Wood-fired Asian BBQ in a Wynwood warehouse that became the neighbourhood's culinary anchor and earned a James Beard nomination on the strength of one cauliflower dish. Michael Lewis' menu pulls from Thai, Japanese, Korean, and American BBQ traditions, unified by the wood-burning oven and grill that impart smoke to everything from short ribs to roasted vegetables. The room is loud, industrial, and electric with the energy of a restaurant that knows exactly what it is. KYU proved that Wynwood could sustain serious food alongside the murals, and the neighbourhood's dining scene grew outward from this address.
Location
Wynwood, Miami
Insider Intel
The roasted cauliflower with goat cheese, shishito, and herb vinaigrette — the dish that made KYU famous and the one you will think about for weeks. Thai-style grilled short ribs with lemongrass marinade. The wood-roasted whole duck (serves two, order in advance if possible). Tuna crispy rice as a starter. The kimchi fried rice rounds out a table meant for sharing.
Weeknight dinner from 6pm to 7:30pm before the full Wynwood crowd arrives. Reservations are essential on weekends and strongly recommended every night — walk-ins are possible at the bar but unreliable. Saturday night at 8pm is peak energy but requires advance planning.
Located on NW 25th Street in Wynwood, a block from Wynwood Walls. Reservations through Resy strongly recommended — walk-ins are difficult during peak hours. The space is a converted warehouse with high ceilings and communal energy; this is not a quiet dinner restaurant. The wood-fire smoke is part of the experience and you will smell it on your clothes. Valet parking or ride-share. The menu is designed for sharing across the table. Dinner only.