I had been looking forward to trying Mutra, one of Miami’s newest restaurants, located in an unassuming strip plaza at 2188 NE 123rd Street, not far from where I live. It turned out to be one of the finest dining experiences I have had in Miami in 2026. It is proof that extraordinary food has very little to do with lavish surroundings and everything to do with the passion, talent and vision of the person behind the stove.
Chef Raz Shabtai, who was born in Jerusalem, named the restaurant after his beloved grandmother, whose cooking first inspired his love of food. Mutra translates to “rain of blessings,” and that feeling of warmth, generosity and hospitality is woven into every aspect of the experience.
Before opening Mutra, Chef Shabtai built an impressive résumé, working at some of the world’s most celebrated restaurants, including Eleven Madison Park and Per Se in New York. He also spent time as the private chef to a Miami billionaire who shall remain anonymous, but it gives you an idea of the discerning clientele he has cooked for throughout his career.
Mutra is unlike any other restaurant in Miami. You self-park in the plaza before being greeted outside by a hostess who warmly welcomes you and checks your reservation. Inside, the space is intimate and understated. The best seats in the house are undoubtedly at the expansive L-shaped chef’s counter, where dinner becomes part culinary performance, part conversation. Guests can watch the chefs expertly work each station while chatting with them throughout the evening. Traditional tables line the perimeter for those seeking a quieter experience.
The counter itself is a work of art, lined with the dishes that will be used throughout the evening, alongside large jars of colourful house-made pickles, preserved lemons and other carefully prepared ingredients waiting for their moment. The décor is intentionally restrained with polished concrete floors accented by a scattering of colourful tiles. There is no elaborate artwork competing for attention. Instead, the focus remains exactly where it should be, on the food. The lighting is soft and intimate, while the lively conversations of happy diners easily overpower the background music.
The menu changes constantly with the seasons, reflecting the availability of local farmers and producers. Chef Shabtai told me he had removed the maitake mushrooms from the menu that very day because he wasn’t satisfied with what had been delivered. That attention to quality speaks volumes about his philosophy.
Every dish showcases exceptional technique, bold flavours and remarkable attention to detail. While the ingredients are rooted in Middle Eastern traditions, this is anything but a typical Middle Eastern restaurant. The presentations are imaginative without ever feeling gimmicky, and while every plate is visually stunning, the flavours always remain the true stars.
Chef Shabtai draws inspiration from Levantine, North African, Mediterranean, Galilean, Uzbek and Israeli cuisines. His cooking is deeply rooted in heritage while embracing innovation, all within kosher standards. The result is a style of cooking that feels both familiar and entirely original.
The Tunisian Ceviche was a spectacular beginning. Harissa-marinated hamachi was paired with preserved lemon, garlic confit, Israeli brunoise, tomatoes and grilled bread in one of the most vibrant and beautifully balanced dishes of the evening.
Chef encouraged me to order outside my comfort zone, so I took his advice and tried “Chicken Liver Dreaming to Become Foie Gras.” I loved the clever name almost as much as the dish itself. The silky liver pâté was topped with crunchy shallots, pistachio crumble and cornichon pickles, served alongside excellent sourdough bread. It may well have been the best liver pâté I have ever tasted.
I have never been a fan of beets, but Chef Shabtai’s playful dish, “Let’s Run Something Pretty,” may have completely changed my mind. Beets appeared three ways—roasted, pickled and as a sorbet—paired with ajo blanco, almond crumble and toasted pine nuts in a dish that was as delicious as it was beautiful. Who knows, perhaps next time I will even be adventurous enough to try the beef tongue.
Many of the main courses are kissed by open flames. The Tunisian Queen featured the chef’s grandmother’s original recipe, an exceptionally moist chicken breast served with couscous, Tunisian marmura, tomato honey, harissa glaze, and silky hizu and parsley creams. It was comfort food and a taste of home.
I rarely order kosher beef because I often find it tough and chewy, but I made an exception for the “Double or Nothing” hanger steak. It completely exceeded my expectations. Perfectly cooked to a medium rare, it was remarkably tender and accompanied by ravioli filled with mushroom duxelles, feta foam, broccolini and mushrooms from Lion Farm.
The wine list is, naturally, entirely kosher, offering selections from Israel alongside excellent bottles from California, France, Italy and Spain. I enjoyed a Bordeaux by the glass from the Coravin program, allowing guests to sample premium wines without committing to a full bottle.
Desserts continued the creativity and precision displayed throughout the meal and were a fitting conclusion to an exceptional dinner.
Service was warm, knowledgeable and genuinely gracious. The hospitality felt authentic, something that is surprisingly rare in Miami. There was none of the formality or stiffness that sometimes accompanies Michelin-starred dining. Instead, the atmosphere was relaxed, welcoming and deeply personal, making guests feel as though they were sharing Chef Shabtai’s story rather than simply eating a meal.
Just months after opening, Mutra made culinary history by becoming the first fully kosher restaurant in the world to earn a Michelin star. It is a groundbreaking achievement that reflects not only the extraordinary quality of the cooking, but also demonstrates that kosher cuisine belongs among the finest restaurants anywhere in the world.
But Mutra is far more than a destination for kosher diners. It is a destination for anyone who appreciates thoughtful, creative cooking that honours tradition while embracing innovation. It is one of Miami’s true hidden gems and, in my opinion, deserves a place on every serious food lover’s dining list.
Enthusiastically recommended.
Happy dining,
Shanea
08/06/2026
