KUSH HOSPITALITY GIVES HISTORIC WYNWOOD LANDMARK A SECOND ACT WITH RESTAURANT REVIVAL AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR HOSPITALITY WORKERS

Matt Kuscher Transforms a Historic 1926 Building Into “Kush Korner,” Pairing the Beloved Restaurant’s Revival With 10 Workforce Apartments Immersed in An Art Exhibition, a New Cocktail Bar and a Tattoo Studio

MIAMI, FL (September 22, 2026) – Award-winning restaurant group Kush Hospitality and founder Matt “Kush” Kuscher will reopen Kush Wynwood this October at 2003 N. Miami Avenue, returning after two years to the historic 1926 building the restaurant called home for nearly a decade. The reopening will anchor “Kush Korner,” Kush’s most ambitious project to date with the transformation of the 7,500-square-foot building into a mixed-use property that pairs a newly designed, 2,200-square-foot restaurant with 10 workforce studios for hospitality professionals protected under a 50-year affordability agreement.

A Building’s Second Act

Constructed in 1926 by Samuel Dubbin, a pioneer of Miami’s early Jewish community, this flatiron-style building, once part of a residential pocket known as Little San Juan, has witnessed 100 years of growth and transformation. Over the decades, it has housed Dubbin’s apartments, restaurants, a pharmacy and even a brothel, with a reported connection to James “Whitey” Bulger, one of America’s most notorious mob bosses, who is said to have lived there around the time of his mid-1950s arrest in Miami Beach. The property went on to endure hurricanes, riots and successive waves of redevelopment before eventually becoming home to Kush Wynwood. When it was later slated for demolition by the city, Kush embarked on a four-year effort to preserve and reimagine the building..

As the project progressed, Kush began looking beyond the restaurant. After watching employees contend with rising housing costs, unreliable transportation and lengthy commutes, he built 10 micro-units above Kush Wynwood specifically to provide affordable housing for hospitality workers. Developed in partnership with the Omni Community Redevelopment Agency and supported in part by the Public Benefit Trust Fund, the apartments will remain protected under a 50-year affordability agreement.

Completing the mixed-use vision are two independent concepts joining Kush Wynwood in the building: Broth and Bitters, the first bar from bartender Erika Holtz, and Creative Souls, a tattoo studio from celebrated local artist James Moyer. Applicants have lined up with interest, bringing Kush’s vision for an interconnected hospitality community under one roof to life.

Inside Kush Korner

The experience at Kush Korner extends well beyond the dining room, with exterior artwork transforming the building into a tribute to Miami’s cultural history. A larger-than-life Walter Mercado mural by Lalone overlooks North Miami Avenue, while a colorful work by Krave honors Little San Juan and Wynwood’s Puerto Rican roots and the revival of the iconic Cano piece that was removed.. Around the corner, a black-and-white “Welcome to Wynwood” mural by Camilo Rojas marks the entrance as the gateway to Wynwood.

Along the building’s side, SNEAK brings Kush's superhero alter ego, Kaptain Kush, to life above the street alongside the tagline, “The kind of superhero Miami always needed.” The story continues inside the entrance corridor, where Camilo Rojas honors Wynwood’s creative legacy with the handwritten names of 180 artists who helped transform the neighborhood into an international arts district. Kush collaborated with eight longtime Miami artists to ensure he was able to include everybody on that list.

Inside, a 12-seat island bar clad in dark green tile anchors the 50-seat restaurant, set against walls of dark red brick that lend the room warmth and character.

A closer look reveals Kush’s signature eccentricities: wallpaper made from Kush’s first fake IDs, restroom walls covered in pages from his book, vintage cassettes, and an old-school telephone that plays your horoscope when lifted. Some details are reserved for the team, including original artwork commissioned specifically for the kitchen.

Upstairs, Rojas’ “Home Sweet Home” lines the staircase, with additional commissioned works extending into the residential hallways. The most unexpected installation is hidden inside a closet: a replica of notorious organized crime figure James “Whitey” Bulger’s jail cell, featuring his prison-issued ID and fork, both acquired by Kush at auction, a nod to the former resident who reportedly once lived in the building.

With art extending throughout both the restaurant and residential spaces, Kush Korner serves as an unofficial art gallery in its own right, featuring more than 25 pieces from 20 artists. The collection includes works by G-Wiz, Pedro Martin, Allen Penniman, DestructionPaper, Crook, Marthi, Andrés Cortés and others, alongside floral work by ZeFlorist, collaborations with J.O. and Renda Writer, and a reactivation of famed Invader by local artist Infinipi. At the entrance, a newspaper-style guide will introduce visitors to the artists and pieces found throughout the building.

“Everything in my restaurants has a story, and Kush Wynwood may have more than any of them,” said Kush. “The history of the building, the evolution of the neighborhood and the pieces of Miami culture we’ve collected are woven throughout the experience. I want guests to discover something new every time they visit. It’s a little weird, deeply personal and authentically Miami.”

A Greatest-Hits Menu

Kush Wynwood’s new menu will bring together dishes from across Kush Hospitality’s portfolio, pulling some of the group’s most recognizable and award-winning offerings from over a dozen concepts.

Everything is made in-house from scratch, from sauces and condiments to the burgers, which are ground and hand-pressed daily. Among them are the Johnny Utah, voted Best Burger in Miami by Miami New Times, made with corned beef, cheddar, white onions, lettuce, tomato and LoKal sauce; and the Frita by Kush, named among Food Network’s Best Burgers in America, which pairs guava jelly with potato stix, bacon, Swiss cheese and LoKal sauce. A nod to Kush's Jewish and Spanish heritage, the Jewban Sandwich was ranked the No. 3 sandwich in the world by Time Out and layers pulled pork and corned beef with Swiss cheese, pickles, sauerkraut, yellow mustard and Russian dressing on grilled rye.

Other returning favorites include Florida Alligator Bites, served with bang bang sauce and creamy garlic; Reuben Croquetas, a staple from Stephens Deli made with corned beef; and the Chicken N Waffles, voted Best in Miami by Miami New Times, served with spicy maple syrup. The dedicated Veggie Corner includes the Black Bean Burger, with a black bean-mushroom patty, Jack cheese, slaw and sour cream guacamole, and the Veggie “King” Burger, made with beets, prunes, oat bran and brown rice. A selection of salads includes Zuni’s Employee Meal, with lemon pepper chicken, grilled romaine, peppers, mushrooms, avocado and Parmesan, while daily soups include French Onion Soup, Tomato bisque and the award winning New Mexico Chili.

Desserts include Banana Cream Bread Pudding with caramel and cinnamon crumble, a decadent Kush Brownie Sundae topped with vanilla bean ice cream, pecans, caramel and bacon, and Key Lime Pie set in a graham cracker-pecan crust.

A kids menu for ages 10 and younger with locally crafted sodas and an elaborate outdoor dog menu for four-legged friends which includes dog meals and a dog beer are also available.

Cocktails share Kush’s signature sense of humor, with names including Coming Home From Tootsies, made with Papa’s Pilar Blonde Rum, guava, honey and lime; Mexican From Miami, with Mi Campo tequila, watermelon and jalapeño; and Sana Sana Culito de Rana, a cheeky nod to the familiar Latin childhood rhyme and Miami culture. Guests can also enjoy local craft beer made exclusively for Kush Wynwood by Tank Brewing and Rocketeer Brewing which make the Kaptain Kush and Dr. Dank respectively. THC drinks and zero-proof cocktails add to the lineup, along with a few signature Kush touches including Kush’s Mommy Juice, a peach and cabernet sangria in a 32-ounce souvenir cup; and The Holy Water, a rotating daily shot. For $2, guests can also send a beer back to the kitchen staff.

Beyond the menu, Kush Wynwood will introduce regular programming, including a $5 happy hour, neighborhood-focused specials and other events.

Kush Wynwood is located at 2003 N. Miami Avenue. The restaurant will be open Sunday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. until midnight, Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until late. For more information, visit kushhospitality.com.

About Kush Hospitality

Founded in 2011 by restaurateur Matt “Kush” Kuscher, Kush Hospitality Group (KHG) is a Miami-based restaurant group known for developing original dining concepts inspired by South Florida’s diverse culture and communities. Each KHG concept is personally curated by Kush, from menu design and music to art and merchandise, with a focus on scratch-made food, locally sourced ingredients and immersive guest experiences that reflect the character of their surrounding neighborhoods. Recognized as a local leader in environmentally conscious hospitality practices, KHG incorporates upcycled and eco-friendly materials throughout its concepts and has received multiple awards for its sustainability efforts, visit kushhospitality.com.

Source: Kush Hospitality.