Stefano Colombo
Venetian twin co-founder of Xemei in Poble Sec — the Venexian restaurant credited with reshaping the neighbourhood's dining scene.
- Repsol Soles
1- Restaurants
- 1
Stefano 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. The brothers cook as a single signature and also co-founded Bar Brutal, Can Pizza Prat, Frankie Gallo Cha Cha, and Bar Super.
Biography
Early years
Stefano was born in Venice, twin brother to Max Colombo. He trained as an industrial designer rather than a chef, and traveled regularly to Barcelona for work before deciding to settle in the city in 2004.
Career
In 2007 Stefano convinced Max — who was then cooking in Milan — to join him in Barcelona and open a Venetian restaurant together. They launched 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 has become a Barcelona icon for Venexian cuisine, and the brothers later co-founded the natural-wine bar Bar Brutal, Can Pizza Prat, Frankie Gallo Cha Cha, and Bar Super. The Colombo brothers also co-authored the cookbook Xemei. Cocina venexiana en Barcelona.
Philosophy
The Colombo twins cook as a single signature. The cooking at Xemei stays close to the Venetian tradition — cicchetti, Adriatic seafood, and dishes Stefano has summarised as 'the ones we want to make, not the ones found on every restaurant menu.'
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 Stefano 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 Stefano Colombo's cuisine in Barcelona?
Xemei in Poble Sec — the Venexian restaurant he runs with his twin brother Max. The brothers are also behind the natural-wine bar Bar Brutal, Can Pizza Prat, Frankie Gallo Cha Cha, and Bar Super.
What does 'Xemei' mean?
'Xemei' means 'twins' in the Venetian dialect — a direct reference to Stefano and Max Colombo, who are identical twin brothers from Venice.