A visit to Teatro Magico del Sabor is in my honest opinion the best dining experience one can have in Cali. You may not agree that it is the best food in Cali, but you will have a hard time convincing me that the overall experience isn’t the best. Most likely you have never tried anything like it before. As chef, Michael Lynch writes on his website, the show is a “tribute to wine and a celebration of life”.
I’ve been there many times and make sure to always invite friends and family, when they come to visit Cali. They have all loved it! I don’t want to spoil the entire experience, so I’ll leave you with a few recommendations: Order the “Caipirulu” cocktail to start out. Everything on his menu is great – but beware – the portions are immense. My personal favorites are “Envueltos con queso, hogao y chicharrón” and “Choripan de la casa” as starters and the spareribs, entrecote or “Mariscos sobre arroz rojo mexicano”. Any dessert is amazing! To leave room to try different plates and to leave space for 3 courses, you might wanna split a starter and maybe even a dessert. As always, sharing is caring.
The dinner show starts at 8pm, with the protagonist being the chef – “el Mago” – (the magician). Make sure to arrive a 15-30 minutes early. Michael is a real character. Don’t be fooled by his English-sounding name, Michael is Caleño in flesh and blood. As a graduate from San Francisco Art Institute, he speaks perfect English and will happily translate so foreign guests don’t miss out on the fun. His knowledge of food and food history is impressive and his stories and jokes will keep you entertained for hours.
I promise you, that you’re in for a treat.
Expect to spend between $50-100.000 pesos per person, bring a VERY good appetite and make sure to reserve your table in front of the chef in advance.
By the way, this is not a place to go if you have a business meeting or are meeting someone for the first time. The show allows for little intimacy or private talking. You will be facing the chef, not each other.
Teatro Magico del Sabor • Calle 4 # 10-30 in San Antonio – Cali, Colombia
Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday from Noon-3pm and again from 7:30pm to Midnight.
Reservations: 892 2254 & 310 3749315