Chef Raheem Sealey, in partnership with Forward Hospitality Group, has announced that Shiso, an Asian Smokehouse and nod to Wynwood’s rich history and vibrant arts culture, is set to open on March 28 Located in the heart of Wynwood. Shiso is a deeply personal project for Chef Raheem, one that embodies his rich heritage, culinary mastery, and bold approach to global flavors.
Best known for leading the kitchen at KYU and captivating food lovers with his BBQ concept, Drinking Pig, Chef Raheem is now stepping into the spotlight with Shiso. Raised in St. Croix, he developed his passion for cooking in the kitchens of the island’s resorts before refining his craft at Le Cordon Bleu in Miami. His journey has since taken him through some of the city’s most coveted restaurants, including Pao and ZUMA, ultimately shaping his distinctive culinary identity.
“Shiso means a lot to me. It’s an opportunity that came to me at the right time in my career and is a culmination of being able to work with some of the top talents I’ve had the privilege of meeting in my professional journey,” says Chef Raheem Sealey in a statement. “Shiso reflects my culinary inspirations and how they’ve impacted me at different times in my life. It’s an honor to have a project I can call my own, and that truly shows my passion for this industry.”
The menu showcases an interplay of wood-fired BBQ, Caribbean flavors, and Japanese-inspired precision; designed for sharing, the dishes encourage a social dining experience. Signature offerings will include Shiso Chicken Please (a Cornish Hen, presented two ways, half smoked and half fried served with white BBQ sauce), and the Oxtail Gunkan (Smoked BBQ Oxtail layered with pickle relish, rice, house-made oxtail ‘ju-su’ and wrapped in nori paper).
Shiso’s design, led by Lambrini Palmieri-Schwartz of House of L, embodies the fusion of raw urban energy and refined elegance, mirroring Chef Sealy’s culinary philosophy of blending tradition with innovation. The space artfully balances contrast: exposed concrete beams adorned with graffiti art stand alongside an illuminated quartz stone bar, while glossy corridors reveal weathered brick beneath. Serpentine banquettes frame Miami’s panoramic horizon, grounded by industrial concrete floors and ceilings.
The journey upstairs reveals a striking street art mural leading to a 6500sq ft vibrant rooftop space with a 170-dining area. Here, guests will find a 35-seat racetrack-shaped bar with a retractable roof, and semi-private dining cabanas surrounded by a 2000sq ft green garden of palm trees and lush greenery. Distinctive design elements include a Harajuku-inspired bathroom featuring bold anime art, commissioned works by local Wynwood artists, and an origami-inspired entrance with a sculptural wooden interpretation of the paper crane.
Inside Shiso, an open-kitchen dining room combines luxury with culinary theater. Chandeliers illuminate tables set against exposed brick and local murals, while a 15-seat Chef’s counter offers an innovative take on traditional Omakase. At the heart of the space, Miami-based mixologist, James MacInnes leads a world-class bar program focused on craft and showmanship. The restaurant’s design, from its social dining style to its sprawling rooftop, reflects both Chef Raheem’s innovative vision and Wynwood’s creative spirit.
Shiso is located at 239 NW 28th Street, Miami, FL 33127 and is open Tuesday through Sunday, 5PM to close.
