The 26 Must-Visit Restaurants in Medellín, Colombia

In the La Pilarica district, better known for its car repair shops than dining spots, you'll discover a grill serving a diverse menu featuring various cuts of beef and pork. Make sure to try the standout dish, sobrebarriga (flank steak). The Santander family, who run the restaurant, utilize a secret recipe that produces a golden crust with a texture so tender it practically melts in your mouth, accompanied by yuca, potatoes topped with hogao (Colombian sofrito), and a fresh salad of tomatoes and avocado. It's a straightforward dish that will have you promising to return.

Situated at one of the entrances to La Minorista market, a prime spot for discovering local and regional ingredients, La Esquina de la Ricura has been delighting patrons with fried fish, sancocho, and fish consomme since 1986. These dishes are perfect for revitalizing your spirit after a night of festivities. Be sure to order the consomme with arepas, adding a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of chile on top, and complement your meal with guarapo, a refreshing juice made from passion fruit, pineapple, and panela.

This restaurant, which now has five branches, originally opened its doors in 1991. With a charming balcony adorned with flowers, it evokes the feel of a traditional hacienda right in downtown Medellín, while its menu celebrates classic Colombian fare. Start your meal with some chicharrones (crispy fried pork belly) and antojitos Antioqueños, featuring church empanadas, pastel de pollo (chicken pie), and stuffed potatoes topped with ají de piña (pineapple hot sauce) and avocado. For a fulfilling main dish, try the bandeja paisa, a hearty platter that includes beans, rice, carne en polvo (minced beef), ripe plantains, an egg, pork cracklings, avocado, and an arepa.

Infusing a pop Indian aesthetic, this Laureles restaurant—also with two other locations—has been introducing Indian flavors to Medellín’s previously conservative culinary scene for over a decade. Bright illustrations, concrete walls, lush plants, and natural light create a lively ambiance. While traditional recipes like tikka masala, samosas, and curries are available, chef Maria Teresa Vélez also experiments, as seen in one of Naan’s bestsellers: a creative take on pakoras made with crispy spinach, tamarind reduction, yogurt, onion, and tomatoes.

Initially launched as a pop-up, La Casa del Alimento has established a permanent home in the Belén neighborhood, functioning as a cultural hub for fermentation workshops, vegan cheese classes, and various community events. On Friday and Saturday nights, chef Nestor Jérez presents an elaborate eight-course tasting menu that highlights Colombian ingredients, crafted through meticulous research. Dishes may include arracacha mille-feuille paired with ash cheese or a tartlet of purple ñame (tuber) topped with pickled mussels and smoked trout. A relaxed lunch service is available on Tuesdays.

A standout in the realm of modern Colombian cuisine, Yeison Mora opened Idílico in the Manila neighborhood in 2019. The menu celebrates local producers, showcasing their ingredients in dishes like arepa with cress, smoked butter, and fresh ricotta, or tentáculos de mazorca (corn ribs) served with smoked pepper sauce and yacon (sweet tuber) confit. While everything is offered a la carte, the restaurant also provides a special seven-course tasting menu exclusively for dinner.

At Casa el Ramal, an enchanting patio adorned with plants, candles, and vintage furniture welcomes diners to this restaurant housed in a historic building. Curated by Iván Cadena, chef of the acclaimed Mesa Franca in Bogotá, the appetizer menu showcases creative vegetable dishes like watermelon toast topped with eggplant chimichurri and guacamole, or braised fennel paired with stracciatella and a native corn arepa. Main courses feature hearty options like grilled chorizo with onions and chicken jus, or gallina encocada (smoked coconut chicken). From Thursday to Saturday, a DJ sets the mood, while Sundays often feature La Olla Popular, a gathering highlighting traditional market dishes such as sancocho or bean stew.

Originating from the team behind the renowned Carmen, this distinctive steakhouse specializes in Colombian grass-fed beef, which is dry-aged in their on-site aging room. Using a custom-built grill fueled by eucalyptus wood from the Oriente Antioqueño, the chefs prepare mouthwatering porterhouses, rib-eyes, and exceptional 40-day-aged Colombian black-foot San Pedreño pork. Accompanying sides include a variety of salads, vegetables, and local potato dishes. The cocktail menu features classic recipes reimagined with a Colombian twist, utilizing local flavors and ingredients.

At X.O., diners might find themselves swaying to Janis Joplin while savoring a dish of lobster paired with local koji and sweet yacon, showing that fine dining can be playful too. Helmed by Rob Pevitts (of Carmen fame), Sebastián Marín, and Mateo Ríos, the kitchen embarks on a culinary exploration of Colombia and its diverse producers. Each dish on the tasting menu features a fusion of culinary techniques, all crafted in-house to deliver complexity and flavor in distinctly Colombian creations.

After completing culinary school in San Francisco in 2008, Carmen Ángel and Rob Pevitts moved to Medellín to establish Carmen, pioneering a new chapter in the local dining scene by delving into Colombian cuisine with sophistication. The modern bistro’s menu showcases the artistry of small producers and the rich flavors of Colombia, featuring favorites like crab and shrimp empanadas served with ají de guanábana (soursop chili) and vanilla aioli, or the oven-roasted Colombian pork ribs accompanied by mongo mongo barbecue sauce (crafted from green papaya, mango, mamey, pineapple, and sweet plantain) alongside Caribbean cassava cake. The cocktail menu also highlights the country’s essence through ancestral spirits, herbs, and fruits.

While buñuelos (crispy cheese-filled dough balls) are traditionally savored during Christmas in Colombia, in Medellín, they can be relished any day, especially fresh from Supremo, a beloved shop with 35 years of history. Opening at 6 a.m., it’s common to see a line forming for breakfast. Alongside cheese sticks, chicken pies, and arepas de huevo, the buñuelos—fried to order—are the main attraction.

Once a church, this expansive restaurant now features a retractable roof and concrete walls adorned with plants, Turkish rugs, and retro 1950s lamps and furniture. Open for breakfast through lunch, Dragón offers a delightful fusion of local ingredients, Colombian flair, and international influences. Begin with blood sausage empanadas wrapped in phyllo or baby corn with miso and costeño cheese. Be sure to try the glazed morrillo (beef shank) or the criollo chicken paired with crunchy barley, and save room for the sticky toffee dessert. The cocktails, ferments, coffee offerings, and DJ-spun music are also highlights.

Ascend to this rooftop bar for breathtaking views of Medellín, featuring a signature cocktail menu that showcases the country’s native ingredients. An artistically illustrated menu highlights cocktails made with Colombian fruits, herbs, seeds, and local spirits. For example, the Bahia Mecana combines viche (a sugar cane spirit from the Colombian Pacific), Chocó vanilla, rum, soursop, clarified milk, and passion fruit. The bar opens at 4 p.m., making it the perfect spot to enjoy the sunset.

Since its inception in 1991, this family-owned Mytoury has been delighting customers with rich Colombian soups such as mondongo (tripe), sopa de arroz (rice soup), and ajiaco, a traditional Bogotá dish made with three types of potatoes. Grab a seat on a wooden stool and try the cazuela de frijoles (bean stew), which comes loaded with shredded meat, crispy pork cracklings, corn, avocado, ripe plantains, arepa, and potato shavings. They also offer half portions, perfect for sampling multiple dishes. Pair your meal with guandolo, a refreshing drink made from panela and lemon, just like the locals do.

The queues that often form in the evening reflect Zorba’s popularity and its policy of not taking reservations. Established in 2010, this restaurant boasts an all-female kitchen team that crafts exceptionally thin, light pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven. While not explicitly stated, all the menu options are either vegetarian or vegan. Don’t miss the spinach pizza topped with pistachios, the one featuring caramelized onions and whipped macadamia cream, or the basil pizza with red sauce and Grana Padano. Sit back and soak in the views of La Presidenta Park amidst a relaxed atmosphere and soft candlelight.

This bistro offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of Provenza Street. Inside, skilled chef Jhon Zarate elevates ingredients sourced from Colombian small producers, emphasizing their flavors through straightforward preparations. The menu shifts with the seasons, but signature dishes often include fried rice paired with shrimp tartare and aioli, as well as arepas topped with macha sauce and pork jowl. The wine selection, thoughtfully curated by the chef, reflects deep passion. Be sure to indulge in desserts like the delightful flan.

Dining at this restaurant feels like an expedition into the Amazon, engaging with its Indigenous communities. Chef Juan Santiago Gallego, a key supplier of Amazonian produce to various restaurants nationwide, is dedicated to this biodiverse region and its seemingly endless array of unique ingredients. His tasting menu highlights Amazonian flavors, featuring items like copoazú (a cacao-related fruit), tucupí (a spicy sauce made from wild manioc), pirarucú (a massive river fish), casabe (a yucca tortilla), coca leaves, and mojojoy (palm larvae), among many others.

Chef Laura Londoño serves up family-style dishes in a lively and welcoming setting. Her plates feature fresh local ingredients with a touch of Asian flair, inspired by her culinary adventures in Australia. Highlights include crispy chicharrón (fried pork belly) paired with grapefruit salad, pickled carrots, red onion, and ponzu dressing, as well as braised short ribs in a tangy lemon and chile caramel sauce, accompanied by sticky rice and peanuts. Don’t miss the frozen guanabana merengón, a delightful meringue dessert that’s the perfect finale.

La Provincia has cultivated a dedicated following over its thirty-year history. Founded by María Adelaida Moreno, a trailblazer in elegant, white-tablecloth dining, the restaurant features house-baked sourdough and produce from its own garden. Originally known for Mediterranean cuisine, it has shifted focus in recent years to emphasize Colombian flavors. In a minimalist setting with open windows overlooking verdant trees, the staff serves popular dishes such as ceviche with coconut, crab-filled sorrentinos in saffron cream, and panko-breaded prawns topped with pork cracklings. Options for vegetarian and vegan diners are also available.

This charming house in the El Poblado district is designed in the hacienda style, featuring vibrant window frames and popular proverbs adorning the walls. Boleros and vallenatos set the mood as guests enjoy crispy, homemade empanadas stuffed with shredded beef or chicken, paired with cold beers or shots of aguardiente. Please note that only cash is accepted.

With eight locations now, Pergamino has been at the forefront of third-wave coffee in Medellín since 2012, a time when the specialty coffee scene was nearly nonexistent, despite Colombia's significant coffee production. Using a La Marzocco espresso machine, skilled baristas craft beverages with Lomaverde beans, the signature variety from Pergamino’s own estate nestled in the Santa Bárbara mountains, south of Medellín. The food menu highlights breakfast and brunch favorites such as yuca waffles, avocado toast, and chicken sandwiches.

This traditional restaurant serving Antioquian and Colombian cuisine is the perfect spot to dive into local flavors for breakfast or lunch. Ideally situated near the airport, it offers a great introduction or farewell to the city. Be sure to order a refreshing fruit juice like lulo (a tangy nightshade) and share arepas, empanadas, or a pastel de pollo (chicken pie). Don’t miss the cazuela de frijoles (bean stew), a staple of Paisa culture. The venue also features a store where you can purchase traditional sweets, arepas, tamales, and other items to take home, making excellent gastronomic souvenirs.

Renowned for its breathtaking views and cozy ambiance, Casa M is a must-visit in the Oriente Antioqueño, a region known for its picturesque landscapes and rustic dining options. This mountain bistro combines modern techniques with local produce sourced from its own garden, focusing heavily on grilled dishes. Delight in fried arepas with tuna tartare, a sunflower and pumpkin seed Caesar salad, rabbit confit gyoza, and a grilled pork chop accompanied by smashed potatoes and creamed spinach. It’s an ideal destination for a leisurely weekend afternoon.

No dish embodies Colombian comfort food and Antioquian culture quite like the arepa. At this humble roadside stall, affectionately known as La Mona, the owner has been delighting customers with arepas since 2008. Observe the team as they cook, grind, and shape the corn before grilling it over an open wood fire. Customize your arepa with hogao (Colombian sofrito), quesillo (crumbled fresh cheese), or scrambled eggs. Pro tip: Before visiting La Mona, stop by Estadero Palo Quemao next door for a serving of Antioquian chorizo to enjoy with your meal.

Located in the town of Carmen de Viboral, famed for its vibrant ceramics, this open-air Mytoury features a charming bamboo roof. Here, founder Verónica Gómez collaborates with a team of female chefs to showcase local produce and Antioquian flavors. Operating only on weekends, the restaurant offers a dynamic menu that changes with the seasons. Comforting dishes may include arracacha buñuelos (cheesy fritters made from a parsnip-like root), guava rolls, cuajada (curd) topped with goldenberry and maracuyá sauce, or a hearty mushroom soup paired with fried arepa and cheese from the Melcocho River.

Nestled in El Retiro, a town near Medellín that has recently flourished with shops, art galleries, and Mytouries, this traditional Italian osteria is set in a charming old house with a lovely patio. At Osteria Local, everything from pasta to cold cuts and bread is made in-house. Menu highlights include veal Milanese, crispy porchetta, cavatelli alla amatriciana, and warm dulce de leche brioche.