Miami's Motek expands to NYC with five new locations, starting in Flatiron

Motek, the beloved Miami-based Mediterranean restaurant, is set to make a significant impact on New York City’s culinary landscape with plans to open five locations across the city. Known for its vibrant falafel, chargrilled kebabs, shakshuka, and richly layered Middle Eastern spreads, Motek has become one of South Florida’s standout dining destinations since launching in 2020.

Image: Motek Brickell City Centre

The journey began during the pandemic when founder Charlie Levy opened the first Motek in downtown Miami. What started as a modest café quickly evolved into a household name, celebrated for its warm hospitality, bold flavors, and stylish interiors. With six locations throughout Miami—including in Coral Gables, Aventura, and Brickell—Motek has earned acclaim for blending modern Israeli, Lebanese, and Moroccan influences into an approachable menu that resonates with both locals and visitors.

Image: Motek Brickell City Centre

Now, the brand is heading back to Levy’s original stomping grounds. The first New York location is slated to open in fall 2025 in the heart of the Flatiron District, right on Broadway. Following that, Motek will debut Yalla Motek, a new kosher street food offshoot, in winter 2026. While details on the remaining three outposts are still under wraps, the expansion signals a bold new chapter for a brand that continues to grow at an impressive pace.

Image: Motek, Menu

Yalla Motek will mark the group’s first certified kosher concept, offering a fast-casual take on the same deeply rooted Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors that have defined Motek’s success.

Motek’s arrival in New York reflects a growing appetite for globally inspired cuisine that is both craveable and rooted in heritage. With its colorful dishes, welcoming atmosphere, and cult following in Miami, Motek is poised to bring a fresh new flavor to the city that never sleeps.

For updates and more, visit motekcafe.com

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