Solei Beach Club Transports Miami Beach to the Mediterranean, One Leisurely Bite at a Time.

June 10th, 2026

Some restaurants rely on spectacle. Solei Beach Club lets the setting do the talking.

Tucked behind the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel on Miami Beach, the beachfront destination feels like a hidden oasis waiting to be discovered. The experience begins long before the first plate arrives. A winding pathway lined with towering palms, flowering vines and lush tropical foliage creates a natural corridor between South Beach’s Art Deco energy and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.

With every step, the city seems to fade away.

By the time guests emerge beneath Solei’s massive open-air palapa, the mood has completely shifted. Ocean breezes drift through the dining room. Palm trees sway overhead. Coral-colored accents and tropical landscaping create an atmosphere that feels equal parts Miami Beach and Mediterranean escape.

It is the kind of place where lunch effortlessly stretches into the afternoon and checking the time feels almost unnecessary.

That sense of relaxation serves as the perfect introduction to a menu that draws inspiration from across the Mediterranean while maintaining strong ties to South Florida.

Our culinary journey began with the Mezzo Board, a vibrant collection of Mediterranean flavors designed for sharing. Loaded with whipped feta, roasted pepper spread, grilled vegetables, olives, cheeses, fresh fruit, almonds, dolmas and warm pita, the board encouraged exploration rather than simply eating.

Every bite seemed to offer something different. The whipped feta delivered a creamy tang, while the roasted vegetables provided smoky depth. Fresh grapes and strawberries added bursts of sweetness that balanced the savory components beautifully. It was less of an appetizer and more of an invitation to slow down and enjoy the moment.

The Seabass Tacos followed and quickly became one of the meal’s highlights.

Tender, flaky sea bass was paired with grilled artichokes, chimichurri and garlic aioli inside warm tortillas. The fish remained the star throughout, its delicate flavor complemented rather than overwhelmed by the supporting ingredients. The herbaceous chimichurri added brightness while the artichokes contributed a subtle earthiness that elevated every bite.

Light enough for a beachside lunch yet satisfying enough to stand on their own, the tacos perfectly captured the spirit of Solei’s menu.

For guests seeking something heartier, my personal favorite was the Harissa Churrasco Wrap, which delivers in a big way.

Filled with tender skirt steak, halloumi fritto, maduros, red gem lettuce and sundried tomato pesto aioli, the wrap strikes an impressive balance between comfort food and Mediterranean-inspired creativity. The savory richness of the steak pairs naturally with the sweetness of the maduros, while the halloumi contributes a welcome salty bite. Served alongside crisp fries, it offers a more substantial option without feeling heavy.

One of Solei Beach Club’s greatest strengths is that it never feels confined to a single dining identity. Guests can graze through shared plates, enjoy fresh coastal seafood or dive into more robust offerings depending on their mood.

Following our meal, we had the opportunity to sit down with Executive Chef Gastón Javier Sánchez, whose culinary philosophy helps explain why the experience feels so cohesive.

Solei Beach Club – Executive Chef Gastón Javier Sánchez

“We enjoy a backyard that not a lot of people have in South Beach,” Sánchez said. “It’s a paradise oasis, really.”

Looking around at the swaying palms, tropical gardens and oceanfront setting, it was difficult to disagree.

When developing Solei’s concept, Sánchez intentionally looked beyond a traditional interpretation of Mediterranean cuisine.

“I thought pan-Mediterranean would work best,” he explained. “This is a tale of two coastlines, the ancient and the electric. It’s rooted in the intersection of the romance and ritual of the Mediterranean and the rhythm and cultural vibrancy of South Florida.”

That philosophy is evident throughout the menu.

Mediterranean Sea Bass is flown directly from its namesake waters, while local farms and fisheries provide much of the produce and seafood used throughout the restaurant. Sánchez places tremendous emphasis on knowing exactly where ingredients originate.

“I know the coordinates. I know the captain. I know the chain of command that seafood went through,” he said. “That’s very important because both Miami and the Mediterranean are all about the quality of the ingredient first and foremost.”

His appreciation for South Florida’s cultural diversity also plays a major role in shaping Solei’s identity.

“We like to think of the United States as a melting pot, but I like to say South Florida is more like a salad bowl,” Sánchez said. “Every culture holds its own, but they mesh very nicely together.”

That fusion is visible throughout the menu, where influences from Spain, Greece, Italy, France and North Africa mingle effortlessly with the flavors and spirit of South Florida.

Yet perhaps the most revealing part of our conversation came when Sánchez described what truly separates a memorable restaurant from a good one.

“I’ve always thought that a good establishment should have great food, good service and a cool atmosphere,” he said. “But there’s a fourth section that nobody really thinks about, and that’s the experience.”

It’s a philosophy that perfectly summarizes Solei Beach Club.

Yes, the food is impressive. The atmosphere is beautiful. The service is welcoming. But what ultimately makes Solei stand out is the feeling it creates. Guests aren’t encouraged to rush through a meal. They’re invited to linger. To share plates. To order another cocktail. To enjoy the beach, the pool, the breeze and the company around them.

“The Mediterranean is all about communal breaking of bread and spending leisure time with family,” Sánchez said. “It’s about time spent together, the bond and the beautiful experiences and memories that we can possibly help create.”

In a city often defined by its nonstop pace, Solei Beach Club succeeds by embracing something different. Hidden behind tropical pathways and framed by ocean breezes, it offers a reminder that some of the best South Florida experiences aren’t about moving faster.

They’re about slowing down long enough to enjoy where you are.

At Solei Beach Club, the beach may draw you in, but it’s the atmosphere, the flavors and the feeling of having nowhere else to be that will keep you lingering long after the last bite.