Bohemia-adjacent

Branja, Upper Buena Vista

RESTAURANTS • FOUND Table 

The Skinny: Only a few blocks from the bohemian, leafy Design District in Upper Buena Vista is one of the best places (that’s not on a boat) to spend golden hour in Miami: Branja. It’s the work of celebrated Tel Aviv chef Tom Aviv, who brought his modern regional Israeli cooking to this airy, eclectic, sun-dappled space when it opened in early 2023. 

The Vibe: With lots of exotic potted plants, terrazzo-topped tables, reclaimed synagogue benches, and a patterned floor, the space feels like a hip greenhouse moonlighting as a restaurant. In the daylight, the space glows in amber, gold, and honey, thanks to the stained glass vaulted ceilings. It’s buzzy without being sceney — the perfect place for evening drinks and Israeli tapas. 

The Food: Playful and delicious. The mezze platter — Israeli tahini, Moroccan matbucha, olive tapenade, tzatziki, and freshly baked breads and pita — is a natural place to start. For entrees, the Branja kebab blends Lebanese spices with tamarind, while the show-stopping “fishwarma” is a marinated fish mélange roasted to glorious perfection in market spices. It was crispy on the outside and tender and flaky on the inside.

The Drinks: Some cringey pop-culture-inspired drink names notwithstanding, the cocktail program is good. Standouts include the Purple Rain, made with tequila, lime, butterfly pea tea, and za’atar, and the Ocean’s 8 with rum, bourbon, passionfruit, demerara lemon, and a spicy tincture. 

The Verdict: A stylish spot for creative Israeli fare in hip, yet delightfully laidback Upper Buena Vista. –Katelin Stecz

→ Branja (Upper Buena Vista) • 5010 NE 2nd Ave • Thu-Sat 5-1030p, Sun 11a-6p • Reserve.