Paulo Airaudo is the Argentine-Italian chef widely recognised as one of the most-internationally-expansive chefs of the 2020s and the chef behind two-Michelin-star Amelia by Paulo Airaudo in San Sebastián, Spain. Born in 1986 in Cordoba, Argentina, Airaudo trained at multiple international restaurants including extended stages at three-Michelin-star operations across Europe before opening his first restaurant. He opened Amelia at a small 25-seat location in San Sebastián in 2017, and the restaurant earned its first Michelin star in 2019 and its second Michelin star in 2021, the rapid path to two stars in just four years.
Airaudo’s 2025-2026 work spans an international restaurant portfolio across San Sebastián, Hong Kong, London, Dubai and other locations. Amelia by Paulo Airaudo retained its two Michelin stars in the 2026 edition of the Spain Michelin Guide, and the restaurant relocated to the Hotel Maria Cristina in San Sebastián. Across his global operations Airaudo runs Amelia (San Sebastián), La Bottega Boira (Buenos Aires), Da Filippo (London), Aleia (Barcelona), Da Mario (Hong Kong) and other ventures, making the Paulo Airaudo group one of the most-international chef-led operations of the era.
TL;DR
- Argentine-Italian chef born 1986 in Cordoba, Argentina
- Founded Amelia in San Sebastián 2017 (25-seat location)
- Two Michelin stars at Amelia since 2021 (one star 2019, two stars 2021)
- 2025-2026: Two Michelin stars retained; Hotel Maria Cristina relocation
- International portfolio: San Sebastián, Hong Kong, London, Dubai, Barcelona, Buenos Aires
- Restaurants: Amelia, La Bottega Boira, Da Filippo, Aleia, Da Mario
Paulo Airaudo key facts
| Born | 1986, Cordoba, Argentina |
| Nationality | Argentine-Italian |
| Training | Stages at three-Michelin-star European restaurants |
| Defining restaurant | Amelia by Paulo Airaudo, San Sebastián (founded 2017) |
| Michelin status | Two Michelin stars at Amelia since 2021, retained 2026 |
| 2025-2026 milestone | Hotel Maria Cristina San Sebastián relocation |
| International portfolio | San Sebastián, Hong Kong, London, Dubai, Barcelona, Buenos Aires |
Early life and training of Paulo Airaudo
Airaudo was born in 1986 in Cordoba, in central Argentina, into a family with strong Italian heritage. He grew up in Cordoba and developed his culinary instincts through Argentine and Italian family cookery, before pursuing formal culinary training. The strong Italian-Argentine foundation has anchored his subsequent international culinary direction.
Through the 2000s Airaudo trained at multiple international restaurants, including extended stages at three-Michelin-star European operations. The international stages period gave him direct exposure to leading European fine-dining technique alongside the Italian-Argentine foundation, and prepared him for his subsequent international restaurant openings.
In 2017 Airaudo opened his first restaurant, Amelia, in a small 25-seat location in San Sebastián, Spain. Amelia under Airaudo earned its first Michelin star in 2019, just two years after opening, and its second Michelin star in 2021. The rapid path to two Michelin stars in just four years established him at the front rank of young international chefs of the 2020s, and opened the path for his subsequent international expansion.
Paulo Airaudo career timeline
- 1986: Born in Cordoba, Argentina
- 2000s: Stages at multiple three-Michelin-star European restaurants
- 2017: Opens Amelia in 25-seat San Sebastián location
- 2019: First Michelin star at Amelia (two years after opening)
- 2020: Opens Da Filippo in London
- 2021: Second Michelin star at Amelia (four years after opening)
- 2022: Opens Da Mario in Hong Kong
- 2022: Opens Aleia in Barcelona
- 2023: Opens La Bottega Boira in Buenos Aires
- 2024: Two Michelin stars retained Spain Michelin Guide 2024
- 2024-2025: Hotel Maria Cristina San Sebastián relocation announced
- 2025: Two Michelin stars retained Spain Michelin Guide 2025
- 2025: Continued international expansion across multiple cities
- 2026: Two Michelin stars retained Spain Michelin Guide 2026
- 2026: Amelia by Paulo Airaudo continues at Hotel Maria Cristina
Paulo Airaudo signature style: Italian-Argentine cuisine and rapid international expansion
Airaudo’s central argument, developed across less than a decade from 2017 onwards, is that Italian-Argentine cuisine combined with European fine-dining technique and rapid international expansion can anchor a sustained two-Michelin-star restaurant operation across multiple cities. The Amelia menu under Airaudo since 2017 is anchored in modern European fine-dining technique with strong Italian-Argentine ingredient and approach foundations, and the restaurant earned two Michelin stars in just four years.
The second defining element is the rapid international expansion. Across San Sebastián (Amelia), London (Da Filippo), Hong Kong (Da Mario), Barcelona (Aleia) and Buenos Aires (La Bottega Boira), Airaudo has built one of the most-international chef-led operations of the 2020s. The portfolio approach combined fine-dining (Amelia two Michelin stars), Italian (Da Filippo, Da Mario) and other formats in a single chef-restaurateur portfolio.
The third pillar is the Hotel Maria Cristina San Sebastián relocation. The 2024-2025 announcement of Amelia’s relocation to the historic Hotel Maria Cristina in San Sebastián grounds the operation in one of the city’s most-prestigious hotel addresses. Within the Spanish two-Michelin-star cohort Airaudo sits alongside peers including Dani Garcia (Smoked Room Madrid), Pedro Subijana and other San Sebastián chefs.
Notable Paulo Airaudo work
Several Airaudo projects have become reference points in modern international gastronomy. Amelia by Paulo Airaudo in San Sebastián (founded 2017, two Michelin stars since 2021) is his defining flagship operation. Da Filippo in London (opened 2020) is his London Italian extension. Da Mario in Hong Kong (opened 2022) is his Asian extension. Aleia in Barcelona (opened 2022) is his Barcelona venture. La Bottega Boira in Buenos Aires (opened 2023) is his Buenos Aires venture. The Hotel Maria Cristina San Sebastián relocation represents his current 2025-2026 milestone.
Paulo Airaudo awards and recognition
- 2017: Opens Amelia in 25-seat San Sebastián location
- 2019: First Michelin star at Amelia
- 2020: Opens Da Filippo London
- 2021: Second Michelin star at Amelia
- 2022: Opens Da Mario Hong Kong; Aleia Barcelona
- 2023: Opens La Bottega Boira Buenos Aires
- 2024: Two Michelin stars retained 2024
- 2024-2025: Hotel Maria Cristina San Sebastián relocation
- 2025: Two Michelin stars retained 2025
- 2026: Two Michelin stars retained 2026
- 2026: Continues international expansion across multiple cities
Paulo Airaudo impact on modern international gastronomy
Airaudo’s most concrete contribution is the rapid path to two Michelin stars at Amelia (2017 opening, 2021 second star), one of the fastest paths to two Michelin stars in modern Spanish gastronomy. The achievement established him at the front rank of young international chefs of the 2020s and opened the path for his subsequent international expansion.
The second contribution is the rapid international portfolio expansion across San Sebastián, London, Hong Kong, Barcelona and Buenos Aires in less than seven years from 2017. The portfolio represents one of the most-international chef-led operations of the 2020s and demonstrates the international portability of the Italian-Argentine fine-dining approach.
The third contribution is the 2024-2025 Hotel Maria Cristina San Sebastián relocation. Within the Spanish two-Michelin-star cohort Airaudo sits alongside peers including Dani Garcia and Pedro Subijana as one of the defining figures in modern Spanish gastronomy.
Paulo Airaudo FAQ
Does Amelia have Michelin stars?
Yes. Amelia by Paulo Airaudo in San Sebastián retained its two Michelin stars in the 2026 edition of the Spain Michelin Guide. The restaurant earned its first Michelin star in 2019 (two years after opening) and its second Michelin star in 2021, the rapid path to two stars in just four years.
Where did Airaudo train?
Airaudo trained at multiple international restaurants through the 2000s, including extended stages at three-Michelin-star European operations. The international stages period gave him direct exposure to leading European fine-dining technique alongside his Italian-Argentine foundation from his Cordoba upbringing.
How many restaurants does Airaudo have?
Multiple restaurants across San Sebastián, London, Hong Kong, Barcelona and Buenos Aires. Amelia by Paulo Airaudo (San Sebastián, two Michelin stars), Da Filippo (London), Da Mario (Hong Kong), Aleia (Barcelona) and La Bottega Boira (Buenos Aires). The portfolio is one of the most-international chef-led operations of the 2020s.
What is the Hotel Maria Cristina relocation?
The 2024-2025 announced relocation of Amelia by Paulo Airaudo to the historic Hotel Maria Cristina in San Sebastián. The relocation grounds the operation in one of the city’s most-prestigious hotel addresses, and the restaurant retained its two Michelin stars in the 2026 Spain Michelin Guide following the move.
Where is Airaudo from?
Cordoba, Argentina. Airaudo was born in 1986 in Cordoba in central Argentina, into a family with strong Italian heritage. The Italian-Argentine foundation has anchored his subsequent international culinary direction across his San Sebastián, London, Hong Kong, Barcelona and Buenos Aires restaurants.
What is next for Paulo Airaudo
Amelia by Paulo Airaudo continues with two Michelin stars at Hotel Maria Cristina San Sebastián through 2026. Continued international expansion across the global portfolio. His public Instagram (@pauloairaudo) is the best source for current updates.
