Dukunoo Jamaican Kitchen In Wynwood, Miami

Mister B. suggested that we visit Dukunoo Jamaican Kitchen in Wynwood. It’s unlike any other Caribbean restaurant I have been to in Miami – so very pretty, elegant in a whimsical kind of way, eclectic and full of flamboyant art on the walls. Color and comfort are two things that strike you when you first walk through the door. The smell of jerk chicken cooking in the patio, and the warm welcome from the staff, force you to stay and try some of the tasty items on the menu.

We had a mini-feast – wanted to taste as many things as we could.

Jerk Chicken

Cooked in the jerk stand outside on the terrace, this chicken marinated in jerk spice (chilies, thyme, cinnamon, garlic, and nutmeg) was fantastic. It was a little cold by the time it got to the table, but the perfect amount of smokiness and intense flavor made up for it.

Jerk Chicken Sandwich

The sandwich was made with lettuce, tomato, cheddar, jerk mayo, and grilled onions. Miss Y. ordered this, and she is usually very picky with her food, but this time, she devoured the dish.

Lick You Finga Oxtail

This oxtail dish was supposed to come with broad beans, spinners (dumplings), and crispy onions, but I only got the onions. If I had read the menu properly, I would have asked for the spinners and beans. The oxtail itself was delicious and coming to think of it, I did lick my fingers after eating it – did not want to waste a drop of the sauce!

Escovitch Fish

The fish came in a blue dish which shocked my eyes for some reason. This whole snapper was fried and then drenched with escovitch sauce, made from vinegar, onions, bell pepper, carrots, and scotch bonnet pepper. This was Mister B.’s dish, and he said that it was the best escovitch fish he had eaten in a long time. I got a bite, and the flavor was outstanding.

Rice & Peas

This traditional Jamaican Rice and Peas was excellent and hearty. The ‘peas’ are not garden peas, but red beans, as beans are referred to as ‘peas’ in the Caribbean.

Fried Sweet plantains

This classic Caribbean side dish was a winner, and it is made by simply frying very ripe plantain slices in oil. These plantains were not that ripe, though, so the little one had some issues with that. I thought they were terrific as I prefer them that way.

Festival

Jamaican Festival is a crispy fried dumpling that’s lightly sweet and goes well with jerk and escovitch fish. This festival was so good and big and chunky. I could have taken some to go, but I did not think that the texture would be the same if I warmed them up later. I can’t wait to try them again.

Old Jamaica Dukunoo

The Caribbean dessert is made from sweet potato, coconut, spices, and brown sugar, all tied up in a banana leaf. It is then cooked in boiling water. This particular one was made with jimbilin (a type of gooseberry), crispy sweet potato, and cinnamon cream. I have to say, with absolute certainty, that this was the best dessert I have tasted all year! I have never had Dukunoo before, and now it is on my list of favorites.

Dukunoo Jamaican Kitchen is a place that will rock you gently with comfort, both because of the food and the ambiance. It’s trendy, offers indoor and outdoor seating, a full bar, and an authentic jerk stand outside in the back. The service is truly exceptional, and the art scattered on every wall, adds a touch of Caribbean sophistication that is rare to see anywhere else in Miami.