Motek, the Miami-born Mediterranean chain, has opened Motek By The Sea at the W Fort Lauderdale hotel on Fort Lauderdale Beach. The restaurant took over the former El Vez space at 401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., and takeout, delivery and dine-in service are already running.
The location is Motek’s first in Broward County and its first oceanfront spot. The restaurant covers about 12,000 square feet and seats 315, which makes it much larger than the brand’s downtown Miami original, which opened in 2020.
The menu follows the Eastern Mediterranean style served at its Miami-area restaurants, running from all-day brunch through dinner. Diners can order hummus, mezze, labneh dips, kebabs and fresh laffa and pita. The Arayes Burger, a pita stuffed with spiced beef, is making the move north, along with a whole branzino and a crispy chicken schnitzel sandwich. The $5 happy hour is also available.
Motek describes its food as kosher-style. The company says its kitchens have cooked without industrial seed oils since June 2025, relying on olive oil, avocado oil and butter.
Happy Corner Hospitality, the Miami-based group behind Motek, Yalla Motek and Sesame Kitchen, is also bringing Sesame Kitchen to the hotel. That café will be an outdoor space of about 40 seats next to Motek, serving food and drinks from a custom truck. No opening date has been announced for it.
