The Best of Medellin, Colombia - Part 2

By:  Joseph Le

In my previous post, The Best of Medellin, Colombia - Part 1, I shared some of the restaurants in Medellin that I enjoy.  Today I continue the list, revealing a few more of my favorites in beautiful Medellin.

10.  Best Seafood Paella - Tapas 10

Great cuisine oftentimes has the ability to bring you back to a certain time and place.  When I have excellent Spanish food, it transports me back to my days living in Barcelona when I was spoiled by the amazing tapas bars, the deceivingly potent sangria and the best seafood paella in the world.   Fortunately you won't need to fly all the way to Barcelona to sample the cuisine because there's a slice of Spain right in the middle of Poblado called Tapas 10.

If you're not paying close attention, you'll walk right past this tiny place like I did many times.  Although it's known as a tapas restaurant, I go there for one reason only...their seafood paella!  Not only is it delicious but very reasonably priced as well.  The paella lunch special pictured below only costs around $10,000 COP.  Wash it down with a glass of their house sangria.

The cozy Tapas 10

Insider's Tip:  If you want to try the seafood paella, go early as they do run out later on in the day.

Tapas 10
Address:  Calle 10 #36-22
Price Range:  $8,000 - $15,000 COP
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9.  Best Desserts - Me Late Chocolate

This is the Bubba Gump of chocolateries.  They have chocolate cakes, chocolate torts, chocolate fondues, hot chocolate, chocolate candies, chocolate cookies and pretty much every other chocolate dessert.  All dishes come with a side of...you guessed it...chocolate sauce!  I recommend the molten lava cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.  Yummy for my tummy!

Me Late
Address:  Carrera 34 #7-100, Provenza
Price Range $5,000 - $20,000 

8.  Best Greek - Mykonos

I have fond memories of my time spent in Greece, exploring the beautiful islands and eating the delicious Greek food.   Mykonos is another restaurant that is able to evoke the memories of those days not only because of it's typically Greek style decor of white-washed walls and blue trim, but also because of it's excellent gyro sandwishes and souvlaki skewers.

Photo credits: Mykonos website

The gyro sandwiches are made with grilled pork stuffed into warm pita bread and topped with tomatoes, onions, and fresh tzatziki sauce.  If you haven't had tzatziki before, you need to try it.  It is a cucumber-garlic based sauce that is very refreshing, akin to a very light yogurt, perfect for hot summer days. 

The souvlaki entrees consist of either chicken or pork tenderloins marinated in lemon juice and olive oil, then skewered and  grilled to perfection.  Both dishes come with fries and salad.  And of course, no meal is complete without a piece of baklava, a Greek dessert made with layers of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey.

Mykonos
Address:  Carrera 38 #8A - 32
Price Range:  $10,000 - $30,000 COP
​

7.  Best Deals - Sushi Light

Although I love sushi, the problem is that if you want to actually get full, you end up spending a fortune.  That's why on Tuesday nights in Medellin my friends and I can usually be found at Sushi Light for their 2 for 1 specials.  This is one way to make your sushi outing a little more affordable.  

Unfortunately because of it's popularity, it gets really busy and the quality of the service declines.  On Tuesday nights, avoid the locations at La Strada and Santa Fe Mall.  We found the service at El Tesoro Mall to be the best and the view of the city there is pretty spectacular as well. 

Enjoying sushi with the Paisas

Sushi night with the "Pit Bulls" crew

A nice view at the El Tesoro location

Insider's Tip:  Not only are the sushi rolls 2 for 1 on Tuesdays but the appetizers and regular entrées are as well.  

Sushi Lite
Address:  4 locations - Santa Fe Mall, La Strada, El Tesoro Mall & Piazza Bella
Price Range:  $20,000 - $30,000 COP
​

Runner-up for Best Deal - Pastas con Amor

When we're looking for a quick bite to eat that is inexpensive but still tasty, we go to Pastas con Amor.  All the pastas and sauces are made from scratch and plates start at only $6,000 COP.  

Pastas con Amor
Address:  Carrera 43B #8-28
Price Range:  $6,000 - $15,000 COP
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6.  Best Tex-Mex:  Ay Caramba

Ay Caramba makes the list based on two reasons:  the location and their fajitas.  The fajitas come with your choice of beef or chicken with the usual assortment of vegetables and is brought out to you on a sizzling platter.  It is served with 3 warm flour tortillas, sour cream, guacamole, lettuce, limes and salsa.  

Add a mango strawberry juice and you're in for a nice meal.  This location is the perfect place for a leisurely lunch on one of the many sunny Medellin days.  Located right next to Parque Lleras, be sure to grab a table near the sidewalk and post up for some good people watching while you enjoy your food.  Wait, was that Juanes that just walked by?

Photo credit: Ay Caramba website

Fresh juices and a good table

Insider's Tip:  You get 30% off entrees Monday - Friday from 12pm - 7pm.

Ay Caramba
Address:  Carrera 37A #8A-60
Price Range: $15,000 - $30,000 COP
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5.  WORST Middle Eastern - El Tabun (DO NOT GO)

Unfortunately I can no longer recommend this restaurant.  I returned this year and the quality of the food has gone down significantly.  We ordered 2 limonada de coco that came out bitter, the absolute worst I have had in Colombia.  The food was bland and uninspiring.  Not only that but the service this time was awful.  The wait staff were rude and didn't seem to care much about being courteous.  This place is not cheap so the whole experience was subpar.  Give this one a pass.

Instead try El Yakul.  They have spectacular shwarmas.  

4.  Best Steak - Palmitas Parrilla Bar

Photo credit: Palmitas' website

Palmitas is a huge venue on Las Palmas consisting of a discoteca, lounge and a restaurant.  They have excellent 2 for 1 drink specials but what stands out here is the steak.  The filet mignon I had was tender, juicy and cooked exactly how I ordered it.  

Drinks at Palmitas (Photo credit: Jasmine Stephenson - jasminewanders.com)

The full steak entree with salad, baked potato and 2 cocktails will run you around $40,000 COP including tax and tip.  

Palmitas Parrilla Bar
Address:  Carrera 38 #26-41 (km 1 via Las Palmas)
Price Range:  $25,000 COP - $50,000 COP
​

Runner-up for Best Steak - El Che

Photo credit: El Che facebook page

El Che is an Argentinian restaurant located near Parque Poblado right around the corner from the church.  Argentina is known for their great steaks and this place lives up that reputation.  El Che is walking distance from Parque Lleras so it's perfect for when you feel like a steak but don't want to go all the way up to Las Palmas.

Insider's Tip:  They have one of the best churrasco steaks in Medellin.

El Che
Address:  Calle 9 #42-54
Price Range:  $20,000 - $50,000 COP
​

3.  Best Thai - Royal Thai

If you are craving some good Thai food, there is only one place to go and that's Royal Thai.  They have the most authentic Thai in Medellin.  All the dishes are carefully supervised by the owner Janette Sngobsrijintana who is a native of Thailand.  

Photo credits: Royal Thai website

My favorite dishes are the green curry and the Tom Yam Gung soup.

Insider's Tip:  They offer a 30% discount during lunch if you pay with cash.

Royal Thai
Address:  Calle 8A #37A-05
Price Range:  $15,000 - $30,000 COP
​

2.  Best Asian Fusion - Satay

I walked by this restaurant everyday heading down to Parque Lleras and finally had to step inside and try it out.   It looks really small from the street but once inside, you'll find this beautiful garden setting which is like an oasis in the middle of the city.  

Photo credit: Satay website

The food can best be described as Asian fusion with a Colombian twist (meaning not too spicy).   Indonesian, Thai, Japanese and even some Indian influences can be detected in their dishes which are prepared with fresh, carefully selected ingredients.  The service is excellent and the dishes are expertly plated.

Insider's tips:  The tuna as well as the tamarind sirloin are superb.

Satay
Address:  Carrera 36 #10B - 39
Price Range:  $20,000 - $30,000 COP
​

1.  Best Swiss (Fondue & Crepes) - Restaurante Amelia

Photo credits: Amelia website

For the absolute best crepes in Medellin, you have to go to Restaurante Amelia.  The fondue there is also amazing and really fun to eat.  For dessert, I suggest the chocolate crepe or the chocolate fondue with fresh fruit and ice cream.  

Chocolate crepe with ice cream

Chocolate fondue with fresh fruit and ice cream

Insider's Tip:  This restaurant has a cozy, romantic atmosphere and is perfect for couples.

Restaurante Amelia
Address:  Calle 10B #36-23
Price Range:  $15,000 - $30,000 COP

I hope you enjoyed Part 2 of my Best of Medellin series.   If you missed it, check out The Best of Medellin, Colombia - Part 1.

UPDATE:  Also check out the Best of Medellin, Colombia - Part 3, for the best nightlife spots, best gym, best place to study Spanish and much more!

You may also be interested in:

How to get to and from the Medellin international airport for cheap.

How to get a refund on your 16% Colombian IVA tax.

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