Kwame Onwuachi Brings Las' Lap's West Indian Spirit to South Beach

Key Takeaways

• James Beard Award-winning chef Kwame Onwuachi has opened Las' Lap Miami at The Daydrift hotel in South Beach
• The restaurant is the second location of the New York rum bar concept, named after the final hour of Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival
• Onwuachi's menu blends West Indian cuisine with Miami's diverse Caribbean influences, featuring dishes like escovitch crab claws and oxtail Cubano

Las' Lap Miami represents more than just another restaurant opening in South Beach—it's a cultural bridge connecting Caribbean traditions with Miami's vibrant culinary landscape. The name itself carries deep meaning: "Las' Lap" refers to the final hour of Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago, when revelers come together to dance, toast, and savor the last moments of celebration before heading home.

Chef Kwame Onwuachi, recently named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People of 2025, brings a personal connection to this concept. "With my grandfather being from Trinidad, this partnership felt like the perfect way to contribute to Las' Lap's story and be part of Miami's already dynamic culture," he explains. This familial tie to the Caribbean infuses authenticity into what could otherwise be mere cultural appropriation.

The menu showcases Onwuachi's sophisticated approach to West Indian cuisine, adapted for South Beach's unique demographic. Diners can expect dishes like South Beach snapper, escovitch crab claws brightened with carrot, onion, and scotch bonnet peppers, and a creative oxtail Cubano layered with jerk beef, bacon, and Swiss on brioche. These offerings demonstrate how traditional Caribbean flavors can evolve while maintaining their essential character.

Las' Lap Miami aims to establish itself as a premier late-night destination, blending rum culture with nightlife in a space designed to capture the spirit of the original while reflecting South Beach's tropical energy. The venue features multiple environments—from intimate velvet banquettes in plum-colored rooms to a rooftop jungle bar overlooking the canal—allowing guests to choose their preferred carnival atmosphere.

This expansion marks a significant moment for both Onwuachi's growing empire and Miami's restaurant scene. The chef's recent accolades include his restaurant Dōgon appearing on Condé Nast Traveler's 2025 Hot List and Tatiana being named New York City's top restaurant by The New York Times in 2024. With Las' Lap Miami, he's not simply replicating a successful formula but creating something new that honors Caribbean heritage while embracing Miami's multicultural reality.

Las’ Lap Miami is opening on August 7 and now accepting reservations.