How Medellín Became Latin America's Latest Culinary Hotspot

Where is the most exciting food scene in Latin America at the moment?

If you guessed Medellín, Colombia, you’re right on target.

And if the thought of this lively Colombian city didn't cross your mind – known for its year-round perfect climate and dubbed the City of Eternal Spring – now is the time to visit before it gets fully recognized as the next big foodie hub of the world.

A growing number of restaurants in Medellín are owned and run by chefs themselves, driving constant innovation with menus that evolve regularly.

Here are some of the top culinary experiences in Medellín.

Ocio

True to its name, which translates to 'leisure,' Ocio is all about savoring the moment, especially when it comes to their 12-hour slow-roasted pork shank.

Located in the trendy El Poblado district, Ocio blends industrial and modern aesthetics, offering signature dishes like codito pork in a tangy orange balsamic sauce, paired with locally sourced pastusa potatoes.

For dessert, the alfajor banana tempura with ricotta and homemade caramel ice cream is the perfect sweet finale.

Chef Laura Londoño, who honed her skills at the renowned three-Michelin-star L'Astrance in Paris and two-Michelin-star Il Rigoletto in Italy, decided to chart her own course in Medellín in 2013.

'I noticed the city was evolving, and people were becoming more curious about dining out and seeking high-quality food,' she explains.

Carmen

One of the most exceptional dishes in Medellín is Carmen’s plantain-crusted fish of the day, served with a coconut rice risotto, complemented by a sweet baby banana and rum puree.

The fish is brought fresh from the coastal towns of Bahia Solano and Nuquí on Colombia’s Pacific coast. The fruits are sourced from the Amazon, and co-chef Carmen Angel is always on the lookout for unique Colombian ingredients to inspire her creations.

The upscale dining experience is complemented by an equally stylish setting, featuring an open-kitchen dining area, a more formal room for those seeking a refined atmosphere, and a charming ivy-clad patio that’s perfect for sipping craft cocktails after your meal.

'We recognized a tremendous opportunity to bring something fresh and innovative to Medellín,' says Angel. 'The city is thriving, with new restaurants opening each month and an ever-growing diversity in its culinary scene.'

Hatoviejo

For a taste of Colombia's traditional paisa cuisine, Medellín—capital of the Antioquia region, where the locals are known as paisas—offers hearty dishes that showcase the region's flavors.

Pork, corn, plantain, and yucca are central ingredients in this cuisine, and Hatoviejo does an excellent job of featuring all of them in its dishes.

Sometimes, all of these ingredients come together in one dish.

A perfect example is the bandeja paisa, a beloved dish across Colombia. It features a hearty mix of beans, beef, chorizo, fried egg, fried plantain, pork crackling, rice, and avocado—widely considered one of the best dishes in the country.

And it’s likely the most substantial of them all.

You might want to skip dessert for this one.

El Cielo

For a dining experience that entertains as much as it excites, head to El Cielo in Medellin, where molecular gastronomy takes center stage.

From yucca crisps placed on a box that plays Beethoven’s “Silence,” to a dry ice cauldron that serves as a palate cleanser, and an Amazon-inspired tree of life made from cassava bread and gold-dusted chocolate truffles filled with pina colada, El Cielo aims to be a 'roller coaster for the senses,' as described by its chef.

Chef Juan Manuel Barrientos has earned the title of the most innovative chef in this forward-thinking city, with his Bogota branch of El Cielo securing a spot among Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants.

It’s all about the fun.

And, of course, the food is top-notch.

“Medellin is definitely on its way to becoming a gastronomic hub,” says Barrientos. “We have so much to offer.”

In Situ

In Situ pairs fine dining with the tranquility of a botanical garden experience.

Nestled within Medellin’s Jardin Botanico, this contemporary restaurant features large doors that open to provide diners with a panoramic view of the serene pond and lush palms, offering a truly immersive dining experience surrounded by nature.

For those looking for a hearty meal, try the sirloin steak drenched in a tangy gooseberry chimichurri sauce.

Salads are equally popular, like the Musaenda, which features smoked salmon, fresh garden herbs, and caramelized lychee.

A post-meal stroll through 40 acres of exotic orchids and the iconic 50-foot Orchideorama floral sculpture is a perfect way to round off the experience.