Dukunoo Jamaican Kitchen, a Jamaican restaurant founded by husband-and-wife team Rodrick Leighton and Dr. Shrusan Gray, is getting ready to expand with two new concepts in Sunrise at 12603 W Sunrise Blvd.
The owners are preparing to open Dukunoo Blue Restaurant and Dukunoo Blue Coffee Bar in the former home of The Knife, an Argentinian grill restaurant, according to documents submitted to the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation. The company recently posted job listings for the new concepts, suggesting an opening could come before the end of the year, although an exact date has not been announced. The coffee bar is described as a new addition to the Sawgrass community, with a focus on quality coffee, creativity, and connection.
The expansion builds on the owners’ original Dukunoo Jamaican Kitchen, which opened in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood in 2019. According to the company’s website, Leighton and Gray, both of Jamaican descent, wanted to create a restaurant that celebrated Jamaican food, cooking traditions, and culture. The original restaurant is located at 316 NW 24th Street in Miami.
The name Dukunoo comes from a traditional Jamaican sweet made with grated sweet potato, coconut, and warm island spices, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. The dish inspired the restaurant’s name and reflects the Jamaican heritage behind the business.
Dukunoo Jamaican Kitchen describes its original concept as an upscale Caribbean restaurant serving island cuisine and craft cocktails. The Miami location features indoor and outdoor dining, a patio, a full bar, live DJs, and private event spaces.
The new concepts will take over a 6,375-square-foot freestanding restaurant property built in 1997, according to LoopNet. The property is an outparcel to Sawgrass Mills Mall, which LoopNet identifies as the 10th busiest mall in the world. The Sunrise expansion will add two new concepts to the Dukunoo brand, although further details about their menus and opening dates have not yet been announced.
