13 Best Restaurants in Medellín
One of the top cities for foodies in Colombia, Medellín boasts everything from traditional Colombian eateries to unique upscale restaurants and rooftop gastropubs overlooking the city. As you wander through the streets of El Poblado or Centro, you'll come across these eateries on every corner, and as a dollar goes a long way in Colombia, this makes it the perfect destination to splurge on dining out!
But, where to go? Here are 13 of our favorite foodie destinations around the city.
Breakfast
This adorable breakfast spot in the El Poblado neighborhood offers outdoor seating and everything from crepes to breakfast scrambles. It's also one of the few places in the city we were able to find an iced coffee!
A vintage cafe with a patio covered in flowers, Cambia is an excellent place to go for your morning coffee and a sweet treat. An added plus – the cafe opens at 7:30am – much earlier than the other shops we frequented.
Lunch
Head three floors up in this unassuming shop in Centro and you’ll find a traditional Colombian lunch buffet. Take a seat overlooking the city and you’ll get a massive "bandeja paisa" complete with plantains, rice, soup, salad, fish, beans, and juice for roughly $3.
That's right, "avocaderia." Smash is a mostly-vegan restaurant with meals themed around avocados. You'll find avocado salads, avocado pancakes, or just a classic avocado toast. You can sit outside on the patio or inside the glass-walled building framed by gardens.
Dinner
This cafe’s popularity is massive among tourists and locals alike, so the wait is often long. Regardless, you won’t find a better spot for Italian food in Medellín. We highly recommend the hummus and focaccia.
Two great spots for Indian food in the Poblado area. Zaaika seems more traditional in their flavors, but Naan offers some excellent tofu dishes on their vegan menu if that's up your alley.
This bustling restaurant offers tacos, quesadillas, tortas, and more. All seating is outdoors and you can check their Instagram page to find out when they're offering live music. The vibe is fun and the tacos are great (berenjena is the best)!
This is another spot you might want to make a reservation ahead of time. The wait is well worth it though for the cocktails and atmosphere, which consists of a garden and library theme with plants, books, and knick-knacks lining the walls.
Rooftop Dining
Located on the rooftop of the Maasaya Hostel, this is a great spot to stop for a drink with one of the best views in the city. Check out times for their live music and come when it's not raining to check out the upper deck. We brought cards and stayed for hours!
More expensive than any of the other options, the ambiance of this rooftop bar (complete with skyline views and a swimming pool) makes it worth a visit, even if its just for an appetizer and some drinks.
Desserts
This heladeria hosts the best gelato we found in Medellín. They have large portion sizes, outdoor seating, and offer many nontraditional flavors.
This shop makes the best cookies we have ever had. The bakery itself is hard to find, located on the side of a large building complex with no storefront. It's much easier to order them from Rappi, Colombia's Uber Eats. Regardless, every cookie is freshly made, thoughtfully packaged, and so delicious.
Medellín is a vibrant city rich in art and culture, and its cuisine is worth celebrating. From the traditional bandeja paisa to hip bars and sophisticated restaurants, there's something for everyone in Medellín's food scene.
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