Take a look at this charming new Turkish restaurant now open on Miami Beach
No matter how sunny it is, no matter how hot, when you walk into Sumak Turkish restaurant in Miami Beach, you feel transported to another place.
The dining room is full of dark wood and brown leather chairs, with exposed brick, a bookshelf stuffed with Turkish trinkets, wine bottles and blue marble details adding stylish touches. Gorgeous Turkish coffee sets add a sparkle.
The space is cool, cozy and welcoming, a respite from the Florida sunshine (though of course, if you relish the warmth and prefer to sit outdoors, patio seating is available, too).
The 120-seat restaurant, which opened recently in Normandy Isles, focuses on Turkish hospitality and authenticity — everyone from owner Zafer Acik to the bartender and servers are originally from Turkey.
Listen closely, and you’ll not only hear the staff speaking Turkish but also some of the diners — a sign that there’s a good chance you’ll find authentic cuisine.
Acik said that Sumak is a good fit for the community of Normandy Isles.
“Sumak’s cuisine, energy and environment is a celebration of diversity and different culinary traditions that perfectly complement the dynamic neighborhood,” he said in a statement. “As the night progresses, guests can expect a high energy yet congenial dining experience.”
The menu highlights cuisine from the Aegean and Anatolian part of Turkey, supplemented by offerings from the Mediterranean region. Expect a variety of hot and cold mezze, perfect for sharing: wood-charcoal roasted eggplant with tahini, garlic yogurt and extra virgin olive oil; artichoke hearts with carrot and potato topped with orange sauce and garlic; stuffed grape leaves and stuffed meatball kofte; and humus with pastrami.
Kebabs are also a specialty. The Adana features wood charcoal-grilled minced meat served with pide (a Turkish flatbread); a Pistachio version mixes the meat with ground raw pistachio. There’s also a version topped with garlic yogurt with a side of roasted tomato and green pepper.
Entrees include lamb shish; saslik (tenderloin fillets with shallots); whole branzino; and a whole grilled dorado.
Sumak also boasts a diverse cocktail menu, with lighter drinks such as the Rakisikli (raki, Midori, gin, limoncello and a homemade sweet and sour mix) and the bolder Smoke on the Water (mezcal, amaro, lemon juice, simple syrup, bitters and grapefruit juice). There’s even a Turkish coffee martini with a shot of rich Turkish coffee.
The restaurant serves dinner six nights a week, but recently added lunch service on the weekends.
Sumak
Where: 908 71st St., Miami Beach
Hours: 5-11 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday; 5 p.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday. Lunch served noon-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
Reservations: sumakrestaurant.com or 305-397-8900
