The first thing that catches your eye upon entering Gaia is the Ice Market, a colorful display of whole fish, shellfish and octopus resting on ice that invites diners to select their catch and choose how they’d like it prepared. The Greek restaurant first found success in Dubai, and has since expanded to six more locations, including Monaco, London and Doha, Qatar. The Miami Beach outpost, which opened in the South of Fifth neighborhood in April, marks the brand’s U.S. debut.
Open the menu, and you’ll find the usual suspects in Aegean fare — Greek Salad, Grilled Octopus, Moussaka — but Gaia also takes diners on a culinary odyssey through dishes that are less familiar to the American palate. Tiropita, a cousin to spanakopita, arrives piping hot from the oven, the delicate phyllo dough crackling as the server slices it tableside, revealing a trio of Greek cheeses (ksinomitzithra, graviera and anthotyros) complemented by creamy goat cheese and generous shavings of black truffle that lend an earthy aroma and unmistakable flavor. The Garides Saganaki (whole prawns baked in a tomato sauce with garlic confit and basil) is so good you’ll want to use the fresh bread that arrives at the table to mop up every last drop. If staring down a whole prawn isn’t your thing, your server will graciously remove the heads — an example of the polished service that distinguishes this newcomer.
Photos courtesy of Gaia
The servers also play a pivotal role with the Tsipoura (sea bream carpaccio), which arrives with the fish meticulously sliced and fanned back into the shape of its original body, with the head and tail remaining intact, looking more like a work of art than an appetizer.
Nestled alongside it are three tiny vials filled with lemon, mandarin and truffle sauces, along with flaky Greek sea salt and a halved lemon. The servers demonstrate how to lift a slice, press it lightly over the lemon, tap it into the salt and finish it with the dressing of your choice. It’s part ritual, part delight, turning a popular starter into an interactive, customizable dining experience.
Tsipoura
Astakomakaronada
For those who can’t get enough pasta or seafood — guilty as charged — Gaia’s Astakomakaronada (lobster pasta) combines tender chunks of lobster with a creamy, slightly sweet cherry tomato sauce that’s as comforting as it is indulgent. There’s also Achivades Makaronada: spaghetti with clams in a delicate white wine sauce.
Meat dishes pay homage to Greece’s tradition of charcoal grilling. Lamb, one of the country’s most beloved proteins, comes as Paidakia Arnisia, 12 ounces of cutlets with pita and tzatziki. Carnivores will also want to sample the Spalomprizola, a 14-ounce A5 Wagyu rib-eye, or splurge on the Spalobrizola Me Fileto, a colossal, 50-ounce American Wagyu T-bone steak. Don’t overlook sides like Pista Pleurotus (grilled oyster mushrooms with tahini and a citrus dressing) and Rizi (basmati rice with sumac and garlic butter).
Those with a sweet tooth — again, guilty as charged — will find plenty to like, with options such as Loukoumades (fried Greek doughnuts) or Ravani, a coconut and semolina sponge cake drizzled with syrup, served with coconut anglaise and crowned with coconut ice cream. One of the restaurant’s most buzzed-about desserts is the Pagoto Giaourti, a mile-high tower of frozen Greek yogurt drizzled with honey and topped with caramelized walnuts and golden loukoumades. Equal parts playful and extravagant, the indulgent creation is designed for sharing.
Paidakia Arnisia
Pagoto Giaourti
Beyond the food, the atmosphere is lively, bright and airy, as if a Parisian brasserie took a holiday on the Aegean. Oversized globe chandeliers cast a warm glow over crisp white linens, creating a setting that’s at once elegant and relaxed. The bar is a locus of conversation, with cocktails like the Santorini Spritz and the
Leo Martini among the most popular orders. A well-rounded wine list features selections by the bottle and glass, including a floral Apla white from Greece and New World favorites like Stags’ Leap cabernet sauvignon. Taken together, it’s easy to see why Gaia has found success worldwide.
Gaia is located at 801 S. Pointe Drive, Miami Beach. For more information, call 786-319-9415 or visit gaia-restaurants.com/miami/gaia-miami.