Mamba Negra

The Colombian Chefs Revitalizing the Country's Food Scene | Condé Nast Traveler

"Set in the penthouse of a building in Medellín’s upscale El Poblado nightlife district, this restaurant is the creation of mixologist Juan David Zapata, known for his inventive use of ancestral and forgotten Colombian ingredients in cocktails and food. With a vibe tied to contemporary reggaeton culture—the same building houses the management company Vibras Lab of artists like J Balvin and Karol G—the space reflects Zapata’s journey from student to teacher in the neighborhood’s Learning for Life program, which helped him become Colombia’s best bartender in 2018 and now serves as a training ground for the next generation." - Stephanie Rafanelli