I had a fantastic experience at AVIV. What a beautiful place inside 1 Miami hotel…read more The chef selected several dishes for our table and every one of them was excellent. Fresh, flavorful, and thoughtfully prepared. You can tell the kitchen takes pride in what they serve. Dish after dish arrived and somehow it kept getting better. Service was equally strong. Attentive. Professional. The team made sure everything flowed smoothly without ever feeling rushed. The drinks were outstanding as well. Great cocktails, well balanced, and crafted the right way. A special note about the General Manager, Martin. He runs a great operation and you can feel it the moment you walk in. Engaged with guests. Present. Making sure everyone is having a great experience. Great food. Great drinks. Excellent service. I highly recommend AVIV and look forward to coming back.

We now know why Jesus was Jewish: the food is from heaven. This place has thee best Israeli cuisine…read moreI've ever had in my life--and I've been to Israel 6 times! Every bite felt like a unique texture and flavor, yet came together in harmony. We did the Tayim--tasting menu--to ensure we could get a sampling of lots of items. It was worth every penny. Cannot wait to come back.

Title: A True Hidden Gem - My Favorite Spot in Miami!…read more I've dined at Bakalo twice now, and it has officially become my absolute go-to whenever I'm in Miami. It is a total hidden gem! The food is top-quality, incredibly fresh, and delicious, with generous portions that are hard to find elsewhere. Every dish feels thoughtfully prepared. What really sets this place apart, though, is the hospitality. The new owner, Chef Charles (Çağlar), is such a caring and kind person. He personally greets the guests and goes above and beyond to make you feel welcome, even offering free treats like Turkish tea and dessert that make the experience feel so special. The service is excellent, the atmosphere is cozy, and the overall experience is 10/10. If you want authentic flavors and genuine heart, do yourself a favor and visit Bakalo. I can't wait to go back!

Bákalo has good cuisine and generous portions at a reasonable price. The hot fresh pita bread is…read morecomplimentary which is a delicious treat. The service is customizable and prepared fresh. The ambiance is casual. I enjoy and recommend the food with fresh greens and vegetables.

Located on the top floor of a beautiful, high-end shopping center right in the heart of Brickell,…read moreMotek is an incredible covered, open-air establishment. Even on a 90-degree day, they managed the Miami heat flawlessly with an elaborate system of fans. Combined with the evening's natural breeze, it was completely comfortable. It's a great spot for people-watching, and the local Miami talent is definitely on display. I was dining solo and sat at the long bar, where the bartender was friendly and highly attentive. The food completely stole the show. It is not hyperbole when I say I had the best chicken shawarma of my life here. The flavor was unreal. It came with a phenomenal s'chug sauce and a perfectly prepared green pepper. It was so good that I ordered a side of extra hot peppers to keep that incredible heat and flavor rolling throughout the meal. To drink, I tried the Israeli dark lager by Golden --excellent choice at 4.9% and remarkably close in profile to a Negra Modelo. The back of the restaurant features a fairly open kitchen concept, so you can see where all the magic happens. The execution is fast, and the dishes roll out quickly. I will absolutely be back next time I'm in Brickell.

With all the rave of this place, I wanted to fall in love with it so bad. And the food was fine but…read morethe service was extremely disappointing. I was left embarrassed recommending a place that made my friends and I leave so uncomfortable. I came with some friends from out of town and wanted a place that would impress them but still casual enough for them in Brickell. They are unfamiliar with the "social rules" of Miami but Motek seemed to highlight all the negative ones here. The server took one look at us and deemed we were not worthy of his attention, presence, or service. The server was named Sebastien and he was extremely pushy and rude. He was constantly watching us but never came over to speak with us unless we called over another server or busser to get him. He tried to rush us into leaving when the restaurant was empty and his whole demeanor to us was so unwelcoming. The decor was gorgeous but the food was not good enough to forgive the horrible service. If you want to go to a place, within a mall, that bases service around what you look like with hyper vigilant staff that watch your every move making it their mission to make you so uncomfortable you are forced to leave, then this is for you.

I remembered the building from its China Grill days, so walking into HaSalon felt like watching a…read morefamiliar piece of Miami nightlife take on an entirely new personality. We were there for a close friend's bachelor party, and the easiest comparison is that it felt like the Israeli Bagatelle, only built around dinner rather than brunch. A beautiful venue, a lively crowd, and a DJ playing table dancing anthems gave the evening immediate momentum. Even though our group was probably on the older end, we never felt as though we had wandered into somebody else's party. More importantly, the food was of quality, which is not always guaranteed at restaurants that invest this heavily in spectacle. The Israeli grill dishes were generous and flavorful, giving the evening substance beyond the music and scene. Prices were high, but they did not feel unreasonable for the experience. The staff was attractive and competent, looking after our group from dinner through the later celebration with care. Eventually, dinner gave way to something closer to a nightclub. People climbed onto their tables to dance, and the staff, clearly trained for exactly this situation, quickly stepped in and guided them down before anyone got hurt. Far from slowing things down, the intervention only added to the controlled chaos, and the bar was set on fire shortly afterward for the finale. It was dramatic, completely unnecessary, and so much fun, with food and hospitality strong enough to support the spectacle. I had a blast here and would happily return.

Do not recommend. They hosted 23 people for a "family style" meal and ended up providing 2 small…read moreplatters (not enough) of appetizers (avocado toasts) and a few salad plates for the entire table, same thing with the pasta. The food and services were below mediocre. Stay away. There are better Mediterranean restaurants in Miami.

Absolutely amazing restaurant!!! Hands down my new favorite place in Miami Beach. Beautiful…read morerestaurant. They have a cute vintage car in the entrance. And sitting outside is actually worth the humidity and heat bc it's so beautiful. We didn't have a reservation but they were so nice and sat us right away. And they were packed!!! So not bc of that!! The food is literally the best Mediterranean food in Miami. hUGE portions and all made there. You can tell it's baked there. And the prices are soooo reasonable!!! Love LOVE this place!! Will def return!!

absolutely beautiful restaraunt. but there was no air conditioning so it was hot…read more the food was beautiful and so fresh and tasty. i was stuffed but still felt healthy. the service is very good.

Great time, knowledgeable staff, fantastic food--and an experience that went well beyond a typical…read moremeal. FOOD I started with the Melissa, made with Greek gin, Calvados, honey, lemon, and orange blossom cocktail. Bright, balanced, and a great way to begin. For an appetizer, I chose the Blue Point oysters from the Northeast, served with harissa mignonette and Meyer lemon. Fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. And then came the masterpiece: the seared cobia. I had never tried cobia before, and this was an incredible introduction. It was served in a lemon butter sauce with braised fennel, trout roe, and dill. The fish had a firm texture reminiscent of swordfish, but with delicate, flaky white meat closer to sea bass. Its mild flavor allowed the preparation to shine, and every element worked together beautifully. This dish was far better than I could have hoped for. ATMOSPHERE Aguasal has a distinctive atmosphere that feels elevated without being stuffy. I sat at the bar, which has an open-air feel overlooking the pool while remaining completely shaded beneath the floor above. The circular water features overhead add another unique visual element, and the overall décor is polished, subdued, and thoughtfully designed. THE GM & BARTENDERS This is where the experience truly stood out. Excellent food can bring you into a restaurant, but genuine hospitality is what makes you remember it. Roger and Diego were attentive, knowledgeable, and engaging behind the bar. Ian, the GM, also stopped by and spent time discussing different flavors with me. The three of them then worked together to create an off-menu cocktail that somehow nailed exactly what I wanted--even though I did not know how to describe it myself. A LA LOUISIANE I cannot tell you everything that was in this cocktail, but I can tell you it was exceptional. Paired with the oysters, it brought out a surprising chocolate note. With the cobia, the anise flavors became more pronounced. It was complex, beautifully balanced, and so good that I ordered a second one. Aguasal delivered fantastic food, memorable cocktails, and the kind of thoughtful, knowledgeable service that turns a great meal into a genuinely special experience. I will absolutely be back to Aguasal by José Andrés Group

Pros: delicious! The service amazing, the ambience was fantastic…read more The food is always on point, truly exceptional. Con: limited parking

Great service and food as always and the view / sunset never fails. Definitely worth a visitread more

There's a certain confidence that comes with serving brunch overlooking Biscayne Bay. The view does…read morea lot of the heavy lifting before the first plate even reaches the table. At Baia Beach Club, inside one of Miami Beach's most beautiful waterfront hotels, the scenery is unforgettable. I only wish the food had been. We started with the pastry basket, croissants and a pain au chocolat. It was an encouraging beginning. The pastries were light, flaky, buttery, and crisp enough to leave a trail of crumbs across the table, exactly as they should. For my entrée, I ordered the Lobster Benedict. Instead of the traditional English muffin, the kitchen uses a toasted croissant, topped with generous chunks of lobster, poached eggs, and hollandaise, with a lightly dressed mixed green salad alongside. The lobster was cooked well, sweet and tender, and the salad's bright vinaigrette helped balance the richness of the dish. But a Benedict lives and dies with its eggs. Mine crossed the line from poached to jammy. I was waiting for that satisfying moment when the yolk spills across the plate, coating every bite in silky richness. It never came. The eggs were still enjoyable, but they missed the mark that defines a great Benedict. My wife ordered the mushroom frittata with Maitake mushrooms, asparagus, goat cheese, Parmesan, and an arugula salad. The vegetables were fresh, the texture was spot on, and the presentation was elegant. What was missing was seasoning. Salt and pepper seemed to have been forgotten entirely. After a few bites, I found myself looking around for a bottle of hot sauce, not because I wanted heat, but because the dish was asking for anything that would wake it up. Baia Beach Club presents itself as a luxury brunch destination. From the $20 valet parking to the polished dining room and waterfront setting, the expectations are understandably high. The setting delivered every bit of that promise. The kitchen, unfortunately, did not. Sometimes a spectacular view can elevate a meal. This time, it mostly distracted me from one that never quite found its footing. Come for one of the best brunch views in Miami Beach. Just know the scenery may leave a stronger impression than what's on the plate.

If all you care about is ambience and service, this is the place for you. It's super pretty -…read moreinside and outside. Very beachy. The downside here is the food for the price. You're paying $20 for a small pizza, $4 for a mini coke and I think it was $14 for a beer. I tried the three pizzas we ordered and none were great - just ok. For 40% less money you can go to Pizzette or Ducali's and get better tasting pizza. Or go to Nikki Beach and get an even better ambiance and pay the same for better food that's not pizza.

This was our first try of The Patio and we were quite pleased. We needed something quick and easy…read moreand it came through both fast, tasty and well priced for south beach! We ordered the artichoke arugula salad and Mahi Mahi! They both came out perfect! We look forward to trying more of the cuisine and cocktails in the future.