New Mediterranean garden restaurant is now open at historic Miami building

A new Mediterranean restaurant has opened at one of Miami’s historic buildings.

Named for the Greek goddess of dawn, Eos Garden is now open at the Water Pump House, a native coral rock and Dade slash pine house built in 1923. The house’s original purpose was to provide water for the Bay Shore subdivision of Miami but was no longer needed by 1925, when the city of Miami annexed the neighborhood. It became a private residence for a short time and was later designated a historic site.

Now, it’s Eos Garden’s turn. The restaurant, from hospitality veteran Ilyas Ortatepe and chef Halit Avuka, has transformed the property into an atmospheric garden, with outdoor dining (and several tables indoors with a sprawling bar as well).

Ortatepe said that the restaurant’s myriad influences — Greek, Turkish, Anatolian, Levantine — mesh with creating a space where culture connects guests.

“Restaurants have the ability to bring people together in a way few other spaces can,” he said. “We wanted to create a place that feels welcoming from the moment guests arrive, an environment where hospitality, culture and authentic connection unfold naturally and without effort.”

The menu features Mediterranean delicacies, starting with mezze like hummus, muhammara (a walnut and red pepper dip) and whipped feta spreads. There’s babaganoush, of course, as well as stuffed eggplant.

You can also start the meal with seafood items like sea bass carpaccio and grilled octopus or move straight toward entrees like Adana lamb kebab, char-grilled lamb chops, whole sea bass or Aegean moussaka.

The wine list highlights Turkish wine, which lends the restaurant’s Mediterranean credence.

“It is a region defined by its diversity, generosity and enduring culture of sharing,” Avuka explained. “Every dish carries with it a sense of place and memory, telling a story of where we have come from and the traditions that continue to shape and inspire our cooking today.”

Eos Garden

Where: 5805 Fourth Court, Miami

Hours: 4-10:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 4-11:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday

Reservations: Resy

More information: www.eosmiami.com or 786-310-7272