Lebanese in Miami

Amal

3480 Main Highway, Ste. 100 Coconut Grove

786-369-0846

Lebanese, Middle Eastern

2 articles

Barbar Grill

440 SW 8th St. Little Havana

305-854-6381

Lebanese, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Vegetarian, Best Of

Some of the best falafels in this city are to be found, oddly enough, in Little Havana. Barbar Grill, with a façade that evokes more corner store than dining establishment, serves up Lebanese fare behind a counter that overlooks a stockpile of hookah pipes, shisa tobacco, and packaged Middle Eastern condiments. Fresh falafels ($3.99) are assembled to order - doughy, flaky homemade pita is stuffed with creamy tahini, on-the-spot-fried chickpeas, fresh tomatoes and lettuce, thinly sliced pickled turnip, and a dousing of a special spicy house sauce. The family-owned market is also known for its shawarmas ($5.99) - hot, flaky pockets of lavash bread packed with juicy marinated shaved lamb, veggies, and tahini sauce. For vegetarians, the hummus ($6) offers heavy notes of lemon and paprika and is served with homemade pita. There's also a rotating assortment of desserts behind a glass display. If you decide to stop by, take note that there's a tiny parking lot in the back - you can't see it from the street, and unaware patrons have been observed paying for metered parking spots.

2 articles

Evelyn's

525 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. Fort Lauderdale

754-336-3100

Lebanese, Mediterranean, Best Of

1 article

Khoury's Mediterranean Restaurant

5887 SW 73rd St., South Miami Coral Gables/S. Miami

305-662-7707

Greek, Lebanese, Middle Eastern, Best Of, Menu

Khoury's is a quiet Lebanese restaurant with a wood paneled interior that, thanks to some unbefitting vinyl booths, looks like it may have been converted from a fast food joint. And despite shy servers, flavorless hummus ($4.50), and super-citrusy tabbouleh ($5.25), it's got a few things going for it. It's one of few restaurants in the Sunset Place area that has a parking lot and a nice, breezy patio. Another huge plus is very-sesame-seedy tahini sauce ($1.50 for a small serving) served on the side of crisp, neat little balls of falafel ($4.25) and mixed in heavily with baba ghannouj ($4.75). It's also served on many of its sandwiches such as a savory shawarma sandwich ($6.75) that does lamb proud. Speaking of tasty meat, a kaftah kebab (despite a side of hummus) is tender, smoky, and splendid, as is a fried kibeh ($4.25) filled with minced beef, onion, and pine nuts. For a light dessert, try mini roses (2 for $2.50), a smaller version of baklava (which is also available for $4.50) sans pistachios.

2 articles

Layali

11402 NW 41st St., #115 Doral

305-403-0188

Lebanese, Middle Eastern, Recommended

This Middle Eastern/Mediterranean restaurant offers many familiar items (hummus, baba ghannouj, kebabs) but also more unusual, specifically Lebanese, specialties from the chef/owners' home country. Especially recommended are muhamarah (red pepper, walnut, chili, and olive oil dip), shanklish (fresh cheese balls with thyme), Al Rahib salad (a chunky smoked eggplant salad with garlic), and tasty pita wrap sandwiches stuffed with Lebanon's favorite sausages, mild but savory Makanik or hot Sujik.

1 article

Noor Bakery

4691 Ravenswood Rd. Fort Lauderdale

954-986-1944

Bakery, Lebanese, Critics' Pick, Menu

"Devotees from all over South Florida flock to this pocket-size bakery for paper-thin Lebanese flatbreads slightly scorched from a hot oven and topped with labneh, an intensely sour version of salted, Greek-style yogurt. It is nearly as thick as frosting, and delicious. The addition of chopped tomatoes and olives with a bouquet of whole mint leaves fills it out. There is the spiced-meat-and-vegetable-topped pie that inspired him to open the bakery, as well as the za'atar, a thick paste filled with sesame seeds and tinted forest green with the aroma of fresh-cut grass and leaves from plenty of thyme, sumac, and oregano. Za'atar on hot flatbread is one of the world's great flavor combinations. Despite the topnotch fare, Noor is a grab-and-go spot, but once in a while, it's worth sitting down, taking your time, and giving each bite the attention it deserves.

2 articles

Orilla Bar & Grill

426 Euclid Ave., Miami Beach South Beach

305-397-8806

Argentine, Mexican, Lebanese, South American, Fusion, Eclectic

2 articles

Shaddai Fine Lebanese Cuisine

9519 S. Dixie Highway East Kendall/Pinecrest

786-401-7714

Lebanese, Middle Eastern, Menu, Essentials

Tucked away in the corner of a Pinecrest strip mall is the urban culinary oasis, Shaddai Fine Lebanese Cuisine. You'll find three floor lamps of varying heights and colors, three wooden camel statues, and a wall adorned with three swords. Nearby are three booths. Are these trios symbolic of the Holy Trinity? Perhaps. The Bethlehem-born owner, Anton Sammour, known as Chef Tony, has been cooking Lebanese food since he was 8 years old. His wife, Elizabeth, who works the front of the house, is from Guatemala. If you make it through the plethora of appetizers, you will be greeted by kebabs, lemon chicken, rack of lamb, and spicy fish. You might also be greeted by a server saying, "Con permiso," as she reaches to fill your water, reminding you that you're still in Miami and not at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Sea and the Middle East. Service may be slow, but for now, there's only one person in the kitchen, and he says, "I would rather have people wait a bit longer than have a bad meal."

3 articles

Lebanese in Miami

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