Food

A popular restaurant from Philadelphia is taking over this iconic Wynwood spot

By Connie Ogle

Updated May 6, 2025 5:31 PM

The interior of the new Double Knot restaurant, which has taken over the former space of Wynwood Kitchen & Bar.

A popular Philadelphia spot is now open in the former space of one of Wynwood’s first restaurants.

Double Knot, the Japanese-inspired izakaya spot from chef and restaurateur Michael Schulson, is now open in the old Wynwood Kitchen & Bar spot on Northwest Second Avenue, right next to Wynwood Walls.

Schulson, who opened Double Knot Miami in collaboration with real estate developer Goldman Properties, opened the original restaurant in Philadelphia’s Midtown Village neighborhood in 2016.

The glamorous bar at Double Knot restaurant in Wynwood.

This isn’t the first time Schulson has opened a spot in South Florida: He also opened the now-closed Monkitail at The Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood in 2017, which was also known for its Japanese izakaya-style cuisine.

Schulson, who learned to love the pub-style, small-plate joys of izakaya when he lived in Tokyo, said he has been eager to open a version of Double Knot in Miami.

“I’ve been waiting for the right time and place to bring Double Knot to Miami, and I’ve finally found it,” he said.

Another view of the interior of Double Knot restaurant in Wynwood.

“We took the original inspiration, Japanese seaside meets Philadelphia grit, and reimagined it for this city. The design blends nautical elements with Wynwood’s warehouse aesthetic and layers of tropical deco. The menu reflects that same energy: bold, vibrant, and rooted in our passion for Japanese cuisine.”

The menu highlights traditional izakaya cuisine, including robatayaki skewers (robatayaki refers to a method of cooking in which food is cooked at different speeds over hot charcoal). Sushi like big eye tuna rolls and toro nigiri are also available.

The eight-seat sushi bar at Double Knot restaurant in Wynwood.

There are such main dishes as crispy Japanese fried chicken, black cod fried rice, A5 wagyu beef and kobe beef skewers and a creative homage to Double Knot’s hometown, a cheesesteak bao bun served with provolone and cherry pepper relish.

You can eat at the eight-seat sushi bar or try anything on the main menu in the main dining room or the bar and lounge, which features a 13-seat marble bar.

The cocktail menu features specialty drinks like The Double Knot (bourbon, rye, vermouth, smoked cinnamon and and clove); The Splice Knot (shishito vodka, ginger-honey and lime) and The Alpine Knot (vodka, yuzu, honey, and shiso).