Zaytinya — Restaurant in Miami Beach

A Birthday Bummer at Zaytinya: Disappointing Mezze for Two in Miami

My husband's birthday deserved a night to remember, and what better way to celebrate than with a trip to Zaytinya, the acclaimed Mediterranean restaurant by José Andrés nestled within the posh Ritz-Carlton on Lincoln Road? Unfortunately, our high expectations quickly tumbled down like hummus gone bad.

Walking in, I was surprised by the overall feel. It lacked the vibrant charm I expected, instead emitting a bland, corporate air. The buzz of an exciting dining experience was missing, replaced by an awkward silence punctuated by the clatter of cutlery.

But we held onto hope, clinging to the promise of Andrés' culinary magic. As the mezze dishes arrived, each plate became a new wave of disappointment. The food lacked both the visual appeal and the taste bud-tingling excitement I crave in Mediterranean cuisine. Bland flavors dominated, textures were uninspiring, and presentation felt like an afterthought.

The only silver lining (pun intended) was the "standout" salad, which, ironically, sported a supermarket barcode clinging to its leafy exterior. This raised a concerning question: if they can't be bothered to remove a grocery store label, what care are they taking with the actual washing? My appetite nosedived, taking our enthusiasm with it.

We called it a night, requesting the check with heavy hearts. To their credit, the restaurant manager was incredibly apologetic and graciously removed the offending food items from our bill. We left, paying only for the wine that drowned our sorrows.

While I appreciate the manager's efforts, the damage was done. Zaytinya failed to deliver on every level, from ambiance to appetite appeal. Seeking a truly phenomenal Mediterranean experience in Miami? Skip Zaytinya and head straight to Avra at Acqualina. Top-notch food, ambiance, and drinks await you there.

Remember, your birthday deserves better than a culinary letdown. Trust your intuition, ditch the barcode salads, and find a restaurant that truly sings the praises of the Mediterranean. Trust me, your taste buds...

Zaytinya is easily one of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to—not just in Miami, but anywhere. From the moment you walk in, the space is absolutely stunning. It’s clean, modern, and full of elegant Mediterranean charm. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between upscale and inviting, with an open, airy layout and beautiful decor that instantly makes you feel comfortable and welcome.

The food? Truly unforgettable. Inspired by the rich flavors of Greece, Turkey, and Lebanon, every single dish is packed with freshness, depth, and vibrant seasoning. I don’t eat pork or drink alcohol, and I was so impressed by how many incredible options there were for someone with dietary preferences like mine. The menu is filled with thoughtful choices—vegetables, seafood, grilled meats, and dips that are out of this world. The labneh, hummus, crispy Brussels sprouts, and perfectly spiced grilled lamb are just a few of the standouts. Everything is served mezze-style, which means you get to try a little bit of everything and share with the table, making the whole experience even more fun and engaging.

Service is another area where Zaytinya shines. The staff are incredibly kind, knowledgeable, and attentive without being overbearing. They took the time to walk me through the menu and even made sure I was aware of which items fit my preferences, which I really appreciated. You can tell the team here genuinely cares about creating a great dining experience.

But what truly sets Zaytinya apart is the person behind it. The owner is a good man—someone who leads with respect, integrity, and passion. You can feel that energy the moment you walk in. The team works like a family, the environment is positive, and everything feels intentional. It’s rare to find a place that reflects not just culinary excellence but also character and warmth at the core.

Zaytinya isn’t just a meal—it’s a celebration of culture, flavor, and hospitality done right. I would recommend it to anyone, and I’ll absolutely be coming back every chance I get. Five stars...

Extremely disappointing experience all around. TLDR don't bother, Jose Andreas can't seem to figure out how to keep consistency in his establishments so stick to the NY/LA locations that always deliver.

Food: Halumi seemed like it sat under a heating lamp for an hour. It was rubbery and barely warm cauliflower was overly salted to the point we couldn't finish it the kebab platter came out with one half perfectly cooked and the other undercooked. It was pink not in a medium rare way, but in a 'we barely cooked this raw minced meat' way and so some parts were pink because they weren't cooked - not because they come out medium from the kitchen. When we flagged it, we were told it will take 25min to make a new one, especially when the claim that they are supposed to be medium.

Drinks: Gin & tonic came out warm and with a paltry small ice cube that did it's best to cool the drink at the cost of making it disgustingly diluted Za'atr marg was fine, but the foam could have been less salty and more balanced to be fully enjoyable We got one fill of our water glass the whole meal, not sure if that's to punish us for not ordering the bottled water or just bad service

Service: You can see the server cared, but I wish they cared about our table as much as they did the table next to us. The difference in treatment was palatable and it would have been because she knew we had some real duds in the meal and wrote us off, but would have still been nice if there was an attempt to recover instead of writing us off Server did take the initiative to remove a couple of the dishes from the check, so that was nice

I had to order room service just to...