Miami Doesn't Agree On Much. Except Motek.
If we could only eat fluffy pita bread while we drove
Finding a restaurant Miamians can generally agree is “good” is about as likely as getting us all to agree to use turn signals. And unless that place gives you soda in a souvenir green cup, that loyalty is short-lived at best. One big exception: Motek, the casual middle eastern spot that’s so universally beloved it's already spread to six locations in Miami, with a Boca outpost on the way.
Why does everyone love Motek? Easy: It’s food that’s hard to hate. What is there to dislike about familiar dips like hummus and tzatziki, jazzed up with prime beef and pomegranate? I’ve gone to Motek and had meals of only dips, and the servers don’t give you any attitude. It's also the rare food that translates to delivery. So if you’re hankering for hummus and halloumi but can’t pull yourself away from your binge of the new Bachelor, well, nobody’s asking you to move.
What to eat/drink: There’s nothing on this menu you don’t know, and it all satisfies in the way you expect it too. Falafel is hot and crispy with just enough kick to know it’s there. Spare ribs come covered in a bold harissa glaze that cuts through the fat with ease. Shawarmas taste like the street foods I remember from trips to the middle east, albeit with the comfort of American sanitation standards.
Don’t miss: The bread. If you’re on a low-carb diet, make Motek your cheat day. It’s a pillow of fresh-baked deliciousness that I’d imagine are what the clouds in heaven taste like.
Perfect for: Casual catch-up dinners with a friend, or a low-pressure date. It’s both casual and delicious, a guaranteed hit that still won’t distract from whoever you’re eating with.
Expect to pay: $50-$60 per person with drinks,
How’s the parking: That depends entirely on which Motek you’re going to. Brickell City Centre has a parking garage. Coral Gables has a garages a couple of blocks away. Downtown can be dicey, better to take the Metromover.
Insta: @motekcafe // Various locations