Wildly Popular Miami Restaurant Motek Opens First Boca Location

Motek, the homegrown Miami restaurant with a cult-like following for its Mediterranean-Israeli comfort food, has opened its doors in Boca Raton, marking the concept's seventh outpost and first in Palm Beach County. Situated in Boca's "Restaurant Row," home to spots like El Camino and Pubbelly Sushi, Motek brings the sunny charm, bold flavors, and Tel Aviv street food that has turned the brand into a local staple from Brickell to Aventura.

"Opening Motek in Boca Raton is a deeply personal milestone for us," says Motek founder Charlie Levy. "This expansion allows us to share the vibrant flavors of Tel Aviv street food with the local Jewish community and introduce them to a culinary journey that reflects our heritage."

Motek was inspired by Levy's childhood in Israel, where he dreamt of creating a place that showcased all of his favorite flavors. "From our signature chicken shawarma, reminiscent of my youth, to our Moroccan fish, which evokes memories of Friday night family dinners, every dish tells a story," he explains.

A Beautiful Boca Dining Room

At 220 seats, this is one of Motek's largest locations to date — and it makes the most of it. A 360-degree bar anchors the space, flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto a patio decked out in Motek's signature yellow blooms. Inside, guests are greeted by a wine room with Kosher wines from France, Italy, Spain, and Israel. The "Shabbat Room" — a private space featuring a marble table for 14 and a mural inspired by Old Jaffa (a neighborhood in Tel Aviv) — echoes similar setups at the Coral Gables and South Beach locations.

Other standout design features include ivy-wrapped oak trees and an open kitchen that invites diners to watch the action. It's all part of Motek's recipe: create a warm, modern space that feels both stylish and lived-in, equal parts neighborhood favorite and Instagram-worthy experience.

The Famed Arayes Burger and More Are Now in Boca

The menu offers a fresh, vibrant spin on Mediterranean cuisine, including the award-winning "Arayes burger," a Lebanese-style grilled beef-stuffed pita that has become a recurring favorite at the Burger Bash event within the South Beach Wine & Food Festival. Other standouts include Moroccan fish doused in spicy tomato and tahini; “New York” oven pita with house-smoked pastrami, mustard, caramelized onions, and garlic confit; shakshuka, a tangy dish of baked eggs, tomatoes, and peppers served in its skillet with an oversized challah; and flavorful dips like mushroom hummus, baba ganoush, and tzatziki.

"We've even sourced spices from my grandmother's supplier in Israel," Levy adds. "As we welcome guests to our first location in Palm Beach County, we want them to know we're not just serving food — we're sharing a piece of our family history and Mediterranean hospitality with them."

A daily happy hour from 2 to 6 p.m. promises $5 bites and drinks available at the bar, high tops, and inside the "Tel Aviv" room.

Motek first opened in downtown Miami in 2020 and has since grown into a powerhouse of Mediterranean and Israeli cuisine, serving kosher-style eats with a welcoming ethos and a splash of sunshine. The Aventura location was named 2022 Best Restaurant in Aventura in New Times' annual Best of Miami issue. It's also the creators behind Yalla, a street food counter in Aventura Mall, and Sesame Bakery, a European-style bakery with Israeli flair in North Miami.

Motek Boca Raton. 5377 Town Center Rd., Boca Raton; motekcafe.com