Colombian Restaurants Winning Michelin Stars Around the World

Written on 03/16/2025
Caroll Viana

Colombian cuisine has conquered the globe, with several Colombian restaurants earning prestigious Michelin stars.Credit: El Chato Restaurant courtesy.

Colombian cuisine has conquered palates worldwide, with several restaurants earning the prestigious Michelin star, a testament to its excellence, authenticity, and ability to innovate while elevating local culinary traditions.

Five Colombian restaurants around the world have been awarded the prestigious Michelin star, celebrating native ingredients in international settings.

Colombian restaurants with Michelin Stars

Humo (London, UK)

Located in Mayfair, one of London’s most exclusive and expensive neighborhoods, Humo has carved out a place in the city’s culinary scene thanks to the direction of Colombian chef Miller Prada. This innovative restaurant, which opened in January 2023, has been awarded a Michelin star one year later, a testament to its gastronomic excellence.

What sets Humo apart is its exclusive focus on fire-based cooking. The restaurant does not use gas or electricity to prepare dishes, giving its culinary creations a unique character. The menu blends Colombian, Japanese, and British influences, offering an experience that impresses with both flavor and technique.

The restaurant offers a selection of 12 carefully crafted dishes featuring high-quality ingredients, from seafood and meats to vegetables. Notable dishes and their prices include:

Sea bream: 19 GBP
Yellowtail: 19 GBP
Aubergine: 20 GBP
Garden salad: 16 GBP
Mushrooms: 20 GBP
Lobster: 36 GBP
Scallop: 18 GBP
Sea urchin: 15 GBP
Trout: 33 GBP
Turbot: 36 GBP
Lamb: 33 GBP
Beef: 65 GBP

For a more comprehensive experience, Humo offers an exclusive tasting menu designed by Miller Prada, featuring the restaurant’s standout dishes. The cost is 155 GBP per person.

Quimbaya (Madrid, Spain)

Located at Calle Zurbano 63 in Madrid, Quimbaya by Edwin Rodríguez is the first Colombian fine-dining restaurant in the Spanish capital. Since its opening, it has received a number of prestigious accolades, including a Michelin star and a “Sol” from the Repsol Guide in 2022, solidifying its excellence in haute cuisine.

Chef and owner Edwin Rodriguez is a prominent ambassador of Colombian cuisine. With 28 years of experience, he has represented Colombia at various international events and was honored in 2021 as an “Outstanding Colombian in Spain.” His culinary vision combines tradition and innovation, taking Colombian flavors to new heights.

At Quimbaya, the culinary offering revolves around the “Memorias” tasting menu, featuring 10 courses designed to immerse diners in a sensory journey through Colombia’s diverse flavors. Recommended dishes include:

Breads and butters: Corn bun, arepa bola, pandebono, suero costeño, and house-made butters.
Appetizers: Razor clam with coconut, beef tongue with capers, oxtail with yucca, açai, and passion fruit.
Main courses: Chicken stew, cheese mote with shrimp, sun-dried meat with yucca, plu fish with plantain, and steak a caballo.
Desserts: Sweetcorn porridge with panela and a selection of the chef’s sweet bites.

The menu is priced at €125 per person, with an optional wine and Colombian-fermented pairing for €70 per person to further enhance the dining experience.

Quimbaya earned its first Michelin star on December 14, 2021. This honor has been consecutively renewed in 2023 and 2024, establishing the restaurant as a benchmark of Colombian haute cuisine in Europe.

El Cielo (Washington, D.C., United States)

With locations in Washington, D.C., Miami, and New York, El Cielo is a gem of Colombian haute cuisine led by renowned chef Juan Manuel Barrientos. The Washington branch, located at 1280 4th St NE, within the La Cosecha market, offers a unique gastronomic experience that blends tradition, innovation, and a deep connection to Colombian culture. Each dish celebrates native ingredients and Colombia’s rich history, reinterpreted with cutting-edge techniques.

Barrientos has been awarded three Michelin stars in the United States, establishing himself as one of the leading ambassadors of Colombian gastronomy worldwide. At El Cielo, diners can choose from two exclusive tasting menus:

Journey (14 courses): $195
Experience (22 courses): $228

To complement the meals, carefully selected wine pairings are offered:

4-glass pairing: $58
6-glass pairing: $105

Il Poggio Rosso (Chianti, Italy)

Located in Castelnuovo Berardenga, in Italy’s iconic Chianti region, Il Poggio Rosso is part of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux group. This restaurant has earned a Michelin star as well as a Michelin Green Star in 2025, owing to its combination of sustainability with culinary creativity in every dish.

At just 31 years old, Colombian chef Juan Camilo Quintero has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the youngest foreign chef to earn a Michelin star in Italy. Drawing on his experience at renowned European restaurants such as Arzak and Osteria Francescana, Quintero brings a unique blend of Tuscan tradition, international influences, and creativity to Il Poggio Rosso.

Culinary offerings and prices

Il Poggio Rosso provides a range of options, from à la carte menus to elaborate tasting menus:

À la carte:
3 courses: €70
4 courses: €85
Signature tasting menus:
“I Miei Piatti del Cuore” (5 courses): €100
7-course roast tasting: €135

Wine pairings:

Standard pairing: €75
Seasonal rarities: €120

The Michelin Green Star highlights the restaurant’s commitment to sustainable practices and its integration of local ingredients and eco-friendly techniques into its culinary philosophy. This aligns with the values of Relais & Châteaux, offering an environmentally conscious yet exceptional dining experience.

Arkhe (Lisbon, Portugal)

Arkhe is a high-end vegetarian restaurant in Lisbon, Portugal, that specializes in plant-based dishes. Its philosophy focuses on using fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from small farmers practicing regenerative agriculture. Arkhe’s culinary approach emphasizes enhancing the natural flavors of vegetables through advanced cooking techniques.

Alejandro Chavarro, born in Bogota, Colombia, is a renowned sommelier and co-owner of Arkhe. He was awarded a Michelin Star in early March, 2025.

The restaurant offers three main dining experiences:

Lunch: A three-course menu for a refined yet brief experience.
Descoberta: A five-course tasting menu, allowing diners to select their favorites.
Carta Branca: A seven-course chef’s selection, perfect for those seeking full immersion in Arkhe’s culinary philosophy.