A true testament to the will of owners Manuel and Tina Torterola, Lilikoi has remained open for pick-up and delivery; And now, they are taking it one step further by offering fresh, wholesome ingredients with an organic grocery menu.

Since opening their door in 2016, Lilikoi has gained loyal customers simply by doing things the right way. Before the Miami Beach ban on plastic at restaurants, Lilikoi had already been single-use plastic-free. Before sustainable had made it into our everyday lexicon, Lilikoi knew no other way of running their business and handling their food. Lilikoi’s organic living is a reflection of chef and co-owner Manuel and his life partner Tina Torterola. 

A chef-driven, casual restaurant, Lilikoi provides dishes inspired by the eastern philosophy concept of living in harmony with nature. Manuel’s core value, when it comes to food, has to do with the integrity of how food is handled, cooked, and shared. He oversees every detail and culinary aspect of his food, from creating every single item from scratch or sourcing it from the best providers to serving food that is made as it is ordered. Even the fish is smoked in-house with local wood!

Behind Lilikoi’s philosophy lies Manuel’s unique upbringing in Argentina. He grew up eating and understanding food as an essential aspect of our health. He and his family would feast on a garden salad every night, and when sick, they would resort to using Chinese medicinal tinctures instead of reaching for the pill cabinet. At an early age, he was introduced to the Eastern concept that supplying the best nutrition through wholesome and freshly prepared foods is key to our health and vitality. 

Lilikoi’s organic living motto is not limited to serving food. For Tina and Manuel, organic living encompasses interacting with every part of life in this same way, with their peers or with a stranger on the street. Organic living is extending kindness in every aspect of our lives. Manuel defines food by likening it to comfort and art, to a bridge between people in good company, a conversation, a sunset, or a memory with friends. 

Lilikoi’s menu offers warm, filling, and savory dishes inspired by Hawaiian cuisine—hence the name Lilikoi, which means passionfruit. The menu boasts plant-based options as well as animal-protein dishes with high quality and responsibly sourced meat and fish. Manuel recommends the poke bowl with salmon or his farro -heirloom grain- trumpet mushroom risotto.

You can now order organic groceries online on Lilikoi’s website.

Lilikoi Organic Living
500 South Pointe Dr #180, Miami Beach, FL 33139; T:(305) 763-8692

By contributing writer Pamela Wasabi