Medellín surprised us with a food scene that feels creative, energetic and constantly evolving. Colombian ingredients appear alongside influences from Asia and the Mediterranean, while the city’s coffee culture brings you incredibly close to where some of the country’s best beans are grown. From plant-based cooking and contemporary Colombian restaurants to specialty coffee and colourful breakfasts, these are the places that stood out most during our time in Medellín.
Best Restaurants in Medellín
Ginger Cocina
Ginger Cocina is completely plant-based, something that still feels surprisingly rare in Colombia. The kitchen combines Asian influences with Colombian ingredients across dishes such as bao buns, ramen, tacos and colourful salads. We loved how vegetables remained at the centre without the food ever feeling restrictive or overly health-focused. You definitely do not have to be vegan to enjoy this one.
Idílico
Idílico takes modern Colombian cooking in a refined but approachable direction from its home in Manila. Local ingredients are transformed into creative dishes that play with familiar flavours, while both an à la carte menu and tasting experience are available. We especially loved the fresh pasta, white fish tempura and their signature corn tentacles with smoked pepper sauce. A great choice when you want to discover a more contemporary side of Colombian cuisine.
Alambique
Walking into Alambique feels like discovering a tropical hideaway above the busy streets of El Poblado. Plants, vintage details and an eclectic interior create almost as much character as the food itself. The portions are generous, cocktails are taken seriously and the menu gives Colombian flavours plenty of room to play. We came for lunch and quickly understood why this place remains so popular.
Sambombi
Sambombi is a small bistro in Provenza built around local, seasonal ingredients. The restaurant works closely with Colombian producers and lets availability shape a menu that changes regularly, giving familiar ingredients a much more creative treatment. We started with a great glass of wine and simply kept adding dishes to the table — even something as simple as kale became memorable here. Intimate, thoughtful and perfect for a slower dinner.
Dim Sum Records
Dim Sum Records combines Asian comfort food with music in one of El Poblado’s livelier streets. Dumplings, bao buns, noodles and small bites are made for a casual lunch or dinner, with a terrace and strong musical identity adding to the atmosphere. We especially loved the shrimp bao and edamame. A fun option when you want something quick and relaxed between Medellín’s more elaborate dinners.
Breakfast, Coffee & More in Medellín
Campesino Café
Campesino Café gives you a much closer look at the people behind Colombian specialty coffee. They work directly with more than 150 small producers, particularly in Antioquia, with transparency and traceability at the heart of the concept. Beyond simply drinking a good coffee, we loved knowing how closely the café is connected to the farmers growing it. Add a leafy, relaxed setting and a few sweet treats and it is well worth seeking out.
Lavato
Lavato might be one of Medellín’s most unusual brunch spots: it is a self-service laundromat, specialty coffee bar, brunch café and coworking space all in one. The idea sounds slightly random until you are there, when it suddenly makes complete sense. The Laureles location has both indoor and outdoor spaces and turns something as mundane as doing laundry into a surprisingly pleasant way to spend a morning.
Betty’s Bowls
Betty’s Bowls is the place for a colourful start to the day. Smoothie bowls come loaded with fresh fruit and toppings, while toasts, bagels, salads and smoothies give you plenty of alternatives if a bowl is not your thing. We liked that the food feels genuinely fresh and nourishing while still being generous and fun. A very easy breakfast or lunch stop.
Hija Mía
Hija Mía is a small-batch roastery and café in Manila where coffee clearly comes first. Colombian beans are roasted in-house, with espresso drinks and pour-overs giving you different ways to explore them. There is also a proper breakfast and brunch menu, so it works just as well for a slow morning as for a quick caffeine stop. One for anyone who wants to go a little deeper into Medellín’s coffee scene.
Travelling further through Colombia? Discover more of our favourite restaurants, coffee spots and bars in Cartagena and Bogotá.
