Austin’s Legendary Sushi Restaurant, Uchi, Debuts in Miami

Close to two years after announcing its plans to expand to Miami, Austin sushi favorite Uchi — the restaurant described by many as “altering the city’s culinary identity” — has opened in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood at 252 NW 25th Street.

Led by Hai Hospitality and executive chef and owner chef Tyson Cole, the restaurant first opened in Austin in 2003 and has won plenty of accolades over the years, including a James Beard Award for Cole in 2011, and has expanded to locations in Houston, Dallas, and Denver. To lead the Miami location the team tapped chef Edward Sura as chef de cuisine, who previously served as chef de cuisine of Uchiko in Austin, another Hai Hospitality restaurant. Miami’s menu showcases sushi and sashimi, as well as makimono, yakimono, agemono, and other Japanese dishes.

Uchi Miami/Official Press Photos

Many of the highlights from the Austin menu have made their way to Miami including the machi cure made with smoked yellowtail, yuca crisp, Marcona almond, and Asian pear; the walu walu with oak-grilled escolar, yuzupon, candied citrus, and myoga; pork belly with roasted kabocha, shallots, and sweet pepper gastrique; along with an option of a 10-course chef’s tasting, a six-course signature tasting, and a six-course vegetarian tasting.

Uchi’s incredibly popular happy hour also is available at the Miami location. Offered daily from 5 to 6:30 p.m. it offers a variety of deeply discounted plates, sushi rolls, nigiri, and dessert.

Uchi Miami/Official Press Photos

Interior of Uchi Miami

The 175-seat restaurant features plenty of natural materials such as metal, concrete, walnut paneling, cream sherpa banquettes, and botanical wall coverings. At the entrance of the restaurant is a handwoven cinder block wall art installation, and interior and exterior murals by Austin-based artists, Jana Swec and Joe Swec who created the original Uchiko’s large art installation in 2010. The wraparound patio is accented by a living plant wall designed by nature-inspired design firm ​Plant the Future.

Uchi Miami is now open Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to midnight. For more information and to make a reservation visit here.

• All Coverage of Uchi [Eater Austin]