Kalamata Mediterranean Cuisine — Restaurant in Miami Beach

“If you’re anywhere near Miami Beach, you HAVE to stop by Kalama!” From the moment we walked in, Yasin made us feel like old friends. He greeted us with a big smile and genuine warmth that you just don’t find everywhere these days. The whole place has this relaxed, welcoming vibe — perfect for enjoying amazing food without any rush. We tried a few different dishes and honestly, every single bite was a win. Fresh ingredients, perfect seasoning, and presentation that made you want to take a quick photo before digging in. You can tell there’s real care put into what they serve here. Yasin checked in on us just the right amount — attentive without hovering — and had great recommendations that didn’t disappoint. It’s the kind of personal touch that makes you want to come back again and again. Kalama isn’t just about eating; it’s about feeling at home while enjoying top-quality food. We started with the meze platter and a glass of raki, and it couldn’t have been better. Every bite was fresh and flavorful. The keftes were tender and seasoned perfectly, and the cheese was so delicious we’re still talking about it. It felt like a little trip to Turkiye without leaving Miami.

A huge compliment goes to Ana, who took care of us the whole night. She was so friendly, attentive, and genuinely made us feel at home. She went above and beyond to make sure we had a great time. Also, a special thanks to Yasin—his hospitality and kindness really made the experience even...

This place was very odd to me. Though the restaurant is very well decorated and laid out, my overall experience was less than to be desired. First thing I noticed upon walking in was a "mask required for entrance" which I appreciated yet half the employees themselves aren't even wearing masks (and they didn't enforce it with the customers either. Next, the employees are so handsy. It's great they try to clean the table and take your plates as quick as possible but they are reaching across your body, across your face and put their hands all over your food/utensils without even asking if you were done. The most important aspect of any restaurant is their food and it didn't meet expectations either. I am Greek so first off, very confused why this Turkish restaurant is named after a city in Greece.. or the olives that grow there. No one in my party was satisfied with their food either (we had gyros, salad, hummus, falafel). The falafel tasted fruity which was extremely offputting. The salad was fresh but tasted strongly of winey olives (not at all how Kalamata olives are supposed to taste) and the gyros was fatty and entirely too gamey.

Overall, they use fresh ingredients but the food was just not it. I've had much better and I'd suggest if you are looking for good Mediterranean food, look elsewhere. I don't know how this restaurant got such...

Went for dinner last night (Sat 5/24) with a party of 8 and no reservation. Staff was super friendly from the start and were able to accommodate us right away. We decided to share a bunch of appetizers and entrees so we could try a variety of things and nothing disappointed. We tried the hummus, carrot tarator, garlic shrimp, grilled octopus, falafels, skirt steak, the steak special (Turkish dish) mix grilled platter, and homemade gyro. Everything was delicious and tasted fresh with amazing flavors. Even the Jasmin rice that came with some of the entrees is worth mentioning. They also serve little pita and bread baskets and the bread was perfect for soaking up the sauce from the garlic shrimp dish! The service was also fantastic! Everyone was very attentive and kind which made our experience that much more enjoyable. The bar tender shared a round of shots from one of their signature cocktails with what tasted like a cucumber base and it was absolutely delicious and refreshing, especially in the Miami heat. It was such a great experience! Every member of our party was very pleased and we talked about the food for the rest of the night. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting South Beach! Prices were also very reasonable for the area which...