Authentic Greek restaurant Calista Greek Seafood Taverna has opened their third location on the revitalized Española Way at 1444 Drexel Ave on Miami Beach. Already a neighborhood staple in Coral Gables and Coconut Grove, the Miami Beach location is now open and offers a variety of Greek specialties, signature cocktails, a curated wine list, craft beers, and weekly programming with live entertainment.
“We are excited to bring authentic Greek cuisine to Española Way,” shares owner Costa Grillas. “The always-buzzing street is the perfect setting for Miami locals and visitors to experience our menu’s bold Mediterranean flavors and fresh, local cuisine.”
Owned and operated by Grillas, Executive Chef Thomas Fotouras, and Partner Charissa Davidovici, Calista’s Miami Beach restaurant will have a 3,500 square-foot main dining room, a bar area with seating for 14, a 1,000 square-foot front outdoor patio, and an outdoor courtyard. Upon entering, guests will be greeted by bright, Mykonos-inspired decor including bougainvillea flowers, pots, hanging basket light fixtures, an ice display featuring the daily selection of fresh whole fish and seafood, and majestic murals featuring a scene from the classic film “The Greek Tycoon,” and another by acclaimed photographer Robert McCabe.
“The food and bar scene in Athens, Greece is my main source of inspiration for Calista,” says Owner Chef Thomas Fotouras. “I want customers to feel like they are in Greece, eating the most authentic Greek cuisine and the freshest seafood, but most importantly, I want them to feel like family.”
Offering lunch and dinner, Calista’s menu features a variety of dishes from branzino to meat dishes to salads and vegetables. From noon to 3 p.m., guests will have the option of ordering a $29 three-course prix-fixe lunch special featuring popular dishes like Pikilia (trio of dips); Keftedes (Greek meatballs); Branzino; Grilled Salmon; Chicken Filets; and desserts like Greek Yogurt topped with sour cherry preserves, and Mosaiko, a chocolate, hazelnut and almond log.
The dinner menu offers larger dishes including the Spanakopita, a spinach pie made with spinach, feta, and leeks wrapped in phyllo dough; Garides Santorini made with white shrimp, tomato sauce and ouzo; Seafood Pasta made with linguine, bisque, tomato sauce and brandy; Souvlaki Kotopoulo (chicken kebabs) served with tzatziki; the Calista Special including stuffed shrimp, stuffed clams, lobster, filet of sole and scallops. For dessert, guests can finish off their meal with housemade Galaktoboureko, and additional Greek pastries.
The restaurant’s elevated bar will provide full-menu service complete with Calista’s signature cocktails only offered in Miami Beach such as the Santorini Sunset made with añejo tequila, Tsipouro, fresh ginger and agave; the Athens Cosmo made with Metaxa 7 Stars, Cointreau and cranberry juice; and the Mykonos Mule made with Figenza Fig Vodka and ginger beer.
“On trips to Greece, the food has always been what I’ve most enjoyed,” explains Davidovici. “Calista has the most authentic flavors of any restaurant I’ve tried in Miami. The dining experience feels like you’ve stepped off the streets of South Beach and into the Mediterranean.”
Giving guests a taste of the Greek islands, the Miami Beach restaurant will present a weekly “Mamma Mia” style event on Fridays with a DJ, Greek music, dancing and entertainment.
Calista Greek Seafood Taverna is located at 1444 Drexel Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139 and is open daily for dinner Monday to Saturday from 5-11 p.m. and Sundays from 5-10 p.m. Calista will also open for lunch daily in the coming month.
Images via Calista