Dining out in Coconut Grove can be a culinary adventure around the world.
Amal Miami Lebanese restaurant opened its doors in Coconut Grove with much excitement from the community. The new restaurant presents a stylish and modern journey into the culinary world of Lebanon.
There is much to explore here at Amal. A beautifully designed space located in a new building on Main Highway in the heart of the Grove invites guests to come in and get comfortable. Inside the restaurant, blonde wood fixtures and large wicker chandeliers accent soft pastel furniture, giving diners plenty of visual pleasure, even before any culinary delight.
The vibes are relaxing and enchanting. Melodic house music gives the feeling of a trendy Miami Beach lounge, but the atmosphere here is inviting and friendly. Though the décor is stylish and light, and the floor plan is open and airy, there is something very cozy about Amal.
Dining at Amal Miami Lebanese Restaurant
The menu has plenty of Lebanese favorites, along with plates showcasing a modern twist on the traditional. Sharable options from small starters like grape leaves and various dips, to both hot and cold mezze plates offer the perfect opening to a meal. The Truffle Rakakat is a crowd pleaser for those who like honey drizzled truffle cheese pastries with pistachios and mint. And who doesn’t?
The main dishes on the menu are nothing less than delectable. Meat lovers can pick from several types of skewers, like “Pistachio Kabob” of minced beef & lamb with a house spice blend, beef tenderloin, or charbroiled chicken. These all come with seasoned pita, serrano pepper, grilled tomato, and onion.
If you are interested in an intensely exciting full-flavor experience, opt for the Black Cod, which is perfectly complemented with tahini, cilantro, pine nuts, lemon, and pieces of crispy pita for extra texture and flavor. Other entrees include all-time favorites like lamb, branzino, shrimp, salmon, and a specialty fried fish. All the dishes pay homage to the best of the land and sea of Lebanon.
Lebanese Wines at Amal
Fans of Château Musar and Massaya will love the list here at Amal. There are several pages dedicated specifically to the wines of Lebanon. The Bekaa Valley is very well represented, with whites, reds, and rosé bottles ready to pair with a meal. There are even some surprises, like Merwah, an indigenous Lebanese variety, by Château Ksara, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains by Château Kefraya, or a Cabernet Franc blend by Château Belle–Vue.
If you can’t decide on a bottle, try the Lebanese wine flight. The flight gives you the option to taste three different wines in three-ounce pours. It is the perfect teaser to the wine delights of Lebanon.
The international list covers a wide range of styles and regions. Champagne and sparkling wines have a prominent place – from Dom Perignon, Krug, and Armand de Brignac, to Tattinger and Laurent-Perrier. French, Italian, Spanish, and American wines from Paso Robles to Ribera del Duero and beyond are also available. How about a Semillon from Hunter Valley, Australia, or a dry Furmint from Hungary? For adventurous red wine lovers, there is a Mencia and Pais available to enjoy. If you’re dining with a group, Amal also offers large format bottles.
Prices vary from $30 and up for bottles, so there is definitely something for every taste and budget.
When it comes to an overall excellent dining experience complete with the right vibes, delicious food, and a diverse wine list both in style and price, Amal has it covered. A must-dine new restaurant in Miami.
3480 Main Hwy, Coconut Grove
AmalMiami.com for reservations.
Find out more about other top restaurants and wine lists in the Magic City in our “Dining” section on Wine Guide Miami.
Jacqueline is a professional wine + travel writer, radio host, wine columnist, and consultant based in Miami, FL.
She is the monthly “Vino” columnist for Biscayne Times newspaper, a guest host covering the drinks segment on Linda Gassenheimer’s podcast show, “Food, News, and Views,” and Star Wine List’s Miami Ambassador.
Jacqueline is a Certified Sherry Wine Specialist & WSET 3.
Great write up, can’t wait to try it!
Hi, Jacqueline, just found your site, great to have a wine centric restaurant review as most reviewers say zero about the wine. Since many restaurants don’t post their wine lists and some that do, like Amal, don’t list prices, can you include some wine lists on your blog. It would be great? Even some wine list photos from your visit. Also, it would be helpful to know about corkage policies and prices for those of us who have large wine cellars.
Author
Thank you for your comment. Yes, we are trying to provide as much information as possible. Some of these lists change frequently, but we try to provide an overview of the options including price ranges. We’ll try to include more of that in the future. Mentioning corkage is also important!