Habibi Restaurant Debuts on the Miami River with French Moroccan Fare and Live Entertainment | Eater Miami

"I visited the city’s latest riverfront restaurant, Habibi Miami, which serves French-Moroccan cuisine alongside live entertainment; hospitality vet Roman Jones has tapped Ikam Rebaia to bring his over-the-top flair to this lively new space. The menu blends Middle Eastern flavors and American shareable fare—standouts include merguez pigs in a blanket and a whole roasted cauliflower with charred wild mushrooms; familiar bites include wagyu burger sliders and miso-honey glazed sea bass skewers, and there’s also sushi and a variety of other shareable plates. For dessert, expect tableside service with Turkish mastic ice cream and halva cheesecake. The bar program draws on North African and Mediterranean traditions and uses techniques like fat-washing to infuse spirits, showcased in drinks such as the Ali Fashioned (peanut butter-washed bourbon with banana and honey) and the Moroccan Margarita made with harissa-infused pineapple and a roasted couscous–salted rim. Designed by Mark Lehmkuhl of Ghosthouse Design Group, the tent-like space nods to Moorish architecture and evokes a Moroccan riad with retro pink-and-teal 1960s Tangier touches; a dramatic 30-foot red carpet leads into a dining room with crystal chandeliers, velvet booths, and silk draperies, with a spacious patio outside and tableside hookah service with custom infusions. Nights are lively with belly dancers, percussionists, and roving performers." - Olee Fowler