Max Colombo
Venetian twin co-founder of Xemei in Poble Sec — the on-stove half of the Colombo brothers' Venexian cuisine project.
- Repsol Soles
1- Restaurants
- 1
Max Colombo is one of the Venetian twin brothers behind Xemei in Poble Sec — the Venexian restaurant that opened in 2007 and helped reshape dining in the neighbourhood. The restaurant carries one Repsol Sol. He cooks as a single signature with his twin Stefano, and the pair also co-founded Bar Brutal, Can Pizza Prat, Frankie Gallo Cha Cha, and Bar Super.
Biography
Early years
Max was born in Venice, twin brother to Stefano Colombo, and trained in the kitchens of Milan, where he was working as a chef when his brother moved to Barcelona.
Career
In 2007 Max joined Stefano in Barcelona to open Xemei in Poble Sec — a neighbourhood not then known for gastronomy. The name means 'twins' in the Venetian dialect. Xemei carries one Repsol Sol and became a Barcelona icon for Venexian cuisine. Max and Stefano subsequently co-founded the natural-wine bar Bar Brutal, Can Pizza Prat, Frankie Gallo Cha Cha, and Bar Super. The brothers also co-authored the cookbook Xemei. Cocina venexiana en Barcelona.
Philosophy
The Colombo twins cook as a single signature. Their kitchen stays close to Venetian tradition — cicchetti, Adriatic seafood, and dishes the brothers prefer to make rather than the ones every other Italian restaurant offers.
Restaurants
On Guidavera
1Accolades
- ·1 Repsol Sol at Xemei
- ·Co-authored cookbook Xemei: Cocina venexiana en Barcelona
- ·Co-founder of Bar Brutal, Can Pizza Prat, Frankie Gallo Cha Cha, and Bar Super
Frequently asked
Does Max Colombo have a Michelin star?
No — Xemei carries one Repsol Sol. The restaurant is more often celebrated as one of the formative addresses of modern Barcelona Italian cuisine than for guide recognition.
Where can I eat Max Colombo's cuisine in Barcelona?
Xemei in Poble Sec — the Venexian restaurant he runs with his twin brother Stefano. The brothers are also behind the natural-wine bar Bar Brutal, Can Pizza Prat, Frankie Gallo Cha Cha, and Bar Super.
Do Max and Stefano cook differently?
No — the Colombo brothers describe themselves as a single signature. The restaurant credits both names equally.