Brian Nagele
There are plenty of reasons Miami is called The Magic City, but for me, it’s all about the food.
Sure, there are many things to do in Miami between meals, from catching the Heat or Marlins play to visiting nearby Everglades National Park.
But the cosmopolitan city is a truly magical spot for food and sun, with many restaurants located within walking distance of world-famous beaches.
It doesn’t matter if your vibe is fine dining or hole-in-the-wall, you’ll find a spot to sit down and enjoy a delicious meal.
I know you’re hungry, so let me share my list of the best Greek restaurants in Miami.
Mandolin Aegean Bistro
4312 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137
Phone: 305-749-9140
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It’s difficult to believe Mandolin Aegean Bistro wasn’t picked up and whisked out of Greece Wizard of Oz-style.
The white stone exterior with bright blue shutters perfectly mirrors the interior, which features the same Greek white and blue while incorporating light browns of natural wood that gives the restaurant an open and comfortably-relaxed feel.
But the authenticity doesn’t stop there.
You have to try the manti dumplings, which are deliciously stuffed with minced beef, Aleppo pepper, garlic yogurt, and garlic butter.
I recommend adding a side of house-cut fries with garlic and Greek yogurt if you have the room.
The unique combo is worth experiencing.
Barmeli69
6927 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33138
Phone: 305-754-5558
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Barmeli69 is the don’t judge a book by its cover of restaurants.
The outside looks like any other bland storefront, but be prepared to be blown away once you enter.
Barnwood tables, colorful walls, and industrial lighting create a laid-back hip vibe perfect for enjoying your meal here in Miami.
This restaurant serves great-tasting food, but it’s more of a bar than your typical eatery.
There are many small-bite options perfect for sharing while drinking with friends.
I recommend going sweet and trying their delicious pistachio baklava.
Barmeli69 has an extensive drink menu.
There’s something for everyone, from Greek beer and wine to their delicious red sangria.
Estiatorio Milos by Costas Spiliadis
730 1st St, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone: 305-604-6800
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Chef Costas Spiliadis opened the first Estiatorio Milos in Montreal.
He has spread his brand and food to multiple cosmopolitan cities across the globe, including opening his Miami location in 2012.
Spiliadis’ Greek upbringing, coupled with his extensive culinary education, is apparent in his menu.
A restaurant just steps from South Beach is the perfect place to enjoy Estiatorio Milos.
Seafood is the specialty here. Choose from Estiatorio Milos’ extensive menu of fresh and cured fish, which includes sashimi, tartare, and lobster.
I suggest ordering the Milos Special to pair with your fish.
This thinly cut eggplant and zucchini dish is lightly-fried with saganaki cheese and tzatziki.
Maria’s Greek Restaurant
2359 Coral Way, Miami, FL 33145
Phone: 305-856-0938
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Maria’s Greek Restaurant is located in the historic urban Coral Way neighborhood.
The restaurant has a modern This is a local favorite due to its authentic food and friendly service.
Maria’s is one of those places where you truly do feel like family while eating there.
Start light with feta and olives before enjoying a delicious Greek sandwich.
They offer beef and lamb gyros, chicken, and sausage wrapped in a fresh pita with lettuce, tomato, and tzatziki.
Wrap up your meal with a simple dessert of delicious Greek yogurt with walnuts and honey.
Meraki Greek Bistro
142 SE 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33131
Phone: 786-773-1535
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Meraki Greek Bistro is a great downtown spot with a relaxing vibe and delicious food.
You can’t go wrong eating inside.
But Meraki has a gorgeous plant-filled off-street patio that provides the perfect open-air location to enjoy your food.
You’ll almost forget you’re downtown in a city of nearly half a million people.
Meraki is a great place to go with friends and family.
I recommend trying to get a table on the patio and ordering a few of their sharing plates.
Enjoy a tapas-style meal of authentic Greek options, including hummus, herb-crusted fried eggplant, and calamari served with lemon aioli.
Mykonos
1201 Coral Way, Miami, FL 33145
Phone: 305-856-3140
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Mykonos isn’t quite a hole-in-the-wall eatery, but it has a simple, family-friendly feel that creates a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy your authentic Greek meal.
The restaurant is in Miami’s Coral Way neighborhood, just across the street from the American Museum of Cuban Diaspora.
I recommend ordering the octopus saute.
This dish features octopus chunks sauteed in a house red wine and onion sauce and served with rice and pita.
Save room for dessert and order the galactobourico.
The chefs roll Greek custard in flaky filo and topped with cinnamon and homemade syrup. Yeah, it’s as delicious as it sounds.
LOVE ‘N GYROS
2814 N Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33127
Phone: 305-549-8802
LOVE ‘N GYROS is the perfect example of why hole-in-the-walls serving street food are some of the best places to eat.
The first thing you notice is the exterior mural that makes it seem you’re entering a train car instead of a restaurant.
Your mouth starts watering once the smell of meat and grease (not the country) hits you once you’re inside.
I recommend going with the Loaded Fries Fortomenes.
These fries feature perfectly-seasoned gyro meat, Kefalograviera cheese, chopped grapes, tomatoes, and cucumbers, and are topped with feta and a special housemade sauce.
These fries are the definition of great-tasting street food.
Nostimo Greek Kitchen
170 NW 24th St, Miami, FL 33127
Phone: 305-418-0808
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Nostimo Greek Kitchen is a hip Greek eatery located in the artsy Wynwood district, an area known for its gorgeous murals and street art.
Nostimo is representative of that vibe.
The interior is eclectic and shabby chic and the outdoor patio is a chill way to enjoy your food and take in the neighborhood.
Take advantage of Nostimo’s dedication to the eclectic by ordering their gyrolls.
These Greek/Asian fusion eggrolls feature lamb or chicken served with a Greek sweet sauce.
Enjoy a Greek Mythos beef with your meal before wrapping up with a piece of homemade baklava for dessert.
Pega Grill
15 E Flagler St, Miami, FL 33131
Phone: 305-808-6666
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The only way I can think of to describe Pega Grill is hole-in-the-wall plus.
It lacks the grit of most hole-in-the-wall spots, but the vibe is still there – aided by the fact the restaurant is located downtown a bit outside the more upscale areas.
Pega Grill has a unique calling card – they serve brunch all day.
I suggest trying the Athena.
This dish features scrambled eggs, bacon or prosciutto ham, arugula, tomato, house potatoes, and a multigrain baguette with butter and jelly.
They have a variety of beverages, from iced tea to Greek beer, but you have to go with a mimosa if you’re doing brunch.
Santorini by Georgios
Pool-Beach Side, 101 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone: 305-672-6624
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Santorini by Georgios is located in the Hilton Bentley Miami South Beach hotel just a short walk from world-famous South Beach.
Everything about this restaurant portrays class, from its chic and modern interior design to its oversized patio close enough to the ocean to catch whiffs of salt air.
Santorini features plenty of live music and entertainment.
I suggest checking their website to see what’s going on during your visit.
I recommend ordering the souvlaki pork gyro pita.
You will enjoy the grilled pork kebabs served on pita with tzatziki and oregano with sides of fries and Greek salad.
Santorini has a large drink menu featuring many delicious cocktails.
I liked the Summer in Santorini, a mix of Greek lightning, basil, and lemon juice.
Kalamata Mediterranean Cuisine
423 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone: 786-953-4662
Kalamata Mediterranean Cuisine is a casual eatery in Miami Beach featuring a delicious combination of Greek and Turkish cuisines.
They also have beers and wine from both countries for those who enjoy pairing food and drink from the same country.
Enjoy the Florida weather on Kalamata’s patio with a friend and order the mix grill.
It comes with perfectly-seasoned keftedes, chicken shish kebabs, lamb chops, skirt steak, and gyro meat served with rice salad and roasted potatoes.
I recommend ending your meal with a piece of pistachio baklava or walnut cake with a strong Turkish coffee.
I hope you have as much fun eating at the best Greek restaurants in Miami as I did.
There’s something special about enjoying good Greek food near the ocean, and Miami is one of the best spots in the United States to do that.
The Magic City provides plenty of authentic fares, from gyros to baklava, so head down to Miami and enjoy all the Greek food you can handle.
Don’t forget to check out these amazing Indian restaurants around town, too!
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment and we’ll check it out!
I agree with you on some of your selections but not all. You overlooked a wonderful new(ish) Greek restaurant in Coral Gables called Calista (on Giralda Ave). Worth a trip there for a really good dining experience.