In a tiny wine bar with no formal wine list, Barcelona-born chef Deme Lomas is serving up something Miami didn't know it needed: authentic Catalonian soul, one small plate at a time.
Niu Wine, the little sister to the acclaimed NIU Kitchen, has become downtown Miami's best-kept secret—a place that rewards curiosity and celebrates the art of the unplanned evening.
"There's no wine list because that's not how we do it in Spain," Lomas explained. "You chat, you taste, you discover. The joy is in the conversation, the exploration."
The experience at Niu Wine is deliberately intimate and flexible. Servers like Marina guide guests through sips of everything from "rock-n-rolly" chardonnay blanc de blancs to bright Loire Valley pet-nats and light red grenache blends with subtly effervescent bites.
The food menu, while deliberately short, packs immense flavor. The Pa amb Tomàquet—toasted bread rubbed with grated tomato and garlic oil—sets the tone and pairs with literally anything in your glass. It's simple, essential, and perfectly Catalonian.
The Gilda, known as the original pintxo, delivers one briny, punchy bite on a skewer. While the traditional version has just three ingredients, Lomas's version adds grated tomato and two types of anchovies: boquerones in vinegar and Cantabrico.
"My style of paella shines here," Lomas noted. "Customers can swap chorizo for mushrooms, and it works beautifully—salty, crispy, creamy, perfect with a light red garnacha from Spain."
Early evenings are quiet, making walk-ins easy. But true to Spanish culture, Niu Wine comes alive later, filling with regulars and newcomers as conversations warm the space.
Niu Wine is located just doors down from NIU Kitchen in downtown Miami. No reservations required—just an appetite for adventure.