Mutra becomes first kosher restaurant to earn Michelin star

Israeli chef Raz Shabtai achieved a historic culinary milestone when his Miami restaurant, Mutra, was awarded a Michelin star, making it the first kosher restaurant globally to receive the prestigious honor. The announcement came during a Michelin ceremony on Thursday, where Shabtai was overcome with emotion as golden confetti fell.

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It’s a moment of joy, it’s a moment of pride, it’s a moment of relief, it’s a moment of confirmation. It’s not just about Mustra getting that star, but it’s about the entire Jewish community getting that, and I felt a lot of responsibility.

"It's a moment of joy, it's a moment of pride, it's a moment of relief, it's a moment of confirmation," Shabtai told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. He emphasized that the award extends beyond Mutra, representing a significant achievement for the entire Jewish community. Shabtai, who opened Mutra in February 2025, named the restaurant after his Jerusalem-born grandmother, whose cooking heavily influences its menu, which he describes as "Jerusalem cuisine."

The Michelin Guide specifically praised Mutra's "show-stopping plate of beets in a pool of ajo blanco and topped with beetroot sorbet" and its "signature lamb kebab with smoked aubergine cream and tomato oil." Inspectors noted that Chef Shabtai "has brought his take on Middle Eastern cuisine to Miami," highlighting the chef's counter as a must-have experience.

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I really like to call the restaurant Jerusalem cuisine versus Mediterranean and Middle Eastern or Israeli or stuff like that, because the flavors that I’m trying to bring to the table, it’s flavors that came from memories and visiting in the market with my grandma. I have to be very loyal to what my grandma fed me.

This recognition places Mutra among the world's elite dining establishments and marks a significant breakthrough for kosher cuisine, which adheres to strict dietary laws. Shabtai, who has observed kosher practices for over a decade, sees the award as proof that culinary excellence can flourish within these constraints. "Kosher is a beautiful spiritual way of me to bond with God, and the limitation that he gave me, but yet to do amazing good food that everybody can eat," he stated.

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Israeli Chef Raz Shabtai has brought his take on Middle Eastern cuisine to Miami. Named for his grandmother, this is a place where snagging a seat at the chef’s counter is a must.

Noa Figari, Mutra's director of operations, described the award announcement as a "release" after months of anticipation, validating the team's hard work. She echoed Shabtai's sentiment about the responsibility they carry for the kosher world. Shabtai hopes this achievement will inspire other kosher chefs to pursue culinary excellence.

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Kosher is a beautiful spiritual way of me to bond with God, and the limitation that he gave me, but yet to do amazing good food that everybody can eat.