We like to dine out, and we have found that Colombia has amplified our desire and ability to do this. There are SOOO many incredible restaurants, especially in Medellin and the El Poblado neighborhood. You are in the right place if you want to know where to eat in Medellin for delicious food.

We were based in El Poblado, Medellin, so it was easy to walk into the neighborhood and dine at some incredible places. So, we decided to eat out a lot!

We found some of the best restaurants in Medellin, and instead of keeping them all to ourselves, we have decided to share them with you.

Our selection of the best restaurants in El Poblado is not just high dining options. We like to mix it up!

Some more expensive dining options are included. Thankfully, the cost of a top-end dining experience is a fraction of the cost we are used to in many parts of the world.

Another thing we found interesting in Medellin is that if you purchase high quality ingredients at the grocery stores, you can easily end up paying nearly as much (if not more) to make a meal at home. Why not eat out, right?

Check out our favorite Medellin restaurants below!

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How Much Is An Average Meal In Medellin?

Our most expensive meal out, including four cocktails, two fresh fruit juices, two bottles of water, a sashimi appetizer, incredible main courses for all four of us, and two desserts, came out to be $100. This was at one of the highest-rated restaurants in town. Mindblowing! 🤯

Most of the time, we ended up paying somewhere between $25 and $50 for lunches or dinners for our family of four.

You can find all types of restaurants in Medellin, so if you don’t want to spend much money, you can find some really inexpensive options too.

One time, we ate at a gourmet hot dog joint, and they were like $5 dollars each and plenty big!

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8 Of Our Favorite Restaurants In El Poblado, Medellin

Now let’s dive into where to eat in Medellin. Here are some of the best restaurants in El Poblado that we think back on fondly… 

Pergamino Cafe – ☕️

We love coffee! As we traveled full-time through South America, surprisingly, good coffee has been hard to find. There have been a few places that have hit the spot but nothing that has been stellar.

You would think that great coffee would be easy to find in Colombia, but unfortunately most of the good stuff is shipped out of the country.

A coffee shop to us is much more than just a delicious latte. It also has a great atmosphere, appetizing food or pastry options, along with the excellent coffee.

Pergamino checks all of the boxes for us. In addition to having the best coffee in Medellin, we also loved eating there for breakfast and lunch.

There are many options to choose from such as tostadas, eggs, sandwiches, pancakes and the waffles which were my kids’ favorite dish!

They have a lot of different locations spread across Medellin too, even in the airport!

We were even able to buy their coffee beans, have them ground, and make it ourselves at home. The best coffee in Medellin by far!

Restaurante Ocio – 🐠 🥩 🍗 🐖

Restaurante Ocio or formally called Oci.mde is where to eat in Medellin to enjoy lunch or dinner with high quality food.

We ate here a couple of times and enjoyed a variety of flavorful dishes, including tender pork, tender steak, fried chicken that was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and fresh, well-seasoned fish.

There are even a few vegetarian options available, although the selection is pretty limited.

The cocktails were delicious, even at 1pm! 🤗 Make a reservation, and enjoy the experience. 

Alambique – 🍖🥘🥗

For me, visiting El Poblado feels like stepping into a lush, tropical garden, and dining at Alambique is like discovering a hidden corner of that garden.

The restaurant’s eclectic interior spills out into a whimsical outdoor space that’s full of personality. It’s quirky, vibrant, and totally unforgettable.

Alambique is the kind of place you go when you want to slow down and truly enjoy the company you’re with. The food is prepared with care, meant to be savored and shared.

And yes, when they say it takes time, they mean it.

But trust me, it’s worth the wait. The portions are generous, and every dish is bursting with flavor.

Bonhomia – 🍕🥪

My oldest son, Levi, is not too adventurous when it comes to dining out. It is usually hamburgers, pizza, pasta or steak.

Bonhomia gets top marks for their pizza. It has a thin crust and delicious taste. He almost ate the whole pie!

They have other items on their menu as well. I had a very delicious roast beef sandwich. The charcuterie boards that were passed out to other tables caught my eye as well.

Tough to beat the ambiance too. The outdoor space was one of my favorites in El Poblado.

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Mistura – 🍣

If you are interested in indulging in some sushi, Mistura is one of the best restaurants in Medellin for it. If you’ve got picky eaters, like my oldest, don’t worry. There are plenty of non-seafood options on the menu to keep everyone happy.

Even with my allergy to avocados (yes, it’s a weird one), I was able to find some flavorful, fresh rolls. My favorite? Guila al fuego. Look, it’s on fire! If you like eel, this one is delish! 

Mistura has other locations around Medellin and even a few restaurants in other cities in Colombia. So if you are visiting Barranquilla or Cartagena, you can also get your sushi fix!

Rocoto – 🦐🇵🇪

If you’re craving vibrant Peruvian fusion, Rocoto Restaurante is a must-visit in Medellín.
With several locations around the city, including one in Laureles, it’s easy to find a spot nearby.

From zesty ceviches and traditional causas to mouthwatering fish, meat, and pasta dishes, there’s something on the menu for every palate.

Pair your meal with a refreshing pisco sour (you won’t regret it), and whatever you do, save room for one of their decadent desserts. You’ll be thinking about it long after the last bite.

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Vibe Donuts – 🍩

UPDATED May 2025: Sadly Vibe Donuts is closed. 😭 Their instagram says they are on a hiatus, so I’ll check again on my next update. 🤞🏼

Carmen – 🐟🦐

Carmen is one of Colombia’s most celebrated restaurants and for good reason.

While we didn’t visit the Medellín location, we dined at their Cartagena restaurant and were absolutely blown away. Every dish was thoughtful, flavorful, and beautifully presented. If you love seafood, this is a must-visit.

The menu is rooted in Colombian-inspired cuisine, with a creative twist that draws inspiration from the country’s rich culinary traditions.

Carmen proudly highlights ingredients from local fishermen, small-scale farmers, and regional artisans, creating a true farm-and-sea-to-table experience.

If you’re looking for a memorable meal in Medellín, make sure Carmen is on your list.

Bonus Medellin Restaurant: Bunker Burger – 🍔

Bunker Burger is not one of the best restaurants in El Poblado, because it’s not in El Poblado. It IS in Medellin and SOOOOO delicious, I had to mention it!

These burgers are worth the extra effort. If you are in the Laureles neighborhood or near it, you should go to Bunker Burger.

We only ordered their mouth-watering burgers through Rappi, which is a quick food delivery service in Colombia, so I can’t speak to the vibe of the place.

The burgers though, WOW! The best burger in Medellin by far! Not even close.

No place in any of our travels outside the States comes close to Bunker Burger… again, Levi eats a ton of burgers, so we’ve put in the research on this one.

Sorry, no pictures either. I ate it too quickly. Nom Nom. 🤤

Map Of Where To Eat In Medellin

Summary

This list of the best restaurants in Medellin should get you started while you are staying there. With so many different restaurant options, it’s nice to be able to narrow it down.

Enjoy Medellin and its vast and vibrant food scene in El Poblado. Your taste buds will thank you!

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