This Soul Food Favorite Just Opened in Wynwood—and It’s Already a Hit
Wynwood just turned up the flavor. Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley arrived on January 17, bringing bold Southern comfort, showstopping cocktails, and a high energy scene you can feel from the sidewalk. If you have been waiting for a spot that mixes soulful plates with a lively soundtrack and warm welcome home hospitality, this is it.
Come hungry, book ahead, and get ready to stay longer than planned.
1. Grand Opening Vibes And Welcome Home Energy
From the moment you step inside, you hear welcome home and feel like a regular. The room hums with DJs, big screens, and a crowd that dresses for fun but eats seriously. You can sense the grand opening buzz, yet the service still looks you in the eye and remembers your name.
Expect a little opening night chaos and a lot of charm. Reservation or not, the bar becomes a happy holding pen, thanks to quick pours and upbeat bartenders. The vibe is Miami modern with Southern warmth, a mix of soul, swagger, and comfort that keeps you planted.
2. Signature Southern Comfort Menu Highlights
This menu leans into bold seasoning and proud portions. You will spot fried chicken with crackly skin, crab cakes that hold together, and charbroiled oysters kissed with butter. The sides matter: mac and cheese, collards, and candied yams taste like family recipes polished for the spotlight.
Brunch gets playful with banana pudding waffles and fish and grits, plus eggs done shockingly well. There is Kajun Pasta and stuffed salmon with dirty rice for those craving richness. If you prefer lighter, ask your server for balanced picks and pacing.
3. Cocktails That Carry The Room
The bar is where the night often starts and sometimes ends. Bartenders like Desiree and Heather are getting shoutouts for strong, well built drinks that land fast and clean. You will see Wild Blackberry Lemon Drops glowing under the lights and frozen dusse creations that go down dangerously easy.
Not feeling sweet? Ask for a spirit forward riff and let them guide you. Seats at the bar turn waiting into a win, with recommendations that match your mood and plate.
When the cocktails are this dialed in, extra time feels like part of the plan.
4. Service Standouts And Hospitality Moments
Names keep popping up because the team shows up. Servers like Chris, Andre, and Erwin are personable and quick with suggestions, while managers Scott and Mike work the floor with presence. Hosts juggle crowds and still find space for families, even when high chairs run short.
That welcome home greeting hits every time. It is small, but it sets a tone of care and pride. You feel watched over without being hovered.
On hectic nights, that calm guidance makes the difference between rushed and relaxed.
5. What To Order First
Start with charbroiled oysters if available, and do not let them overcook. Crab cakes are a yes. For mains, the fried chicken has faithful fans, and the Kajun Stuffed Salmon with dirty rice is rich and satisfying.
Add a trio of sides for the full experience: mac and cheese, collards, and candied yams. Save room for banana pudding waffles or peach cobbler if you lean sweet. Want balance?
Split plates and pace the cocktails. You will thank yourself later.
6. Pacing, Wait Times, And Reservations
Opening weeks bring lines, so build in time. Even with reservations, you might wait, but the bar softens the blow. If you are flexible, slide in early evenings on weekdays or aim for late lunch on weekends.
Street parking can be lucky, but rideshares remove the stress. Once seated, food rolls out at a decent clip, though peak hours stretch the kitchen. Keep expectations generous and your night will go smoother.
This spot rewards patience with flavor and fun.
7. Design, Music, And The Wynwood Setting
The space feels purpose built for Miami. Think modern Southern touches, bold art, and a layout that flows from bar to dining room to big screens and DJ booth. Garage doors open to Wynwood’s street energy, so the party spills both ways.
Music leans soulful with a polished thump, loud enough to lift you, not drown you. It is the kind of room where catching a game and ordering another round feels natural. You can dance in your seat, nod to the beat, and still focus on your plate.
8. Tips For Your First Visit
Book ahead when you can, then arrive a touch early to enjoy the bar. Start with a cocktail, share two appetizers, and order one hearty main per two people with sides to sample. Ask your server how spicy or salty a dish runs so you get the right balance.
If sound is a concern, request seating away from the DJ. For brunch, pace sweets with savory to dodge a sugar crash. Most important, relax into the hospitality and let the room take over.
You came to eat, but you will stay for the vibe.
