Dining at Branja is a memorable experience well before the food even hits the table. The restaurant is located in an industrial looking building, in a neighbourhood you wouldn’t think to look twice at.
Despite its demure exterior, Branja is lush with drama and retro nostalgia in its thoughtful design. Every table is sat under a very beautiful stained glass ceiling, painted in hues of desert blues and clay reds.
The seasonal menu features mostly small plates intended for sharing family-style from MasterChef Israel winner Tom Aviv, who himself is self-taught with a larger-than-life personality. He views his homeland as a melting pot of cultures and sought to create a menu that reflects it – incorporating elements from cuisines as diverse and North Africa, the Middle East, Turkey, Greece, and Eastern Europe.
About Branja
Location
Miami’s Upper Buena Vista neighbourhood
Cuisine
Modern Israeli
Vibe
Retro Industrial Chic
Happy Hour
Tuesday-Friday & Sunday from 5pm-8pm
Reservations
My Visit to Branja
I’ll begin by telling you that initially stopped into Branja for Happy Hour, and ended up staying for dinner because everything was so good.
The happy hour cocktail of the day was the Purple Rain – made from tequila, lime, butterfly pea, and za’atar. It was divine.
At the bartender’s recommendation, we also grabbed their signature Fish & Bread, served ceviche style, and Breaking Bread with Dips, served with a sweet bell pepper matbucha with walnuts, spicy brave sauce, and homemade tahini.
After finishing our happy hour bites, we were totally blown away. We asked our hostess if she could squeeze us in for dinner, and miraculously enough she made it happen.
We ordered the Fisherman’s Bucatini, served with grouper cheeks and arak, as well as the Tom n’ Tahini salad and Brooklyn Heights Sashimi.
After speaking with the sommelier, were also able to order a really great bottle of wine from Mount Tavor, which is a region I had never even seen on shelves before. The chef’s strong connections in Israel result in a wine list that include a lot of very interesting vintages rarely found outside the country, which is certainly an added draw for any wine enthusiasts.
I also have to add that the service throughout the meal was on point. It was attentive but never pushy, and completely lacking in the usual pretentions that you tend to find in Miami’s top restaurants.
Before leaving, make sure to take some time to wander around the complex that houses Branja, which features dozens of little boutique shops. I personally fell in love with a little thrift store at the furthest end, which had a surprisingly good selection of cowboy boots given the location in South Florida, as well as a family-run perfume shop called Therapia.
The TLDR
Branja is rare find in Miami that perfectly balances style, service, and substance. I can’t wait to go back!
