Probably the meal, including Michelin star meals, I've ever had! Hard to know where to even begin because of how incredible the experience is. Beautiful restaurant and location on the water. Our server Pedro and his team were so wonderful and we loved learning about each dish and the story behind the menu. The "experience" menu is truly an experience and is most of all FUN! Food is supposed to be fun. From the "chocotherapy" course to "lick me", we felt so much joy eating our meal. Beyond that, everything was so delicious. Oftentimes I have found flavor been sacrificed for experience/creativity in food, and elcielo did not miss on either. I had a vegetarian version of everything and loved every single dish. If I could recommend any Michelin restaurant to someone, it would be elcielo. read more

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ONE OF THE BEST MICHELIN STAR TASTING MENU WE EVER EXPERIENCED! El Cielo deserved 3 michelin stars instead of 1 for the interactive, outstanding creativity, beautiful immersed experience of top tasting menu. Their service are impeccable. When they serve cold dish, their utensils are really chill, and vice versa for hot dish, they serve with warm to hot utensils. Finger food, no utensils provided. Look at the photos, the details of each dish are outstanding, top notch. They took this to another level. This restaurant is located the river Bank. Go head to Brickel on The River residential bldg to valet park, 0-6hr for $15. They will send you a link to your phone so you can pay and call your car whenever you finish with your dinner. Fyl: dinner is about 3hr long. Reservation: opentable. Cc required to reserved. Restroom: 2 individual gender neutral restroom. This restaurant is a must try in Miami!! Walking distance to Brickle Shopping Mall, just in case you get there early. read more

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My first Michelin experience and I'm glad it happened at El Cielo. We had a great experience with their 18 course menu. I added the mocktail pairing (+$60) which I thought was fun and a great menu item to offer. Food was delicious. Presentations delivered. I loved the hands-on plates thrown in there (ie. chocolate therapy). Our waiter was knowledgeable and fun. read more

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A fantastic experience! The space on the river front is light, airy, and comfortable. Service was perfect: polite, attentive, and knowledgeable. The tasting menu was delicious. Every dish was wonderful but the lamb was the best I have ever eaten. The wine pairings were well chosen. Be prepared for relaxed fun. Most dishes are finger food. And, the chocolate therapy literally covers your hands with chocolate. It's almost hidden. The garage where you park or the drop off spot is on the other side of the building, so you will need to walk around to the waterfront to enter. Highly recommended! read more

Elcielo - Colombian Near Me - Miami, Florida

A Remarkable and unforgettable experience! I was blessed to have the opportunity to celebrate my birthday at El Cielo. Every dish has incredible detail, flavor and story to match. The service felt like a red carpet each and every time a new dish was served. Ambiance was elevated yet cozy. With limited seating a reservation in advance is a must. Hands down once of my favorite dining experiences. read more

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El Cielo is a full scale 1 star Michelin Restaurant, the only Michelin restaurant (with a star) in Brickell LPM has an honorable mention which I've already reviewed). We opted for the $98 per person drink and paired small bites tasting at the bar. The food was excellent as were the 3 cocktails, all with an individual unique taste and presentation. The three bites included 3 large black stuffed truffles paired with the drink in the picture, the second was paired with hollow empanadas that you fill with your choice of filling. I had crab claws and my wife had pork. Each was presented minced and accompanied by a unique pineapple salsa. Finally was the tree of life, an extremely unique yucca bread/cheese combination presented as a tree. Service was one-on-one with the bartender and the location and ambience is beautiful! We look forward to going back for a meal. read more

Simply put, El Cielo has been one of the best dining experiences I've had in Miami. We came here to celebrate our anniversary and had an amazing time. We were attentively served by Santiago and Michelle, who led us through the whole experience. The dishes were so inventive-- the Tree of Life for instance had a beautiful presentation, definitely the prettiest bread course I've ever had. I also loved the dishes that encouraged you to interact with your food in usual ways, like licking chocolate off your hands or licking your plate. The flavors were all delicious, ranging from citrus to earthy to savory. My favorite was the lamb. The decor is simple and elegant with a nice view of the river. Definitely a great place to celebrate a special occasion. read more

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A beautiful experience worthy of a special occasion. My husband and I have had El Cielo on the list for some time and finally made it to celebrate our anniversary. The experience coming in sets a beautiful tone, with a separate path down towards the river. The restaurant is beautiful and stylish and the staff warmly greeted us when we came in. We had some beautiful roses petals on our table, to celebrate our anniversary. Michelle and Santiago did a wonderful job orienting us to the menu and thoughtfully explaining each dish and the culture significance. Service was swift and evenly paced but not rushed, exactly as you'd expect from a Michelin-awarded restaurant. The table was promptly cleaned between courses as needed. All the dishes were earthly, beautifully-presented, and even playful. In a sea of upscale Italian and Asian cuisine in Brickell, it's really nice to see a special fine dining restaurant that honors the culture of a cuisine from Latin America (specifically Colombian, in this case). As others mention, there are some very special experiences in the courses, which I won't spoil for those not in the know. But be prepared to have your social conventions of fine dining challenged and just have some fun. For the end, they brought a special dessert in the shape of a heart for our anniversary, which was beautiful and delicious. Please make El Cielo a go-to for your next special occasion - Ira a gem in our neighborhood! read more

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El Cielo it's so hard to explain and it is definitely something that requires you to go and experience it. Needless to say their menu is called The Experience for a reason. Come with no expectations and trust the process. The food was delicious, and the service was phenomenal, this would definitely be a place to bring first timers or out of town guests for a memorable dinner! read more

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We originally were excited to visit El Cielo because they had an interesting cocktail and bites experience. We weren't sure if we wanted to commit to a full tasting menu as there have been mixed reviews online. We booked our spots in advance and were very much looking forward to it. However, for some unknown reason they contacted us because they were not providing the experience and offered to let us book a reservation for either the full tasting menu or an abridged version, both of which were significantly more expensive. We decided to opt for the shortened tasting menu, which cost approximately $200 per person. The restaurant itself is in a unique location on a river front behind an apartment building. Overall, I wasn't super impressed with the space. I think they were undergoing some sort of renovation, and the bathroom was kind of odd and unfinished. We were seated fairly quickly, and asked for just one wine pairing as only one of us was drinking. The server was a bit rude about this, and this set the tone for the rest of the service. (As a note, I quickly gained the impression that people come here to celebrate and drop a good amount of money, and if you are not perceived as doing this, the service suffers). The menu has eight courses listed, and while I didn't dislike anything in particular, only two courses stood out. In addition the first and last course were barely courses. The first was a thimble full of a house cocktail and the last was a bowl of rose petals you rubbed on your hands. I'm glad we tried El Cielo, because I was just so curious, but sadly I found myself disappointed by the food, service, ambiance, and price. read more

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Hi Yelps! Group friends decided to check the restaurant out. I had my guards up! my mother has gone to the restaurant in Medellin, Colombia. The prices were on the higher end (same in Miami) and shared she had a bad experience as the food, had to be returned for temperature issues, dishes with combinations that didn't go well together and meats not cooked at temperatures requested. Arriving to the restaurant it's located in brickell, Miami, FL. The restaurant is a modern Colombian decor but the overall views and indoor seating are gorgeous! the ambiance was very lovely especially going late night. I would say it's a great date night vibe. We spent about 2 hours trying each dish. It was a menu of about 16 dishes depending how you see it. Some delicious I loved while others didn't wow me flavor wise but gave me a (fullness) kind of feeling. The dishes I loved were very different (raw fish and fruity flavors) (mushrooms) sweetness in many dishes. The experience overall was very nice to share with friends, engaging by the cooks making the dishes at your table. Not all were done at table, some were from the kitchen. At the start you take a passion fruit aguadiente shot! to start the courses and set the tone! the rest is a nice journey. The food in my scale was 5.5/6 out of 10. I will say - truly and truly to bring full accuracy to my reviews. Unsure if it was the how many courses, the food being heavy on the stomach as each dish came, The sweetness in a lot of dishes? but I did end up having a stomach ache about 40 mins after arriving home. Lasted a bit and passed. I had a great time as a night out and to say I tried it! but don't think I will be returning. It was very 50/50 for me. read more

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EVERYTHING: from ambiance, exceptional service, creative menu, one-s-kind experience, and best tasting menu ever!! It's perfect for celebration or a place to make an inpression. I can return to this restaurant over and over again. read more

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This isn't the review I wanted to be writing. Roughly halfway through the meal our server attempted to pour a glass of red from a poorly-sealed Coravin when it exploded, spraying wine across the table. Our faces, hair, and clothes (including a doomed white dress shirt) covered in pinot. All involved were shocked, including the staff offering a seemingly endless supply of napkins, which - spoiler alert - still do not remove red wine stains. El Cielo comped our wine pairing, but still charged over $800 for the evening, including a 20% service fee which felt like a slap in the face. It was an accident, and we forgive the server. Shit happens. And at the same time, when you're spending a lot of money on a celebratory meal, it's a mistake that leaves you upset, uncomfortable, and in disbelief. I'm giving El Cielo 2 stars because leading up that moment, we were enjoying the first half of the experience. However, this was a significant and embarrassing error, especially given the Michelin stars on full display which are supposed to designate excellence. What we experienced that night was something far lesser. Will we be back? Maybe. But for now, we'll seek other dining experiences and encourage others to do the same. read more

Amazing modern and delicious!! Definitely a must try!! Super elegant and definitely a place for a date!

An entertaining experience that gets high marks for originality and excellent service. The Experience means you strap yourself in for an 18-course tasting menu. It's high time that Colombian cuisine was celebrated, and El Cielo earns its Michelin star. Memorable course include the salpicon rum punch, chocolo & caviar, chocotherapy (delectable, non-sticky chocolate gets poured on your hands to be licked), tree of life, lobster encocado, and the "lick me" dessert. There's room for improvement on all of the rest of the desserts, which fall short of the savory courses, and the wine pairings, some of which miss the mark. This is also yet another high-end Miami restaurant which tacks on a mandatory 20% service charge, which is unnecessary, adds to an already expensive evening, and is not what you find in other major cities (we were just in Vegas where none of the high-end restaurants did this). Nevertheless, the innovation, beautiful setting and view, and excellent service make this a requisite visit for South Florida gastronomes. read more

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This was my second time in El Cielo but truly my first time "experiencing" On my first visit, the restaurant had recently opened and we went for happy hour. We enjoyed it and noted a return for dinner would be nice but with the price tag it needed to be ultra special and it always got pushed to the backburner. Last night we finally went. We had a 7 PM reservation and we knew from the moment we arrived it was different. The way the staff moved and greeted and were extra-ordinarily attentive, the experience had started. While I wont go into detail as to not ruin anything, I will highlight that the service was phenomenal and so was the food. Yes, it can be gimmicky and like some people like to call it "too frilly" or "kitschy"...BUT that's okay. If the food is where it needs to be and the flavor pairings go, let the man be as creative as he wants to be; I'm here for it. We visited two of the World's 50 Best Restaurants in our travels to Peru and this experience reminded us of those restaurants and for all of the right reasons. Overall, we were very impressed and the experience was exceptional. Menu changes every 4-6 months so if you want to indulge twice a year; go for it. Make reservations. Dress to Impress...or don't; I looked kinda homely in comparison to the others. LOL The cons: There were times the music felt a little loud and we had trouble hearing the waiter story-tell the moment so some were kind of lost. This is silly of me to even bring up but because I like to document, photos, etc...Not a fan of light and glossy tables that create shadows. I love natural wood tables, dark and dynamic. That being said, I understand for cleaning purposes, light and glossy is probably the easiest....LOL (again; ignore my ridiculousness) their tables are fine! El Cielo was unique, delicious and NOT underwhelming. We were stuffed by the end and completely satisfied. While it may not be for everyone, it was perfect for us and an experience i would not mind repeating. read more

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Went last week for our anniversary and all I could say is, finally, a restaurant (in my humble opinion) worthy of a Michelin star. The experience touches on all your senses. The food was excellent. The 18 course meal was sufficient and provided a variety of foods all with flavor and culture. The service was also superb. Overall, an excellent dining experience that makes me wish I can eat like this once a week! read more

El Cielo accomplishes a lot in their 19+ course menu. It's truly an experience like no other. They had me washing my hands with chocolate, eating dessert in a mist of dry ice and even licking a plate. It's whimsical and a bit wild, but there was never a dull dish. Each plate is a marvel to look at and quite thought provoking. I felt like a kid during Christmas morning waiting for each one to come. The lobster tacos were especially delicious. The servers were also very knowledgeable with excellent service and attention to details. They also explained each dish and answered any questions I had. I recommend this place to anyone who wants to experience something different and doesn't mind the hit on the wallet. Very well deserving of their Michelin star. read more

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Best service in Miami! All the staff were very attentive and throughly explained each plate in the experience. I will say the ambiance is not what you expect from a highly rated restaurant as it does give hotel lobby vibes. However, the food was adventurous and delightful. You can clearly see the chef's history and pride in all the dishes. read more

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Husband and I have gone to 2 of Manuel's restaurants and we love the whole experience both times Food amazing we did 18 courses meal and it was exceptional really good flavors and my Colombian husband approved the authenticity of the food 10/10 read more

Highlights: * A unique culinary, sensory experience * Molecular gastronomy inspired by Columbian cuisine * Just awarded a Michelin star in Miami * $200++ per person 22+ bites Experience Tasting Menu * Parking very difficult on weekends, consider Uber * Very few tables, book in advance, try for a weekday I give El Cielo 5 stars for the "Show", food as entertainment and experience. But I think you really judge a restaurant on whether there were dishes that you crave and that you want to go back for. I gave El Cielo 4 stars because it lacked that. Overall it was an experience, like a Broadway show, with a bit of gimmickry, but for me, it's a one and done. I visited over a month ago and just got to writing my review as Michelin announced a Michelin star for the Miami outpost the other day. The Washington DC location had already received a star. It will be harder for you to get a reservation now. I believe there may be two 3 hour seatings per night. Expect creative presentations that may bring a smile to your face. I'm a clean finatic, so for me things like pouring liquid chocolate over your hands and asking you to rub them and lick them, uhhh, yuck. Others may have a ball. We visited on a Saturday night and the valet which is shared with an adjacent condo said there were no more spots available. A very large tip was required to find one. The wine list is a bit limited, and they were out of some bottles I asked for. Corkage is allowed for a fee, check if you have a cellar. For foodies who like a unique experience, like I said a "show", you may enjoy. Price sensitive diners who are picky about their food should pass. read more

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I think it's well worth the money for the experience alone, the place is absolutely beautiful. As someone who appreciates art, this is an exact moment where cuisine is elevated. All of the dishes are so well thought out and composed. The Tree of Life is something I wish I could eat every single day. What I loved about this place is that it feels like time is standing still. Everything is in accordance, it's all done for you. Service was quietly perfect. Compliments to the chef! read more

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We arrived for the 6 pm seating and ordered "The Experience", a 22-course dinner and, well, experience, that spans 3 hours and involves not only taste, but sight, touch and smell. I don't want to spoil the surprise so I won't go into detail, but let's just say one of the "courses" included hand-washing with a delicious silky sweet sauce and another immersed us in the foggy, cool mist of the Columbian highlands. El Cielo faces the Miami river; every seat in the house has a view of the passing luxury yachts. The top-notch meal is worth the expense and is meticulously orchestrated! Most of the courses comprised one-bite delicacies, beautifully presented and well-balanced melodies of taste and sight (and feel). Before our meal, my partner and I joked that we'd have to go to a fast food restaurant afterwards to get full, but let me tell you, by the end you will be completely satiated, feeling well-cared for, like a royal diplomat and guest. Each course starts with a short explanation from the server(s) as your plates are placed in unison before you and your partner, though we had difficulty understanding the server, which didn't detract from the amazing service we enjoyed! The 9 pm seating, which was more attended than our 6 pm seating, began to arrive as we were cleansing and pampering (and smelling) our hands for the last course. Apparently, each table diner must order the same meal - "The Experience" 22-course dinner or the 16-course "The Journey" dinner (they modify the menu every four months). We did not opt for the wine accompaniment, but many people do. Instead, we ordered a few glasses of wine (they only had one white and one red by the glass which I thought could have been better selections) and we also had a few orders of an amazing tequila drink. We took lots of pictures and videos, but again, I don't want to spoil the surprise so I've only included a few in this review for visual effect. I highly recommend El Cielo for an unforgettable, unique, Columbian-inspired, gastric-plus experience that will blow you away. The Miami location's website did not work (as of the date of this review) and I had to use OpenTable to reserve - they call you ahead of time to confirm your meal selections. read more

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This is definitely an experience! I highly recommend "The Experience " which is a 20 course dinner. Every bite is delicious and the service is exceptional. They present and explain each course in great detail. We opted out of the wine pairing, and it was perfectly fine because the food is the main star and we were stuffed by the end. I liked the whole creativity and obviously the food preparation was on point. Some courses will surprise you and immerse you into the Colombian countryside. In my opinion, this restaurant has earned its well-deserved Michellin star. I plan to return to try another menu since they change their menu every 6 months. You definitely need a reservation because the seating is limited and the experience takes @ 3 hours. read more

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I've had the chance to go to this restaurant in the original location in Columbia and it's such an experience! Last night we to try their Miami spice menu and there were some really good highlights but there were some disappointments as well. Let's start with the drinks my husband had the smoky or fashion that was presented into the table with a smoke dome of cinnamon sticks and while the presentations beautiful my hair still smells of smoke in the morning after and then I tried the tangerine Caipirinha that was delicious. The first course was OK nothing to rave about it I tried the crab arepas and my husband had the chicharrones. We discussed how it was a #firstworldproblem that the oil they were fried on was too clean, and not giving them any sort of flavor. The second course was much better and my husband had the ribs that were placed in a guava sauce and I had a I believe it was a fish with a couscous risotto that was really good. And then the desserts was lavender more than cake which we are both hope was like chocolate lavender but it turned out to be vanilla lavender and it was OK with her Lulu ice cream that was way too tart for me part of a dessert and then mine was a hot chocolate with a neighbor in chocolate which was delicious we also ordered the chocolate chip cookie which was somewhat disappointing. The service was great. read more

Elcielo - Tangerine Caipirinha - Colombian Near Me - Miami, Florida

10/10 this place exceeded expectations. It was fun and interactive tasting menu. All the food was uniquely paired. An experience not worth missing. read more

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If you're looking for an experience, a full culinary journey, or just some chocotherapy then make a res here and put a deposit in that Miami swankbank⁣! ⁣ Whether you do the 9-course "Journey" or 13-course "Experience" option, you'll enjoy their exclusive hands-on chocotherapy to start followed by some fancy shrinky-dink hot towel magic; a Chemex coffee pour-over; lotion filled rose petals to finish. You will even eat from the Tree of Life in between!⁣ Be sure to try the smokedoldfashioned during their weekly happy hour or as a complement to your prix-fixe menu w/different smoke scent choices!⁣ read more

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I had been wanting to come here for al lost a year now and it was worth the wait. This is not a place that you would come every week to but definitely something cute to do for special occasions. Disclaimer: we did the experience with the 6 wine glass pairings, it was two of us and it came out to $766.25 tax and gratuity included. This was amazing, from the service to the food, it was all worth every cent. I had a great time and would definitely come back. My favorite dishes were the macaroons, the tree of life, the watermelon tuna ceviche, the branzino and the gnocchis. Don't get me wrong, all the other savory dishes were good but these were my top. Now the best dish for me are the gnocchis. Insanely good! I couldn't believe how the packed so much flavor into such a tiny dish. It was spectacular. I loved how every dish has a story and how it all aligned. For the desserts, my favorite was the Lick Me! Super refreshing. I honestly don't think the wine pairing is worth it, but that's just my personal opinion. It's not the best selection of wines so I was a bit disappointed but I went for the food so I'm not deducting any starts because of somethings that is my personal preference. This was definitely an experience, I think it's a really cool concept and I definitely recommend it. read more

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Wow! This place is 10/10 This is not a regular restaurant, this is an experience! There is only 1 fix menu so be prepared to pay $218 (food/ per person) + $125 ( optional -wine pairings per person). Save this place for a special occasion because it will be a memorable experience. The menu is inspired in Colombian cuisine but with many unexpected flavors. Presentation is amazing and delicious! They combine all senses as part of the experience you get to taste, smell, look, and touch food in ways that will surprise you. read more

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This was an amazing fine dining experience. Service was knowledgeable and kind. The flavor of all the dishes were incredible. At first we were worried that we would still be hungry due to the portions of food, but we both left full and satisfied. We also had the cocktail pairings which were also tasted great but boozy. While this experience is pricey, it was well worth every dollar from the quality of the ingredients to the overall ambiance of the restaurant. Whether you are a Miami local or visiting on vacation, El Cielo should be strongly considered. read more

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Amazing food and experience The experience menu 197+tax Menu changes every 3-4 months read more

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My wife and I got the 3 course cocktail pairing; we like doing these more affordable options at fine dining restaurants and this was both of our favorite versions of that, hands down. All 3 courses were creative in presentation and flavor and they were all delicious. It was also plenty of food, but we split a lamb plate a la carte after and I'm glad we did because it was maybe the best lamb I've had in my life. The cocktails weren't necessarily so interesting but they were all tasty and went well with the food course they were paired with. Also shout out to the bartender/server, forgot his name but he was very knowledgeable about the ingredients and techniques involved in the food. If you want good creative food without breaking the bank for a full tasting menu this is a great option. read more

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Came here for a friend's birthday last night and had a spectacular time! We all had "The Experience" and we're not let down, to say the least. Dining at El Cielo is a true experience in itself. This 14-course meal involves tantalizing tastes, aromas, and even playing with your food! I wish I could remember everything that we had (photos attached, cannot remember what was in everything), but some of the most memorable dishes were: the chocolate experience - they come and pour melted, warm chocolate on your hands and you rub it in and then lick it off! Yes, they come back and rinse the remains (if you could resist licking it all off) with warm water. My hands felt smooth and sultry, and were left with a yummy chocolate scent! Another memorable dish was the duck - it was served with some mushroom paste that was to die for, along with chocolate, celery root, and more mushrooms - get a little bit of everything in your bite and experience the wondrous blend of flavors! At first when we received the Tree of Life, I admit, I was a bit skeptical. If you're as in love with pan de bono or the Brazilian cheese bread bites as I am, you will be tempted to eat the entire thing! It was served with an outstanding cilantro dip. Colombian coffee is brewed and served on the table and is centered in the middle of an overflow of nitrogenous smoke, to get a feel of what it's like in the mountain regions. This was a big hit at our table! If you're an old fashioned lover like me, I highly recommend ordering the lemongrass old fashioned, which is also "smoked" at your table! I think this was a one time thing for me, but I HIGHLY recommend El Cielo! Be prepared for a very expensive bill, but rest assured you will not leave disappointed (or hungry!). True 5 star food and service! read more

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Went here and was pretty disappointed. The first couple courses were sorbet and a sweet shot. The next few things were not memorable, except the caviar was good. After that they wanted you to put melted chocolate all over our hands, which seemed a bit odd and out of place.Tree of life was good as well but every other course between had some strong element of sugar or a sugary sauce that had you wondering where the actual food was. Even the bison had an element of sweet. Everything was either unremarkable or bad. Seemed like more of a show than even dinner. We left after the bison and skipped the rest since the whole meal was dessert and we couldn't stomach any more sugar. Drinks were slow and they were the only things keeping us sane, but service wasn't exceptionally bad or good. Environment was quiet for Miami, but generally nice. read more

This is probably my 4th time here but on this occasion, we tried the Miami Spice menu and it didn't disappoint. We had reservations for 7:30 but a few of us arrived early to take advantage of the happy hour featuring $10 cocktails. Once again, my favorite mixologist Barbara showed her craft by whipping up delicious cocktails like the Spice Green Margarita, The Volcano, and of course the signature Smoked Old Fashioned. The presentation alone of these well-crafted cocktails really set the bar of what to expect for dinner. For those who haven't been to El Cielo, this restaurant normally offers prix fixe dinner from 4 to 14 courses starting at $65 to $119 pp. However, the Miami Spice is only $39 for 3 courses. I honestly expected El Cielo to stick to their petite dishes but folks, I was wrong. I selected the Tempura Hearts of Palm for app, then Pork Loin for main and Banana Chocolate for dessert. These were not on the normal menu and they were superb and good portions too. Plus of course, in true El Cielo fashion, each presentation was just divine. The best part of this culinary journey was nonetheless, the service. We were treated like royalty here. They even presented us with an after-dinner custom shots courtesy of our mixologist Barbara. I don't remember the name but this exemplary service by the staff of El Cielo really what makes them stand out from other fine dining experiences. I will be forever a loyal customer and I'm sure everyone that joined me will be as well. read more

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What an experience! That's not only a meal with a Micheli star, it's an amazing experience. Food was delicious, we loved everything. Service was amazing, servers were around all the time. They brought our dishes right perfectly timed. The chocolate therapy is a nice experience in the middle of the meal. I loved all the explanations and reference from Colombian traditional food. The tasting manu has plenty of small dishes that you feel satisfied at the end. I recommend. read more

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Los appetizers estuvieron bien , los platos fuertes muy normal, el servicio fue bueno, pero el mesero no nos explicó que los vinos y cocktails sin alcohol no estaban incluidos en el menú degustación. Cuando llegó la cuenta habían $500 dollares en vinos que yo no los tome. Los precios son ridiculos, pagamos por dos adultos y dos chicos $2,018. En realidad no pienso que la relación precio y producto es justificada. Nunca recomendaría a este lugar pues no justifico gastar tanto dinero por lo que recibimos. Mi familia y yo disfrutamos descubrí lugares y experimentar buena comida y salir satisfechos con la experiencia. El restaurante El cielo no cumplió con mis expectativas y siento como si hubiera tirado al mar mi dinero. read more

El Cielo by Juan Manuel Barrientos is a hidden treasure in the Brickell area. It is, in my opinion, a great example of why the Michelin Guide needs to come down to the Miami/South Florida area already to review some of our local gems. There are several restaurants here, including El Cielo, that deserve a Michelin Star(s). Tucked away at the end of Brickell under the Brickell on the River North condo, it is headed by renowned Chef in Juan Manuel Barrientos with outposts in Bogota and Washington, DC (with a Michelin Star) El Cielo has one of the most unique menus in the Miami area. The only restaurants that were similar to it in terms of overall food and service experience, even for their Miami Spice offerings, were Ariete in Coconut Grove (huge shout out to chef Michael Beltran) and Bazaar Mar by Jose Andres at the SLS Brickell, which unfortunately closed about two years ago. This restaurant takes whatever you think you know about traditional Colombian cuisine and flips it around with some creative gastronomical twist. This is how Miami Spice should be! While El Cielo by Juan Manuel Barrientos has been on my list to dine at for a while, the price of the regular, 16-course "Experience" menu ($197 per person, excluding drinks and other potential add-ons) was a little daunting. Miami Spice 2021 was the perfect opportunity to finally check out the cuisine and see if it lives up to the acclaim it has received and would be worth a future visit. We surprisingly were able to get a 7:30 PM reservation, day-of, on a Friday without much issue. Weekend reservation availability has been a rarity at Miami restaurants as of late from a combination of so many people eager to return to some form of normal with vaccinations and transplants from other states moving in to the trendy neighborhoods. Upon entering the restaurant, we were taken to our table without any wait. The tables are adorned with white table cloths are huge! Our server, Xuxa V. was amazing in keeping our water filled and explaining all of the offerings on the menu. Our evening started off with an order of Crab Arepas and Chicharrones from the Miami Spice menu, along with their famous Tree of Life from the regular menu. To complement our appetizers, we also ordered two cocktails: the Lemon Grass Old Fashioned and Don't Give Papaya. The presentation of our drinks was top notch and probably the best presentation we've had in Miami thus far! The Lemon Grass Old Fashioned was brought out inside a glass container to preserve it's Smokey glory, and the Don't Give Papaya came in a large, beautifully decorated drink holder than can be best described as a colorful snake head. Both drinks, in their presentation and their taste, were excellent. Especially the Lemon Grass Old Fashioned! Shortly after we received our drinks, the Miami Spice appetizers were brought to our table. My girlfriend absolutely loved the crispyness of the chicharonnes and was impressed at how they were able to get the outside of the chicharonnes so crispy compared to al of the Latin restaurants we've been visiting throughout our lives. The crab arepas were colorful, very flavorful and something we'd re-order again. Then, we received our order of the Tree of Life from the regular menu. Wow! The Tree of Life is a bonsai tree-shaped yuca bread and cheese-filled masterpiece served with a creamy dipping sauce that is an absolute must order! It is an iconic and delicious dish that is synonymous with this restaurant! It absolutely held us over while we were waiting for our entrées. We received our entrées and we're in love with both! The Guava sauce on the BBQ ribs were a very creative twist on a dish that you'd expect to find at any backyard BBQ. The Truffle Quinoa Risotto was served with Branzino as the protein for the dish (yummy!) and had a strong smell of truffle, but not overwhelming by any means. Both entrées were delicious and also great examples of this restaurant's creativity to even make the ordinary extraordinary. For dessert, we had the Lavender Lava Cake and the Santafereno Breakfast. While the Lavender Cake was delicious and chocolatey, the Santfereno Breakfast was the star of the show. Our waiter explained to us the the simplicity and tradition behind this dessert dish. It was such a simple concept-- arepa in a cup topped off with delicious hot cocoa/milk chocolate. Yet, it was sooooo deliciously executed! We wanted to lick the bottom of the cup when by the time were finished getting to the bottom of the dessert. Digging our spoons into the cup and getting bites of both arepa and chocolate was a delicious experience! El Cielo by Juan Manuel Barrientos was truly a delicious experience and has one of the more unique menus in the Brickell and Greater Miami area. Thank you to Xuxa and the rest of the staff for providing such wonderful service and an overall memorable dining experience. We can't wait to return for a special occasion! PS: Michelin Guide, come down to Miami already!!! read more

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A truly decadent experience. You will leave stuffed and wanting more of specific courses at the same time. An amazing birthday experience. Chef is truly badass about accommodating food allergies for which I'm grateful!!! The GF selection within each entree was AMAZING. So many things I'd never tried before. Hands down a MUST try!!!! Is it pricey? YES. Is it worth it?? YES!! This is worth it!! read more

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Fantastic. What a great experience. The food was delicious and this was probably the best meal I have had anywhere (and I have lived in 6 different countries and worked in more than 10 countries on 5 continents). Everything was so beautifully conceived and presented - Calvin did a fantastic job serving our table, explaining the food and concepts and interacted with with and professionalism while acknowledging all of our group. This meal was for my wife's birthday and what memorable treat the evening was. Non stop depth of flavor delivered with quality and skill. Just fantastic. Expensive but worth it. read more