When James Beard Award-winning chef Tyson Cole opened his first restaurant, Uchi, back in 2003, he was operating out of a humble bungalow in Austin. Nearly two decades later, he has built an empire of Japanese cuisine, drawing from his over 10 years of training in Tokyo. And while he has adapted his culinary concept for markets spanning Denver to Scottsdale, the restaurant group’s growth has also spurred a serious design evolution. Case in point: Uchiko Miami, the latest of Cole’s endeavours, which opened in March. Its interior, courtesy of New York firm Islyn Studio, stays true to the restaurant’s Japanese roots while bringing in tropical design references that speak to its coastal context.

With a menu that seeks to highlight the smoky flavours of the yakitori grill, it’s no wonder that the restaurant’s design embodies the same warmth and coziness of a hearth. Though the 490-square-metre space boasts over 200 seats, it feels remarkably intimate, thanks to the considered division of space and a rich material palette of warm hues. Moody lighting, from both decorative fixtures and natural light that streams in through teak-shuttered windows, helps to set the ambience.

The designers describe the space as “a celebration of contrast — raw and refined, bold and intimate, coastal and cosmopolitan.” But while contrast is a guiding principle, the interior also fosters harmony between the reserved Japanese design language and the vibrant spirit of Miami. This marriage of cultures is apparent from the moment you step inside, where a host stand clad in fibre art by Elan Byrd takes cues from Japanese thatched roofs, while also reminiscent of a beachside palapa.

Further inside, handcrafted elements and highly tactile materials are set against a palette of exposed concrete, hand-pressed stone and shell accents that evoke the rocks along the seashore. Though the space feels thoughtfully curated, it is far from fussy, embracing the inherent beauty of imperfection through its raw finishes.

In the private dining room, for instance, a dramatic carved stone fireplace is balanced by warm wood walls, an organic light fixture and sliding drapery that cordons off the space from the rest of the interior. A tapestry by Austin-based textile artist Anastasia Lindahl adds another personal touch (and also cleverly conceals a TV when it’s not in use).

From the sculptural wooden furnishings to the handcrafted copper pendant lights, Japanese references abound at Uchiko Miami. Unlike many Japanese interiors, however, which lean minimal and spare, the designers carefully inserted pops of colour that feel true to the restaurant’s Miami locale: sea green marble mosaics add a playful touch against the concrete floors, the restrooms are bathed in berry-coloured tiles, and abundant greenery throughout contributes to the lush, tropical vibe.

But the boldest move is the emerald glass block bar, the centrepiece of the dining room. At golden hour, the light dances across its surface, mimicking the effect of the sun set over water, and casting rippling reflections onto the ceiling. From the menu’s creative flavour combinations to its richly layered interior, Uchiko Miami is a feast for the senses.