Just steps away from the ocean, North Beach News found a new Mediterranean Restaurant, Hookah Lounge and Bar called Roni’s by the Ocean, with an expansive menu and unique vibe. Located at 7300 Ocean Terrace, the restaurant offers large dinner options that are meant to be served family-style. Open for just two months, Roni’s by the Ocean has been buzzing with business.

“It’s been an incredible response so far,” said Owner and Executive Chef Roni Mualem. “85% of our business has been customers that have returned.”

Born in Israel, Roni has lived in Miami Beach for 20 years after living in New York, and his restaurant’s concept was inspired from dozens of different cuisines from all over the world.

“Ever since childhood, I’ve worked with all kinds people like Persians, Turks, Greeks and Arabs,” he said. “While working as a musician and a singer, I was able to learn more about all types of cuisines and I brought all this experience, over 35 years, to my current restaurant.”

Designed for sharing, Roni’s menu is a sampling of Mediterranean and Arab cuisines. Like its food offerings, the restaurant’s eclectic interior design is a mish-mash of styles that include Middle Eastern inspired tapestries and sculptures of Egyptian pharaohs.

“I took the best signature dishes from different Arab and Mediterranean cultures and gave them my spin,” he said. “It’s high quality food created with the freshest ingredients and cooked in delicious juices. The food is different and people like it.”

When asked to identity his favorite dish, the outspoken owner simply couldn’t…However, he loves to entertain large parties of 20 at the venue with a special 9 foot party platter that stretches along a marble table. Starting at $450, there are three different “Roni’s Special” party platters to choose from that include an array of Kebabs on a bed rice and grilled vegetables.

Impressive 9 foot platter at Roni’s by the Ocean in North Beach

His menu includes exclusive items like his famous chicken wings that are grilled using special charcoal imported from South America. The menu also offers a variety of pasta, seafood and dishes that even include curry options. For dessert, he offers his famous Kenafa and, of course, Baklava.

A resident of North beach, the owner shares many of the responsibilities of the restaurant with his wife Soledad and offers a special karaoke night on Thursdays.

Roni’s By The Ocean is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 am through 11:00 pm. For more information, visit www.ronisbytheocean.com. We’re looking forward to see what other wonderful businesses will be drawn to North Beach.