Downtown Miami says hello to Middle Eastern tapas and island-inspired cocktails.
Mazeh’s vibrant Mediterranean dishes range from pitas to vegetables, skewers, dips and so much more. PHOTO BY LIZ CLAYMAN
Taking a (short) break from Asian fusion and Japanese steakhouses, Miami welcomes NYC-based GPG Hospitality’s latest culinary venture, Mazeh. Translated to “what is it?”—a common question as a dish arrives—upon arrival Mazeh is a casual, unassuming Middle Eastern tapas restaurant with a modern culinary approach to traditional Middle Eastern cuisine.
Located at YOTEL Miami hotel, Mazeh aims to break the mold of a traditional dining experience, inviting guests to pace their meals by ordering small dishes throughout the evening. Drawing inspiration from the diverse and flavorful cuisines of the Middle East, Mazeh offers guests an authentic taste of the region while highlighting the fresh local fare of Miami in a relaxed setting.
Mazeh’s colorful signature cocktails PHOTO: BY LIZ CLAYMAN
Like a tapas restaurant, the dishes at Mazeh are created to feature one main ingredient and designed to be paired with a drink, perhaps less common in the Middle East but very appropriate for downtown Miami.
Dishes will evolve and change with the seasons, but highlights include a grilled octopus skewer with labneh and za’atar; the fan-favorite tiffin box, a Mazeh specialty that holds an assortment of delicious Middle Eastern dips and spreads served with fresh, warm pita; and the fried calamari, perfectly crisp and served with tomato salsa and preserved lemon aioli.
Delve into the ’90s music-themed craft cocktail menu with major tropical vibes, featuring Don’t Speak—a tantalizing mix of mezcal, reposado tequila, Montenegro, orange and egg white; Doo Wop, made with silver rum, kaffir lime, passion fruit, lemon grass and lavender; and Hypnotize, a vodka-based drink mixed with bergamot, smoked pineapple and grapefruit.
Don’t sleep on Mazeh’s selection of breakfast boards in the morning. The boards include the Greek breakfast with eggs, Greek salad, tzatziki, feta and Kalamata olives; a traditional English breakfast with eggs, baked beans, turkey bacon and sausage, tomato and hash browns; the Middle Eastern breakfast with eggs, Israeli salad, labneh, avocado and tahini; and more. Keep an eye out for Float, an outdoor lounge that will be poolside on YOTEL Miami’s 12thfloor deck later this year. YOTEL Miami, 227 NE Second St., Miami, mazehmiami.com
Photography by: Photo Courtesy: Liz Clayman
