Food Medellín

Medellín is a true foodie city. You can eat in exclusive restaurants, try the most delicious street food and taste traditional dishes. Medellín is located in the region of Antioquia, and along with the regions of Caldas, Quindío and Risaralda (the coffee triangle), Antioquia is known as the “Paisa” region. Here the many coffee farmers love a nutritious meal before going to work in the fields. Not surprisingly, many traditional meals originated right here, such as the Bandeja Paisa, the most famous dish in all of Colombia. Check out the specialties of Medellín and Antioquia here.

TYPICAL MEDELLÍN & SURROUNDINGS

TRADITIONAL

Bandeja Paisa
“Signature dish” of the region of Antioquia and Colombia. The dish consists of sausage, minced meat, chicharrón (fried rind), beans, rice, avocado, banana, arepa and a fried egg. Not an easily digestible meal, in other words!

During a cooking workshop with a local family, you will learn to make the authentic dishes of this region.

STREETFOOD

As in the rest of Colombia, arepas are very popular, especially the arepa con queso and the sweet arepa de chócolo. Other popular snacks include:

 

  • Churros; deep-fried dough sticks with arequipe (caramel).
  • Buñuelos; deep-fried dough balls with cheese
  • Salpicón; cup with fruit salad and a topping of cream and syrup
  • Obleas; thin wafers with arequipe
  • Mango biche: strips of green mango with salt
  • Patacones: deep-fried flat “cookies” made of green banana

During a street food tour you will discover the best addresses for the tastiest street food in Medellín.

CALENTADO PAISA

A calentado, is a dish with the leftover lunch from the previous day, which are reheated for breakfast. The Calentado Paisa is a breakfast with rice, beans, carne mechada (stew), a fried egg and arepas.

SANCOCHO PAISA

Antioquia has its own twist on the traditional Colombian soup with meat, chicken, vegetables, spices, potato, cassava and banana. White rice and avocado are served alongside, and the ají (spicy sauce) is not to be missed.

TRUCHA

At the restaurants and “trucherias” (trout farms) around Medellín, you can feast on different ways of preparing the trucha. For example, in Jardín and Santa Elena you can taste the trucha with salsa de panela (sauce made from cane sugar) or natural, fried in garlic.

#ColombiaMyWay tips

Going on your own culinary discovery trip in this foodie city? Then check out our tips for the best restaurants in Medellín and our insider’s tip for dining with a fantastic view of the city . General information and tips can be found in our Medellín travel guide.