Kosher Miami restaurant Yalla Motek to open first NYC location

Miami’s kosher Mediterranean street food outpost Yalla Motek—an offshoot of the popular (but not certified kosher) parent restaurant Motek—is officially expanding to New York.

Set to open in winter 2026, Yalla Motek will bring a vibrant, fast-casual dining experience rooted in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors, but with one key distinction: it will be the brand’s first certified kosher concept to open in New York.

For many New Yorkers—especially those who keep kosher—this news represents more than just another restaurant opening. It marks the arrival of a long-anticipated dining option that blends culinary authenticity with religious observance, something that’s often hard to come by in the street food space.

Motek, which debuted in Miami during the height of the pandemic in 2020, has quickly become a local favorite with six locations across South Florida (not all of them kosher). Known for its falafel, kebabs, shakshuka and Israeli-style salads, the brand has earned a reputation for delivering bold, satisfying flavors in a warm, inviting setting.

While a full-service, not-certified kosher Motek restaurant is already planned for New York’s Flatiron District this fall, Yalla Motek is being positioned as a distinct concept, focused on quick, approachable, kosher street food. It’s a strategic move from founder Charlie Levy, who spent two decades in New York before relocating to Miami.

“Miami is often called the sixth borough of New York, so it’s a natural next step for our brand to expand here,” Levy said in a statement. “We’ve built a loyal clientele in Florida, and with so many requests to bring Motek to New York, it just made sense.”

Though details on Yalla Motek’s menu are still under wraps, we expect dishes to be similar to the ones offered at the Miami address: falafel sandwiches, salmon shawarma in a pita, chicken shawarma bowls, hummus options and more.

For kosher diners and Middle Eastern food lovers alike, Yalla Motek is sure to add a touch of excitement to midday meals. And we’re absolutely here for it.