Niño Gordo, the culinary monster that turned Argentine grilling into urban art, has officially landed in Wynwood, igniting Miami’s creative epicenter. Under the leadership of Germán Sitz and Pedro Peña, the Niño Gordo family brings its signature retro, sci-fi aesthetic and genre-defying flavors to a new stage, marking its first international outpost and second location after its Buenos Aires debut in 2017.
Ranked #34 in Latin America’s 50 Best, Niño Gordo fuses a 70s Maoist propaganda aesthetic with anime and hardcore beats, redefining what it means to dine in Wynwood. The neighborhood, once a working-class industrial district, has evolved into a hub where street art, music, and culture collide—an evolution that mirrors Niño Gordo’s own journey.
Since its inception, the restaurant has challenged culinary norms, blending Japanese, Korean, and Southeast Asian influences with an unmistakable Argentine touch. Every plate, every flame, every sound is a provocation—an electrifying experience that keeps diners coming back.
“Wynwood and Palermo share the same DNA: both neighborhoods are cultural resistance spaces that have transformed through art and community,” explains Germán Sitz, co-creator of Niño Gordo. “We want to bring the fire we ignited in Buenos Aires and make it burn here, where artistic expression and tales of displacement come alive on every corner.”
A SPACE BUILT FOR DISCOVERY
Niño Gordo Miami dials up the theatrics with a larger, louder, and more immersive experience than its Buenos Aires counterpart. Designed and executed by the restaurant’s chef and co-creator Pedro Peña in collaboration with Eduardo Suarez through Tres Tristes Tigres studio, the 74-seat space unfolds like a living comic book under its signature ominous red lights. Each room tells a different chapter in the Niño Gordo story, creating a labyrinth of distinct atmospheres that shift as guests explore. A massive mural by Argentine artist Ever Siempre—twice the size of the one back home—greets diners upon arrival, setting the stage for an experience that is as visually striking as it is dynamic.
Beyond its iconic striking visuals, the Miami outpost was envisioned with a distinctive element that sets it apart while staying true to its rebellious DNA. Enter Dekotora: a bold new component that fuses an elevated cocktail program with a Japanese-inspired menu featuring crudos, makis, nigiris, and an omakase experience built around pristine, high-quality fish. Inspired by Japan’s east-coast fishing villages—where truckers transformed their vehicles into rolling works of art—the space channels that same audacious, freewheeling spirit. Rotating projection walls, truck-inspired seating, and over-the-top design elements create a sensory playground where every night feels unexpected.
For Peña, authenticity comes from evolution, not imitation. His travels through Korea, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Hong Kong were driven by a desire to study the nuances of each region’s cuisines from Korean BBQ to Japanese omakase andseamlessly integrating them with local flavors. Now, as it lands in Miami, this deep immersion allows him to craft a concept with true depth as Niño Gordo continues to challenge expectations, crafting an experience that is fresh, immersive, andimpossible to ignore.
“Niño Gordo was never about following trends—it was about creating them,” says Pedro Peña. “Miami isn’t just another outpost—it’s a new chapter, one that reflects the rebellious energy of both this city and the Asian street culture that first inspired me. Every detail, from the mural to the shifting atmospheres, is intentional, making each visit feel different.”
THE MENU: A NEW CHAPTER
Just as Niño Gordo in Buenos Aires famously fused Argentine grilling with Asian techniques, the Miami outpost reimagines this dynamic by merging the bold, vibrant flavors of Miami with its signature Asian influences. Tailored to the city’s diverse palate and ingredient landscape, the menu promises a high-energy culinary adventure where every dish tells a story of cultural fusion. Guests can expect quick and consistent service, with plates arriving as they’re perfected, rather than coursed out.
Signature items will include their famed Katsu Sando with Shokupan Bread, Beef, Tonkatsu and Japanese Mayo, alongside new and reimagined creations like Hamachi with Bell Pepper, Enoki, Cucumber and Nori; Duck (Peking-Style) with Cucumber, Daikon, Carrot, Bok Choy, Hoisin and Crepe; Dumplings with Squid, Veal, Curry, Coconut Yogurt, Edamame and Wasabi; Fried Rice with Crab, Key West Prawns, Bacon, Edamame, Beans Sprouts; and the Cauliflower Karaage with Grapes, Cashews and Fresh Herbs.
“The Miami menu is not an exact replica of Buenos Aires,” Sitz explains. “The idea is to work with local products andtrends, taking advantage of the fresh ingredients we can access here, like Key West Prawns, which are completely different from those in Buenos Aires. Of course, we’ll keep some of our iconic dishes, but the concept will adapt to Miami’s food scene.”
Nationally acclaimed cocktail mastermind and local bar consultant Christine Wiseman is the creative force behind the bold, high-energy cocktail program for both Niño Gordo and Dekotora. For the main restaurant, Wiseman has curated a lineup of signature drinks designed to complement the food, featuring fresh, bright ingredients with Asian-inspired flavors. Expect twists on the classics, including Red Bean Old Fashioned featuring red bean demerara; Cherry Blossom Negroni with infused Ford’s Gin; and a Papaya Salad Daiquiri made with papaya salad cordial, each balanced and approachable.
At Dekotora, the cocktail experience is all about spectacle and sensory delight. Wiseman’s creations including Neon Skyline with shiso-infused Patron and Mijen Shochu; and the Electric Midnight with Toki, Tamarind, Curry, Coconut andLime Juice, highlight Japanese whisky, premium spirits, and big ice hand-cut in front of guests, setting the stage for Miami’s next great drinking ritual. Playful and visually striking, the menu features glitter-lit ice cubes and vibrant color contrasts adding a dynamic visual element to the bar’s immersive ambiance.
Niño Gordo is located at 112 NW 28th St, Miami, FL 33127 and is now open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. Dekotora is open Wednesday to Saturday nights from 6 p.m. until 1 a.m. Reservations are now available to book via OpenTable or calling 786-889-8093.
For more information, visit www.niniogordo.us or follow on Instagram at @xniniogordomiax.
@xniniogordomiax
Wynwood, Miami
112 NW 28th St, Miami, FL 33127
Tuesday to Sunday from 6 p.m. to midnight; Thursday to Saturday until 2 a.m.
Tel: 786-889-8093
@xniniogordox
Palermo, Buenos Aires
Thames 1810
Monday to Friday from 7 p.m. to midnight; Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to midnight
Tel: +54 11-6585-1988