Get ready, Memphis! Your tastebuds are about to explode. Shayne Diaz is bringing Filipino food to the South Main Arts District in Downtown Memphis with her new restaurant KUYA. Set to open Friday, March 6th, this spot will have mouthwatering small plates and delicious cocktails.
Choose901 sat down with Shayne for an exclusive interview. Keep reading to learn KUYA’s story.
Where it all began
What started as a Filipino snack food popup in 2025 quickly became a restaurant concept. In September of 2025, KUYA held their first popup at Good Fortune. Since then, they’ve had popups all over town with lumpia (Filipino egg rolls), chicken skewers, and frozen cocktails in flavors like pandan and ube.
“Kuya” means older brother in Tagalog. Their website states:…