The art of listening: when sound becomes part of flavor
In contemporary fine dining, the culinary experience is never limited to the plate. It emerges from everything surrounding the guest: lighting, aromas, pacing of service, design… and, of course, music.
At La Makha, the signature restaurant of the Binn Hotel in El Poblado, Medellín, music is not an accessory. It is a sensorial and emotional pillar that shapes how every guest perceives the space and savors each creation.
Here, music doesn’t accompany dinner — it transforms it.
The psychology of sound: why music changes the way we taste
Neurogastronomy reveals that music can alter the way we perceive:
- flavor intensity
- appetite and pacing
- emotional connection to food
- the sensation of luxury
- the overall dining mood
La Makha embraces these principles and turns them into a distinctive language.
Music does more than set the tone —
it orchestrates emotion.
Musical curation at La Makha: a soundtrack for every moment
At La Makha, music is selected with the same care given to ingredients, techniques and plating.
Nothing is random.
The sound environment builds on:
- warm, elegant rhythms
- soft, enveloping vocals
- contemporary global influences
- Mediterranean accents
- subtle electronic textures
It is music that breathes, that flows, that allows conversation, but also elevates the moment when a dish calls for emotional presence.
The harmony between rhythm and flavor
Every gastronomic experience has a natural rhythm:
a dish arrives, opens, reveals itself, and evolves.
Music supports this journey.
In La Makha:
- fresh, light starters pair with soft acoustic notes
- technically intricate dishes call for richer sonic textures
- delicate desserts suit warm, velvety melodies
- wines and signature cocktails blend beautifully with deeper harmonies
The intention is simple:
every dish deserves its own soundscape.
Design and sound: when architecture and acoustics create atmosphere
La Makha’s design — warm light, natural wood, neutral tones, balanced geometry — creates the perfect acoustic landscape for soft, defined, elegant sound.
Music becomes part of the architecture:
- present but never intrusive
- full, yet never overwhelming
- intimate and comforting
- refined and contemporary
The result is a space where everything flows naturally.
Sight, sound and taste align.
Mediterranean influences: sound that evokes light and landscape
Just as La Makha’s cuisine carries Mediterranean inspiration, its musical identity also draws from:
- contemporary jazz
- elegant downtempo
- coastal-inspired lounge
- the bohemian spirit of cities like Barcelona or Marseille
- warm, luminous harmonies
It is music that evokes light, calm and sophistication, mirroring the culinary philosophy of the restaurant.
A Colombian soul: rhythm, roots and emotional warmth
La Makha also incorporates the essence of Colombia through:
- organic beats
- subtle Latin American instrumentation
- refined Afro-Colombian rhythms
- reinterpretations of Pacific and Caribbean sounds
- warm vocals that evoke territory and identity
It’s Colombian music transformed into a contemporary, elevated, elegant expression.
Music and service: a shared choreography
The dining room team uses music as a guide.
The rhythm of service adapts to:
- the energy of the room
- the time of day
- the flow of guests
- the type of experience (romantic, celebratory, business)
Service becomes fluid, attentive and serene.
Music becomes an emotional compass.
Cocktails and sound: a parallel sensory experience
At the bar — one of La Makha’s most atmospheric spaces — music blends with:
- the movement of the shaker
- the aromas of herbs and botanicals
- the vibrancy of Colombian fruits
- the minimalistic aesthetic of cocktail design
Cocktail and melody create a sensory pairing of their own.
The power of music in the guest’s memory
A dish can surprise.
A view can captivate.
But music creates emotional memory.
Many guests remember La Makha through:
- a song that played during a toast
- the soft soundtrack behind an intimate moment
- the warm atmosphere that made a celebration unforgettable
Music builds memories that last.
La Makha as a stage: where time slows down
For guests of the Binn Hotel and external visitors, La Makha becomes a sensory refuge.
A space where:
- dinner becomes ritual
- music shapes silence
- the atmosphere feels intimate and contemporary
- sound deepens the emotional resonance of each dish
It is an experience that transcends the culinary.
FAQ
How does music influence the dining experience at La Makha?
It shapes mood, enhances flavor perception and elevates the emotional impact of each dish.
What kind of music does La Makha play?
A curated blend of Mediterranean-inspired sounds and contemporary Colombian influences.
Why is music important in fine dining?
Because it affects taste perception, emotional response and the overall rhythm of the experience.
Flavor, sound and emotion in perfect synchrony
At La Makha, music does not simply accompany dinner —
it shapes the entire sensory experience.
It transforms flavors, amplifies emotions and builds an intimate, elegant atmosphere where every note resonates with each plate.
For couples, travelers, food lovers and design enthusiasts, La Makha offers an evening that is heard, felt and tasted:
