The most anticipated restaurant openings of 2026

Boro, Medellín

Chef Jaime Rodríguez has lengthy been a pioneer of Cartagena’s eating scene, working to protect lesser-known native elements and honour regional heritage. That work has introduced vital recognition to his restaurant, Celele, the place he was awarded the 2025 Sustainable Restaurant Award from World’s 50 Best. 

Shari Bayer, writer of the guide Chefwise and host of the podcast All within the Industry, says, “Celele is all about community and helping to promote Cartegna, its farms and local businesses,” including, “I’ve also never seen a chef use flowers as beautifully as he does.”

Rodríguez is now heading 700km south to Medellín, a metropolis lengthy related to hearty cooking constructed round staples comparable to meat, corn and beans. The transfer is smart: Medellín has emerged as a hotbed of inventive expertise, particularly within the eating panorama, and lots of now regard it as some of the thrilling cities for eating in Latin America. 

His new restaurant, Boro, opening this spring will probably be positioned inside Wake Medellín, a $100m complicated that describes itself as a luxurious, wellness-focused hospitality vacation spot. Boro will probably be one among a handful of eating places right here which can be positioned to attract diners from all over the world, however Boro is arguably the headliner. The menu will categorical the variability and richness of Colombia’s pantry, showcasing native elements from the Amazon, the Andes and the Caribbean, comparable to orejero, a local tree seed; iguaraya, a wild cactus; and borojó, an Amazonian fruit — all seen by the chef’s trendy, progressive lens. As with Celele, Boro is positioned to present diners an intense sense of place and a eating expertise that’s singular to Medellín.

—

If you appreciated this story, sign up for The Essential List newsletter – a handpicked choice of options, movies and might’t-miss information, delivered to your inbox twice per week. 

For extra Travel tales from the BBC, observe us on Facebook and Instagram.