By: Joseph Le
After living for over a year in Medellin, I was often asked where my favorite places were in town.
After living for over a year in Medellin, I was often asked where my favorite places were in town.
Well, I have a pretty long list of recommendations so I've decided to break it up over several posts. The first couple posts will cover my favorite restaurants. After that I'll get into nightlife and some other fun categories. For today's list I'll start off with the basic staples...burgers, ribs, pizza, wings, etc.
So without further adieu, here are some my favorite restaurants in Medellin. Agree, disagree, or have anything to add? Let me know in the comments section!
So without further adieu, here are some my favorite restaurants in Medellin. Agree, disagree, or have anything to add? Let me know in the comments section!
10. Best Burger - Barbacoa Burger & Beer
Restaurant interior (Photo credit: Barbacoa facebook page)
This is by far my favorite burger in town. They also have a great selection of beers as well. The restaurant is located in Envigado so it's a bit of a hike from Poblado but well worth the effort.
Insider's Tip: If you're looking for something sweet with your burger, they have superb milkshakes. My favorite's the vanilla.
Barbocoa Burger & Beer
Address: Carrera 44A #30 Sur 23 - Envigado
Price range: 10,000 - 20,000 COP
Runner-up for Best Burger - Chef Burger
Covered outdoor patio (photo credit: Chef Burger facebook page)
Chef Burger has some great burgers as well. The advantage Chef Burger has over Barbacoa is that it's walking distance from Parque Lleras. Located off of Calle 10a behind El Carulla, the outdoor patio seating area is casual and breezy, perfect for a bite to eat before hitting the town.
Insider's Tip: They have live music on Thursday nights.
Chef Burger
Address: Calle 11A #42-05, behind El Carulla on Avenida Poblado
Price range: $10,000 - $20,000 COP
Chef Burger
Address: Calle 11A #42-05, behind El Carulla on Avenida Poblado
Price range: $10,000 - $20,000 COP
9. Best Ribs - MU Bar Costilleria aka Fukin Good Ribs
This restaurant's bold motto is "Fukin Good Ribs". I kid you not, take a look:
With a sign like that on the front, I just had to see if they delivered the goods.
After being seated (by some of the friendliest servers in Medellin) they'll start you off with a complimentary small plate of chips and guacamole with four delicious salsas to choose from. The ribs come out next on a huge plate served with fries. While the meat is not fall-off-the-bone tender like you would expect from the best barbeque joints in the US, this is definitely the most tender meat you will find in Medellin.
I sought out numerous restaurants in Medellin that claimed to have decent ribs and kept getting disappointed. Why? Because the meat at the other places was always tough and chewy. I kept having to come back to MU to get my ribs fix. They also serve up a mean mojito.
So if you are in the mood for some ribs in Medellin, don't waste your time at other places, just go here...because these are fukin good ribs!
I sought out numerous restaurants in Medellin that claimed to have decent ribs and kept getting disappointed. Why? Because the meat at the other places was always tough and chewy. I kept having to come back to MU to get my ribs fix. They also serve up a mean mojito.
So if you are in the mood for some ribs in Medellin, don't waste your time at other places, just go here...because these are fukin good ribs!
The big plate is enough for 2.
Insider's Tip: They are only open Thursday through Saturday, 6pm - 12pm. I suggest showing up early because they sometimes run out of ribs if you get there too late.
MU Bar Costilleria
Address: Carrera 34 #7-115 - Provenza
Price range: $35,000 COP small plate, $45,000 COP large plate (enough for 2 people)
MU Bar Costilleria
Address: Carrera 34 #7-115 - Provenza
Price range: $35,000 COP small plate, $45,000 COP large plate (enough for 2 people)
8. Best Pizza - Toscano Trattoria y Pizzeria
I use to live right around the corner from this cute little place and it was my go to joint for pizza as well as Italian. I usually can't help but order the pizza since it's so good there, but I've tasted my friends' pasta dishes as well which were equally as delicious.
Insider's Tip: Try the gnocchi, you won't be disappointed.
Insider's Tip: Try the gnocchi, you won't be disappointed.
Pepperoni, mushroom & sausage pizza
Toscano Trattoria y Pizzeria
Address: Calle 8a #34-20
Price Range: $10,000 - $30,000 COP
Address: Calle 8a #34-20
Price Range: $10,000 - $30,000 COP
Runner-up for Best Pizza - Cafe Zorba
Cafe Zorba is always busy and it's easy to tell why. Their vegetarian pizzas are delicious and cheap and the venue is too cool for school (with live music on the weekends). I recommend the mushroom garlic pizza.
Insider's tip: If you have a large group, check out the back terrace for the outdoor tables.
Back terrace
Cafe Zorba
Address: Calle 8, #42-33
Price range: $10,000 - $20,000 COP
Address: Calle 8, #42-33
Price range: $10,000 - $20,000 COP
7. Best Wings - Western Wings
Western wings are the best wings that I've found in the Poblado area. They taste like gourmet wings if such a thing exists.
Insider's Tip: Try the sweet barbeque wings.
Western Wings
Address: Carrera 33 #8A-11
Price Range: $10,000 COP - $30,000 COP
Western Wings
Address: Carrera 33 #8A-11
Price Range: $10,000 COP - $30,000 COP
6. Best Complete Breakfast - D'Andres
There were countless times I was craving a typical American breakfast...any combination of the following: pancakes, waffles, eggs, bacon, sausage and hashbrowns. But much to my dismay, I couldn't find a restaurant that served a decent breakfast. Until my friends led me to this gem. Their complete breakfast has all the above (minus the waffle) and includes a juice and a hot chocolate or coffee.
This restaurant is tiny with only 3 tables but the food is immaculately prepared with the freshest ingredients. The head Chef and owner Andre previously worked in New York and his prior experience shows in the preparation and presentation of his dishes.
This restaurant is tiny with only 3 tables but the food is immaculately prepared with the freshest ingredients. The head Chef and owner Andre previously worked in New York and his prior experience shows in the preparation and presentation of his dishes.
D'Andres
Address: Carrera 37 #10-15, open 7:30am to 5pm.
Price range: $5,000 - $20,000 COP, the full breakfast pictured above is $11,000 COP
Address: Carrera 37 #10-15, open 7:30am to 5pm.
Price range: $5,000 - $20,000 COP, the full breakfast pictured above is $11,000 COP
5. Best Lunch Deal - D'Andres
Yes sir, they have the best lunch deal as well. For around $11,000 COP, you get your choice of steak medallions or chicken, pasta, salad, potatoes, a drink, and a dessert. But this isn't your typical Colombian menu of the day. The quality of the food is excellent and as stated before, prepared to perfection. Stop by their new location which features a much larger space.
New larger location
Lunch special
Insider's Tip: Don't go too late for lunch because they sometimes run out of food.
D'Andres
Address: New location at Carrera 37 #10-15, open 7:30am to 5pm.
Price range: Lunch $11,000 COP
D'Andres
Address: New location at Carrera 37 #10-15, open 7:30am to 5pm.
Price range: Lunch $11,000 COP
4. Best Bandeja Paisa - Mi Habana's
When you are really hungry, go for a bandeja paisa, which is a typical Colombian dish consisting of red beans cooked with pork, white rice, ground meat, chicharron, fried egg, patacones, chorizo, arepa, morcilla and avocado. Otherwise known as a gut bomb. I need a siesta just thinking about eating all this food.
Insider's Tip: This is a perfect place to cure your Sunday hangover.
Mi Habana
Address: Calle 9 #39-25
Price range: $10,000 - $30,000 COP
Mi Habana
Address: Calle 9 #39-25
Price range: $10,000 - $30,000 COP
3. Best Health Food - Mundo Verde
After putting down a bandeja paisa for lunch, you're going to need to detox so head to Mundo Verde for dinner. This place has the best gourmet salads and wraps.
Insider's Tip: Stop at the great frozen yogurt shop right outside Mundo's for a guilt-less treat after your salad.
Mundo Verde
Address: Carrera 37 #8A-40
Price range: $15,000 - $30,000 COP
Mundo Verde
Address: Carrera 37 #8A-40
Price range: $15,000 - $30,000 COP
2. Best Chicken Plate - Pollo Inka
Pollo Inka is a Peruvian restaurant tucked away deep in the heart of Envigado. This is another tiny place with only 4 or 5 tables. Since it's a neighborhood restaurant, a plate with a quarter chicken, french fries, and salad will only set you back $6,000 COP.
I'm withholding the address so that you'll have an excuse to explore Envigado. But trust me, it will be worth the visit. Envigado has a great vibe with plenty of cool shops, restaurants and bars to check out.
Insider's Tip: Try their juices. Delicious and a steal at only $1,000 COP each.
I'm withholding the address so that you'll have an excuse to explore Envigado. But trust me, it will be worth the visit. Envigado has a great vibe with plenty of cool shops, restaurants and bars to check out.
Insider's Tip: Try their juices. Delicious and a steal at only $1,000 COP each.
1. Best Burrito - Ciao Pizza y Orale
I was reluctant to add this one to the list because it is my favorite burrito place in Medellin and I wanted to keep it all to myself...but alas this would not be a proper Best of Medellin list without this restaurant.
They have two separate menus. One for Mexican food and one covering Italian food. Both are solid.
For their Mexican food, they serve decent sized portions so if you're hungry, either the burrito or the chimichanga should be sufficient.
On the Italian side, stick with their wood-fired pizzas.
They have two separate menus. One for Mexican food and one covering Italian food. Both are solid.
For their Mexican food, they serve decent sized portions so if you're hungry, either the burrito or the chimichanga should be sufficient.
On the Italian side, stick with their wood-fired pizzas.
Insider's Tip: Order the chimichanga (my favorite) and bring along a friend to order the pizza and you can go halfsies on each...Mex-Italian! Best of both worlds!
Ciao Pizza y Orale
Price range: $10,000 - $20,000 COP
There are a lot more places I would like to share with you so stay tuned for the next post. Happy eating!
You may also be interested in these articles:
Best of Medellin Part 2
Best of Medellin Part 3
How to get to the Medellin airport for cheap
How to get a refund on your 16% Colombian IVA tax
Ciao Pizza y Orale
Price range: $10,000 - $20,000 COP
There are a lot more places I would like to share with you so stay tuned for the next post. Happy eating!
You may also be interested in these articles:
Best of Medellin Part 2
Best of Medellin Part 3
How to get to the Medellin airport for cheap
How to get a refund on your 16% Colombian IVA tax
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