An Israeli restaurant in Miami has become the first fully kosher restaurant in the world to receive a Michelin star.
Mutra earned one star in the 2026 Florida Michelin Guide, just over a year after opening its doors.
The restaurant is named after chef-owner Raz Shabtai’s grandmother with dishes taking inspiration from the culinary traditions and flavours of Jerusalem.
The award marks a historic moment for kosher fine dining, with Mutra the only new Michelin-starred restaurant in Miami this year, and one of just two new one-star recipients across the whole of Florida.
Michelin inspectors praised the restaurant’s intimate chef’s-counter experience and its locally sourced, frequently changing menu.
In its guide, Michelin wrote: “This is a place where snagging a seat at the chef’s counter is a must. The menu is hyperlocal and rotates often, so don’t be surprised when something runs out.”
Among the dishes highlighted by Michelin were “a show-stopping plate of beets in a pool of ajo blanco and topped with beetroot sorbet”, as well as the restaurant’s lamb kebab served with smoked aubergine cream and tomato oil.
Inspectors also singled out the chicken à la Tunis – served with a harissa-studded chickpea and tomato stew – and a traditional muhallebi milk pudding dessert.
The guide described Mutra’s cooking as deeply rooted in Middle Eastern traditions, while embracing a modern, farm-to-table approach.
Shortly after the 2026 Florida Michelin selections were announced, the restaurant shared an emotional video on Instagram showing Shabtai and his team embracing, crying and celebrating as they learned they had won the star.
“Growing up in Jerusalem, I was surrounded by incredible flavors, spices and food that told stories. I wanted to bring that same feeling here, not only for the local Jewish community, but for all of South Florida.”
— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) May 28, 2026
Chef Raz Shabtai and his team celebrate as they learn that their… pic.twitter.com/Jdd1Bp6mIm
In a statement following the announcement, Shabtai said: “We’ve always believed kosher dining deserves the same ambition and creativity as any great restaurant in the world.
“Growing up in Jerusalem, I was surrounded by incredible flavours, spices and food that told stories. I wanted to bring that same feeling here, not only for the local Jewish community, but for all of South Florida.”
Born in Israel, Shabtai previously worked in acclaimed kitchens in Tel Aviv and New York before opening Mutra in February 2025.
The restaurant quickly built a reputation for elevated kosher dining and was named to Resy’s “Resy 100” list of the most influential restaurants in the United States in late 2025.
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