Cleo, a new dining destination where vibrant Eastern Mediterranean cuisine meets modern flavors, has officially opened at the Balfour in Miami Beach’s South of Fifth neighbourhood.
The restaurant captivates diners with a unique blend of Old World cooking techniques and a warm, homey atmosphere meant for sharing stories, laughter and memorable meals. This exciting new addition to Miami Beach’s dining scene features a “mezze-style” menu where familiar, shareable dishes are elevated by contemporary presentation.
Cleo is led by award-winning Executive Chef Camila Olarte, who has more than 15 years of culinary experience crafting globally inspired dishes that captivate diners. She has previously held positions at top-rated restaurants such as Los Fuegos by Francis Mallman, The Surf Club Restaurant by Thomas Keller, and Napa Valley’s prestigious three-Michelin-starred restaurant, The French Laundry. Olarte’s passion for cooking began in a lively household where the dining table was the heart of the home. This led to her formal training at Gato Dumas, Colombia’s leading culinary school, and Le Cordon Bleu in Lima, Peru, where she graduated with top honors.
“At Cleo, we aim to celebrate the rich traditions of Eastern Mediterranean culture and a lively communal spirit,” said Olarte. “Our approach is rooted in creating dishes that inspire conversation and connection, transporting guests to a summer-like escape that engages all five senses.”
Cleo invites guests to gather around wholesome, family-style dishes inspired by the cuisines of Greece, the Levant and Morocco. The culinary journey begins with house-baked Jou Jou Pita Bread served with signature Miza Dips, such as smoky Moutabel, made with char-grilled aubergine, tahini and lemon juice topped with fresh pomegranate seeds, and Walnut Muhammara, featuring hot peppers, tomatoes, walnuts and pomegranate molasses.
As the meal unfolds, diners are invited to savor a generous spread of colorful mezze, including Spicy Cigars (crispy brick pastries filled with spiced lamb and labneh) and shareable plates such as Butcher’s Lamb Köfte and Wagyu Beef Skirt Steak Kebabs. For those who appreciate seafood, Cleo offers the standout Grilled Branzino, which perfectly encapsulates the fresh tastes of the Mediterranean Sea. The menu also features artisanal cuts of meat, which beckon guests to settle in for long, leisurely lunches that effortlessly extend into evenings. Mediterranean-inspired desserts like the Baklava Tower and Pomegranate Granita offer a sweet finish.
Cleo also serves standout breakfast options, including Nutella French Toast prepared with brioche bread, cornflakes and Greek yogurt; Turkish Eggs, featuring chili oil and a manchego cheese toastie; and the Mediterranean Breakfast, featuring soft eggs and house-baked flatbreads alongside savory spreads and seasonal vegetables (best served with Cleo’s house-blend tea).
Cleo’s beverage program complements its food menus with bright and refreshing cocktails, imported and local beers, and a wide selection of wines. Inspired by three coasts of the Mediterranean Sea – France, Italy and Spain – the 3 Coasts Martini mixes French vodka, Italian aromatized wine, and Spanish sherry washed with Greek olive oil and is garnished with olives from each region. The Que Syrah Syrah, a spiced twist on sangria, combines wild strawberry cordial, pink peppercorns and Syrah for a delectable sip, while the Basbousa Ramos reimagines the classic Ramos Gin Fizz with flavors of the classic North African dessert combined with Amalfi lemon, saffron, almond and coconut.
Happy hour at Cleo introduces a comfortable, luxe way to unwind and socialize while delighting in $5 Mythos beer, $10 signature cocktails and half-off wines by the glass, plus specialty-priced mezze items. Guests can enjoy these options from 3-6 p.m. daily throughout the restaurant’s bar, dining room, exterior terrace and tropical poolside courtyard.
“Inspired by a summer of travel from the vibrant spice markets of Marrakech to the urban city cool of Athens and the ancient streets of the Levant, Cleo welcomes guests into an energetic space filled with natural light, the sounds of Balearic lounge music and lively jazz, and the bustle of activity,” said General Manager Lisbet Lopez. “Our chefs will be hand-rolling bread while guests toast with champagne by the restaurant’s central olive tree. It’s a place where date nights turn into celebrations, out-of-town visitors are impressed, and families come together over generous, elevated dishes.”
Originally designed in 1940 by Anton Skislewicz, an important Miami Beach art deco architect, Cleo’s interiors captivate design-savvy guests with their timeless sophistication. Cleo seamlessly blends historic art deco charm with the chic, inviting warmth of the Mediterranean, striking a balance between comfort and luxury by maximizing natural light with white linen curtains and marble, stone and terrazzo surfaces. Heritage and family traditions are felt in the oil paintings and artifacts smeared across the walls, collected over a summer traveling across the Mediterranean. The restaurant extends outside to Balfour’s lush courtyard and wraparound terrace, which is adorned with intricate terra-cotta mosaic tiles juxtaposed with neutral fabrics.
Located at 350 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, Cleo offers breakfast daily from 8:30 a.m. to noon and lunch from noon to 3 p.m., with happy hour mezzes and drinks available at the restaurant bar, dining room, exterior terrace and tropical poolside courtyard from 3-6 p.m. Dinner is served Sunday through Thursday from 5-10 p.m. and extended until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. For reservations, book via OpenTable, email [email protected] or call 305.913.6552. For more information, visit cleomiami.com or follow on Instagram.
