Elcielo Miami is pushing its dining format beyond the restaurant floor, announcing a partnership with Prime Experiences that extends its Michelin-starred concept directly onto the Miami River.

The collaboration was formally introduced on March 30 during a private event at the restaurant’s Brickell location, where Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos and Prime Experiences team with co-founder David Tobón outlined the concept to a room of media and invited guests. The setting was intentional. Elcielo’s waterfront terrace now serves as the physical starting point for a dining experience designed to move from land to sea.

Elcielo is not operating in isolation. The brand has steadily expanded its footprint across major markets, with locations in Colombia, Miami and Washington, D.C., and a New York outpost inside Virgin Hotels developed in partnership with artist J Balvin. That broader positioning places the group among a small number of Latin-led hospitality brands scaling internationally while maintaining fine dining credentials.

Elcielo Miami builds on its waterfront advantage

The concept behind the partnership is straightforward on paper. Guests begin their experience at Elcielo Miami, then continue it aboard a yacht operated by Prime Experiences. In practice, the execution leans heavily on the restaurant’s existing identity, which centers on multi-course tasting menus and sensory-driven presentations.

“This collaboration represents a new chapter not only for Elcielo but for the Miami dining scene as a whole,” said Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos. “We have always believed that dining should be an immersive, multi sensory journey. Now, with Prime Experiences, we can take that journey from our terrace to the water.”

According to details outlined in the original announcement , the offering will include private dining experiences, onboard brunch formats, sunset programs, and curated activations tied to major citywide events.

Prime Experiences ties the concept to Miami’s event economy

For Prime Experiences, the partnership adds a culinary layer to a business already built around high-end events and yacht-based hospitality. The company operates across South Florida and Cartagena, working with both private clients and global brands.

“Elcielo is a world class brand and a perfect partner for what we do,” said David Tobón, Co-Founder and CEO of Prime Experiences. “Together we are creating something that has never existed in Miami, a Michelin starred culinary experience that transitions from land to sea. This sets a new standard for luxury dining and entertainment.”

The rollout is timed to align with Miami’s largest annual moments, including Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, Art Basel, and Miami Music Week, where demand for controlled, high-end environments continues to grow.

UADV founder Alex Quin was also present at the announcement, pictured alongside Tobón and Barrientos as the partnership was formally introduced, signaling a broader alignment between hospitality, branding, and experiential marketing.

The broader bet here is simple. Miami doesn’t lack restaurants. It doesn’t lack yachts either. What it has been building toward is the overlap between the two.

Elcielo Miami and Prime Experiences are now testing whether that overlap can hold attention beyond the initial novelty.