Real testimonials: what diners say about La Makha in Medellín

4.8

Google · 49 reviews

★★★★★

Google stars tell half the story. The words of those who experienced La Makha tell it all.

La Makha has a 4.8 on Google with 49 reviews. That number doesn’t surprise anyone who knows the restaurant. What does surprise is the tone of the reviews: nobody writes “good food” and leaves it at that. They write about the chef who came out of the kitchen to sit with them and explain the dish. About an arepa they couldn’t remember the name of but couldn’t forget. About arriving with no expectations and ending up saying it was the best meal of their entire trip to Colombia.

Here’s what we found.

What they say on Google

★★★★★ “A very beautiful and elegant place, with quality service. The prices are very good and the food is Colombian but reinterpreted, with well-crafted and carefully worked dishes.” — Nolan Vialle · Google · Food 4 · Service 5 · Atmosphere 5

★★★★★ “I had an experience unlike any I’d ever had before. I ordered the catch of the day, but first I had a cold starter with a base that was an arepa — I don’t remember its name but I was amazed. Something I loved was the detail of chef David coming to the table and explaining in detail everything they brought us. It was wonderful.” — Jhon Jairo Higuita · Google · Food 5 · Service 5 · Atmosphere 5

★★★★★ “Good food.” — Fernando Ortiz · Google

The hidden gem: what international travelers say

★★★★★ “We stumbled upon La Makha by happy accident while staying at Hotel Binn. It unexpectedly turned out to be one of our favorite meals during our entire trip to Colombia — a true hidden gem!” — Binn Hotel guest · Binnhotel.com · Verified review

“By accident” is the phrase that comes up most often in international traveler reviews. They were at the hotel, they were hungry, they came downstairs. What they didn’t have was any expectation about what they were going to find. A hotel restaurant in Medellín doesn’t generate anticipation by default. David Suárez has been changing that reflex for a while now, one dish at a time.

What diners mention again and again

Some things show up in review after review, from people who don’t know each other. Not the same words, but the same ideas.

The chef at the table David Suárez Estrada comes out of the kitchen to explain the dishes. It’s not protocol — it’s part of the experience. Several guests mention it as the moment they remember most.

The origin of the ingredients Octopus from La Guajira, lamb from Caldas, corn from the Montes de María. Guests don’t just eat — they learn where what they’re eating comes from.

The Colombian reinterpretation Colombian food “but worked on” appears as a repeated description. It’s not regional cooking, but it doesn’t deny its roots either. That’s what surprises most people who don’t know La Makha.

The price-to-experience ratio Pricing comes up positively — not as “cheap” but as “fair for what you get.” For a fine dining restaurant in El Poblado, that’s not nothing.

What the chef says about his own cooking

The reviews confirm that, even if rarely in those exact words. “Different,” “unexpected,” “unlike anything I’d experienced before” — those are the descriptions that come up. No guest says “Mediterranean-Colombian” because they don’t need the concept to describe what they felt. They describe it another way, and the sum of those ways points to the same place.

What food media and gastronomic guides say

Beyond Google, La Makha appears in Medellín gastronomic guides alongside Sibari and Cala Roca as part of El Poblado’s fine dining scene. Not as a generic recommendation — as a reference point for what the city is doing well in author cooking.

What these publications mention most: the 7-course tasting menu as the most honest way to understand the proposal, and the kitchen-curated pairing as a differentiator that few restaurants in the city offer with that level of coherence. The space also enters the argument — Binnhotel’s glass and steel architecture, the views from El Poblado, access to the ETRO rooftop. The food doesn’t work alone; the context where it happens is part of the dish.

What to expect on a first visit

First-timers tend to describe the experience in three stages, even though none of them call it that. First the space: the design, the view, the particular quiet the restaurant has despite being in El Poblado. Then the menu, which asks to be read before ordering. And if David Suárez is on the floor — which he usually is — there’s a real chance he’ll stop by the table. According to those who’ve been through it, that moment changes the dinner. Not technically — it turns it into something else entirely.

For a first visit, the 7-course tasting menu ($330,000 per person, $420,000 with pairings) is the way to understand La Makha in one sitting. If you prefer à la carte, the Corn Cracker and the octopus are the dishes that keep appearing in reviews from guests who come back.

Frequently asked questions about La Makha

How many stars does La Makha have on Google?

La Makha has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 on Google, based on 49 guest reviews.

What do diners say about La Makha’s chef?

Chef David Suárez Estrada is one of the most frequently mentioned aspects in positive reviews. Several guests highlight that he comes out of the kitchen to explain each dish at the table — something they describe as the most memorable moment of the experience.

Is La Makha a good option for a first visit to Medellín?

Yes. Several international travelers describe it as one of the best meals of their entire trip to Colombia, often discovered by chance while staying at Binnhotel. The 7-course tasting menu is the most complete way to get to know the proposal.

Which dishes are mentioned most in La Makha reviews?

The Corn Cracker with Bahía Solano tuna and the La Guajira octopus are the dishes that come up most in reviews from returning guests. The Catch of the Day is also frequently mentioned by first-time visitors.

How do you book at La Makha?

Bookings are made through Binnhotel’s official channels at binnhotel.com. The restaurant is open to hotel guests and outside visitors Monday through Sunday until 9:30 pm. To get a full picture of the experience before booking, it’s worth reading what diners say about La Makha.