The Michelin Dinner

An unprecedented gathering of Miami's culinary titans at El Cielo's secret summit

August 18, 2025
7:00 PM
El Cielo Miami
Discover The Experience

An Unprecedented Gathering

On a balmy Miami evening, with the city's iconic skyline reflecting off the gentle currents of the Miami River, something unprecedented was taking place. Inside the sophisticated sanctuary of El Cielo Miami, the air was electric with the low, resonant hum of a different kind of energy.

Here, gathered under one roof, were the architects of Miami's new culinary epoch: the executive chefs and general managers from every Michelin-starred restaurant in the city. This was not a competition or a gala; it was a summit.

Hosted and conceived by El Cielo, this exclusive, invitation-only gathering was a masterstroke of community-building, designed as an intimate celebration of shared excellence, creativity, and connection. The format—an elegant, free-flowing cocktail reception—was a deliberate choice, eschewing the rigidity of a formal dinner to foster genuine camaraderie.

The Visionaries Behind The Experience

The Michelin Experience was brought to life by two extraordinary individuals whose passion for excellence and community created this historic gathering.

Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos

Juan Manuel Barrientos

Chef & Founder, El Cielo

More than a chef, he is a culinary philosopher, a peace advocate, and a relentless entrepreneur. Hailed as the "chef of emotions, senses and peace," his journey began in Medellín, Colombia, and was forged in the kitchens of global titans like Spain's Juan Mari Arzak.

Barrientos's culinary philosophy is a captivating blend of science and soul. He is a pioneer of "neuro-gastronomy," using food to stimulate the senses and evoke powerful emotions, transforming a meal into a multi-sensory narrative.

Sofia Arias

Sofia Arias

Commercial & Event Producer, El Cielo Miami

Guest Chefs & Participants

The evening was made possible by the presence and collaboration of some of Miami's most celebrated culinary talents.

Chef Masayuki Komatsu

Chef Masayuki Komatsu

Ogawa
Luis Martinez

Luis Martinez

Ogawa
Chef Tycho Van Mierlo

Chef Tycho Van Mierlo

L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon
Chef Tycho Van Mierlo

Sofija Damnjanovic

L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon
Josh Hackler

Chef Nicolas Castro & Chef Nicolas Ruiz

Boia De
Chef Zack Pham

Chef Zack Pham

Le Jardinier Miami
Sous Chef Aman Modak

General Manager Ana Paula Moraes

Le Jardinier Miami
Chef Seijun Okano

Chef Seijun Okano

Hiden
Sous Chef Aman Modak

Luis De Jesus

Hiden
Sous Chef Aman Modak

Chef Sevana Caban

The Tambourine Room
Sous Chef Aman Modak

Chef Ryan Fletcher

The Tambourine Room
Chef Daniel Donado

Chef Daniel Donado

The Surf Club
Sous Chef Aman Modak

Sous Chef Aman Modak

The Surf Club

Evening Highlights

Guests arriving at The Michelin Experience

Distinguished guests arriving at the exclusive gathering

Cocktail reception at The Michelin Experience

Elegant cocktail reception featuring El Cielo's signature creations

Chefs mingling at The Michelin Experience

Miami's culinary visionaries engaging in meaningful conversation

Signature dishes at The Michelin Experience

Emblematic dishes showcasing Miami's diverse culinary landscape

Juan Manuel Barrientos giving a speech

Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos welcoming the distinguished guests

Sofia Arias giving closing speech

Sofia Arias delivering her powerful closing speech on community

The Constellation: Miami's Michelin Stars

The spirit of that exclusive summit was too powerful to remain behind closed doors. It was the catalyst for this, the first comprehensive public guide to Miami's Michelin-starred restaurants—a direct invitation for you to experience the artistry of the chefs who gathered at El Cielo.

El Cielo Miami
★

El Cielo Miami

Modern Colombian

An immersive culinary journey into the heart of modern Colombian cuisine. Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos crafts a multi-sensory tasting menu where each course is designed to engage the senses, evoke emotion, and tell a story.

Tasting Menu: $245 - $289
Signature: "Chocotherapy" Experience
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon
★★

L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon

Modern French

Florida's first and only two-Michelin-star restaurant, standing as the pinnacle of French fine dining in the state. The name translates to "the craftsman's workshop," embodied by its signature 34-seat dining counter facing a dynamic open kitchen.

Tasting Menu: $145 - $305
Signature: Caramelized Free Range Squab with Foie Gras
Ariete
★

Ariete

New American / Cuban

Nestled in the lush, bohemian neighborhood of Coconut Grove, Ariete is the brainchild of Chef Michael Beltran, one of Miami's most celebrated native sons. The restaurant is a deeply personal expression of his heritage and culinary journey.

Tasting Menu: $145 - $205
Signature: Canard a la Presse
Boia De
★

Boia De

Modern American / Italian

Marked by a glowing pink neon exclamation point in an unassuming Buena Vista strip mall, Boia De is the definition of a hidden gem. The name, an Italian expression for "Oh my!," perfectly captures the surprise and delight of discovering this intimate, 27-seat restaurant.

À la carte (Mains $28-$35)
Signature: Tagliolini Nero with King Crab
Hiden
★

Hiden

Japanese Omakase

True to its name, Hiden is a secret eight-seat omakase counter concealed behind a taco shop in the heart of Wynwood. Access is granted via a time-sensitive passcode, adding to the allure of this exclusive experience.

Omakase: $300
Signature: Seasonal Edomae-style Nigiri
Le Jardinier
★

Le Jardinier

Vegetable-Forward French

Le Jardinier, French for "the gardener," is a serene and stylish oasis in the Miami Design District. The restaurant's cuisine and light-filled setting evoke a modern greenhouse, celebrating the vibrancy of the seasons.

À la carte (Mains $43-$59)
Signature: Butternut Squash Ravioli
Los Félix
★ & Green Star

Los Félix

Modern Mexican

Los Félix is a vibrant, high-energy tribute to Mesoamerican foodways in Coconut Grove. The restaurant honors indigenous traditions, particularly the ancestral practice of Milpa farming—a sustainable agricultural system centered on heirloom corn.

À la carte (Mains $36-$40)
Signature: Grouper in Banana Leaf
Ogawa
★

Ogawa

Japanese Omakase

Located in the burgeoning Little River neighborhood, Ogawa (Japanese for "small river") is an intimate, 11-seat omakase counter that feels like a portal to Japan. The experience is rooted in the exquisite simplicity of Kappo sushi tradition.

Omakase: $175 - $300
Signature: Kappo-style Seasonal Omakase
Stubborn Seed
★ & Green Star

Stubborn Seed

Progressive American

Located in Miami Beach's chic South of Fifth neighborhood, Stubborn Seed is the culinary stage for Top Chef champion Jeremy Ford. The restaurant's philosophy is in its name: pairing unrelenting passion with an unapologetic approach to unearth cravings.

Tasting Menu: $125 - $175
Signature: Ricotta Gnudi with Manchego Foam
The Surf Club Restaurant
★

The Surf Club Restaurant

Continental American

Located within the legendary Surf Club, Chef Thomas Keller's first Florida venture is a glamorous homage to the grandeur and spirit of a bygone era. The restaurant honors the location's history of grand parties and good times.

À la carte (Mains $56-$120)
Signature: Tableside Caesar Salad
Tambourine Room by Tristan Brandt
★

Tambourine Room by Tristan Brandt

Modern French / Asian

Tucked within the Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, the Tambourine Room is an intimate, 12-seat fine-dining jewel. Originally opened in 1958 as a jazz lounge, the iconic venue has been reimagined as a world-class culinary destination.

Tasting Menu: $215 - $265
Signature: Beef Tartare with Crème Fraiche & Caviar

The Michelin Path: Your Culinary Quest

This is your official invitation to embark on a gastronomic journey through Miami. We challenge you to visit each of the incredible restaurants featured in this guide, to experience the diverse artistry of our city's greatest chefs, and to discover the stories they tell on the plate.

The Michelin Journey Map acts as your digital sommelier, choosing your next dining destination. Track your progress as you visit each restaurant and become a true connoisseur of Miami's finest culinary experiences.

Start Your Journey View All Restaurants

The Journey Continues: A Statewide Vision

The vision that began with an intimate gathering at El Cielo does not end at Miami's borders. Plans are in motion for a "Second Edition" of The Michelin Experience, expanding to embrace the entire constellation of stars across Florida.

Tampa
Tampa
Orlando
Orlando
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale
West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach

This expansion represents a commitment to building a powerful, statewide network of culinary excellence. By joining forces, the chefs of Florida are ensuring that the state is recognized not just for its individual stars, but for the brilliant gastronomic galaxy they form together.

Follow The Journey

Join The Culinary Revolution

"The Michelin Experience by El Cielo" is more than a recap of a single event or a guide to great restaurants. It is the beginning of a movement. Born from a belief in community and a shared passion for hospitality, this initiative is about building a lasting legacy.

Explore Miami's Michelin Path Reserve at El Cielo