In South Florida’s vibrant dining scene, Sufrat Mediterranean Grill offers more than just a meal, bit it offers a sense of home.
Founded in 2020 by Tamer Altillawi, this family-owned restaurant brings authentic Jordanian flavors to Pembroke Pines, Doral, and Miami Beach, with recipes rooted in tradition and a philosophy centered on connection. Inspired by family gatherings where food was always at the heart of the conversation, Altillawi has created a space where guests are invited to slow down, share dishes, and experience the warmth of Mediterranean hospitality. In this Q&A, he reflects on the influence of his cultural roots, the importance of community, and the dishes that continue to tell his story.
What inspired you to open Sufrat Mediterranean Grill, and how did your family traditions and cultural roots influence the dishes you serve today?
Sufrat Mediterranean Grill really started from home. I grew up in a family where the kitchen and the dining table were the center of everything. My mother would cook traditional Jordanian and Mediterranean dishes from scratch, and our table was always full of family, friends, and anyone who stopped by.
When I moved to the U.S., I missed those flavors and that feeling of gathering around the table. I started cooking the dishes I grew up with in my apartment for friends and family, using the same recipes my mother taught me. That experience eventually inspired the idea for Sufrat.
Today, many of the dishes on our menu are inspired by those family recipes. In many ways, the menu is a tribute to my mother’s kitchen and the traditions we grew up with.
Mediterranean food is often about sharing meals and bringing people together. How do you try to recreate that warm, welcoming atmosphere for guests who visit your restaurant?
In Mediterranean culture, the table is about more than food, it’s about connection. The word “Sufrat” means “table” in Arabic, and that idea of gathering around a table is at the heart of what we do.
From the beginning, our goal was to create a place where people feel like they’ve been invited into our home. We focus on hospitality, generous portions, and dishes that are meant to be shared, like the Sufrat combo served in our signature trays.
Whether guests come with family, friends, or coworkers, we want them to relax, enjoy the experience, and feel the same warmth and generosity that we grew up with around our own table.
Your menu features many classic Mediterranean dishes. Are there any items that hold a special meaning for you or that you always encourage first-time guests to try?
A lot of the dishes on our menu are very personal to me because they come from my childhood. Things like shawarma, kibbeh, hummus, and traditional grilled meats are dishes I grew up eating at home.
For first-time guests, I usually recommend trying a few different items so they can really experience Mediterranean dining the way it’s meant to be enjoyed. Our dip sampler with hummus, baba ghanoush, and labneh is a great start, and the mixed grill platter is another favorite because it lets people try several flavors at once, especially our star item, the lamb chops.
Those dishes really represent what Sufrat is about, which is fresh ingredients, traditional recipes, and food that’s meant to be shared.
