Know the top ten of the best restaurants in Medellin to get a delicious culinary experience.
Medellin offers an array of delicious cuisine celebrated all across Colombia. For instance, the classic bandeja paisa, a dish consisting of pork, beans, rice, plantains, fried eggs, sausage, and chicharrón (fried pork belly), is a Colombian staple often found in the best restaurants in Medellin. But don’t think all we eat is rice and beans.
Medellin is still a modern city where people often enjoy fine dining. Actually, you can find Asian, European, Mediterranean, Indian, and other Latin American restaurants. If you are traveling for a bachelor party, this guide can save you time looking for the best cousin. Here is our guide to the best restaurants in Medellin.
From Street Food to Fine Dining: Tasting the Diverse Flavors of Medellin
If you are a foodie or if you just want to try delicious food in a fine restaurant, we have suggestions for you. Moreover, find the best traditional food restaurants if you want to try something local. But before we get started, let’s take a look at the Medellin culinary scene.
Medellin has become a modern city, and as proof of this, the vibrant cousine scene you’ll definitely find. Bloggers and expert chefs agree on this. And the reason is simple: world-class chefs have found in Medellin the perfect match between local and traditional food and international trends.
Colombia is a biodiverse country with plenty of food ingredients and dishes combined with high-end cuisine. This is why you’ll find many options when it comes to trying delicious and unique food.
Medellin cuisine is influenced by the closer regional foods. In fact, you’ll find foods from the Caribbean and Pacific coasts and other regions. However, paisa food is characterized by its generous portions, its use of beans, corn, pork, and plantains, and its simplicity and comfort. Some of the most typical dishes are bandeja paisa, mondongo, cazuela de frijoles, arepas, calentado paisa, and pasteles de pollo. Some of these traditional dishes have evolved into more gourmet experiences. This is why you should try bandeja paisa and mondongo in fluent restaurants like Mondongos or Hacienda.
Where can I find the best restaurants in Medellin?
You will typically find the best restaurants in Medellin in the busy, southern parts of the city, like El Poblado. But you can still find amazing places nestled in the less-concentrated areas. The only thing you’ll need is time to explore the city. For example, you can visit Laureles, Envigado, or Las Palmas. They are fancy hubs where you can also find the best cousins of the city.
Find here our list of the best international food restaurants in El Poblado.
Here at Medellin VIP, we want to ensure you get the chance to experience all the best our beautiful city has to offer. If you’re planning a visit and want to try only the finest restaurants that portray the magic of Colombia, keep reading.
Here we’ll look at some of the best restaurants in Medellin (in no particular order). Based on their menu, quality, and atmosphere. We’ll also suggest some dishes that you should try in each of them.
Ammazza Restaurant
Ammazza is beloved for its rich and diverse menu options and prices. With an array of South American seafood delicacies. The lobster and shrimp risotto is a great choice. Their dessert menu has received favorable reviews as well.
Like most people in Colombia, the wait staff is friendly and engaging. The atmosphere is quiet, relaxed, and romantic. The soft music sets the perfect scene for an evening out on the town. This place tends to pack fast, so we’d recommend securing a reservation as early as you can.
Locations:
Cra. 34 #7-40, El Poblado, Medellin
Also, find Ammazza in Laureles
Cra. 76 #73b – 39, Laureles – Estadio, Medellin
Hours: 12–9:30 PM
Carmen
Carmen was the first highly-rated restaurant in Medellin. By highly rated, we mean that it’s been endorsed by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and even celebrities.
The elegant three-part restaurant (upstairs, downstairs and a gorgeous garden) lures the city’s coolest crowds with its elaborate meals created by the husband-and-wife team Carmen Angel and Rob Pevitts, who trained at Le Cordon Bleu in San Francisco.
Find Carmen a few blocks away from the always bustling Parque Lleras. Carmen, considered a contemporary cuisine, is a great place to enjoy new and old recipes. They use fresh, local ingredients from surrounding farms and sustainable fishing. Indeed, Carmen is a delight for both young and old alike.
Location: Cra. 36 #10a-27, El Poblado, Medellin
Hours: 12:30–2:30 PM and 6:30–9:30 PM
Zaaika
If you are craving some Indian food, Zaaika is the place to go. This restaurant serves authentic and flavorful dishes from different regions of India. There, you’ll taste curries, biryanis, tandooris, and naans.
The spices are well balanced, and the portions are generous. The restaurant has colorful and modern decor with Indian music and paintings. Some of the dishes that you’ll enjoy are the chicken tikka masala, the lamb rogan josh, and the garlic naan.
Location: Cl. 8 #42-49, El Poblado
Hours: 11:30 AM–10:30 PM
Oni
And this top-ten list of the best restaurants in Medellin also includes Japanese food. Oni is a Japanese restaurant that specializes in ramen, sushi, and bento boxes.
They made ramen with fresh noodles and rich broth, topped with various ingredients such as pork belly, eggs, seaweed, and bamboo shoots. The sushi is fresh and varied, with options such as nigiri, sashimi, rolls, and temaki.
Some of the dishes that we like are the tonkotsu ramen, the spicy tuna roll, and the chicken teriyaki bento.
Location: Cra. 35 #10B-66 Wake, -105, El Poblado
Hours: 12:00–3:00 PM and 6:00 PM–12:00 AM
Kuro Sushi Bar-Rooftop
This is another Japanese restaurant that offers a different concept: omakase. Omakase means “I leave it to you,” and it refers to a chef’s choice menu that changes daily according to the availability and quality of the ingredients.
In fact, the chef prepares each dish in front of you at the sushi bar, explaining the ingredients and techniques. The dishes are creative and exquisite, combining traditional and modern elements.
Some of the must-try dishes are the spicy tuna roll, the salmon nigiri, the eel tempura, and the miso soup. The service is friendly and attentive, and they always make me feel welcome.
Location: Cra. 40 #10 A -29 Piso 6, El Poblado
Hours: 6:00 PM –1:00 AM
Creta
This is the Mediterranean option at this top-rated restaurant in Medellin. The menu offers classic Mediterranean cuisine. The food is fresh and flavorful, and the portions are large. The restaurant has a white and blue theme, with wooden furniture and Greek music. Some of the dishes you can try are the lamb souvlaki, the spanakopita, and the loukoumades.
Location: Cra. 43F #11-30, El Poblado
Hours: 12:00 PM –10:30 PM
Mamba Negra Rooftop
This restaurant has a stunning view of the city, a cozy atmosphere, and delicious food. Mamba Negra is a fusion restaurant that mixes Colombian and Asian flavors in an original way. Find dishes like ceviche,bao buns, curry, and noodles with a Colombian twist.
The food is spicy and delicious. The restaurant has a dark and chic atmosphere,with black walls and neon lights. Some of the dishes you can savor are the shrimp ceviches with coconut milk,the pork belly bao with pineapple salsa, and the pad Thai with chorizo.
Location: Cl. 2 #20-50, El Poblado
Hours: 6:00 P.M.–12:00 A.M.
El Cielo
This is one of the most famous and innovative restaurants in Medellin. The chef, Juan Manuel Barrientos, creates a sensory experience that combines food, art, and science. Actually, the menu is a surprise, and each dish has a different technique. It can be smoke, foam, or liquid nitrogen.
The flavors are exquisite and unexpected. Definitely, you’ll never forget this dining adventure. Some of the best dishes are the chocolate therapy, the edible flowers, and the coffee caviar.
Location: Cl. 7D #43c36, El Poblado
Hours: 12:00–3:00 PM and 6:00 PM–12:00 AM
Oci Medellin
Oci is a difficult restaurant to describe. In fact, it doesn’t seem to have one cuisine that they specialize in. The restaurant was built by chef Laura Londono and her husband, Santiago Arango (a well-known architect). And is well respected within the upscale community.
While Carmen caters to most international travelers, Oci keeps their menu brief and simple. It is perfect for small groups to enjoy great food in a quiet ambiance.
Location: Cra 33 #7-21, El Poblado
Hours: 12:00–2:30 PM and 6:30 PM–10:30 AM
Relato
And last but not least, Relato. This restaurant closes our list of the best restaurants in Medellin. Located in Provenza, Relato offers fine dining with an eclectic menu. In fact, it combines Asian, Mediterranean, and Latin flavors. It is a place to have dinner with friends.
Their dishes are unique, just as their environment is too beautiful for words. To top it all off, they have live music or a DJ to add even more excitement to their already amazing ambiance.
Location: Cra 33, # 7-115, El Poblado
Hours: 12–3:30 PM, 6–10:30 PM
Choosing the best restaurants in Medellin
These are some of the best restaurants in Medellin; we recommend you visit.
Here at Medellin VIP, we do our best to help you navigate this fabulous city so you can take advantage of all the possibilities it has to offer.
You’ll enjoy everything it has to offer, from vacation rentals to exotic tours to a chef, massage, and transportation services.
Come and explore our beautiful culture with the best VIP treatment you’ll find on this side of Medellin.
