The website for this sexy, Catalonian hotspot in Downtown offers a simple description of the concept: “Straddling the line between madness and genius.” This makes NIU an ideal spot to test a date’s willingness to try new things. Creative riffs on Iberian Peninsula dishes include Galician octopus, brothy clams and, if you're lucky to find it on a night it's available, big plates of rice or noodle paella studded with seafood and the most perfect aioli this side of Madrid. Next door, sister restaurant NIU Wine offers an even tinier, more intimate nook to sip wine and devour tapas for hours on end.

At night, we got dressed up and ready at the rental before heading to nearby Niu Kitchen—a sleek spot with creative Spanish small plates and a terrific wine list. (I suggest ordering a bottle of Envinate's Canary Island wine if they have one.) And after an intense Core Power Yoga class on Saturday morning, we did a full swim session. (Pool floats can be provided on request, and the backyard is shared with the owners, but I had it to myself as they were out of town during my stay.)

But NIU Kitchen is less a place for dads and more a place for dates. The menu doesn't change much and there are some dishes we'll always order here, like the cold tomato soup with a dollop of frozen "mustard ice cream" in the center—a perfect Miami soup. The clams come in a delicious picada sauce, and demand an extra side of bread, which is unfortunately not free.

When the pandemic descended over Miami in March, Deme Lomas and Karina Iglesias smartly — if out of necessity — combined their two downtown Miami spots into one space that offers the best of Spain, the delicious and inventive creations that spring out of Lomas’ head and kitchen, and a list of natural wines to shepherd your palate through a fermented wonderland. So sit, enjoy a few pours, polish off a cold tomato soup ($13); some foie gras with honey bread, apple textures, raspberries, and almond powder ($19); and try to forget — if only for a moment — the insanity held at bay by those glass doors. P.S.: Buy a round of beers for the kitchen for $5.

The scene: Making good on their promise to feed your imagination and give you a taste of the extraordinary, NIU Kitchen proves that you don’t have to understand something to like it. This rustic venue has a wine bar vibe, with wood panelled walls, low moody lighting and hand-written chalkboard menus that captivate the essence of Catalonia in a heartbeat. The largely tapas-based cuisine veers from authentic and traditional Catalonian plates to risky and experimental novelties, all paired with a carefully selected wine list.

NIU Kitchen chef Deme Lomas and wine director Karina Iglesias’s Catalonian gem is located deep in Downtown Miami. The compact restaurant outgrew its original location (which they’ve since converted into a lovely hole-in-the-wall wine bar dubbed NIU Wine) and has since expanded to a roomier setting next door. Why we love it: There’s a seasonal lineup of bold tapas and flame-grilled mains, like the delicate branzino tartare served with a white garlic soup and pan-seared foie over honey bread and fruit.

What Wadjers are saying: Niu Kitchen, nestled in the heart of downtown Miami, offers a sanctuary of effortlessly cool vibes and delightful rustic Spanish small plates. Its interior boasts glossy concrete floors and subtle lighting, creating an ambiance where the extraordinary meets innovation. At Niu Kitchen, the distinctive pairing of inventive dishes with a thoughtfully curated wine list exemplifies the remarkable fusion of tradition and innovation that this culinary treasure touts.

The only thing I miss about not having an office downtown is that I'm not close enough to Niu Kitchen to go there regularly. This tiny place, opened by Karina Iglesias (who took care of our family more times than I can count at Red Light) and chef Deme Lomas, serves creative, Catalan-inspired dishes that are more interesting, and more delicious, than countless other Miami restaurants with bigger spaces and budgets.

Niu Kitchen is a family-owned restaurant in Miami, FL that specializes in Cuban and Spanish cuisine. The restaurant was opened in 2012 by husband-and-wife team Rafa and Andrea Niu, who wanted to share their love of Cuban food with the world. The menu offers a variety of traditional dishes, such as lechón (roast pork), arroz con pollo (chicken and rice), and plátanos maduros (fried plantains).

Tucked away on a charming side street, NIU Kitchen offers an intimate and cozy atmosphere that perfectly complements its culinary creations. Led by Chef Deme Lomas, the restaurant showcases a menu inspired by traditional Catalan dishes prepared with a modern twist. NIU Kitchen's dishes are expertly crafted and designed to be shared, encouraging a communal dining experience.

You know a restaurant — especially a Catalan restaurant — has to be good if acclaimed Spanish chefs Ferran Adrià and José Andrés have been spotted eating there together. Translating to “nest” in Catalan, Niu is small and dimly lit, a comfortable escape from frenetic downtown Miami. The kitchen turns out some of the most-exciting small plates in South Florida.

Inspired by Dali’s melting clocks and Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia, this Catalan eatery is anything but ordinary. It inconspicuously popped up between an optometrist’s office and a mini-mart a little over a year ago, relying on word of mouth and locals to garner a steady stream of customers to its quaint Downtown locale. It’s easy to miss when walking along N.E.

Definitely Niu Kitchen. It's seriously delicious. I love Catalan and Spanish cuisine in general. Chef Deme Lomas is incredibly talented, and the way he incorporates his creativity into the food is soul touching." – Michelle Bernstein, chef-owner of Café La Trova, Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Company, and La Cañita

For those seeking a Spanish culinary adventure, niu kitchen offers an intimate and authentic experience. Specializing in Catalan cuisine, this downtown gem is both innovative and rooted in tradition. Dishes like the ‘Arros Caldoso’ and ‘Gambas Al Ajillo’ are sure to transport you to the streets of Barcelona.

Chef Deme Lomas is pushing the boundaries with his creativity and bold flavors in this tiny space. The food speaks for itself and you’re unbothered by the typical chairs of your middle school classroom. The menu is constantly evolving so a reoccurring dinner on the calendar is a smart move.

★★★ SPANISH [em] The MO in this cool, cozy (ok, fine, tiny) Catalonian tapas spot is “plates to share, glasses to clink,” as Barcelona native, Chef Deme Lomas, throws down some damned good dishes, from charbroiled oysters and Branzino tartare with white garlic cold soup to Lomas’s…

Niu Kitchen is a rustic cafe and wine bar with a unique and authentic Spanish tapas menu. After the pandemic ended and Niu moved to a new location and merged with its sister restaurant, Arson. The restaurant grew to become one of the most popular places in Miami.

Rounding out the picks of best wine bars in Miami — Hidden in Downtown Miami, this is an intimate wine bar that lives up to its name. Niu means “nest” in Catalan, and the place pairs natural wines with small plates that highlight traditional Catalan flavors.

Please contact the venue to check if this discount is still valid. - Enjoy 50% off all bottles of sparkling wine during happy hour!. - Indulge in $7 gimlets, dirty martinis, and espresso martinis at happy hour.- Experience exquisite tapas in a laidback...

Located in the heart of Downtown Miami, mere minutes away from American Airlines Arena, lies NIU Kitchen, a restaurant that feels as if it has been plucked directly from Spain. This rustic café and wi...

The menu encourages diners to order at random, with their eyes closed. Possible dishes include Branzino tartare, oysters, and chicken cannelloni. The accompanying wine list is carefully curated.

104 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33132Phone: 786-717-6711 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by NIU KITCHEN × ARSON (@niukitchen)