Diego Mondragón
Colombian co-chef of one-Michelin-star MAE Barcelona — bringing Andean and Latin American traditions to a Catalan foundation.
- Michelin stars
1- Restaurants
- 1
Diego Mondragón is a Colombian chef who co-founded MAE Barcelona in August 2023 with Spanish chef Germán Espinosa and Costa Rican restaurateur Mariella Rodríguez. The restaurant earned its first Michelin star within a year of opening. He also co-owns the restaurants En Boca and Tres Perros in Costa Rica.
From @diego.mondragonvictoria on Instagram
De nuestros entrantes fríos preferidos. Steak tartar con helado de mostaza, tuétano ahumado y encurtidos confitados. Reservas al 8448-4495
¡Tu evento en Los3Perros! 🐕🍸✨ Más información al 8448-4495
Aquest juny, l'arròs del mes arriba de la mà dels nostres amics @diego.mondragonvictoria i @german.xef, del @mae.restaurant: arròs de papada adobada, musclos i ají. Vine a tastar-lo a partir d'aquest dimarts 2 al Cruix! - Este junio, el arroz del mes llega de la mano de nuestros amigos Diego y Ge
Biography
Early years
Mondragón is a Colombian chef who trained at El Celler de Can Roca and at Jordi Cruz's ABaC — two of Spain's three-Michelin-star kitchens. He co-owns the restaurants En Boca and Tres Perros in Costa Rica with Mariella Rodríguez.
Career
The MAE Barcelona project began when Germán Espinosa travelled to Costa Rica to cook a four-hands dinner with Mondragón. The two decided, together with Rodríguez, to open a gastronomic project in Barcelona. MAE Barcelona opened in August 2023 in the former Freixa Tradició space and was added to the Michelin Guide within four months. Within a year of opening, the restaurant was awarded its first Michelin star. In 2025 the team extended the concept to Costa Rica with a sister restaurant.
Philosophy
Mondragón, Espinosa, and Rodríguez describe the kitchen's identity as 'syncretism' — a Catalan foundation onto which Mondragón's Colombian heritage and Rodríguez's Costa Rican palate are layered. The menu is built around two tasting formats plus à la carte, intentionally accessible at the Michelin price point.
Restaurants
Accolades
- ·1 active Michelin star at MAE Barcelona (earned within one year of opening)
- ·Co-owner of En Boca and Tres Perros in Costa Rica
- ·Trained at El Celler de Can Roca and ABaC
Frequently asked
How many Michelin stars does Diego Mondragón have?
One — at MAE Barcelona, which earned its first star within a year of opening in August 2023.
What is his relationship to Germán Espinosa and MAE Barcelona?
Mondragón and Espinosa are co-chefs and co-owners of MAE alongside Mariella Rodríguez. The project began with a four-hands dinner in Costa Rica before becoming a Barcelona restaurant. Both chefs hold the title equally.