If you've never experienced the flavors of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela under one roof, look no further. The 2,000-square-foot restaurant, which has indoor and outdoor seating, was opened in 2019 by restaurateur Diego D’Alvia — restaurateur and owner of La Morocho and Rex Best Chivito in Town in Buenos Aires. A gastronomic experience of Latin fusion, here Executive Chef Matteo Gritti uses his innovative cooking style to fuse traditional Andean fare with new modern techniques for a unique, borderless cuisine.
As D'Alvia tells it, Wayku rises from the respect and admiration its owners feel towards the Quechua culture and the Andean trilogy, where heaven, men — and Pacha Mama, or the Earth — are whole. As such, the restaurant and bar is inspired by the Andean mountain range while the eatery's experimental kitchen focuses on applying modern techniques to traditional Andean elements, creating a culinary experience that moves and breathes with the cycles of nature, taking advantage of the best ingredients of each season.
Photo Credit: Wayku
The team at Wayku aspires to what it calls “nomadic-inspired” cuisine. What does that mean? It means you can start with light dishes such as the Krunchies Tuber & Beet Hummus. You can hit the raw bar and order hot and cold fresh tapas. Want something cold? Try the Phantom Ceviche with Patagonia trout, vegetable pickles and green gazpacho which blends Spanish, Peruvian and Mexican flavors. Prefer hot tapas? Get the Arancini stuffed with goat cheese and burnt aioli.
In addition to its eccentric food offerings, Waku’s esteem stems from its unique bar program. Inspired by the Andes, the program was created by Mona Gallosi, one of Buenos Aires’ most celebrated bartenders, television and radio personalities. Also a consultant and entrepreneur, her libations compliment the food concept. The cocktails are driven by aroma and taste, as well as creativity, and have European and Asian influences that make up the fabric of Latin America.
73 NW 26th St., Wynwood
EARLY DINNER
Tues to Sun 6PM to 8PM
DINNER
Tues to Sat 6PM to 12AM
Sun 6PM to 11PM
BRUNCH
Sun 12PM to 4PM
786-584-8487
WaykuRestaurants.com | @WaykuRestaurants
Happy hour is offered daily from 6 to 8 p.m. with $10 drinks and bar bites.
Photo Credit: Wayku
Executive Chef Matteo Gritti was born in 1993 in Milan, Italy. Both Chef and DJ, Matteo Gritti is, above all, a curious and experimental figure. In addition to his success with music, his rhythm in the kitchen and passion for authentic taste sets a higher standard for worldwide emerging chefs. His inspiration comes from the world around him – art, music, slow food.
When he was just 23 years old, Matteo opened his first restaurant in Buenos Aires. Only a few years later he started working in fine dining restaurants in Italy, learning how to manage Michelin Star restaurants’ kitchens. Matteo is now part of the team opening Wayku in Wynwood, Miami — a new concept of cuisine: modern & borderless, like today's world. Matteo’s purpose is to provide powerful but simple dishes, with a signature twist, using the best techniques and ingredients that the Americas may offer him.
