This post may contain affiliate links. I only recommend excursions, products and tours that I have personally used and purchased myself. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a very small commission at no extra cost to you. All proceeds go to running this blog and your support is truly appreciated! All opinions are my own. When I knew that I would soon embark on an adventure in Colombia, I began reading a lot of blogs to learn more about others experiences. What did they love? What should I not waste any time on? Certainly, the foodie deities were smiling upon me, as I happened to stumble upon a little bit about El Cielo in a post about Medellín. Afterwards, I knew I had to visit El Cielo Restaurante. For reference, I am a self-declared foodie, fine dining fanatic that experiences a gravitational pull towards Michellin starred restaurants. I’ve dined at a long list of fine restaurants around the world – including Atelier Crenn, Quince and the culinary crown jewel, The French Laundry. With that being said, El Cielo Restaurante is exceptional – in quality, creativity, experience and service. The masterpiece that is El Cielo was created by the owner affectionately referred to as “Juanma,” renowned chef Juan Manuel Barrientos. This location in Medellín broke ground in 2007, then a location in Bogotá in 2011. Now, there are locations in the US in Miami and Washington DC. At the time of my visit, the reservation system seemed a bit confusing. You had to contact them via WhatsApp, and ultimately, I wasn’t able to make a successful reservation. Luckily, my amazing accommodation was able to secure a reservation for me. Nowadays, it’s as simple as heading to their website and finding the day and time that works for you. Keep in mind, El Cielo books up weeks in advance on a regular basis. The reservation system does require a deposit of $445,000COP per person. Which roughly comes out to $93.00USD per guest and is the entire cost of the tasting menu. Tip: Please be sure of the time and date that you commit to before booking. You can only make changes to your reservation up to 30 calendar days beforehand. No shows and cancellations lose their deposit. There is only a 15 minute grace to hold your reservation, if you’re running late. I initially was hoping for a dinner reservation, but there were none available that could work with our schedule. Off we went for lunch. You know what? It was serendipitous, as I actually found the lunch seating to be divine. Lots of natural light floods the space. If it wasn’t a rainy day off and on, I’d have opted to dine on the patio. It was a colder day, so the staff closed off the patio doors to the main dining room. The earlier you go, the less crowded the restaurant is, as the later seatings started really filling up the place. Tip: Don’t plan anything right after this. We booked a private tour of Communa 13, as it was our last day in Medellín so we were trying to get in everything we really wanted to do. Our meal ran way over and our guide so graciously waited for us. But, you really want to enjoy this experience and not rush it, which in the end, we had to do unfortunately. Allocate at least 3 – 4 hours for dining here. El Cielo is located inside of the El Cielo Hotel. An elegant, upscale, but approachable atmosphere with a sophisticated but completely unpretentious vibe. The patrons are dressed tastefully yet casual and a broad age range. The service is thoughtful and polished. Overall, it’s a comfortable and extremely enjoyable environment. Many people I encounter whom, perhaps, aren’t as deeply engulfed in the foodie and fine dining world always ask me things like: but… was the food actually good? Did you actually leave full?! El Cielo has artfully crafted an exquisite menu of 21 gastronomic “moments.” I believe this is partially why many of these dining experiences take place over the course of several hours. It really is an experience, and also, so you can pace yourself and digest all this delicious food. Believe me, you will leave full and satisfied! Tip: I highly recommend getting the wine & spirits pairing to your tasting menu. It’s $297,000 COP, which is about $62 USD. The carefully selected pairings compliment the moments beautifully. Also, you simply cannot get a wine pairing of this quality for this price, anywhere else! Honestly, with all restaurants of this caliber (and price point), there tends to be a lot of, what I refer to as, culinary theater. You know, you’re not just served your meal and then you eat it. There are theatrics – perhaps a bit of a performative element in how it’s presented. An avant-garde approach to something that may be otherwise perceived as mundane. I usually like to be extremely detailed when I cover anything, but this is an instance where I simply cannot spoil any of the unique presentations and experiences for you. There are quite a few dazzling junctures during this meal worth noting with a big surprise at one point. Nope, I’m not telling! You’ll just have to see for yourself. Have any questions about dining at El Cielo Restaurante? Drop them in the comments, below! Check out these related posts: Hotel Celestino Medellín – a Unique Boutique Stay in the Heart of the City Coffee Farm Tour in Colombia – a Special Experience 10 Fantastic Things to Do in Cartagena Colombia Want a Memorable Experience? Tantalizing Cooking Classes in Cartagena Why you NEED to Visit the Rosario Islands From Cartagena Everything You Should Know About Hotel San Pedro de Majagua Going – I have been subscribed to Going (formerly, beloved, Scott’s Cheap Flights) awhile now and it’s an amazing resource for finding… did you guess cheap flights? Yes, you can set your preferences from airports to flight class and get destination deals right to your inbox. It’s fab! I use the Premium paid version, but they have a FREE version too. So what are you waiting for?! Let’s get Going! Booking.com – the majority, if not almost all of my stays are booked on Booking.com. It’s a reliable site to book and manage your reservations. It’s a great way to find boutique stays and unique accommodations at the best rates! You can also easily communicate with your accommodation through the app! Expedia – If I am looking for a flight to a specific destination for specific dates, I find myself booking the majority of my flights on Expedia. It’s user friendly and straight forward. I often can find the most cost effective rates, while earning points for every flight I book (in tandem with the points I receive from the credit cards I pay with). Viator – most of the activities, tours and excursions I book for my trips are booked through Viator. Whether you’re seeking a guide for the day, a group tour, a cooking class, Viator has you covered! Get Your Guide – this is another great marketplace to find tours, excursions and activities to book for your upcoming trip. El Cielo Restaurante – a Remarkable Culinary Gem in Medellín
who greets you and opens the door for youHow to Make a Reservation
Should you Book for Lunch or Dinner?
What is the Service and Atmosphere Like?
Is the Food Actually Good?
The Experience
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