Amal Miami — Restaurant in Miami

First and foremost the venue is Astonishing. I was seated quickly. Made very welcome. I chose to sit in the garden. The weather and music together create a unique essence of pleasantry and created the perfect atmosphere for Brunch.

Once seated my water arrived promptly with the accessories I requested; Still water, Mint leaves, lemon, and cucumber with an orange justice on the side. Motaz, my server, arrived very quickly and was more than pleasant. I asked for more information about his name and was informed it is another word for proud in Arabic. He was very knowledgeable about the entire menu and offered his preferred choices for appetizers and entrees.

I went with the Manouche Bi Lahme as my appetizer and my date had the Truffle Rakakat. Both suggested by Motaz and both were extremely tasteful. The truffle rakakat had the perfect amount of truffle accompanied by this sweet honey. Ideal flaky shell that created the perfect crunch as the white cheese melts in your mouth. With grapes to top it, I can say this is a go to for something quick and light. The Manouche was extremely flavorful. The minced beef was amazing. Topped with a pomegranate molasses that blew my mind. This added a bit of ripe sweetness to the dish. Topped with pomegranate seeds, this dishes danced across my taste buds so freely I could have engorged myself with it. The other half was a traditional Mediterranean white cheese both starved on top of thin cut slightly crispy pita bread chips. Absolutely amazing. For the entrees I had what Motaz offered. I was going for the shakshuka which I’m familiar with. However Motaz suggested the Brunch BBQ Combo. The chicken breast was seasoned to perfection and perfectly charred. Extremely juicy and moist and when dipped in the garlic aoli sauce it sparks life into the saliva glands. The borax was amazing as well. Tender and juicy. The pita bread gave the perfect texture to the dish. And I enjoyed the Serrano pepper per usual. The sautés or grilled vegetables also hit the spot. My date had a wrap which she said she completely loved and also did not share lol. So I must’ve been amazing. We also visited the mini buffet at the front. I had some fruits and a chocolate chip cookie. May date the same with a few other sweet treats. Motaz didn’t miss a beat when it came to refilling my glass as well. My date ended with an espresso as well.

I was also helped by another woman that made our plates from the buffet and brought them into the table for us. When Motaz was busy with other tables all the other servers were friendly and smiling asking if we needed anything as well. Even thought we didn’t because Motaz took care of it all we were extremely satisfied by the hospitality of this establishment.

My date being a manager of lone of the largest hospitality establishments in Miami also being this satisfied was a plus for me. Knowing this is originally a Canadian chain is amazing. I love what the Canadian culture is bringing to America when it comes to hospitality.

I love the food and the service as well. This is one of the best Mediterranean restaurants I have eaten at and I hope you all continue to grow across the states. Eating here is a definite Flex lol.

I can gladly say I respect the chef’s creations and choice to provide wonderful experiences through food. Amal is a place of love. The service is amazing. And you may ended up feeling like you’re leaving paradise once you exit. A definite go to...

Amal offers a truly delightful culinary experience. The ambiance is stunning, the service is gracious, and the food—elevated Levantine cuisine—is undeniably delicious. Every bite feels intentional, with flavors that are both vibrant and refined.

However, diners—particularly groups with men at the table—should proceed with discernment when it comes to the wine service. The sommelier presents himself as knowledgeable and charming, but we encountered a disappointing practice: a quiet substitution of the selected bottle for another, significantly more expensive one. When questioned about the switch, we were assured it was “equivalent.” Yet the bill told a different story—four times the original cost.

While Amal deserves praise for its kitchen and setting, this kind of upselling through vague sommelier tactics feels disingenuous and predatory. It’s a disappointing blemish on what should be a celebration of hospitality. Dine for the food, but order your wine with your eyes wide open.

UPDATE: Following our experience, the team at Amal reached out promptly and through several channels, eager to address the situation. While the initial encounter with the sommelier left us disappointed, the management demonstrated a sincere effort to listen and offer solutions. Multiple options for resolution were presented, allowing us to share our perspective and feel heard. Though the remedy didn’t erase the misstep, the responsiveness was appreciated.

This exchange is emblematic of something larger. Located in the heart of Coconut Grove, Amal is part of a neighborhood that continues to refine its identity; one rooted in culture, lifestyle, and an increasingly elevated dining scene. While the Grove evolves, so do its establishments, many of which—like Amal—are learning how to meet higher expectations with more intentional hospitality.

The food and setting remain commendable. But more importantly, the experience served as a reminder: in fine dining, transparency is just as...

To everyone considering dining at Amal Coconut Grove, beware: for every honest review highlighting real issues, I was told the management employs a recovery team of staff and family to flood platforms with five-star reviews, drowning out legitimate feedback. Watch after my review, there will be 4-5 five-star reviews. These fabricated reviews fail to address the serious problems with service and management, and my experience is a real account of what you might encounter. We were a party of 4.

The staff’s attitude only compounded the issues. Rude and dismissive, they showed no interest in providing basic hospitality. Since it was Miami Spice month, we asked for the Spice menu, but only after having to ask legit- 6 times for it. My friends ordered from the regular menu, but when my husband and I tried to order from the Spice menu, the staff curtly informed us that all 4 of us had to order from it to participate. We asked for the manager for verification. His said “the company highly recommended that the entire party must all or nothing " order from the spice menu. I plan on calling the Miami Chamber on this response. He also admitted that Spice menus aren’t offered unless guests demand them. Strange!!!

The food at Amal, when it finally arrived, was a major disappointment—cold and poorly timed. My husband’s meal was delivered 15 minutes after mine, leaving one of us waiting while the other’s food grew colder.

If Amal isn’t fully committed to offering the Miami Spice promotion, they shouldn’t participate at all. Their approach is unprofessional, deceptive, and outright dismissive of guests. The management’s failure to address these issues—cold food, unacceptable delays, and poor service—coupled with their alleged strategy of burying honest feedback with fake reviews, shows a complete disregard for accountability. We won’t be returning anytime soon, and I urge others to think twice before dining here. GET NEW...