When it comes to the best restaurants in Medellin, Colombia, the city offers an array of delicious cuisine that goes far beyond the classic bandeja paisa. While this traditional dish—featuring pork, beans, rice, plantains, fried eggs, sausage, and chicharrón—is a staple in good restaurants in Medellin, the city’s vibrant food scene has much more to offer.
Medellin is a modern metropolis with a dynamic dining culture that rivals the best in the world. From fine dining to street food, you’ll find an array of cuisines, including Asian, European, Mediterranean, Indian, and other Latin American flavors. If you’re in town for a special occasion or just want to experience the top restaurants in Medellin, this guide will help you discover the best culinary spots in the city.
From Street Food to Fine Dining: Tasting the Diverse Flavors of Medellin
Whether you’re a foodie on the hunt for the best restaurants in Medellin or simply looking to enjoy a good meal, our recommendations will guide you to the city’s culinary gems. Bloggers and expert chefs agree on this. You’ll also find traditional eateries offering authentic local flavors. But first, let’s take a closer look at Medellin’s food scene.
Medellin has rapidly transformed into a modern city, and its culinary landscape is a testament to that evolution. The city has become a hub for food enthusiasts, attracting world-class chefs who blend local ingredients with international trends to create unique dining experiences. This fusion has placed many of Medellin’s eateries among the top restaurants in the region.
Colombia’s rich biodiversity provides a wealth of ingredients that, when combined with high-end cuisine, result in an exciting variety of dishes. In Medellin, you’ll find influences from various regions of Colombia, including the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, while the core of paisa food—known for its hearty portions and use of beans, corn, pork, and plantains—remains ever-present. Typical dishes like bandeja paisa, mondongo, cazuela de frijoles, and arepas have been elevated to gourmet status in some of the best restaurants in Medellin.
Where Can I Find the Best Restaurants in Medellin?
For those seeking the top restaurants in Medellin, El Poblado is the go-to area, bustling with some of the city’s finest dining options. However, amazing restaurants are also scattered throughout less tourist-heavy neighborhoods like Laureles, Envigado, and Las Palmas. These areas are home to a variety of establishments where you can experience both traditional and international cuisine at its finest.
Find here our list of the best international food restaurants in El Poblado.
If international cuisine is what you’re after, El Poblado is your best bet. Here, you’ll find an array of global flavors that cater to every palate and where you will probably find the top restaurants in Medellin.
At Medellin VIP, we want to ensure that your visit to our beautiful city includes dining at the best restaurants in Medellin. Whether you’re planning a quick visit or an extended stay, we have compiled a list of must-visit restaurants that showcase the culinary magic of Medellin.
If you’re planning a visit and want to try only the finest restaurants that portray the magic of Colombia, keep reading.
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. So it’s easy to see why it is one of the top restaurants in Medellin.
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. Good restaurants in Medellin are easy to find, but this is one of the most exotic.
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. It is by far the best restaurant in Medellin, Colombia.
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.
