Juan D'Onofrio
Argentine-born chef and founder of Chispa Bistró, the Michelin-starred restaurant in Madrid's Justicia neighborhood.
- Michelin stars
1- Repsol Soles
1- Restaurants
- 1
- Born
- 1997 · Buenos Aires
Juan D'Onofrio is the Argentine-born chef and founder of Chispa Bistró, opened in Madrid's Justicia neighborhood in 2022. Trained in Buenos Aires and Barcelona and formerly of Mina and Santceloni, he built the restaurant's menu around charcoal grilling and Mediterranean products with Japanese influences. Chispa Bistró earned a Repsol Sol in 2024 and a Michelin star in the 2025 guide, which it has held every year since including the 2026 guide.
From @juandonofrio9 on Instagram
Miércoles que viene abrimos. Muy cerca de Chispa, en Almirante 11. Un espacio de encuentro para amantes de la música, el vino y la cocina al fuego. #Mecha #MechaMadrid #ChispaBistro #HiFiBar
Bienvenidos al desempaquetado del Super Horn que Admire Audio ha realizado a mano para Mecha. ¡Abrimos muy pronto! Estad atentos. — Welcome to the unboxing of the Super Horn, handcrafted by Admire Audio for Mecha. Opening very soon! Stay tuned.
Biography
Early years
D'Onofrio was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1997. He initially studied advertising before switching to cooking after a few months, training first at the Escuela Lycée school in Buenos Aires from 2017 and then at the Bellart gastronomy and pastry school in Barcelona.
Career
He worked under chef Álvaro Garrido at Mina (1 Michelin star, Bilbao) and at the now-closed Santceloni (2 Michelin stars, Madrid). During the pandemic he returned to Argentina and worked with chef Dante Liporace, formerly of elBulli, at Mercado de Liniers in Buenos Aires. In 2022, at age 24, he opened Chispa Bistró in Madrid with a team of eight. The restaurant received its first Repsol Sol in March 2024 and a Michelin star in the 2025 guide, which it kept in the 2026 guide. Head chef Álvaro López and sommelier Ismael Álvarez, formerly of Ramón Freixa and Nerua, now run the kitchen and wine list alongside him.
Philosophy
D'Onofrio describes his cooking as built on "brasa, producto y salsa" (charcoal grilling, quality ingredients, and sauce), combining Argentine technique and Spanish foundations with Mediterranean products and Japanese touches.
Restaurants
Juan D'Onofrio in our guides
Editorial guides featuring Juan D'Onofrio’s restaurants.
Accolades
- ·Michelin star, Michelin Guide (2025, Chispa Bistró)
- ·Repsol Sol, Guía Repsol (March 2024, Chispa Bistró)
- ·Youngest chef with a Michelin-recommended restaurant in Spain (as of 2024)
Frequently asked
Does Juan D'Onofrio have a Michelin star?
Yes. Chispa Bistró, his restaurant in Madrid, holds one Michelin star (2025 guide) and one Repsol Sol.
Where did Juan D'Onofrio train?
He studied at the Lycée school in Buenos Aires and the Bellart school in Barcelona, then worked under chef Álvaro Garrido at Mina and at Santceloni in Madrid before returning to Argentina to cook with Dante Liporace at Mercado de Liniers.
What kind of food does Chispa Bistró serve?
A seasonal menu built around charcoal grilling ("brasa, producto y salsa"), combining Argentine and Spanish influences with Mediterranean products and Japanese touches.
Where is Chispa Bistró located?
Calle del Barquillo, 8, in Madrid's Justicia neighborhood, near Plaza del Rey.
When did Juan D'Onofrio open Chispa Bistró?
In 2022, at 24, with a team of eight. Chispa Bistró won a Repsol Sol in March 2024 and a Michelin star in the 2025 guide.