Eating and drinking in Medellín
There are good restaurants in Medellín for every taste and budget, from traditional to international. Medellín even has a starred restaurant: Elcielo in el Poblado, which received its second Michelin star in 2022. There are some streets/neighborhoods in Medellín with a large concentration of restaurants, such as “La Setenta” in Laureles/Estadio, Parque Lleras and Manila in El Poblado and Calle de la buena mesa in Envigado. To learn more about typical local food and drink in Medellín, check out the page
Medellín Culinary
for more info.
Coffee Culture
Medellín has a real coffee culture. At specialty coffee shops, you choose your own coffee beans and preparation method. With this, the barista prepares a delicious cup of coffee for you.
Nightlife
Lleras park, Manila and vía Provenza (El Poblado), La 70, La 33 (Laureles) and Barrio Colombia are popular nightlife areas. Barrio Colombia is a 10-minute cab ride from El Poblado. In this industrial area, a number of warehouses have been transformed into clubs.
Our tips
COFFEE SHOPS
PERGAMINO
Lleras park (Poblado)
Favorite of many locals and travelers for the good coffee, tasty cakes and breakfast. Roast their own coffee beans from local coffee incas. Hot spot among digital nomads.
TOSTAO CAFÉ Y PAN
Poblado
For a cheap and tasty cappucino with a quick snack to go with it. Several branches in Medellín, including on Avenida El Poblado and Oviedo shopping mall.
CAFE REVOLUCIÓN
Laureles
Cafe near Primer Parque Laureles. In addition to making a good cup of coffee, they also make a delicious iced coffee.
URBANIA CAFÉ
Poblado + Viva Envigado mall
Cafe with a relaxed ambiance and delicious cakes for coffee. Fine workspace for digital nomads.
RITUALES
Laureles
Rituales uses coffee beans from La Sierra plantations in Medellín. Also have a social project in this barrio.
DESAROLLADORES DE CAFE
Provenza (Poblado)
Here you can choose from coffee beans from all over Colombia. Surprising; the cocktails with coffee.
BARS & CLUBS
CAFÉ CLICHE
Laureles
For ” la belle vie à la francaise” in Medellín. Café-bistro with live music on different days of the week.
SON HAVANA
Laureles-La 70
One of the best salsa clubs in Medellín, with live bands and free salsa classes.
ENVY ROOFTOP
Lleras park (Poblado)
For a cocktail and snack with a great view, from the 18th floor of the Charlee hotel. You can sit at one of the tables by the pool, or one more floor up, where the view is even better.
CERVECERIA 3 CORDILLERAS
Barrio Colombia
Micro brewery with bar, where you can taste 5 types of beer. (included in entrance fee). There are tours on Thursday evenings.
TRÍLOGIA
Barrio Colombia
Popular bar with live music, including its own “house band.” The band has a varied repertoire from rock to salsa, merengue and ballads.
SALON MALAGA
Centro
Do you love tango, boleros and Colombian music legends? Then step back in time at one of Medellín’s oldest cafes.
RESTAURANTS
CREPES Y WAFFLES
Sweet and savory crepes, soup and salad, waffles and superdeluxe ice cream sundaes. Crepes & Waffles has several locations in Medellín, including in the shopping malls. Crepes y waffles is at the top of our list of best restaurants in Medellín!
MONDONGOS
Popular spot with Colombian families, who descend on the Bandeja Paisa and other traditional dishes. There is a restaurant in El Poblado and in Laureles. Our favorite: the Ajiaco soup, not just any soup, but a whole (filling) meal with all kinds of things around it like avocado, rice, banana, capers and sour cream.
MEDELLÍN BURGER COMPANY
For Medellín’s tastiest burgers, only Angus beef is used. Also, if you feel like a nice cocktail (with or without alcohol), this is the place to be. Medellín Burger Company has a branch in El Poblado and on la 70 in Laureles.
MERCADO DEL RIO
In an old warehouse in Ciudad del Rio, you’ll find more than 30 restaurants, 2 breweries, a wine bar, and two cafes. There are restaurants serving traditional local food and international restaurants.
TONY ROMAS-DANN CARLTON
Dine in a slowly rotating restaurant, on the 18th floor of the Dann Carlton hotel. A special experience in Medellín! During your dinner you will enjoy the 360-degree view and after about 1.5h, you will be back at the “starting spot.” Tip: go for the baby beef.
CARMEN
A refined cuisine in El Poblado, specializing in “tasting” menus with all kinds of small dishes. The owners are graduates of the famous Cordon Bleu culinary academy.