operation you're dealing with. We were a party of five. I arrived with my four-year-old son and was greeted warmly by the hostess. That warmth ended instantly. Standing directly behind her were two managers in suits blocking the main entrance. Both looked straight at me and my child and said absolutely nothing. No hello, no smile, no acknowledgment. Anyone in hospitality knows that moment sets the tone. As an Arab woman who grew up around a culture where hospitality is everything, it was already a bad sign. We were seated outside and the vibe stayed cold. Unfortunately, the food matched it. We ordered a lot because I genuinely wanted to give the kitchen a fair shot. I grew up eating Lebanese food and what stood out most was the lack of soul. Everything felt flat, like it needed salt, lemon, brightness, that warm Mediterranean seasoning Lebanese food is known for. The tabouli was especially shocking. A $20+ tabouli with no bulgur that was so roughly chopped it was basically whole parsley leaves and slices of onion. Any Lebanese auntie would die at the sight of it. At one point I asked our server if they had harissa or any kind of spicy sauce. She said the only option was Sriracha. In a Lebanese restaurant that charges $18 for a tablespoon of hummus. An Asian chili sauce as the only option. What made it even stranger is that harissa is listed on multiple dishes on the menu, so it clearly exists somewhere in the building. I asked for the Sriracha anyway out of desperation for flavor. It never came. Same with ketchup for my toddler's fries, it took three requests. Throughout the meal I walked around the restaurant several times taking my son to the bathroom, looking around the space, even going upstairs to the lounge. Not a single person acknowledged us. Not a host, not a server, not a manager. The bar is right by the entrance and every time we looked over at the bartender and bar manager, just blank stares. At one point we were clearly standing there confused looking for the bathroom in an empty restaurant and still had to say "Excuse me, where is the bathroom?" Wild. Later I walked up to the bar myself to ask if they carried mezcal. After dinner I went back to order one. Same energy--zero warmth, zero engagement. And this is with an automatic 20% gratuity already on the bill. The mezcal was a $25 two-ounce pour and I still had to ask for an orange slice garnish because no one offered it. Empty bar, two people behind it, and I still had to request it. Also worth noting, our reservation was at 5:45pm and the restaurant was practically empty. Yet I didn't see a single manager walking the floor, greeting tables, or checking on guests. I had talked this place up to my party because I'd been so curious about it for years, and it was honestly a huge letdown. If you know Lebanese food and understand Middle Eastern warmth and hospitality, this probably isn't the place for you. Expect cold, almost nonexistent hospitality and food that feels stripped of the soul that makes Lebanese cuisine special. The space is beautiful. I'll give them that. Everything else felt like a very on-brand Miami disappointment, what happens when you give people a beautiful restaurant, expensive food, automatic gratuity, and no leadership. From the lack of authenticity and attention to detail, it's hard to believe anyone truly Lebanese is behind this operation. If anything, it feels more like a polished money grab. Honestly, it might have been less jarring if they just called themselves "Mediterranean" like so many other places in this city. But if you're going to call yourself a Lebanese restaurant, the culture and hospitality should actually be there.

Amazing food and service from Aykut -- probably the best deal for food in Miami Beach. I hope I get…read moreto go back and eat there again.

Wow! The food came out fast, fresh, and hot! Everything was tasty and very large portions. Our…read morewaitress, Sabrina, was amazing and very attentive. Very willing to accommodate. I accidentally spilled my water, and she was immediately there to clean it up. Will definitely be back when in the area!

Service was great and dishes were very flavorful. The vibe…read morewas also really nice and classy We went with our baby and it was baby friendly

It your expecting an exceptional experience because it is at the Ritz Carlton, that isn't what's…read moregoing to happen. This restaurant belongs in the lobby of a Doubletree. Average pancakes and bland pineapple. Started out with waitress spilling hot coffee on me. Apologized and got me wet towel to wipe it up. The biggest turn off to having breakfast here was the staff allows children running around the restaurant, playing with the buffet food and being super loud. Shame on the parents that let their spoiled children ruin other peoples experience. But really shame on the staff that lets it go on and says nothing. Spoke to the management who genuinely felt bad, but also said we were all kids once. Pass the buck and don't take any responsibility.

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.

Another incredible experience at Kaboji. The service is, as always, attentive and truly above and…read morebeyond, and the food never disappoints. Because we had a large group, we ordered two veggie mezzas for the table. They come with grape leaves, baba ghannouj, and hummus, which makes them perfect for sharing. And the unlimited pita bread is always a win. The salad, so refreshing. The Lebanese cheese rolls are also amazing. Some of us switched it up and tried the spicy fish, sautéed shrimp, and the mixed shawarma platter. No regrets. The fish was so flavorful and the perfect size. LollllpThe rest of us stuck to the kabobs and lamb, which are consistently a safe bet. The space is great too. The huge windows give you beautiful lighting, and they have seating for large parties that still feels more private. We'll definitely be back.

The food here is so good! I especially love their lamb, it is always flavorful and cooked perfectly…read more Everything feels fresh and comforting, and the portions are satisfying. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the service is friendly and attentive. Such a great spot if you are craving Greek food in Miami Beach

Location is perfect 1 minute walk from the beach. Food was…read moreok but nothing special. The service took too long. The restaurant wasn't crowded, maybe 5 tables occupied including us. It took 20 minutes for someone just to take our order. We got the first drink 40 minutes after seated. About an hour to get our food. Come for the beach proximity but don't come for service.