Get a Taste of Tel Aviv at This Stunning South of Fifth Newcomer

Restauranteurs Sam Gorenstein of My Ceviche and Omer Horev of Pura Vida Miami have teamed up to bring South Beach their latest eatery, Abba Telavivian Kitchen (864 Commerce Street) showcasing the flavors and spices of Middle Eastern cuisine.

Serving up breakfast and lunch daily, with dinner service in the works, according to Gorenstein, the menu goes beyond typical American expectations of Middle Eastern menus boasting influences from North Africa, Europe, Turkey, Syria, and even Latin cuisine.

For breakfast expect pastries like za-atar-lemon croissants, tahini walnut banana bread, and Burekas – an Israeli puff pastry stuffed with fillings like spinach and Bulgarian feta, potato and caramelized onion and halvah, and pistachio and dulce de leche. As for savory items, the classic Israeli Shakshuka and the TLV Breakfast plate filled with citrus cured salmon, eggs, labneh, cured olives, shuk salad, hummus, pickled onions, and a toasted Jerusalem bagel, can be found.

The lunch menu offers a variety of salads, including a selection of pickled vegetables; the classic Fattoush; an Israeli Kale “Caesar” with shredded kale and romaine lettuce, crumbled feta, pistachios, radish, crunchy pita and green tahini; and Sabich made with fire roasted eggplant with shuk salad, hard-boiled egg, radish, sumac, and tahini dressing. Heartier options include pitas stuffed with falafel and lamb kofta, Sumac chicken shashlik served with laffa; fire roasted whole branzino, and a daily catch. It’ll also offer a sunset menu a limited selection of drinks and snacks, including a number of Israeli wines.

The the cozy café seats 50 between small bistro tables indoors and a terrace fitted with pastel pillow-laden banquettes, and greenery and lattice surrounded lamps hanging from the roof. The neighborhood of South of Fifth serves as a bit of a homecoming from both Horev and Gorenstein who both opened their first outposts of their popular eateries in the neighborhood.

Abba Telavivian Kitchen is now open daily with breakfast 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and sunset menu offered from 4 to 7 p.m.