Mandolin Aegean Bistro

Mandolin Aegean Bistro is a beloved whitewashed cottage in Buena Vista, just north of the Design District, serving the simple, sun-drenched cooking of the Aegean. With its blue-and-white palette and lush garden patio, it feels less like a Miami restaurant than a long lunch on a Greek or Turkish island, and it has earned a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand for the quality and value of its food.

The heart of the place is the courtyard, shaded and strung with greenery, where tables sit among herbs and citrus trees. It is relaxed, charming and unpretentious, equally suited to a leisurely lunch, a casual dinner or a celebratory group table under the lights.

The menu is honest Greek and Turkish home cooking: meze to share, grilled whole fish with olive oil and lemon, spreads, salads and simple seasonal mains, much of it built around herbs and vegetables grown on site. It is the kind of food that tastes of sunshine and is made for sharing.

Mandolin is ideal for couples, families and groups who want somewhere charming and relaxed rather than a scene; prices are moderate for the quality. Book the courtyard, especially for lunch or a balmy evening. It is about a fifteen-minute drive from the residence, an easy and lovely change of pace from the Beach.