Anise Taverna

I was being driven around on a surprise date, I may as well have been blindfolded because (I“m ashamed to say) I had no Idea where he was taking me, the worst part is, this small mediterranean restaurant has been around for a few years, it’s not like it opened last week. Once we hit MIMO I figured– Michy’s, has to be Michy’s, then, a sudden turn into a back alley.
We get out of the car in a shady midtown parking and walk in to find dangling dim lighting and a cool-​royal blue room.
One of the owners welcomed us at the entrance, which was very nice. It was a night without mosquitoes, and fairly cool for Miami, so we decided to request outside seating. We were directed to a tiny table in front of the canal, apart from everyone. Our very nice waitress suggested some dishes and left us to decide.
For appetizers we asked for their Tzatziki spread, which was devine, we dipped everything in it. The grilled octopus and fresh fish (Royal Dorade) were also very good, but the showstopper of the night was definitely the Flaming Cheese Saganaki, which is flambeed with Brandy in front of your table.
I suspect everything here is really good, I would come in a group just so I can steal… I mean, try, what everyone else ordered, but as I said before, for a quiet, romantic date, this place is hard to beat.

I’ve never been a huge fan of Mediterranean food but the atmosphere here is what made this place for me. I’m not to familiar with Miami yet, but know everything is very loud and busy everywhere I go.
I was just leaving an appointment, and was stressed walking around the city not knowing where I was going. I really was just aiming for a drink, and saw this place somewhat hidden behind a gas station.(I say somewhat because the building is bright yellow-​orange.) Anyway, the patio on the back was so amazing and peaceful. it’s right on the canal… and I got to see two manatees swim by as well as other wildlife… Staff was very friendly. I ate a watermelon salad. It was very fresh but had the feta greek thing going on… which isn’t really my thing but if it is yours
its probably awesome.

Love this place! A mental escape to the Mediterranean while enjoying delicious food accompanied with wine or beer. I am not going to talk about the dishes as I am not much of a writer, but I will say they are all amazing from what I have ordered.
If you feel like escaping Miami and heading to a Mediterranean experience, you have to check this place out!

While right off the hustle and bustle of Biscayne Blvd, Anise is worlds away from the Miami madness we’ve come to accept as part of our daily grind. And who knew that this unassuming little gem was hiding right around the corner from where I work?
When pulling into the restaurant’s parking lot under a string of festive lights, I thought, «what a cute place». The ambience goes beyond cute, though, once you set foot inside.
Greeted by the friendly owners upon our arrival, we found the inside to be warm and cozy with Greek music playing softly, beckoning one to come in and stay for awhile. Which is exactly what we did.
It is not a fancy place; rather, it is its simplicity and relaxed atmosphere that makes you feel at home. It is instantly inviting with its classic Mediterranean hues of white and blue with splashes of vibrant color in the freshly picked flowers adorning the table tops and embellished throw pillows atop the benches peaking out from behind white archways.
It was when we stepped outside to the riverfront seating that we felt transported to another place, another time. It has almost a Keys sort of vibe that makes you forget your day’s worries and melt into utter relaxation.
Unwinding in our seats, we started off with a Lemon Sipper (Prosecco with some flair!) and a Moroccan beer to ignite our taste buds before digging into the mixed dip platter that included a classic garlic hummus, a tasty yellow lentil purée, tzatziki (one of my Greek faves), and skordalia (a garlic potato-​based dip). It came with plenty of pita bread triangles, baked to crispy yet fluffy perfection. Every dip was divine, with just the right amount of flavor, and I would’ve licked the plate clean if I weren’t raised with any manners (thanks, Mami & Papi!)…LOL.
We decided to continue ordering tapas style, adding the meatballs with tahini-​yogurt sauce and hand-​rolled grape leaves. The meatballs were juicy and well spiced while the yogurt sauce, another one I could’ve licked clean from the plate, complemented it well. The grape leaves were heavenly and seemed to have been made with a lot of love.
Our waiter who was attentive and helpful recommended Anise’s house sangria and, boy, did he steer us right! They have both red and white sangria and, opting for the traditional red, we savored our glass to the last drop, including the generous helping of fresh fruit marinated in its tasty nectar and rich redolence.
There were many items on the menu that called out to us, though having come just for a sampler, we knew we must come back again to try more. So before wrapping up an already lovely evening, we sat back, watching egrets dip in and out of the river while sipping on some belly-​warming port.
So relaxed were we, it wasn’t until we’d finished the port, that we realized we were the last to close down the restaurant. And nobody was rushing us out of there. In fact, the owners were still enjoying their place as much as we were.
We thanked them for their warm hospitality and look forward to returning soon! I should note it’s a great place whether with a date, friends, or dining solo. Anise, take me away…

This place is exactly what I look for in an evening out! Not too casual, not too fancy, great food, efficient service and reasonable pricing.
Our group of 3 came here last night. There were a good amount of people for a Sunday, but we were seated right away. We started with drinks — the Monaco, a beer based cocktail (excellent), a Mythos beer (crisp and refreshing) and the Lemon Sipper, a sparkling wine based cocktail (also very good).
We ordered tapas-​style, sharing a bunch of smaller plates.
–Skordalia — perfectly lemony, served with grilled pita wedges
–Meatballs — juicy and flavorful, served with a yogurty dill sauce — an unusual pairing with the meat, but it worked and was delicious
–Grilled Octopus — charred on the outside, melting on the inside, served with giant beans — perfection!
–Stuffed risotto balls — risotto, feta and seasoning, deep fried — WOW! It totally worked
–Artisian rustic bread with olive tapenade — the bread was hearty and crispy and would have worked better with something «soupy» to soak up
–Moussaka — light and delicious
We finished the meal with desserts that were obviously made in-​house — the baklava of the day (prune and date — the prune flavor was a little strong, but it still worked), chocolate cake (which came with an ouzo based cream sauce on the side) and an apple cinnamon tart. Wonderful!
Service was attentive. The food took a while to come out, but were OK with it because it was obviously made freshly to order, and we were also ordering plates one or two at a time, intending to have a leisurely meal.

Fantastic lamb shank. Great skirt steak and very juicy Corvina. Everyone loved their food. the waterside dining is very romantic in the evening. really great flavors.
Great service too.

I love Anise! They recently painted it Orange, not my choice of color, but it doesn’t affect the taste of the food.
This restaurant is a better eat in establishment than it is for take out. It is ridiculously close to Biscayne Avenue, but you would know it by sitting on the canal or inside the restaurant. They have decorated the restaurant in typical Mediterranean fashion and the food is an excellent reflection of this area. While it is advertised as Greek, you can see a definite Italian influence in some of the dishes.
I would recommend getting the Rustic Greek salad to share. I literally get cravings for this salad during the week, it is served with a big slab of feta, with capers, fresh tomatoes and cucumbers (YUM).
The staples for a visit to Anise include the prawns, tomato-​feta risotto/​the risotto balls, grape leaves, and a choice of flatbread. I would recommend the Saganaki for dessert.
They usually have specials of the day and I’m sure it will be fantastic.

Wow, this is the epitome of a hidden gem! We must have driven by Anise a thousand times — and had even talked about trying it out — but seeing it from the outside (it does look a tad run-​down and not very appealing at first glance) it wasn’t exactly a place that was on top of our list of must-​visit restaurants. Well, it should have been.
I’m giving it 5 stars because it has all the elements of an excellent restaurant and it not only completely took us by surprise but it also exceeded our expectations. Great ambiance, excellent food and excellent service. Don’t expect some posh and trendy 5-​star restaurant though — Anise Taverna is for foodies who can appreciate a great, authentic meal — not the run-​of-​the-​mill food you get at every other Greek restaurant but the kind that tastes like the cooking of a real-​life Greek grandma’. Anise also feels so much like a typical old Greek Taverna that you’ll quickly forget that you are in Miami (not to mention off Biscayne blvd. across from seedy motels and gas stations).
We got a romantic table facing the river — really couldn’t have asked for a better spot for our weekly Wednesday night date night. The pita bread was hot and fresh and came with a delicious garlicky hummus. The char-​grilled octopus is a must and the goat cheese fritters dipped in the raisin coulis were yummy (and I’m not usually not a raisin fan). The slow-​braised lamb shank was so delicious — the meat was fall-​of-​the-​bone tender and the wine reduction was rich and flavorful (I tasted anise, capers, and maybe even a hint of cinnamon???). Unfortunately we were too stuffed to get any dessert but we’ll be back. This is definitely a place worth repeating.

This Greek girl loves her Greek grub (this is starting to sound like a tongue twister… my apologies).
So I decided to give Anise a whirl because it’s literally 2 minutes from my home. I’m glad I did because now we have a go-​to spot for yummy Greek cuisine.
Here are the gets: Saganaki (fried salty cheese), hummus, tzatziki (yogurt sauce), keftedes (meatballs), grilled octopus and stuffed grape leaves.
The plate de resistance? The lamb roll. Think lamb meat (in a ground meat form) wrapped in flaky phyllo dough. Amaze.
Skip the chicken gyro.
We always order take out and it’s ready in 15 minutes. Can’t beat that.

Based upon my makeup artist’s recommendation, I tried Anise this past weekend and was not disappointed. Let me add the disclaimer that I knew not to expect major ambiance, so I could not be disappointed.
We started with the hummus and the texture was a bit too lumpy for my taste and I was not wowed, thought the pita bread was very good; nevertheless, I wonder if they «recycle» uneaten pita as I found a slice that was clearly bitten off when we were served. I overlooked this as even the best locations get a mix-​up sometimes, well, that is what I told myself to feel better.
The spicy lamb sausage was awesome and I was tempted to order more. The greek salad was also very good, but the best part of the meal was the grilled octopus! The texture was just perfect — not too chewy, not too dry. We tried a Greek red wine and was pleasantly surprised to notice that after 1.5 glasses, my date started to look cuter and cuter. We never ordered dessert as we given a complimentary glasses of dessert wine.
Overall, the food was very good, though pricey and sitting outside by the water was a nice treat. My only major tiff with Anise is that we should have been given a discount as we fed the swarm of house mosquitoes. Nothing like walking back from date night looking like Hitch’s allergic reaction, but then again, I guess if you wanna sit outside in the evening in South Florida, I should have been better prepared.

Love this restaurant!
We have had the spicy lamb sausages over couscous, the fish strew, the pork chop with risotto and the lamb shank. Everything is delicious and cooked to perfection. For starter, the hummus is the best I’ve ever had!
The restaurant itself is gorgeous inside, very Mediterranean and the staff is very courteous. You actually feel like you’ve left Miami.
The place fills up quickly, so reservations are recommended.
Can’t wait to go back!

I must have decided to dine on one of their off nights. The food was good, the service was understaffed (although the waiter was friendly, and acknowledged the long wait), and I didn’t care much for the ambiance. We sat outside under an «awning», I’m sure to some it could look quaint — but it looked kinda ghetto with the diversity of umbrella/​awning they had in the back (outside dining). I don’t think I’d ever want to eat inside here — even less ambiance.
Food was good though, we ordered:
Little Greek meatballs
Goat cheese fritters
Olives
Chicken souvlaki
Moussaka
Perhaps if the «dining experience» was better I may have rated it higher — but it looks like it Thira’s for Greek for me.

Living on the Biscayne Corridor, I’ve looked for a good alternative to Thira for when I have a craving for Greek food. After passing this place for some time (and getting a good recommendation from a friend of a friend), a friend of mine wanted to go to a Greek restaurant, and took the opportunity to finally give Anise a try; and I’m glad I did.
We started off with some hummus and pita, and while the hummus was what you would expect, the pita bread was nice and warm and topped with spices — very good bread and they weren’t stingy with it, either. We had a tough time deciding between getting an entrée or a bunch of appetizers, but my friend and I decided to go with sharing appetizers. We had the Lamb Rolls, Greek Meatballs, and Grilled Octopus.
The Lamb Rolls were really the deciding factor in going with shared appetizers. They came out hot out of the oven, and after letting them cool for a second, were every bit as good as expected. They had a nice crispy, flaky exterior and the ground lamb filling was tasty and had a nice, spicy kick to it that’s enough for even the heat-​tolerant to notice. I thought the meatballs were okay, but there were a lot of them and they were huge. The highlight for me, though, was the grilled octopus. The grilled octopus came close to being the best grilled octopus I’ve ever had. It was char grilled perfectly, came out very tender, and had an almost perfect combination of lemon, olive oil, and garlic flavors.
The service was friendly, prompt, and courteous, and Anise will now be near the top of my list for places to go when I want Greek food.

The food was excellent. There is tons to choose from on the menu. Plenty of variety and even daily specials. The ambiance was nice with an indoor romantic touch and outdoor on the river casual feel.
My only complaint is the slower service but it is something you can expect from an authentic Greek restaurant and the food is worth the wait. Next time I will clear my schedule for the night, order a bottle and enjoy the evening.

Hard to believe you’re in Miami… What a charming little restaurant. White wooden shack with a small terrace out back overlooking a creek. Free parking lot! Friendly service. Was well visited by a bunch of regulars as the manager seemed to know everyone by names.
Here is our take away on what we ordered:
Char grilled octopus had a great char and smoky flavor. You must like octopus because it does have a chewy texture.
Lamb sausage appetizer with curried lentils– The sausage could have been better, the lentils were nice. I hate it when they’re al dente and these were perfectly cooked.
The complimentary hummus with grilled pita they serve is delicious, fresh with a nice nutty flavor. The BF didn’t like it as much; he prefers his hummus with lots of lemon and garlic.
Whole grilled branzino was 1.5 pounds and just enough for two people, probably more suited for one. The chef did make a specially requested side dish for us that wasn’t on the menu.
Both desserts were RIDICULOUS. The apple walnut cobbler is huge and rich. It’s not really a cobbler, think of it as a warm custard-​like bread pudding topped with warm apples and walnut butter streusel. Yummy!
The baklava was a smaller portion and served with a pistachio ice cream, which was creamy and fantastic.
Had the branzino been larger I would have given 5 stars. Will be back!

This restaurant was a wonderful experience. I’m sorry that I can’t afford to go there more often. The menu was creative while maintaining it’s Mediterranean flavor. It was both rustic and contemporary.
We spent about $ 80 on dinner, but it was worth it. I loved every bit of it. From the little bowl of complimentary marinated olives which were brought to us to the deep fried smelts, grilled sardines, and the delightfully aromatic gelatos which ended our meal, it was worth every penny.
I’m very sorry that this restaurant doesn’t provide its customers with small private booths where you can have a food orgasm in private. We did make the suggestion to the owner. Hopefully, he will take heed.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. The service is outstanding and the food will leave you craving more. The ambiance is romantic, almost makes you want to whisper. Do start with the baked octopus that arrives cut up in a delicious olive oil and herbs sauce. We also tried the scrumptious branzino, Mediterranean Sea bass that came accompanied by potato wedges. They will filet it for you if you desire.
The place is hidden of 78 and Biscayne but you’ll be glad you found it. We are!

What a genuinely wonderful spot! We came here last night for dinner and were entirely satisfied with our choice to dine here. The inside is very welcoming, almost as if you’re dining at someone house. Despite a huge party (15+ people) the service was pleasant and relatively quick. Plus, the live music helped to keep us entertained in between our bites of delicious food.
My boyfriend and I weren’t interested in any one dish in particular, so we chose to order a few appetizers and share. First, the hummus is velvety soft and delicious! Coupled with their warm pita bread, it’s hard to not keep going back for more. To reach my vegetable intake of the day I ordered their house greek salad, which was h-​e-​a-​v-​e-​n-​l-​y. The rest of our meal was incredible, but as a salad lover, I can honestly say I’d go back just for this salad. It was bursting with fresh flavors (ripe tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, chickpeas, kalamata olives, onions, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and feta cheese). A day later and I’m still dreaming of how fresh and addictive the salad was.
The rest of our meal included falafel (pretty good), meatballs (delicious!); both with a side of chunky tzatziki; and spicy prawns on a bed of fiery vegetables chopped up (think pico de gallo only a tad finer). Needless to say, we left feeling that Anise was a feast of delicious flavors and an ambiance that was warm and genuine.
Also, it seems they have addressed the parking issue some mentioned previously because we pulled in and an employee was helpful in telling us we could park either behind a car or in a meter along the street (they stop monitoring them after 7pm).

Good, honest, food. Friendly staff. Pleasant location on the «water.»
It’s one of those urban places that you step into that takes you out of the gritty outside world. It makes the otherwise unattractive river feel like a different place.
I had the Rustic Pork Sausage and Peppers with giant white beans and rice. Very simple. Clean red sauce. The beans were nice and the sausage was tasty and a bit spicy. I was hoping the sausage was homemade but I asked and it was not so. I feel that I really didn’t get the core of their cooking since the protein was shipped in, but the dish was good.
And so was the hummus. No, the hummus was excellent. Best I can remember. Not over garlicky but with a nice spiced flavor. Grape leaves were decent enough and the fried zucchini was very tasty.
I their «version of Mousaka» that my neighbor had which substitutes zucchini for potato and it was extra delicious. Speaking of extra delicious, the coconut cake with homemade ice cream is to die for. A must try. We got one for four of us and it was just the right ending.

Dinner here with two friends on a Friday night. Glad I got the Unilocal low-​down before getting there, because I was seriously sketched out. They have a free parking lot, but it was full so I ended up on the street (make sure not to park at the BK or Taco Bell — they tow!).
The place looks like it used to be a house… not too big… cute decorations. When we walked in they asked if we had a reservation (what!!!) — and there would be a wait if we wanted to sit outdoors. We opted for outside, even though that meant keeping our jackets on… and were pleasantly surprised. Adorable décor– blue doors, funky lamps — and a lovely view of a dirty canal and homeless people on the other side. Service was great, atmosphere was good (minus the police sirens in the background), and the crowd was … interesting. After dinner we were able to just sit and talk without being rushed out — always appreciate that.
Not a very extensive menu… more Greek/​Mediterrean options than just straight up Greek. Began with a teeeeeny, tiiiiiny serving of hummus. Apparently it’s okay to serve a basket full of pita, and a scoop of hummus — could’ve used a little more than that. Everyone at our table ordered some form of lamb… baaaaaa. I got the lamb shank with some rice & garbanzo mixture (about $ 19 I think), and the other two friends got Lamb Chops ($ 26) and Spicy Lamb Sausage ($??).
Would’ve gotten more stars but I’m a dessert girl and wasn’t impressed by their selection… (where’s my Galaktoburiko? and why is Greek Yogurt w/​honey $ 8 when it’s $ 1.50 at Publix??). and I wish the regular menu had a few more options.