The Israeli restaurant that won Burger Bash just opened a new spot in Coral Gables
The two-time winner of Burger Bash has opened a glamorous new restaurant in Coral Gables.
Motek, the Israeli Mediterranean restaurant that produced the burger that has dominated the People’s Choice competition at the South Beach Wine & Food Festival for the past two years, has opened on Miracle Mile. The restaurant is located in the former space of Forte by Chef Adrianne, which closed in 2022.
Tessa Levy, who owns Motek with her husband Charlie, calls the new Motek “the restaurant of our dreams.”
“Our little cafe has grown up and evolved,” she said. “No one has opened an Israeli Mediterranean restaurant in the area. We’re excited to be the first.”
The new restaurant is a whopping 7,600 square feet, a far cry from the first little Motek, which opened in the historic Seybold Building in downtown Miami in 2020. A second Motek opened at the Aventura Mall in 2022 and now has a fast-casual take-out concept there at Treats Food Hall called Yalla.
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At the new Motek in Coral Gables, there are two private dining rooms and indoor and outdoor seating. As it does at the other two locations, the style — lots of yellow and floral patterns — is designed to make diners feel they’re in an Israeli café in Jaffa or Tel Aviv.
Bar Lab, the food and beverage consultants behind Broken Shaker, which was named one of the 50 best bars in North America, curated the cocktail menu for the Gables location. You’ll find cocktails like Pink Pyramids (Grey Goose vodka shaken with Arak Liqueur, cold-pressed grapefruit, lime, organic agave Infused with tangerine, guava, pink peppercorn and hibiscus flower) and Purple Fields (Bombay Sapphire gin shaken with Kleos Mastiha liqueur, cold-pressed lime, organic agave infused with jasmine tea, lavender, rosemary and juniper and topped with sparkling water).
“They really put their stamp on it, creating the vibe for us,” Levy said.
The menu will include many Motek favorites: all-day brunch offerings, hummus made in house, cold and hot mezzes, salads and kebabs as well as the popular chicken shawarma and chicken schnitzel.
You’ll also be able to try the famous award-winning Arayes Burger, a Lebanese-style sandwich that blends lamb, beef and herbs. It’s grilled and served inside pita bread with crispy fries.
Motek
Where: 45 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables
Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
More information: motekcafe.com or 305-396-8547
