Michelin Star me PLEASE! I'm a foodie and when I told my friend I was one, he asked how many Michelin Star restaurants I'd been to. I chuckled, because honestly I'm not a foodie snob but perhaps I need to be. Pre Bday dinner before heading out of the country he chose El Cielo to celebrate me first! Located in Union Market, El Cielo hides in plain sight on the corner. Parking is always a win at Union Market hence why I am always there! Ambiance: dimly lit, reservations only, couples galore, and definitely an intimate atmosphere. Service: TOP NOTCH this is why you pay the big bucks! Nothing was amiss! My friend has experience with high‑end restaurants, Michelin star restaurants to be exact so his perspective added a helpful benchmark with what to order. He took the lead and ensured I tried all the top favorites! *They do offer an À la Carte Menu, or traditional Pre-Fixe menu* Let's get into it! Tree of Life - Yucca bread, Brown butter, Cilantro sauce - Such a cute presentation! Butter is amazing! Ensaladita Caliente - Grilled Romaine letuce, Parmigiano, Hearts of Palms, Kumquats - Soooooo Good! Yes to this dish! Catch of the day - SeaBass Buttermilk reduction, Green oil, Chontaduro - Perfectly cooked! Loved it! Yucca Gnocchi Pecorino cheese, Shitake mushrooms, Sweet plantain, Added Truffle - VERY YUMMY! Flan - Vanilla, Salted caramel - Fantastic! Mucholate - Rum Ice Cream - I mixed both this and the Flan! Loved it! read more

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We came to El Cielo to celebrate my wife's birthday and chose the Journey tasting menu. It was a memorable evening, though not without some reservations. El Cielo is located in the vibrant Union Market neighborhood, surrounded by restaurants, coffee shops and clothing stores. The restaurant itself is elegant without being opulent, with comfortable chairs spaced generously apart. A large garage door next to the entrance looks like it opens to the outside in warmer weather -- a nice touch we didn't get to experience. El Cielo holds the distinction of being the first Colombian restaurant in the world to earn a Michelin star. That alone makes it worth a visit for anyone who follows the culinary world. Our server Carla was excellent. She took her time explaining each dish carefully and patiently answered every question. The meal is a journey in every sense -- nine courses, each a small surprise. We began with cocktails. The Don't Give Papaya was fruit forward and satisfyingly alcohol forward. The passion fruit toddy that opened the tasting menu was not too sweet, with fresh fruit juice added to the spirit already in the glass. The truffle buñuelo was the first revelation -- a warm liquid center encased in a delicate corn vessel, eaten in one bite. The texture alone was remarkable. The caviarmañola followed, a delicate crispy croquette, beautifully presented with caviar and sauces. The Tree of Life, a pull-apart bread baked around mild melted cheese, was warm, satisfying and genuinely fun to eat. The tuna was exceptionally fresh and fatty, its sauce a perfect complement. The hiramasa, a kingfish new to me, was served with quinoa that added texture and visual beauty. The Hanami dessert closed the meal with just the right touch of sweetness. The birthday experience -- an edible white chocolate candle with a surprise filling -- was a delightful gesture. And the rose petal hand cream that ended the meal was an elegant final touch. Two caveats worth mentioning. The ambience leans pretentious -- El Cielo takes itself too seriously. And at $600 for two with service included, the price is steep even for a Michelin one-star. I've had equally memorable meals elsewhere for considerably less. read more

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I snagged a reservation do restaurant week and was happy with the results. The seating was prompt and it felt very warm and welcoming walking into the restaurant. I started with the tuna tartar (without the chicharon ) and it as delicious. The flavors were very interesting and oh so flavorful. The next was the gnocchi which I opted to top with the truffle. It was okay, not my favorite. It was served on the colder side which was I didn't find too tasteful. My dessert was the flan and it was amazing. It was my second favorite dish and that's saying a lot. It was wonderful! I will take a moment to hype the tree of life. It had the consistency of cloud bread but a bit more textured and firm on the outside. The butter that accompanied it was amazing. Very good and I would order again i opted to go back, I will sat there was a pretty big hiccup with our drinks. I had ordered a wine flight and my friend ordered a cocktail. After waiting thirty minutes and having our first course, including watching tables after us order drinks and get theirs, we realized they must have forgot. It was hard to grab our servers attention and we ended up finishing our first course sans drinks. This kind of ruined the wine pairing. When we did get his attention he made note that there was an issue at the bar, but the wine wasn't served at the bar, so it seemed sit was just forgotten and they were speeding to make them happen. We were comped a glass of wine which was nice, but my friend didn't drink wine and wanted her cocktail. When we both ended up with our orders drinks, we were happy. It wasn't too big of an issue in the end, but put a damper on the excitement we had for this meal since it almost took until our main/second to get it our drinks. read more

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TLDR: Warm ambiance, great service, flavorful elevated Colombian dishes. Absolutely worth visiting for their extended restaurant week menu. Perfectly warm lighting, professional yet comforting service, and truly delicious food. Located right next to Union Market, it is an easy and convenient choice. As soon as I saw they extended their Restaurant Week offering through March 30, I made a reservation. You really cannot go wrong with any of the options. The duck was incredibly tender, and the beef tartare with arepas delivered impressive depth of flavor. The rice was a complete flavor bomb and tied everything together beautifully. This is a reliable spot for elevated Colombian cuisine, and I left feeling very satisfied and comfortably full. My only small notes are that the miso egg yolk on the tartare was slightly too salty for my taste, and I wish the duck breast skin had been a bit crispier. Overall, a lovely dining experience that I would happily return to. read more

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My friend and I dined at El Cielo this past Monday evening to experience their Restaurant Week (Winter 2026) three-course meal for 65pp. We were able to select a starter, entree, and dessert each. There were plenty of upgrading options, but we decided to stick to the basics. Both of us enjoyed a glass of wine each, and I tried their current rosé offering for 18 per glass. I don't drink alcohol often, so I can't comment too much on flavors -- I did enjoy the fruity and bubbly wine throughout my meal. -- STARTERS -- TUNA TARTARE A deep red tartare topped with peanuts drizzled with an earthy, smooth paste that had the consistency of ricotta along with a single chicharrón. There was a bit of cilantro mixed in, but surprisingly, I didn't notice it as much as I thought. The tuna tartare was light in flavor, but fresh and enhanced by the toppings. The crispy chicharrón paired well with it. Solid tartare, no complaints. Only wish we had more chicharrón to enjoy the tartare with. BEEF TARTARE The beef tartare had a golden egg yolk perched on top and came with a few small arepas on the side. The tartare was very flavorful, with a lot of pungent aromatics from the raw onions and miso, yet silky smooth with the yolk mixed in. The arepas were nicely charred, but a bit too burnt for my liking. -- ENTREES -- DUCK BREAST & ATOLLADO RICE My first bite was the atollado rice, and wow, it was smoky and warm in the best way possible. It was incredibly creamy and rich, definitely cooked with a fair amount of spices to get that deep flavor. The duck was cooked perfectly -- each bite was tender and juicy. The calamansi sauce on the side provided a sweet and surprising tanginess. Solid entree, definitely a richer and more savory option. CATCH OF THE DAY The catch of the day was black cod, which was cooked to perfection -- soft and buttery with a mildly sweet flavor. There was a green salad on the side that was a bit bitter when eaten alone, but was a harmonious combination when eaten with the cod along with the two different sauces (buttermilk and a mildly sweet brown-colored reduction). This is the entree we'd recommend if you want a more delicate and lighter option. -- DESSERTS -- MUCHOLATE The dessert would've been better without the rum, though rum-forward desserts just aren't our thing. The chocolate bark was a nice touch, but I didn't really like the white chocolate one. The ice cream was smooth, and the chocolate crumble was delicious. The mousse(?) on the side was nice, too. FLAN Silky and smooth flan -- texture-wise, this is as perfect as it can get. It sat on top of a caramel-based reduction, which was a bit too sweet for our liking. Given how thin the flan was, we thought there was too much reduction. Overall, the food was fantastic, with only a couple critiques on the two desserts. The portion size isn't the most generous, and I was ready to snack once I got home after dinner. However, we enjoyed a fancier dinner out and got to taste Colombian fine-dining! It's also a bonus that El Cielo was on inKind, which helped us save quite a bit on our meal. read more

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We reserved the last table of the night, and wow what an immersive experience. Every dish was a visual moment. Presentation across the board was a solid 5/5. What I loved most was how intentional everything felt. You're not just eating, you're learning about Colombian culture through the ingredients, the storytelling, and the progression of the meal. The most memorable dish of the night was the Coffee Fields. Absolute standout. Make sure you have your camera ready for that one. I actually had to ask where the beans were from because it was that good. read more

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What a treat to have been taken here for my birthday. Being Colombian myself, I had to try the only Michelin star Colombian restaurant in the states and it did not disappoint. From beginning to end the experience was a surprise to the palate. It was almost like being taken on a tour of my beloved motherland. The attention to detail and hospitality by the servers was also unmatched. The interiors were beautifully decorated, the music was just loud enough to set the vibe but also allow you to hold a conversation. I 100% recommend El Cielo for the experience for a special occasion, you will not regret it. Won't post pictures of the dishes bc it's so nice to be surprised. read more

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This was truly a wonderful and memorable experience for me. I fancy myself as a foodie with plenty of experience in fine dining and I believe this meal was on par with Alinea in Chicago as well as other multi Michelin Star experiences I have enjoyed. The quality of the ingredients, the originality of the experience, the knowledge and presentation of the staff, and the value for the experience was superb. My favorites were washing my hands in chocolate, the feeling of clouds as I sipped freshly brewed Colombian coffee, the tender bison, the crispy quail, and the beautiful presentation of bread that was truly a meal in itself. Also, the venue itself is beautiful, modern, and was very comfortable. I look forward to going back soon and hosting an event with friends and family there before year end. It's only a matter of time before this venue earns another Michelin Star. read more

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Back to El Cielo-the only Michelin-starred restaurant we're eager to revisit. Once again, it delivered an unforgettable experience. While our beloved Tree of Life and Yucca Gnocchi never disappoint, the Truffle Buñuelo completely stole the show with its explosive flavors. We'll definitely be back! read more

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I went there with friends for their restaurant week experience for a birthday. The restaurant is modern and nicely decorated. Staff is very welcoming and we were immediately seated. The food was delicious, from the chefs complimentary offering to the bread to the entree, everything was fresh and made with thoughtful ingredient. The cocktails were also delicious esp the sour sap one. The highlight for me was the duck and the bread. Tuna tartare was good but I feel it was missing the spark, something about it felt less fresh or flavorful. Our server was amazing and attentive. They even brought a fun complimentary dessert at the end, which pops in your mouth like a cracker lol. See pictures attached. read more

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I went to Elcielo for Restaurant Week and I ended up having a wonderful meal! The appetizer I selected was beef tartare. It had a delicious zesty sauce, a confit egg yolk on top, and some little arepas to eat it with. I thought it was delicious and very rich. I wonder if a crispier side (plantain chips?) would have been better to mix up the textures, but the flavors were all lovely. The main I went with was yucca gnocchi with shiitakes mushrooms ina very rich cream sauce covered in Parmesan with a few dots of plantain honey. It was so rich and filling and delicious. Things got a bit salty on the right side of the bowl with the sheer volume of Parmesan, but that's a minor thing and the sweetness of the honey was so good in with it. I especially liked how the shiitakes tasted in the sauce. Again, I think maybe some little crunchy topping would have been nice, but I really thought it was a standout dish and would recommend trying it for sure. For dessert, it felt too cold for their rum ice cream, so I went with flan. I was surprised at how classic it was. The sauce was a bit too sickly sweet for me, and I think maybe a darker/saltier caramel or one infused with something like coffee would have cut through more. The texture was absolute silky perfection, though, and I'm always happy with a good flan. Service was kind and attentive. Presentation was beautiful. I definitely want to come back and try some of their a la carte items like the cheesy yucca bread, but the price point is definitely very high. I was grateful to get to try the menu for Restaurant Week and I appreciated that they offered their full, regular tasting menu where others often skimp. I would definitely return to try it again this summer and order the dishes I didn't get this time! read more

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We were a group of four and we did the tasting menu last night while in DC on business. It was amazing! The food and the presentation was over the top! Expect to spend 3-4 hours enjoying the experience read more

The service here is always great. I love the music that plays here. The duck and rice dish was one of the best mains I've had in a while - solid execution on the rice duck and sauce. Unfortunately, I have to go 4 stars because I just wasn't impressed with the dessert, they don't seem up to Michelin star quality. For someone with sweet tooth, the mucholata was a bit of a miss with watery ice cream and not enough variety. read more

El Cielo - Duck - Latin American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My husband and I were very excited to get a reservation at El Cielo on the very last day of DC's Winter Restaurant Week! As many of the other reviews have commented, getting reservation was not the easiest - but that is to be expected with a Michelin Star restaurant during a busy week!! Needless to say, all of my persistent and efforts to get a reservation were WELL WELL worth it! The experience was amazing. From the minute we walked in to the restaurant, it felt as if we were teleported to Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos' Medellín escape in Washington DC. The decor is such that you really do feel the personal touches that have been added, that not only make you feel the fine dining experience - but also with a touch of homeliness. The Restaurant Week menu offered 3 amazing courses, with three options to choose from for each course. My husband and I also went for the cocktail pairing to ensure the full experience ! I was definitely blown away by the vast array of flavours, textures, preparation and all round vibrancy with each of the courses as well as the cocktails. I can truly say that each course during was one of a kind - and stimulated all of the sense. The service -- as one would expect from a Michelin Star restaurant was impeccable!! From the help when choosing what to order, through to the changing of cutlery and delivery of each course throughout the meal. The execution of the service was skillful and polished. If you are looking to celebrate a special occasion, treat yourself for a small or big accomplishment, or have been curious to try El Cielo - go for it! You will not be disappointed. read more

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We came to El Cielo with low expectations. We weren't very big fans of Colombian cuisine, nor did we have much experience in it aside from trying local shops and Mita (very disappointing). Wow, we were blown away! Every dish was presented with finesse and flair. Each bite was great and it had enough Latin American influence in the food to be recognizable but also wasn't so immersed in that style that it would be daunting for less adventurous diners. I really enjoyed their truffle bite as well as the raw tuna and fish arepas. While expensive, it was a worthy experience and better than many other Michelin restaurants we have been to. Pay for the extra Birthday experience-it's a nice addition to the meal. read more

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Overall a great Michelin-star restaurant with great service, ambiance, food presentation, and appetizers/mains. I recently went here with three friends for Restaurant Week dinner and we were seated immediately at our reservation time. Except for being a little rushed as we ate (servers coming to collect our dishes well before everyone was done), we had outstanding service from start to finish, with our server explaining every dish. The restaurant had lots of Caribbean, Colombian, and indigenous art, with plenty of natural light and wood. There are also vegetarian and pescatarian-friendly options. We each got a different dish for the three courses and shared the dishes. We also got the yucca bread service before the appetizer course. The presentation for all dishes was outstanding and Michelin-caliber. Here's a breakdown of each dish: Yucca bread service: This included a yucca flour bread stuffed with cheese, brown butter, roasted tomato sauce, and cilantro sour cream. The bread was outstanding, with tons of delicious, melty cheese. All the spreads were great and the presentation of the bread and spreads was the definition of a Michelin-star dish. Appetizers Tuna Tartare: I loved the fish-shaped corn crackers on top and the sauce added good heat. While the tuna was fresh, it was extremely salty. Corn Soup: A delicious combination of corn with different textures-puree, crunchy corn, and dumpling-like chunks. Lulo Ceviche: The star dish of the night and one of my five favorite dishes I've had this year. The hiramasa was extremely fresh, juicy, and perfectly marinated. The lime added brightness and acidity, the lulo added a unique flavor, and the quinoa added fantastic crunch. The dish was stunningly presented with great color contrasts and beautiful shapes. Entrees Rockfish: The rockfish was good, although nothing spectacular. I loved the whimsical fish-shaped presentation and the quinoa was cooked well. Yucca Gnocchi: The yucca was a delicious flavor, the gnocchi were cooked perfectly, the sauce was rich and creamy, and there were just the right amount of mushrooms to add umami without overwhelming the dish. Unfortunately, both desserts offered as part of Restaurant Week tasted bad enough that I gave El Cielo a four-star instead of a five-star rating. Although visually stunning, the Winter was astringent and acidic with the pine and eucalyptus. Additionally, the other components were tasteless. The cholao was slightly better but still extremely acidic. I was surprised that El Cielo chose not to highlight Colombian chocolate and/or coffee in their desserts, both of which would have provided ample opportunities for creativity and being true to Colombian cuisine. However, we did get a completely edible white chocolate candle to conclude our meal as we were celebrating a special occasion, and the candle was delicious-multiple kinds of white chocolate, including pop-rock-like crispies inside. Although I would not order dessert, I would still recommend El Cielo for your next special occasion! read more

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Amazing, amazing experience! Had date night here with a girlfriend and we had such a great time. Initially we had a ressy for the gastrobar, basically a la carte. Our waiter, who was fantastic, sold us on the chefs menu, the 10 course one. There is a larger one but unnecessary for us. Where do I begin? I'll just talk about my favorites, otherwise this will be VERY long. Okay first off, the staff is amazing and so professional. They truly are putting on a show for you, every step of the way. We started with the truffle buñuelo and it stuck with me the whole time. I could've had 5 of those easily! The corn broth was wild - different textures, different flavors, yet all complement each other. I love corn! The tuna is so fun! Came out with those fishies and you can create your own thing. Place a tuna on the fish shaped bread, and then add the toppings. The bison was amazing!!! So tender and juicy. And then the funnest part of all - chocotherapy. They brought out a big bowl and poured chocolate on you and then added espresso that basically exfoliated your hands. And then you guessed it, you eat/lick it! This is fun to do and a little sexual. It was delicious! Ahhh such a wonderful experience. I can't wait to bring my man here! read more

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My husband and I have been here twice- both times for The Experience. It's worth every penny and has quickly become my favorite thing ever. The service is as impeccable as the courses themselves, which come with an explanation of the rich culture Colombia has to offer. Every course is carefully and beautifully crafted to allow you to not only visually appreciate Colombian cuisine but to appreciate the flavors of the community. The environment is also as warm and welcoming, adding to the overall incredible experience. Even with it being 20 courses, we never felt overfed or overstimulated. It was a perfect balance of everything and if you ever find yourself wanting to try something new, I'd 100% suggest making reservations for The Experience. You will not regret it! read more

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El Cielo has a simple message when you walk in: sit back and enjoy-- we know what we're doing. And boy are you in good hands. The Experience menu was a memorable seating with a luxurious feel carried throughout the night. The welcome bites immediately impress you with bold, thoughtful flavors that play on every sensation. These little morsels deliver you a trip to Columbia served on a series of plates. The subsequent main dishes are what you would expect of a restaurant of this caliber, and are executed with technical precision. Your night then comes to a dramatic, whimsical end with the dessert courses. My only complaint was that they didn't keep coming. In the end, after 18 courses from the menu, and a few surprises along the way, you leave with another understanding of food, seeing not just the sustenance it brings us, but the experiences it can create. Additionally, the staff are not only well versed on their menus, but also extremely sweet and very helpful. There was a problem caused by a third party platform when it came to paying my bill, however the restaurant did everything they could to ensure I was whole before leaving, even though they had nothing to do with it. A true show of their hospitality. All in all, for the price you pay, El Cielo surpasses the quality of food, service, and experience that you would expect, and I certainly look forward to visiting them in the future. read more

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Solo diner review- What a delightfully whimsical night at El Cielo! For some context, I had a reservation for 5pm on a Wednesday night. When I arrived I was the only diner for the first hour I was there (what an unexpected way to have a private dining experience!). I did book an early reservation for a weeknight because I chose to do The Experience menu and knew it would take 2-2.5 hours. The service was impeccable throughout the meal -- not just when I was there alone -- and they definitely kept the courses coming out at a steady pace. The staff was friendly and attentive without hovering and gave good advice about eating strategies, but less about the inspiration for some of the dishes. Some menu highlights were the Truffle Bunuelo (a single gooey bite of garlicky goodness), the Corn Broth (exciting mix of textures and temperatures), and the Coffee Field with dessert. Both the meatier dishes (quail and bison) fell a little flat for me. The quail was beautifully seasoned, but was overpowered by the sauce and the bison dish lacked salt (for my taste). Others have commented that El Cielo's presentations (Chocotherapy, the Rose Petal, Coffee Field) have felt a bit gimmicky and I can see that. But if you're in the mood for experiential dining this is a fun place to go. Paired wines were right on. Admittedly I doubted their choice to go back from a rose to a white, but the pairing was amazing. There are two single stalled bathrooms in the back of the restaurant. Other diners ordered cocktails that appeared creative. Tables are large and well spaced out -- dining room was quiet without feeling awkward. I felt perfectly comfortable as a solo diner, but this really is a solo experience. Please keep in mind that this is four stars for a Michelin starred restaurant; I'm giving no handicap on that rating. read more

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Me gustó la experiencia !! Una manera muy muy diferente de disfrutar mi tierra colombiana, la food es deliciosa, cada platillo que llega a la mesa es una experiencia visual con un sabor único. El servicio muy atento, nos explicaron cada platillo y que consistía aparte un poco de historia y en que se inspira el chef para hacerlo. Me encantaría volver y espero ser invitada por ustedes. Viajaría allí de nuevo por volver read more

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We loved it. El Cielo was an unforgettable experience with an intimate and elegant ambiance, setting the perfect tone for a special night. We started with the tuna tartare, which was beautifully presented and bursting with fresh, delicate flavors. For our mains, we had the bison and quail, both cooked to perfection, tender, and rich in depth. My husband had the "Chimberito", a sour sop-infused cocktail that added a bright and refreshing contrast to the meal. I enjoyed the "Don't Give Papaya", a mango-infused drink, along with a glass of Tempranillo, which paired wonderfully with the bold flavors of our dishes. To finish, we had the heart-shaped dessert, which was not only fantastic but also the perfect touch for our marriage celebration. Every single thing was presented with such grace and creativity, and the service was immaculate. Every course felt like a work of art, making the entire experience truly special. If you are looking for an upscale, immersive dining experience, El Cielo is absolutely worth it. read more

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This review is long over due. Hubby and I had a date night here and were very excited about it! We had been to "La Cosecha" (the Latin marketplace next door) a few times but had never realized El Cielo was right next door. La Cosecha has a great Latin vibe and great eats so we were eager to be blown away by El Cielo. I'm all about first impressions and details-- specially when it comes to high end restaurants or Michelin restaurants, I believe the focus should be on creating an unforgettable experience for all the senses, not just taste. So upon entering El cielo I was pretty underwhelmed by the aesthetics and ambiance of the place, it looks like every other modern cafe with not much attention to detail, specially for it being a Latin restaurant, they could have done a better job at transporting you to vibrant Colombia with the design. The bathroom looked like it belonged in a "hole in the wall" restaurant, not a Michelin one, so I was highly disappointed. But that was only the first impression, I was eager to try the food and be blown away... And unfortunately we weren't. The presentation of the food was the best thing out of everything- they have done a great job at creating beautiful plates. But for the most part the dishes were forgettable. Nothing was amazing or tasted like something we had never eaten before. Service was decent. Overall we had a nice evening. read more

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Nestled in La Cosecha in NOMA is Elcielo. The 22 course tasting menu is a beautiful tribute to Colombian Cuisine. Every movement and bite was carefully crafted to tap into all of our senses from scent, taste to touch (wait for the chocolate course ) The food and ambiance transported us to the beautiful beaches of Cartagena and the mysterious corners of the Amazon jungle. The dishes ranged from intricate qe to whimsical like the Chocola-therapy where we washed our hands with chocolate and sea salt or The Tree of Life, a Yucca bread served fresh from the oven on a wire bonsai tree representing the lung of the world, the Amazon rainforest. It's no surprise why they've earned that Michelin star but you'll have to go visit to check out the rest of the surprises they've got in store. *| Our Menu |* Aguardiente & Passion Fruit Toddy Spring Blossom Sorbet Truffle Buñuelo Tapioca & Foie Tuna, Peanut & Yuzu Guajira's Dry Shrimp Rice Carimañola Chocotherapy Tree Of Life Corn Broth Shima Aji, Lulo & Quinoa Lobster, Corn & Lemongrass Quail, Wild Onion & Rice Bison "Al Trapo" Mango Cone Cholao Tamarind Profiterole Guava & Amaretto Tart Coffee Field Rose Petals read more

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Topline: the food at El Cielo is fantastic and inventive -- probably closer to 2 Michelin stars. The service and atmosphere, while lovely, is probably what pulls this down to just one. A friend and I did the gastrobar experience and loved the food. Some of it, like the ceviche and the shaved ice desert, was exceptional. And everything I ate was delicious and unique -- the "tree of life" bread had a texture like I've never seen and was plated so inventively. One course, the chocotherapy, is pretty much just lotion, but, it's still pretty fun to do! I'd be excited to come back for the longer tasting menu, both because the food was so good, and also because I actually left a bit hungry after just the gastrobar experience. Drinks: I got cocktails, and thought they were good -- about the quality that you'd find anywhere else. At $25 a pop, I didn't feel like they were worth it. At other equivalent places in the area, the drinks were the best flavors of the night. Here, they were just cocktails. Service: our server was very kind and attentive. But, we were extremely rushed through our meal. At one point, we were still eating the previous course when a new course came out. My friend was never able to finish her drink pairing for a course before they brought out the next one. I think they probably brought a new course every 15 or so minutes. Atmosphere -- as another review said, it feels like a regular nice restaurant. If i'm being nitpicky -- which clearly I am -- the bathroom had some peeling paint, a bit of rust, etc. It was still clean, it's just something that you'd think a restaurant of this caliber (and which no doubt has higher aspirations) would probably fix. read more

Beautiful, creative dishes that were very delicious. If given the chance, I would return. I thought the artistry and thought that went into each dish was great. The food was creatively displayed and really felt like they were telling a story. The experience was very memorable and the food tasted delicious. I would 100% come back if I had another event to celebrate! read more

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This is near union market and I believe there are several parking garages nearby. We had made a reservation for 4 PM on Saturday for the 20 course meal. Someone opened up the door for us and we were sat immediately down a ramp into a room near the kitchen. I would highly recommend bringing a cardigan or jacket. We were sat right under the AC so it was pretty cold. There was a menu at the table with the list of the course items along with my name which was pretty neat. The first course was delicious - the Aguardiente & Passion Fruit Toddy. Most of the dessert themed items were great. We didn't care for the Spring Blossom Sorbet. We did overall enjoy most of the food items and there was little we didn't enjoy. We came with a friend who had some allergies but also didn't really eat seafood and they would substitute any of the seafood items and she loved most of the substitutions as well. The service overall was great with bringing out the courses but I find otherwise a little lacking. It would take awhile for our glasses of waters to be refilled and our initial cocktails that we ordered took about 15 minutes. Everything was mostly enjoyable and very flavorable but I'm not entirely sure if it's worth the $289/person for the 20 course meal. read more

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El cielo delivers a Michelin worthy meal. We went as a group of 8 to celebrate. Each item built on interesting flavors and textures. The service was top notch. My only complaint is that the table I was seated at was dirty and should've had the white table cloth changed. Aside from that our waitress was amazing and our group had an enjoyable meal. Some of my favorite courses posted below. The chocolate therapy and rose moisturizer were a fun touch to exfoliate and hydrate the skin. read more

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Words cannot express this EXPERIENCE. First, our server Valeria made this experience 10X better. She was knowledgeable, friendly and professional. Secondly, the organization of the courses was perfect. Every course came with a story, and every course (except the corn broth) was delicious. This was the first place I could drink BLACK coffee. Everything was amazing! The sensory experiences were unique as well. It's something you will just have to go and experience. The place was quaint, but adorably decorated with Colombian style and modern touches. I would do this AGAIN! read more

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Our dinner at El Cielo was fantastic in every way. Starting with a personal response from the restaurant to my email about a dietary restriction for one member of our party. From there it just kept getting better! The food was outstanding. It was restaurant week with a limited menu but everything was delicious! (the Tree of Life bread is a standout!) We were celebrating two birthdays and the server made special note of that fact, even bringing two "edible candles" which were so unique, fun, and delicious. The ambiance was lovely and the service was wonderful. Even the bathroom was lovely!! We will be back! Thank you El Cielo! read more

El Cielo - Tree of Life bread (gluten free!) - Latin American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Overall - fun date night with creative dishes. However, pricing is absurd for the experience. Food Food was delicious with an emphasis on creative, sensory experiences. We had a great time. We only did not like one dish, which was the foie, because we don't love foie and no substitutions are accommodated. We only had the option of booking the 20 course experience on Tock, which was too many courses for us personally. We barely made it through. Would definitely recommend the 13 course Journey if able to book. Price Apparently, they just did a massive price increase as Tock costs do not match what is listed on their website. After tax and fees, it's now $380 a person for the Experience before any drinks. Wine markups of 3-4x bottle costs too. IE - with a bottle of cheapish wine our total bill was more than $900 for two. I expect you'll start to see harsher reviews as expectations soar when paying $1000 for a dinner. Service I booked same day and they did not have our reservation upon arrival as they had printed out on hard paper. Had to pull out reservation on phone to show them. Entire staff is Colombian which is cool and authentic. Our waiter was very difficult to understand, which detracted from the experience and not in line with pricing. The girl in training was actually better. We spent around 3 hours for dinner. Ambiance I thought the ambiance was cool. Great decor, upbeat music. Casual atmosphere. read more

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El Cielo was a magical and fun dining experience! Emphasis on the ~experience~ because this restaurant is a whole lot more than just delicious food. Each course is called "a moment," and Chef Barrientos brings you on a journey from the first tasty snacks to the exquisite desserts. The dining room is set up for parties all to be seated for dinner around the same time. We arrived 15 minutes early hoping to have a drink at the bar, but the restaurant was locked and the dining room was empty prior to our seating at 8:00pm. The host met us at the locked door and told us to come back in 10 minutes. We were a little thrown off, but pretty much everything else went off without a hitch. Once seated, you see everyone else getting their courses around the same time as yours, you essentially "experience the moments" together. It's a unique style for dining. Let's talk about the drinks. They come in the craziest decorative cups. Very cute! The cocktails are around $25 each, which is excessive but expected. I loved my spicy margarita. The mixologist put tiny red peppers on the martini glass, like devil horns. My husband had the wine pairing, and he really enjoyed the selection. The food is remarkable! The highlights included: A savory Truffle Buñelo, which was so rich and delicious. The Crab Empanadas, which are literally shaped like crabs. The Tree of Life bread was soo tasty, but our server gave us a tip not to fill up on it too soon! Corn soup was outstanding. The Rockfish Tamal was my absolute favorite. My husband loved the Cholao dessert, which had pop rocks in it! And the Colombian Emerald and Coffee Field were really the icing on the cake. It was really so cool to see the fog cover our table! The Chocotherapy was so weird and different but pretty neat to try out. It was fun watching other tables figure out the messy chocolate. The experience lasted over 3 hours! The service was good here. Yet, we thought it was a little unorganized at first. The servers were getting confused about which tables already received each course, so our server offered us the same dish 3 separate times (with different courses)! The server was good about explaining each dish and checking on us regularly. We loved our fancy date night here! It was a true treat and an unusual and exciting culinary adventure. We would recommend coming here for a special occasion. read more

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Five of us came here to celebrate a birthday. I had the cocktail, "Don't give me papaya" and had the wine pairing with dinner. The drink was serviced in a cool container. Great presentation. Wine pairing started with veuve. Nice! All the wines were good. Red wine pour very small. It was an expensive pairing. The food was off the charts. No words can describe how good it was. I liked the third course on the wooden block best. Tree of life was tasty but then again, I am a carb girl. The caviar course (we added this) was the most unique I've ever seen and would do it again. Loved the onion soup/cheese dish. Crab empanadas were really good and unique in that they were empty but came with two sauces. Best bathrooms ever!!!! Clean. Music. And dental piks. Love! Service was a bit off surprisingly. It started with the reservation. We reserved 8pm and they called 1.5 hours ahead and said 8:30pm but then it was ok a little after 8pm so one person didn't show up until 8:25pm. So while we waited we ordered a cocktail. It took forever to get the cocktails and they did not come out together but some even after the first wine pairing/third course. They have stools for the lady's purse but I didn't get one until we asked because mine had fallen in the floor. read more

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We went with "the experience" a 22 course culinary journey through Colombia and left very happy (and full)! While the meal was fantastic, we especially enjoyed the history, distinct flavors, and story that came with each dish. The service was great - everyone worked cohesively as a team and dishes seemed to come out just as you were finishing your current one. The staff was on top of everything - friendly and welcoming and able to give great recommendations. What I think we loved most was the creativity that came with each dish. It felt like we were looking at art and some dishes were (almost) too beautiful to eat. We also appreciated the storyline that came with many of the dishes. The cocktails were also tasty and creative, albeit a bit pricey (around $30). Overall, we really enjoyed our experience at El Cielo and this has inspired us to visit Colombia soon! read more

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We came to check out El Cielo, as they offer different course menu that focuses on Colombian fare. They also have locations in Medellin, Bogota, and in Miami, in which D.C.'s location was awarded 1 Michelin star. We opted for the El Cielto Experience, which is a 20-course tasting menu, prepared by Chef Barrientos. When we visited, the following was included: +Aguardiente & Passion Fruit Toddy +Spring Blossom Sorbet +Truffle Bunelo +Tapioca & Foie +Tuna Tartare +Halibut & Chicharron +Carimanola +Chocotherapy +Tree of Life +Corn Soup +Shima Aji, Lulo & Quinoa +Catch of the Day Tamal +Quail, Wild Onion & Rice +Bison "Al Trapo" +Cherry Blossom Cone +Cholao +Colombian Emerald +Yellow Butterfly +Coffee Field +and, Rose Petals It was an interesting experience, with the pace being just right for us - service was attentive. The place itself is well-decorated, with the beautiful wood and the open kitchen. Note that reservations are to be made and paid for in advance on their booking site. +various tasting menus offered +reservations and payment required in advance read more

I decided to have El Cielo be my main birthday celebration for the year and I can definitely say that I enjoyed myself tremendously. The venue allowed for an intimate feel while also allowing us all to not feel like the different tables were on top of each other. The service was impeccable (the only hiccup being that they didn't let us know that we would have to tell them how we wanted our bison cooked well in advance). Lastly, the quality and execution of the meal were amazing. We opted for the twenty course option, which allowed us to sample a variety of bites which were rooted in Colombian flavors. Some of the favorites were the passion fruit toddy (a nice warm and tangy start to the night), the tapioca and fois gras cube (which was crispy and not too rich), the tuna "empanada" (the presentation alone is definitely worth getting this), and the ceviche (tangy, fresh and overall excellent) were my favorite savory items. Although all of the desserts were great, my favorite were the pumpkin and sapto cone and the cholao. Although most of the menu suited my tastes I found some of the flavors to be either very similar or repetitive. A lot of the items had a tangy and fruity quality. I also found the last dessert (the guava tart and tamarind profiterole) to be underwhelming. The flavors were complimentary (but again tangy), but beyond the dry ice element the desert itself seemed very simple for a venue which wowed us so much at the start of the dinner. Overall, I enjoyed myself, however I probably will not be back for more (4/5). read more

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Came here on a Saturday night for dinner. We participated in the 20-course dining experience. The restaurant space is utilized effectively and not overly large or small. Service was top notch throughout the entire 2.5 hour dinner. Cocktails were diverse and flavorful with an extensive wine list as well. The progression through the 20 courses is thoughtful and well planned. There aren't too many heavy, starchy dishes stacked side by side. There are lighter meals placed next to heavier ones to help you progress through the experience. The ceviche and the truffle were probably our favorites. Overall a wonderful experience and we will definitely return. read more

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I've been to several Michelin-rated restaurants in the past few years, and this is still one of my favorites. It can be difficult to find fine dining restaurants that balance presentation, creativity, and memorably flavorful food, but El Cielo did all three. Myself, my partner, and a friend got the shortened tasting menu, and we felt it was plenty of food without being overfull - especially because there was plenty of time between courses. Our servers were friendly and enthusiastic about explaining each dish. The meal we had truly felt like an exploration and celebration of both food and culture, and I would be happy to visit again. read more

We came on a Friday night for the 20-course El Cielo experience after seeing El Cielo's superb reputation for their restaurants in Columbia. Especially for the price point, the experience was disappointing and underwhelming. The dinner took almost 3.5 hours, and likely would have taken longer if we had not requested a speed-up in service. There was no reason for the pace - some courses had a ridiculously long wait time in between. Kitchen was not prepared for timing. Highly recommend just going for the smaller course menu if you do want to try El Cielo. Many of the desserts and snacks were not worth the extra time/cost. 2 of the courses on both menus are not food - just be aware. The one shining star was the front of house staff and the lead server for our table - Alexandra. She was remarkable and it was fun learning about the culture and history of the dishes. Each snack course was essentially a bite, with the mains being small dishes and desserts being a combo. Some of the courses were delicious and delightful, others were very disappointing. The tapioca and foie - there was no taste of foie and the tapioca was dry. The quail was way too salty - kitchen basics! Most of the desserts tasted similar - overly sweet/syrupy and little character. We didn't finish 3 of the dessert courses because they were so disappointing. They did bring out a thoughtful edible chocolate candle to celebrate the occasion - that was probably the best dessert. Lastly, not sure why the restaurant is prepay/nonrefundable. The restaurant wasn't full the entire night we dined. read more

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This was truly an experience! We had a table of three with one person in our party that was allergic to shellfish so we let them know ahead of time. They were very accommodating! Every bite of food was amazing. The flavors and textures were on point! They explained EVERY item they brought out. I have eaten in some of the best restaurants in the world and this is definitely in my top three. I told my husband, "Gordon Ramsay better watch out". lol! This place is definitely worth every penny. It is worth adding the wine pairing. The birthday gift was a cute touch also. We will be back. I did not post pictures so that you can be surprised and enjoy your experience. Make your reservation now. Also, if you show up early, just wait. They will let you in when it's time for your reservation. Food - 5 Service - 5 Ambiance - 4 read more