7 Best Restaurants in Medellin You Should Visit

You can’t have an authentic travel experience without trying the local food.

If you want to gain appreciation and perspective on a new culture, you shouldn’t just travel to attractive places, you must also discover new tastes and flavors. After all, food and culture are uniquely intertwined with one another.

In Colombia, your trip won’t be complete without tasting its zesty and hearty cuisine.

If you’re on a budget and don’t mind walking in narrow streets, consider exploring the local street food scene. But if you want to have more variety and you have the budget to splurge on good food, you should visit these 7 best restaurants in Medellin.

What are the best restaurants in Medellin?

Aside from its vibrant cityscape and friendly locals, Medellin is also famous for its food scene. If you’re in the city, here are some restaurants you should visit.

Carmen Restaurante

The establishment is located in the Poblado neighborhood. It is known for its food, vibe, and excellent service.

This is one of many expats’ favorite restaurants. They serve contemporary cuisine inspired by Colombia’s regional biodiversity.

Carmen offers different drink choices, including tequila, whisky, scotch, and champagne, to name a few. Here are some of their signature cocktails you should try.

• Don Julio & Coco

• Zombie

• Pepino Vesper

They also offer an optional five-course tasting menu, with meat or vegetarian choices. For their appetizers, they include the following:

• Ensalada Carmen

• El Ceviche

• Pulpo

• Mandingas

• No cualquier empanada

• Los Tacos

For their main dishes, they have their signature Cerdo 2 Veces, which is a Tamarind-glazed pork belly and tenderloin with vegetables. Other notable plates include:

• Pez Palma

• La Cazuela

• Solomito

• Cordero

• El Pollo

Complete Address: Cra. 36 #10a-27, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

In Situ

Hailed as one the best restaurants in Medellin with a view. It is located within the Botanical Garden and has a tranquil and romantic atmosphere perfect for dinner dates or a chill lunch out.

Aside from its stylish and modern architecture, locals and tourists love this place for its incredible food which offers a mix of modern dishes and Colombian favorites.

For their main dishes, they have pasta and rice, seafood, meat, and chicken.

Some of their popular main dishes include:

For pasta and rice,

• Open ravioli stuffed with fish, tomato sauce, roasted peppers, and olives

• Pink curry rice with nuts and dried raisins

• Penne, pesto of dried tomatoes, feta cheese, and mushrooms

For chicken,

• Supreme orange chicken with mashed Creole potatoes, almonds, and cilantro

• Chicken leg with curry rice, spinach, almonds, raisins, and leeks

For meats,

• Five cheese steak with risoni pasta with mushrooms and asparagus

• Lamb stewed with rosemary and hot vegetables

For seafood,

• White fish with pear risotto and beet sauce

• Prawns in orange and cinnamon butter with Creole potato puree and wonton

• Grilled salmon with spinach sautéed in sesame oil, asparagus, and dill butter

Complete Address: Calle 73 N #51D - 14, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

El Cielo

El Cielo offers a unique dining experience and is easily one of the best restaurants in Medellin. If you’re not familiar with the menu, the chef and other staff will take time to explain the Colombian ingredients used to make the dishes.

More importantly, you won’t have to worry if you’re vegetarian or prefer gluten-free food because they cater to different types of diets.

This place takes pride in its experience tasting menu which takes you on the full El Cielo experience. For instance, they have their Choco therapy course in which chocolate will be poured into your hands to awaken your senses. Truly an experience haven!

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

La Gustela

If you’re looking for fast food in Colombia, you can try La Gustela. This fast-food/restaurant offers a wide range of dishes, including:

• Marranitas

• Costillas

• Ensalada

• Pera

• Elizabeth II

• Carlos Quinto

• King George

Their best-seller is their hamburguesas artesanales (perfectly cooked hamburgers).

Aside from its delicious food, visitors like this place because of its cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, and fast service. So, don’t forget to include this place on your list.

Complete Address: #78- a Carrera 46 #78106, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

La Provincia

This is one of the most popular restaurants in Colombia and one of the oldest food establishments in the city, operating for more than 20 years. It’s famous for its Mediterranean cuisine with Asian influences.

If you’re in La Provincia, these are the dishes you must try:

For appetizers,

• Avocado salad, asparagus, a variety of lettuce, and hot cheese sauce

• Crispy artichoke with cheese sauce and chipotle

• Sweet chocolate cream with ginger

For fish and shellfish,

• Salmon steak, shrimp, salmon, and catch of the day skewers with oriental sauce

• Prawns breaded in coastal cheese with orange reduction and sweet chili

For pasta,

• Sorrentinos stuffed with ripe plantain puree in blue cheese sauce

• Tortellini stuffed with feta cheese, caramelized onions, cheese sauce with or without Italian prosciutto

For meats,

• Chateaubriand with red wine sauce and crispy mushrooms

• Beef medallion with truffle butter and crispy mushrooms

Complete Address: Cra. 42 #3 Sur 81, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

Moshi Med

If you want to experience Colombian flavors inspired by Asian cuisine, Moshi Medellin is perfect for you.

This restaurant boasts Caribbean and Japanese cuisines and is a favorite among tourists. For their appetizers, you can try the following:

• Ceviche

• Shrimp salad

• Steamed buns

• Lobster sushi

• Korean fire chicken thighs

Meanwhile, their main dishes are diverse. For instance, they offer these dishes:

• Thai-style crab rice

• Malay-style grilled beef short rib with Andean pumpkin

• Grilled rabbit confit

The restaurant also has exceptional service and a serene ambiance. It’s no surprise that it has a positive reputation among its visitors.

Complete Address: Carrera 36 10a 45 Primer Piso Junto a Carmen Restaurante, Medellín 050021 Colombia

El Barcal

El Barcal is an upscale restaurant that is known for its intimate atmosphere. It is suitable for special occasions, especially romantic dinner dates.

This restaurant has a short, but interesting menu. Their appetizers include:

• Sprout and citrus salad

• Octopus

• Calamari

• Salmon

• Tomato soup

• Gazpacho

For their main course, they offer pasta and seafood dishes such as:

• Raviolis de morcilla

• Risotto de setas, tomates secos y tomillo

• Pollo rostizado con infusión de hierbas y vegetales

• Solomito de res con puré de berenjenas asadas

• Langostinos con bearnesa

Complete Address: Cl. 7D #43A - 70, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

Plan Your Trip and Visit These Popular Restaurants in Colombia

Medellin is one of the gastronomic capitals of Colombia. If you plan to visit the country, make sure you stop by this city of flavors and taste unique and flavorful Colombian cuisine.

Explore the best restaurants in Medellin and enhance your travel experience. Remember: to experience another culture is to open yourself up to new tastes.