Babu Miami Pop-Up: Modern Indian Cuisine and Cocktails Take Over Brickell Tuesdays

As someone who’s constantly chasing great Indian food in Miami—a city teeming with global cuisine but curiously light on proper Indian representation—Babu feels like a personal revelation. This isn't your standard curry-and-naan comfort stop. It’s a high-concept, high-energy ode to India’s culinary soul, laced with craft cocktails, DJ sets, and a speakeasy mystique. And the best part? It only happens on Tuesdays.

Conceived by Jonathan and Keva Balan—the creative minds behind Balan’s and Issabella’s—Babu is the latest extension of their boundary-pushing hospitality group, Uni Hospitality. Operating as an ultra-exclusive weekly pop-up in Brickell, the experience is intentionally intimate, operating via text-only reservations and withholding its location until 24 hours before service. It’s elusive by design, but what guests do receive is a deeply personal, immersive dive into a cuisine that deserves far more spotlight in this city.

At its core, Babu is a love letter—to India, to hospitality, and to family. The name comes from Jonathan’s late father’s childhood nickname, a small but telling detail in a concept that balances respect for tradition with bold reinvention. An Indian chef leads the kitchen, crafting a menu made entirely from scratch each Tuesday, using seasonal ingredients and regional spice profiles to create dishes that are both nostalgic and refreshingly unexpected.

Menu highlights speak for themselves: spiced onion bhajis, beetroot kebabs with chili-lime coconut yogurt, tandoor-grilled shrimp with mango chutney and lime aioli, and an unapologetically rich lamb shank rogan josh. Whole fish cooked tandoor-style and a decadent gulab jamun sundae layered with rose syrup and pistachio round out the menu. Even an Indian-style caviar service makes an appearance, reflecting Babu’s refusal to play it safe.

Vegetarian and vegan dishes are given equal thought, not treated as afterthoughts—a detail that’s not lost on discerning diners seeking options beyond butter chicken.

The beverage program is more than a backdrop—it’s integral to the experience. Signature drinks like the Lemongrass Martini and the fiery Mumbai Heat are built with an understanding of spice and complexity. Indian beers like Kingfisher make an appearance, while a curated wine list ensures pairings are as thoughtful as the plating. DJs and live performances weave Bollywood rhythms into Miami’s nightlife pulse, bringing an unmistakable energy that pushes Babu far beyond the realm of a traditional dinner reservation.

Visually, Babu leans into maximalism. Neon accents, graphic branding, and a color palette that could rival a Holi festival set the tone for an evening that’s as stimulating as it is satisfying.

More than a party and more than a pop-up, Babu also weaves in purpose. The team partners with Deenabandhu, a grassroots organization supporting underprivileged children in India. Guests are encouraged to donate during their experience, with Babu matching every dollar—a gesture that speaks to the restaurant’s broader mission of impact through food.

Miami’s dining scene isn’t short on spectacle, but Babu manages something rare: it delivers drama without dilution. Every element—culinary, atmospheric, and cultural—is intentional, layered, and worth savoring.

Reservations are available only by texting (786) 479-8479. Don’t wait too long—tables go fast, and Tuesdays now belong to Babu.

For more, visit babumiami.com or follow @babumiami on Instagram.