Popular South American Fusion Spot Open First U.S. Location in Miami

A giant statue of a chubby baby is about to greet diners in Wynwood, and behind the statue is one of Latin America's most talked-about restaurants. Niño Gordo, the Buenos Aires Asian-fusion grill ranked no. 34 in Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants list, is opening its first location outside of Argentina in Miami this spring. The first U.S. location in Miami will channel the same retro-futurist energy and Asian-inflected cooking that made the original a hit—but with a Miami-specific twist.

"Miami isn't just another outpost. It's a new chapter," says chef and co-founder Pedro Peña. "It's a chapter that reflects the rebellious energy of both this city and the Asian street culture that first inspired us."

From Palermo Soho to Wynwood

Niño Gordo opened in Buenos Aires in 2017, tucked into the trendy Palermo Soho neighborhood. Behind it were chefs Pedro Peña and Germán Sitz, already known on the local dining scene for their previous ventures like La Carnicería and Chori. But Niño Gordo hit differently.

The restaurant combines Peña's fascination with Asian kitchens—sparked during travels through Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia—with Argentine grilling traditions, which landed big. The result: a chaotic, memorable dining experience that's been called the "most Instagrammable grill in Buenos Aires." Think: katsu sandos made with steak and brioche, Maoist poster-style visuals clashing with anime, and a room aglow in ominous red light. The vibe? Retro-futuristic, pop-saturated, and totally freewheeling.

Fast, Loud, and Intentionally Unruly

The Miami location won't be a carbon copy. Instead, expect the original spirit with a distinctly local spin. Dishes will blend Niño Gordo's Asian-Argentine identity with Florida's produce and seafood scene. The team is keeping quiet about the full menu for now, but yes—the signature steak katsu sando is making the trip.

"We"re working with what's fresh and local in Miami," Sitz says. "It gives us room to create something that feels new, without losing our DNA."

On the design front, the 70-seat restaurant will look like a walk-through comic book. Expect a technicolor labyrinth of rooms, heavy on Asian design references, glowing red lights, and art-forward details. A towering mural by Argentine artist Ever Siempre—depicting the restaurant's chubby-boy mascot—greets guests at the entrance.

Meet Dekatora, the Cocktail Den Tucked Inside

Tucked inside Niño Gordo Miami is Dekatora, a speakeasy inspired by Japan’s trucker culture. Think rotating projection walls, truck-inspired seating, and neon-lit theatrics. It'll be open Thursday to Sunday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Bar consultant Christine Wiseman is leading the drinks program, creating bold, high-energy cocktails with Asian influences—papaya salad daiquiris, spicy margaritas, Japanese whisky-forward mixes, and cocktails served with hand-carved ice and glitter-lit cubes.

"Every detail, from the mural at the entrance to the shifting atmospheres, is intentional," Peña says. "We want each visit to feel different." Niño Gordo will be open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. Dekatora will be open Thursday to Saturday nights from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m.

Niño Gordo Miami. 112 NW 28th St., Miami; instagram.com/xniniogordomiax.