Culture03:00 · 5h ago

Israeli Culinary Scene Thrives in Miami with Michelin-Starred and Local Favorites

YnetCenter

Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba

Key points

01Miami hosts a booming Israeli culinary scene, including Michelin-starred kosher restaurant Mottra.
02Many Israelis relocated from New York to Miami post-pandemic, boosting local Israeli businesses.
03Israeli eateries offer traditional dishes like sabich, shawarma, and Moroccan-inspired home cooking.
04Israeli chains such as Landwer Coffee and Ruben Sandwiches have expanded to Miami.
05Dvash shawarma branch in Miami is praised for authentic taste and quality.
06Chef Eyal Shani’s group opened two new Israeli-inspired restaurants in South Beach.

In this story

People

Asaf Hadad, Eden Ben David, Mor Maroz, Omri Avrahami, Eyal Shani, Neil Strauber, Liran Strauber

OrganizationsMottra, Dvash, Landwer Coffee, Ruben Sandwiches, Pit Master, Kubbas, Paleh, Naked Tomato

PlacesMiami, Aventura, Hollywood, South Beach, Jerusalem, New York, Florida

The story · English

Miami has emerged as a surprising hub for Israeli cuisine, boasting a vibrant and growing presence of Israeli and Jewish food businesses across the city and its suburbs. This culinary boom gained international attention when the kosher restaurant Mottra won a Michelin star, but the full extent of Israeli influence in Miami's food scene is far broader and largely unknown to many Israelis back home.

The influx of Israelis relocating mainly from New York to Florida after the COVID-19 pandemic has fueled this growth. Miami's multicultural environment and openness have welcomed Israeli entrepreneurs who proudly showcase their heritage through food. From casual eateries to high-end kosher establishments, the city offers a wide range of authentic Israeli dishes, including traditional pastries like bourekas and rugelach, and iconic meals such as sabich and shawarma.

Notable venues include "Hadeqel," a kosher café in the Aventura suburb offering Israeli breakfast specialties, and "Paleh," a Moroccan-inspired home-cooking restaurant in Hollywood run by Eden Ben David, which recently partnered with a major supermarket chain for daily ready meals. Another standout is "Kubbas," founded by Jerusalem native Mor Maroz, which produces frozen authentic kubbeh and other Middle Eastern delicacies distributed throughout Florida.

Israeli chains have also expanded to Miami, including Landwer Coffee, Ruben Sandwiches, and the popular Pit Master meat restaurant, with more expected soon. The local branch of the shawarma chain Dvash, operated by Israeli Omri Avrahami, is highly praised for maintaining quality and authenticity, despite some American customers requesting unconventional condiments.

In the upscale dining sector, chef Eyal Shani’s group has opened two new restaurants in South Beach, including "Bella," an Italian-inspired venue led by chef Neil Strauber, who transitioned from a soccer career to cooking and collaborated with Shani. These establishments blend Mediterranean flavors with Israeli culinary spirit, further cementing Miami as a key destination for Israeli gastronomy.

This overview highlights just a fraction of Miami’s Israeli food scene, which continues to expand and attract both locals and tourists. The city’s unique embrace of Israeli culture and cuisine stands out globally, offering a taste of home thousands of kilometers from Israel.

Read the original at Ynet