Given the sheer and growing number of Asian restaurants it’s tough standing out, having Japanese fare with not- your- usual menu selections and food items that are exciting and delicious. Two new entries on the Miami dining scene have managed to do this, Double Knot Miami, an evolution of a celebrated Philadelphia izakaya in Wynwood and Ikigai, the first US outpost of a Mexican restaurant group in Brickell Key.
Double Knot has an inventive take on traditional Izikaya fare with sushi, robatayaki skewers and entrees crafted from seasonal Japanese inspired ingredients. The thing to get here is the chef’s selection for two, 10 dishes a diner selects from 8 categories plus 2 from the robatayaki, plus soft serve ice cream. Categories include cold; small; vegetable, poultry,seafood, pork and meat robatayaki. It’s a good deal at $68 per person.
We had selections in all of the categories (the chef gave us a few more) though I admit, at the end we were slowing down. We continued, as we didn’t want to miss any taste sensation. Below you’ll see images from some of the dishes we had, each perfectly seasoned, delicious, and of quality ingredients. You’ll also see my second pick for a best dish of 2025, the cheesesteak bao buns inspired by the famous Philly cheesesteak, made with provolone cheese and cherry pepper relish. They were over the top delicious.
We had the yellowtail carpaccio, cheesesteak bao, pork gyoza, miso eggplant, chicken thigh, scallop robatayaki, pork belly, ribeye scallion, Japanese fried chicken, Japanese A5, broiled seabass, and the black cod rice (a specialty). Next time I’d like to try the edamame dumpling, Tokyo scallion, quail, asparagus bacon, and the shrimp taco.
Also, all the items in the chef’s selection are offered a la carte.
Cocktails are $14-$19; zero proof are $8.
Choose to dine at the bar and lounge with a jazzy backlit display of liquor or in the attractive dining room. Service was professional and friendly. Note that the sound level can be energetic so if you want a quiet conversation, arrive early, around 6 p.m.
Double Knot Miami, 2550 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami. Dinner is served daily from 5 p.m. They also offer happy hour from 5 p.m. to ;7 p.m.. with an extensive list of light bites priced under $10 and beer, wine and cocktails from $5-$7. Street parking and nearby garages.
At another new entry, Ikigai, besides the very high quality of the ingredients and refined tastes, what most impressed me were the innovative dishes I’ve not seen before in Miami.
With a minimalist décor designed with light woods and a neutral palette, and serene atmosphere, it says refinement and high end in an Asian way. The menu is divided into 21 different kinds of nigiri, temaki and sashimi; makis; soups; house specials; classic; donburi; gyozas and dessert. There’s also a Nigiri omakase experience.
At the helm of Ikigai’s kitchen is Chef and Partner Ignacio Carmona, who trained in Japan and has over 30 years of experience. He has led some of the most recognized Japanese restaurants in Mexico. His talent and dedication have earned him numerous accolades, including recognition in the prestigious “100 Best Restaurants in Mexico
Some of the more unusual dishes included a nigiri with sawagani, a tiny sweet water river crab; oyster nigiri; shake/adami tartar made with cucumber, avocado, asparagus with tartar and tempura flakes; sukiyaki made with harusame noodles, vegetables, wild mushrooms, and rib eye in semi sweet broth; and rib eye sashimi new style flamed with yuzu, soy, sesame and serrano dressing.
Some of the dishes we had included the Japanese red snapper tiradito; Hamachi serrano, sashimi with a welcome zip; a selection of nigiri including caviar and the river crab I mentioned; pork belly, white fish and ribeye gyozas; and the kanikama special with asparagus, tempura shrimp, avocado, flame seared kanikama and spicy dressing. Everything was excellent, seasoned with a deft touch, and with quality ingredients.
There’s bar and dining room seating in indoors and several tables outdoors. A glass of wine (5 ounce pour) starts at $12 and bottles at $50.
Expect to pay $120 per person plus tax and tip for dinner (including one drink each)
There’s a large adjacent garage. They validate parking for two hours. It’s open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Note that it can get very busy from 7 to 9 p.m. so you need to reserve.
Ikigai, 615 Brickell Key Drive, Miami.
