Mandolin Aegean Bistro was high on our list mainly because the whole vibe feels like the closest…read morething to actually being in Santorini. We went to Santorini for our honeymoon and my husband and I were celebrating our 16th anniversary. Reservations are hard to get here, especially on the weekend. Luckily I have Gold Status with OpenTable through work and was able to get on the Priority Notify list where I would be the first to know when tables open up on my desired date/time. And that's how we snagged this reservation on OpenTable on a busy Saturday on our actual anniversary. Woot woot!!! First off, this spot is ALL THE FEELS!!! So beautiful and absolutely charming. Just like Santorini. When we arrived, we checked in and only waited for maybe 10 minutes until they sat us. Meanwhile, there were many people waiting. When our table was ready, the hostess seated us to this cute little two top towards the back area, very intimate. For our anniversary, they gave us complimentary champagne. Very cool. Matias was our server and he was wonderful. Informative, attentive and friendly. They had small menu with specials for the day along with their regular menu. Below is everything we ordered: * Karpouzi Fresco $21 * Baked Feta $18 * Grilled Grouper with Orzo $42 * Grilled Lamb Chops $61 Got the Karpouzi Fresco with watermelon, mint, prosecco. The cocktail was perfect for the ambiance and so refreshing. Baked Feta was ridonkulously good with heirloom tomatoes with greek oregano and sumac. So fresh with lots of flavor and served with warm bread right out of the oven. Dinner was at another level and incredibly generous portions but also ELITE!!! Grilled Grouper with orzo was nice and the small shrimp was a nice surprise, funny enough when this dish came out, the grouper was hidden under the orzo and we thought they brought out the wrong dish. That was odd. Grilled Lamb Chops were cooked on point and so juicy with good flavor. Everything was just delicious! We opted not to have desserts here as we wanted to walk around Miami and find another spot for dessert. All in all, we had a lovely anniversary dinner and this place was perfect. So happy we finally got to come here. It's just as charming as the photos show. If you want a small piece of Greece, come here. I don't think you'll be disappointed. It has all the Santorini vibes!

We visited Mandolin during our stay in Miami because we love Mediterranean cuisine, and overall, it…read morewas a solid experience. For appetizers, we ordered the Ali Nazik and Eggplant Carpaccio. The Ali Nazik was phenomenal. We were given a side of bread, which paired really well with the dish. The lamb was packed with flavor, and the smoked eggplant yogurt was fire. The two complemented each other perfectly. The Eggplant Carpaccio was good as well. I will say, though, that if you aren't a fan of dishes with a heavy vinegar flavor, this may not be for you. I'd also be curious to see how this dish would taste served warm. For our entree, we ordered the Beef Souvlaki, which came with six skewers of filet mignon. The beef was perfectly cooked and very tender, so no complaints there. However, the rest of the dish didn't really stand out to me. The fries were decent, but nothing crazy. As a first-time visitor, I also feel like this probably wasn't the best dish to order if you want to get a full sense of what the restaurant has to offer. One of my biggest disappointments was that the restaurant primarily had outdoor seating. Maybe it was just the night we went, but it was extremely hot and humid, and the fans in our area weren't cutting it. It was also very dark, making it difficult to see the menus and even our food. I think better lighting, especially toward the front of the restaurant, would make a big difference. The food came out very quickly, which we appreciated. I do wish our server had been a little more helpful, though. We wanted to learn more about the menu and were hoping for some guidance and recommendations, but he didn't really guide us through the menu the way I had hoped. Overall, Mandolin was a solid experience, and the Ali Nazik in particular was a standout. I'd be interested in coming back and trying some of their other dishes to get a better feel for what the restaurant does best.

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.

Coming in, the smell of the restaurant was incredible. Fragrant, and aromatic. Immediately captured…read moreby the ambiance and trans-lounge music. We were sat Immediately, unknowingly, we were sat right next to the unisex bathroom when there were other tables available in the restaurant. Not good. Great service from our server, Felipe, who was superb! Very attentive and professional. The lamb chops were delicious! The Moscow Mule yummy. Dessert was a flop. The baklava was gross. It was a cheap version made with what appeared to be croissant as opposed to philo. No honey. Dry and tasteless. I do not recommend.

Interestingly, everything I looked at and thought, "there's no way this will taste good," turned…read moreout to be absolutely amazing. Every single dish was incredibly delicious. I would give it 100/100000! I was in Miami for a short 3-day trip, and I ended up coming here all three days. Highly recommended!

The restaurant is in a nice area that's surrounded by nearby stores. The restaurant is themed with…read morethe evil eye and dreamcatchers, and overall has a cool aesthetic. The mixed platter was really good. Each of us at the table had our own favorite dip. My favorite was the yellow, and my girlfriend enjoyed the white one. My girlfriend loves hummus, but said that this hummus wasn't anything special. My girlfriend got the manti, and felt that there was too much yogurt on the meal. It's dumplings however, my girlfriend and I couldn't really taste the beef in the dumplings. The kebab wasn't anything extraordinary. The portion size and rice were good. I've had better Turkish food, but this place is good for a one time visit in my opinion.

Let me start with the hostess; Beautiful and beautifully dressed. Absolutely lovely...the wait…read morestaff was excellent and they made excellent recommendations. Service was impeccable. The food was really good and had nice presentation and the cocktails were delicious. We had baba ghanoush, stuffed grape leaves , and zucchini and eggplant chips to start. The chips were definite standouts and were scrumptious! Main entrees were kebabs of meat and shrimp. Perfectly seasoned and well cooked Lychee and lemon drop martinis and for dessert the date cake and Kanafe Yummy all around The restaurant is beautifully decorated and wonderfully lit so the ambiance is excellent whether celebrating a birthday or on a date. Will definitely be back

Yalla!!!!! Another spot that I can't believe it's taken me so long to get to! My wife and I had an…read moreamazing experience checking out Amal. Being Lebanese whenever I go out to Lebanese restaurants I have a high standard having had eaten home cooked meals growing up and Amal does not disappoint. Beyond the food being amazing, the service is top notch! We were well taken care of by our server Sara and we were greeted and shown to our seats as soon as we walked in by the host. They have a BOMB Miami spice and if you pick anything else off the menu, you wouldn't have a bad time. Go check it out!

Some of Miami's most beautiful waterfront restaurants are easy to miss, and Yaya's Coastal Cuisine…read moreis one of those hidden gems that's absolutely worth discovering. Tucked away in a quiet corner on the water, the moment you walk in, you're transported into what feels like an eclectic Mediterranean cave. The warm textures, glowing lights, and tranquil atmosphere instantly set the mood. It's unexpected, inviting, and the perfect escape from the city's hustle. But let's talk about the real star--the food. I had the chance to experience both the Miami Spice dinner menu and Sunday brunch, and honestly, I couldn't pick a favorite dish if I tried. Every plate was beautifully presented, full of fresh coastal flavors, and had its own unique twist. Whether you're craving seafood, brunch classics, or something adventurous, there's truly something for everyone. What makes Yaya's even more special is the experience. Thank you to Angel who is a dear friend and the guy to go see....grab a table by the water, watch the boats drift by, and if you time it right, enjoy a magical full moon night complete with live DJs and mesmerizing fire dancers. It's dinner with a show, Miami style. If you're looking for more than just a meal--for a place that captures the energy, beauty, and waterfront magic of Miami--Yaya's Coastal Cuisine deserves a spot on your list. Come hungry, stay for the ambiance, and let the night surprise you. I promise you its worth every penny!

I visited Yaya Coastal Cuisine for brunch and unfortunately had a very disappointing experience due…read moreto the service. Our server, Anthony, was largely absent throughout the meal. We repeatedly had to go out of our way to flag someone down just to order drinks or check on our food, while noticing that nearby tables were consistently attended to without issue. It genuinely felt like we were being overlooked, which made the entire experience frustrating and uncomfortable. What made matters worse is that gratuity was automatically included, so we were forced to tip for service that simply did not meet even basic expectations. I'm not one to leave negative reviews, but this experience stood out for the wrong reasons. I hope management takes this feedback seriously and works to ensure all guests receive equal attention and service.

Let me start mentioning that Luana our waitress was amazing! Five starts to her!!!…read moreThe food was also great and came really quick. The drinks were amazing! At least mine was very exotic and non traditional! The place was beautiful but the tables were too close together. It deserves 5 star for sure e

i went to DOYA for an early birthday dinner and it was great…read more the place itself is nicely decorated and I love the entryway into the actual restaurant. with $20 valet is an often hard-to-find-parking area, I wasn't even upset. inside, they had beautiful lights and it had great ambiance. the service was also amazing and nothing took very long. now, onto the food. we ordered around 16 plates for 8 people, so definitely believe them when they say it is tapas sized. now, none of us left hungry. i ate (shared with one more person) from the Grilled Tiger Prawns, Spanaki, Branzino Ceviche, and Yogurt Kebab. all the food was delicious and i have no complaints on taste or presentation. the flavor profile on the yogurt kebab might me my favorite; it did not feel heavy at all. you'll definitely leave spending a pretty penny, but it's well worth it.

The ambiance is great, very nicely decorated with a nostalgic touch and darkish colors…read more I went there with two friends for dinner, and we liked it a lot. The service was on point, and the servers were friendly and very attentive. We ordered three cold appetizers (hummus, artichoke hearts, and watermelon salad), one warm appetizer (baked feta cheese), a lamb main dish to share, and a bottle of wine. The portions were good, and the food was tasty. Everything was fresh and well combined. TIP: They have free parking spots across the street; check with the staff.

We had a great overall experience. The atmosphere was beautiful, with great music, stylish décor,…read moreand a really nice vibe that made the evening enjoyable. The food was good overall. The ravioli wasn't quite what I expected, but everything else was enjoyable. My favorite part of the meal was definitely the KAFU dessert, it was absolutely delicious and the perfect way to end dinner. The only downsides were the service and the wait time. The food took a very loooong time to arrive, and since the restaurant automatically includes a 20% gratuity, the service from our waiter didn't feel as attentive as it could have been.

It's been awhile since I've been able to give out a 5 star rating but this place hits the nail on…read morethe head! Service amazing Food spectacular Ambience beautiful I will mark this on my list to return to in the future. We were talking about our yummy dishes days later! Loved everything we ordered. Definitely get the beets, the octopus and the carrots

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!

I would give this place a 10 if I could! We were staying at a hotel nearby and decided to check it…read moreout, and I'm so glad we did. The food was incredibly fresh, flavorful, and authentic. We tried the Greek salad, octopus, moussaka, and gyros, and every single dish was amazing. But what really took the experience to another level was the service--it was absolutely over the top! Everyone made us feel so welcome and took such great care of us. Whenever I'm back in Miami, I will definitely return. Honestly, I may even go back again before we leave! Highly recommend!

I returned to this restaurant after a few years (previous review below) - and it's still so great!…read more This time around to my surprise they expanded - I was introduced to a new floor plan, decor, and staff, all were incredible! The restaurant is now two floors, has different dining seating, and is beautifully decorated, which makes you feel like you've been transported to Greece. The food was a hit this time around as well- I especially enjoyed the moussaka!

My husband and I went here for happy hour, and we had such a great experience…read moreWe had the margaritas, hummus, and chicken lollipops, and everything was delicious! The service was excellent, and we really enjoyed the atmosphere. We had a wonderful time and will definitely be coming back! Highly recommend this place for a great happy hour experience

Atmosphere: 4/5 Food: 4/5…read more Flavor: 3.8/5 Presentation: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Value: 5/5 Happy Hour at the bar with my love. Lovely ambience to match. The culture perforates the structure. Motek is trip to the Mediterranean for a fraction of the cost. Fun fact, Motek is actually Hebrew for "sweetheart" and they nearly captured mine with their extensive happy hour menu comprised of quality selections that were equally plentiful in quantity. Perfect for a quick bite or an intimate dinner. Will be back for brunch. Cheers! Or, dare I say, !