The best Middle Eastern restaurants in Miami

Whereas most Middle Eastern restaurants in Miami are tucked in strip malls or housed inside markets, Shaddai offers an elevated dining experience in a more upscale setting. While it’s not fine dining, the menu might suggest otherwise. Traditional kebabs are served alongside Lebanese basmati rice and seasoned to perfection. Other standouts include the fatoush salad and lentil soup, which make fantastic starters, as both are small portions.

More than a decade ago, three Persian brothers started this small, fast-casual operation in South Beach, which has quickly grown to include numerous locations in and around Miami. The original flagship set the standard for inexpensive and authentic Iranian food in the city and continues to serve up handmade kebabs, all-natural spreads and yogurt sauces and aromatic basmati rice. The food is simple and approachable—just like their mâmân used to make back home.

Be it for a quick lunch or to restock your pantry, the Daily Bread has it covered when it comes to authentic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern eats. The aisles are stocked with locally baked bread and house-made spinach pies (also available frozen), as well as traditional specialty items. For a proper meal, head to the café, where a signature kebab with two sides (think tabouleh and hummus) will set you back less than $10. Portions are generous and preparation happens right in front you, so you'll know your food is always fresh. Dessert is a must here—even if you haven't saved room. There's a counter filled with candies and sweets in a variety of flavors, all of which are impossible to resist. 

The lively restaurant on a quiet corner in Coral Gables takes diners on a journey through the Middle East. Feast on the region's vegetarian classics, including fresh tabouleh and mousaka, and wow your taste buds with all sorts of grilled meats. On weekends, Maroosh puts on a glittering show with live music and belly dancers. 

Combining the flavors of Spain, France and Italy and Morocco, the menu at Mina's Mediterraneo is filled with dishes that instantly whisk diners away to far-away places. Authentic tagines served in clay pots, freshly made hummus and crispy baklava always make for a delectable spread. 

Misguided first-timers might be surprised by the lack of Oriental food and surplus of Mediterranean ingredients here; it's actually a Middle Eastern market and restaurant. You'll find loose-leaf teas and olive oil soaps sold alongside Persian desserts and authentic meat pies. In the back is a small restaurant serving up an assortment of traditional dishes, like tender shawarma and crispy falafel. Vegetarians have a bounty of meatless options to choose from too—from kibbeh to grape leaves to salads. Make sure you save room for a piece (or two!) of the homemade baklava.  

It's all about family at this Lebanese restaurant: traditional family recipes served family style in a family-owned establishment. (Say that three times fast!) The comprehensive menu runs the gamut from authentic (grilled kebab) to Americanized (churrasco), so there's something for all tastes. Entrées are pricier than what you'll find at other Middle Eastern restaurants but portions are satisfying. After dinner, stick around for a glass of Arak (a Lebanese spirit) and hookah.   

The North Miami Beach restaurant is an upgrade from the area's typical grocers-cum-cafes, both in food and ambiance. Dishes cover the basic Middle Eastern classics, including shawarma and kebab platters. For dinner, we suggest some of Kabobji's heartier fare, such as the grilled-to-order lamb chops, which pair perfectly with one of the Middle Eastern wines on the menu.

The name is a bit of a stretch: the Middle East Best Food is at best average. But the small restaurant and market are certainly worth a visit if you're in the area and craving authentic Mediterranean and Lebanese fare (just don't go out of your way for it). Kibbeh are large and crispy, and can be ordered as part of one of the market's numerous platter options (they've also got daily specials). If you like baklava, you'll love the chocolate and plain varieties, plus other assorted desserts.