11 best Restaurants in Medellín, Colombia

Looking for suggestions for the best restaurants in Medellín? Colombian cuisine was one of the things we enjoyed most about the country. Generous portions, fresh and high-quality ingredients, and a complexity of flavors that blend perfectly are some hallmarks of Colombian dishes.

Medellín is a large city with a variety of excellent restaurants. In this destination, you can try several traditional dishes of the country, such as mondongo, arepas, and bandeja paisa. In this post, discover the best restaurants in Medellín, with tips on the most typical dishes from each establishment.

Best restaurants in Medellín, Colombia

Most of the best restaurants in the city are located in El Poblado, the best neighborhood to stay in Medellín. However, other areas like Laureles, La Candelaria, and Comuna 13 also boast amazing restaurants.

Medellín is not limited to traditional restaurants; the city also offers excellent international cuisine. In our list of best restaurants in Medellín, you’ll find recommendations for both local and international restaurants.

For those who enjoy exploring new flavors, Medellín’s street food is a must-try, offering a variety of delicious dishes.

To learn more about traditional street foods, we recommend taking the free food tour, a guided walk through La Candelaria that showcases the main street dishes, Colombia’s typical fruits, and a bit of the city’s culinary history. We took this tour and found it to be well worth it.

Gastronomic tours we recommend in Medellín:

• Street Food and Poblado Rooftop Tour
• Free Food Tour of Medellín
• Guided Exotic Fruits Tour
• Antioquia Food Tour + Guatapé Boat Ride

1. Alambique in El Poblado

The Alambique is a well-known restaurant in Medellín. It’s best to make a reservation before visiting, as the place is usually quite busy, especially in the evenings and on weekends.

Located across from Parque El Poblado, the restaurant boasts an incredible atmosphere with rustic decor full of impressive details. Specializing in Colombian cuisine, El Alambique offers a variety of dishes and drinks on its menu. The dishes combine traditional flavors with a touch of sophistication. We found the food delicious, with bold flavors and generous portions. The service is also very efficient and attentive, even when the restaurant is packed.

The restaurant features a patio with a beautiful view, perfect for an evening visit to enjoy some amazing drinks.

Address: Calle 10 #43a-30, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia.

2. Mondongo’s in El Poblado and Laureles

Mondongo’s is one of the most popular restaurants in Medellín. It’s a very tourist-oriented spot, so if you’re looking for something more local, this might not be the best choice. Despite its touristy vibe, the restaurant offers excellent service and tasty food.

The restaurant specializes in one of the most traditional “Antioqueño” dishes, mondongo, a soup made with beef tripe cooked with vegetables and spices. In addition to the traditional mondongo, the menu also features other typical Colombian dishes, such as ajiaco and cazuela, which are also soups.

This restaurant is usually very busy, so it’s not uncommon to find a line during lunch hours, especially on weekends. We visited Mondongo’s in El Poblado, but there is also a branch in Laureles.

Address: Cl 10 #38-38, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia.

3. Mamasita Medallo in El Poblado

This was one of our favorite restaurants in Medellín. We enjoyed it so much that we returned several times. Mamasita Medallo is located in El Poblado and is a very lively spot, as most days feature a DJ or live music.

For those looking to try traditional Colombian foods, Mamasita is one of the best options. Its menu includes chicharrón, bandeja paisa, empanadas, arepa de chócolo, corn on the cob, and much more. We especially loved the “porción paisa,” a shareable platter featuring chicharrón, patacones (fried plantain snacks), morcilla, arepa, and French fries.

The restaurant also serves breakfast with typical dishes and offers happy hour promotions.

Address: Cra 43D #10-77, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia.

4. Elcielo Medellín in El Poblado

Elcielo is a sophisticated restaurant in Medellín, perfect for those seeking a complete gastronomic experience. It combines various techniques and cuisines while still preserving the essence of Colombian cuisine in its dishes.

The restaurant offers two tasting menu options that engage all the senses. You can choose the tasting menu with or without wine pairing. Reservations are required.

Address: Cl. 7D #43c36, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín.

5. IL Castello in El Poblado

For those who love Italian food, IL Castello is an excellent choice in Medellín. Located in El Poblado, the restaurant offers a menu featuring various pasta dishes, pizzas, and more. We ordered pasta with tomato sauce, bruschetta, burrata, and a bottle of house wine, and everything was fantastic.

All pasta dishes are served with bread. To top it off, the restaurant has amazing prices and exceptional service. If you plan to visit on weekends, don’t forget to make a reservation, as it’s a very popular spot.

Address: Cra. 40 #10a-02, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia.

6. Olivia in El Poblado and Laureles

Are you always on the hunt for the best restaurants in Medellín to enjoy incredible pasta? You must visit Pizzeria and Restaurant Olivia. Pizza is the star of the menu, with a wide variety of flavors to choose from. However, the restaurant also offers pasta, risottos, carpaccio, and other dishes. The wine list is also quite extensive.

The restaurant has branches in both El Poblado and Laureles. We visited the El Poblado location, and the food was exceptional. The service was good as well; although our order was initially mixed up, it was resolved smoothly.

Address: Cra. 43E #11a31, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín.

7. Yack Chan in El Poblado

Yack Chan is a Japanese restaurant we absolutely loved. It is located in El Poblado, on Provenza, considered one of the coolest streets in the world. The two-story restaurant boasts an amazing atmosphere and some very original drinks. The food is delicious, and the service is excellent.

During the week, you can make a reservation. However, on weekends, reservations are not accepted, so there’s often a line to get in.

The restaurant also celebrates birthdays. We visited to celebrate my birthday and received a complimentary dessert along with a birthday song in Spanish.

Address: Cra. 35 #8A-73, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia.

8. La Tia o Ladraba in Laureles

Located in Laureles, this was one of our favorite restaurants in Medellín for lunch while we were staying in the neighborhood. During lunchtime, La Tia o Ladraba offers a daily menu that includes soup, a main dish, and juice, along with other dishes and appetizers. The food is homemade and well-seasoned, and the portions are generous. On top of that, the restaurant’s prices are very affordable.

The restaurant is simple and small, but the atmosphere is cozy, and the service is excellent.

Address: Cq. 4 #71-24, Medellín, Laureles, Medellín, Antioquia.

9. Fogón Costeño in Laureles

Fogón Costeño is an exquisite restaurant to try Caribbean cuisine in Laureles. It offers coastal Colombian cooking with a menu full of delicious traditional dishes.

Some menu options include cazuela de carne (meat soup), cazuela de pescado (fish soup), patacones, arroz de cerdo (pork rice), guisado (soup), and empanadas. The portions are generous, the atmosphere is cozy, and the service is great. This is a more local restaurant, so the prices are very affordable. We ordered cazuela de carne with vegetables and a fried fish dish, and both were delicious.

Address: Cra. 71a #5-6, Medellín, Laureles, Medellín, Antioquia.

10. Salut Pan in Laureles

Salut Pan is perfect for those looking for a healthier restaurant in Medellín or vegetarian options. The restaurant’s menu is diverse, offering salads, soups, burgers, vegetarian crepes, and many other delightful dishes. Additionally, their smoothies are fantastic.

This is an amazing spot for lunch or coffee. The restaurant also houses a small market selling artisanal and natural products. During lunchtime, they offer a daily menu at reasonable prices.

Address: Circular 4ta No. 70-84, Laureles, Medellín, Antioquia.

11. La Sazón de Natalia in Comuna 13

La Sazón de Natalia is a restaurant offering traditional dishes located at the entrance to Comuna 13. The portions are generous, and the food is delicious. This is a simple restaurant with good food at fantastic prices. The atmosphere is cozy, and the service is warm and attentive.

We had lunch here after the free tour of Comuna 13 and really enjoyed it. In addition to being a great spot for lunch, it’s also a nice place to grab a beer or juice. We ordered a bandeja paisa, which was hearty and delicious.

After lunch, treat yourself to a Cremas Doña Alba for dessert—a famous homemade ice cream in the region.

Address: Circular 4ta No. 70-84, Laureles, Medellín, Antioquia.

Traditional food to try in Medellín:

The list of traditional food to try in Medellín is extensive, as Colombia is one of the countries with the richest gastronomy in South America. If you want to sample the most iconic Colombian dishes, here are our recommendations:

• Arepas: A white corn bread typically served for breakfast or as a side to savory dishes.
• Arepa de Chócolo: A sweet arepa made with yellow corn, served with a slice of cheese. This is one of our favorite Colombian dishes.
• Bandeja Paisa: The most popular dish in the region. A hearty plate that usually includes beans, rice, ground beef, chicharrón (fried pork belly), a fried egg, avocado, fried plantain, and an arepa.
• Pollo al Carbón: Charcoal-grilled chicken marinated with special seasonings, giving the meat a smoky and delicious flavor. It’s a simple yet very popular dish in Medellín.
• Empanadas: Colombian empanadas are made with cornmeal dough (resembling the flavor of polenta), crispy, and filled with meat, potatoes, rice, or chicken. They’re very popular street snacks—our favorite flavor is beef.
• Mondongo: A soup made with beef tripe. It usually includes potatoes, carrots, and peas, and is often served with rice, avocado, and patacones.
• Tamales Antioqueños: Corn dough cooked in banana leaves, reminiscent of Brazil’s pamonha. They’re typically filled with meat (pork or chicken) or vegetables.
• Patacones: Smashed and fried plantains. These are crispy and served as a side dish or snack.

Tips for enjoying the best restaurants in Medellín

• Most restaurants in Medellín accept all forms of payment (cash, credit, and debit). However, in smaller establishments, it’s always good to have cash or a debit card on hand.
• In Medellín, tipping is not mandatory, as most restaurants include a 10% service fee in the bill.
• Traditional restaurant dishes (like bandeja paisa and similar meals) are usually very large, so if you don’t eat much, you can share a dish.
• Colombian traditional foods are incredibly tasty, so make sure to visit various restaurants, try street food, and enjoy the most typical dishes.
• Colombian coffee is also world-renowned for its quality, so don’t miss the chance to visit some coffee shops. We have a list of the best coffee spots we discovered in Medellín.

Also, check out our tips on where to stay in Cartagena de Indias.