Motek opened its first Miami location in 2020 and quickly expanded, now operating eight restaurants across that city. The brand entered New York City’s Flatiron District last fall and is preparing to open its second location on April 14 in Greenwich Village.
“New York felt like a natural next step for us,” said Krizia Calero, chief of staff for Happy Corner Hospitality, the group behind Motek. “Miami gave us the foundation to shape the brand and build meaningful momentum, and New York has always been part of the long-term vision.”
He noted that Miami is often referred to as the “sixth borough” given its close ties with New York, so expanding to the city felt like an organic progression.
“We’ve built a loyal following in South Florida, and after countless requests to bring Motek to New York, we’re excited to introduce the brand to one of the most culturally diverse and food-savvy audiences in the world,” Calero said.
Motek also operates a location in New York City’s Flatiron District. | Alex Staniloff
Motek was founded by husband-and-wife duo Charlie and Tessa Levy and translates to “sweetheart” in Hebrew. It’s inspired by Charlie’s Israeli heritage, and the menu draws from Eastern Mediterranean flavors and family recipes.
The newest location transports the brand’s sunny Mediterranean aesthetic into Greenwich Village, with a garden-inspired design. It’s anchored by a yellow-tiled bar at the entrance and has cascading greenery and real florals. The front room leads to a lively back dining area centered around an open kitchen.
Large doors open onto the corner of Bleecker and MacDougal streets, so when the weather’s nice, the space transforms into an airy indoor-outdoor café. It can accommodate 50 customers inside and 120 more on the patio.
Motek’s lunch and dinner signatures include pitas, salads, mezze like babaghanoush and muhammara, falafel, shawarma, schnitzel, and kebabs. There are also a couple of steaks and a wagyu burger. During the weekday happy hour, drinks and small bites start at just $5.
The restaurant offers a weekday happy hour starting at $5. | Alex Staniloff
Weekend brunch brings shakshuka, avocado toast, and an egg-centered breakfast plate.
The team believes that part of Motek’s success is due to the overall popularity of Mediterranean food — right now and in general.
“Mediterranean cuisine resonates because it naturally aligns with how people want to eat today,” Calero said. “It’s fresh, vibrant, and rooted in balance. There’s an inherent sense of hospitality in the food, as it’s designed to be shared, bring people together, and to feel both nourishing and indulgent at the same time.”
The group also operates Sesame Bakery in Miami and a fast-casual Motek offshoot called Yalla Motek, which serves kosher Mediterranean street food at Miami’s Aventura Mall. The latter is slated to debut in New York later this year with additional locations of Motek in the city still to come.
Dining and Cooking