What were your first impressions when you arrived?
There are two locations for Abbalé—one in the South of Fifth neighborhood in South Beach and the other in Aventura. Both are equally charming and infused with a coastal summer house look with plant-filled interiors and breezy, stylish, yet comfortable terraces. The SoFi space came first and is more intimate, housed in a whitewashed cottage three blocks from the ocean and outfitted with pink bougainvillea vines and wicker chairs. This Aventura location is a larger, high-ceilinged, plant-filled space that evokes the Mediterranean via architectural details and light, neutral colors with a full-service bar as well as a buzzing open kitchen. Soaring olive trees add natural beauty to the center of the space, which is filled with oversized curved rose-colored leather banquettes.
Chef Sam Gorenstein, a James Beard Award semi-finalist who held stints at BLT Steak and co-founded My Ceviche, partnered with Omer Horev, co-founder and CEO of the fast-casual chain Pura Vida Miami to open this spot back in 2021, with the second location opening in 2023.
What’s the crowd like?
The crowd at both locations is mostly comprised of sophisticated locals who live in the surrounding area (although the South Beach locale draws more tourists because of its proximity to the beach) who want a pleasant spot for brunch or a catch-up dinner with family or friends.
What should we be drinking?
Cocktails here are as fresh and bright as the food with a the “Spiked Limonana” being akin to a gin-infused mint and lemon slushie while the arak sour grapefruit combines the anise-flavored liqueur with lemon and grapefruit to great effect. The wine list is notable for its dive into lesser-known Mediterranean wines from Israel, Lebanon, Macedonia, and other wine-producing countries not always given prominence on wine lists, as well as better known varieties from Argentina, Italy, and Napa Valley.
Main event: the food. Give us the lowdown—especially what not to miss.
The focus here is on modern Mediterranean cooking with a Florida influence so you’ll find food that showcases the flavors of the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe with a Miami flair. Gorenstein’s background—being born in Colombia but eating at the table of Syrian grandparents—can be found in many of the Syrian and Latin flavors that make their way onto the menu, exemplified in dishes of corvina ceviche dressed with arak liqueur and snapper crudo bathed in amarillo emulsion. Every meal here should start with the array of “salatim,” which are elevated but unfussy traditional mezze like babaganoush, muhammara, and pomegranate tabouleh. The rest of the menu brims with bright, sharing-friendly dishes like crispy halloumi and grapefruit salad, chicken schnitzel on challah bread, and spiced lamb kefta. Brunch highlights include the prime Steak shashlik and eggs, the indulgent tahini-buttermilk pancakes, and the avocado and labneh Jerusalem bagel. The pita and flatbreads are made in house and portions are generous—you won’t be going hungry here.
And how did the front-of-house folks treat you?
A friendly staff helps first-timers parse the dense menu. They’ll tell you how much food to order and help you navigate the parade of small plates and shareable mains.
What’s the real-real on why we’re coming here?
The cottage-core interiors are perfect for dining with friends and the array of shared plates strongly hint at Abbalé’s communal approach. Though you’ll have no trouble tackling it with two, a few more in your party wouldn’t be out of place.
Dining and Cooking