How Dukunoo In Wyndwood Miami Became The No. 1 Place For Authentic Jamaican Food

During Art Basel weekend in Miami, World Music Views stopped by Dukunoo Jamaican Kitchen in Wynwood — a lively Caribbean oasis where the brown stew fish was unforgettable and Melissa P. Dunn was the life of the party, “handing out several shots to guests.”

So who is Melissa?

“Hi, so my name is Melissa P. Dunn. I am the CEO of MD Marketing and Consultant, and we are the marketing agency for Dukunoo Jamaican Kitchen in Wynwood, Miami.”

Dukunoo isn’t just another trendy Miami spot. It’s a true Jamaican story rooted in passion and perseverance. “Dukunoo is a family-owned business. It’s owned and operated by a husband and wife couple. They started the business about six years ago and they have survived the pandemic. They have thrived in Wynwood. Now Dukunoo is a really thriving business in the heart of Wynwood.”

Authentic Jamaican Flavor — Straight From the Source

The Jamaican influence at Dukunoo is no gimmick. “The executive chef is from Jamaica. The owners are from Jamaica, the husband and wife team, even though we have a very diverse staff. But the ownership and the food is completely Jamaican influence.”

Authenticity is the brand.

“We remain authentic because that’s who we are… We tell people to come for the food and stay for the vibe.”

That authenticity runs deep into the kitchen — right down to the jerk pit.

“We’re very intentional about using fresh ingredients… The wood is specially treated to give it that authentic Jamaican jerk taste. We don’t do jerk in the oven… It’s a real pimento wood.”

And the top seller?

“The number one thing on the menu… I would say the top seller is probably the oxtail. People love the oxtail and we actually serve it in an authentic little Dutch pot… literally, it’s a mini Dutch pot.”

I personally had the brown stew fish — and the food, the chef’s presence, and the atmosphere felt like a little bit of Hellshire, but still sophisticated.

Why Celebrities Love Dukunoo

Dukunoo has quietly become a celebrity magnet.

“The vibe is good. And the truth is that when they come, nobody bothers them… That’s why people like Kanye West and 50 Cent and others choose us. And they kind of tell each other about it too.”

But it’s not just tourists and celebs.

“The people in Miami really are very loyal to us. We have people that drive from Palm Beach and Broward and come to Dukunoo to enjoy the food because of the vibe and the quality of what we offer.”

Dukunoo via Instagram

Art Meets Food at Dukunoo

With Art Basel in town, Dukunoo doubled as a cultural space. The restaurant features the work of Mark Cameron, its artist-in-residence.

“Most of the artwork on the wall is his. And he’s also a chef… an artist in terms of visual artist, but also a culinary artist as well.”

During Basel:

“We featured artwork from three emerging Caribbean artists… one from Trinidad, another from Dominican Republic, and one from Jamaica. We had live paintings happening every night… and a reception on Friday for these new emerging artists.”

The Final Word

Melissa leaves us with an invitation:

“Dukunoo is the place to be in Wynwood, Miami, if you’re looking for great food, fantastic vibes… Dukunoo is really a Caribbean destination. You can’t come here without needing a passport.”