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Manuel

Barranquilla

Caribbean flavours with an international approach

On the Pass

Manuel Mendoza

What makes it special? The first restaurant located in this Caribbean city to rank in the extended list of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2023 at #77, Manuel takes matters up a notch to reach the main ranking in 2024. A Colombian approach with international flair sets the pace at this contemporary establishment, which serves both a la carte and a seven-course tasting menu, with particular focus on ingredients from Manuel’s home Atlántico region.

What’s in a name? The restaurant is named after its chef and founder, Manuel Mendoza, even though he is more usually known as Mane.

About the chef: While his parents insisted he studied Business Administration, Mendoza had long been cooking traditional regional dishes such as arroz con cerdo (pork rice) with his grandmas as a youngster, but it wasn’t until after graduating that he studied culinary arts. His first restaurant, Cocina 33, opened 11 years ago in his home city and focuses on regional cuisine. Manuel, however, ups the ante by taking an international approach that uses mostly Colombian ingredients such as corn from Montes de María, Pacific-caught tuna and cheeses aged in Cundinamarca and Boyacá.

On the menu: One long-standing signature dish is tiradito de medregal, which has been on the menu from day one. Greater Amberjack was little appreciated in this region of Colombia, but served raw with extra virgin olive oil and ponzu, it’s become a firm favourite. Mendoza also plays around with local street food, putting his signature on a carimañola meat and yuca fritter with sour cream.

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