ECONOMICAL RESTAURANTS MEDELLÍN COLOMBIA
The probability is high that when you are visiting Medellín you will be staying in or very close to El Poblado. This upscale neighborhood is not only very well located but is one of the safest areas of the city. Home to many chic cafés, boutiques and high-end restaurants, this is where it all happens. To help you navigate the voluminous number of restaurants and cafés, we have gathered together a list of some of our favorites.
Since Poblado is the most expensive neighborhood of Medellín, most of the restaurants are towards the higher end of affordable. If you are more budget-conscious, you should either seek out the smaller, less flashy local restaurants that offer a menu del día or venture into neighborhoods slightly further out, where prices are more competitive.
Should you decide to explore outside of El Poblado, we highly recommend investigating Laureles. It is slightly more residential, but even so, there is a good selection of restaurants and bars that are considerably more economical.
For this reason, we will highlight in addition some establishments in Laureles that are well worth the effort to explore.
The commonplace Menu del día and Ejecutivo lunches also deserve a mention. These types of restaurants are the most popular among locals and are known for serving good food with the best value. A complete lunch usually consists of a soup of the day, a main dish of your choice of beef, pork or chicken and a home-made drink.
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These restaurants are perfect for those wanting to have a good meal without breaking the bank. There are a few of these few places in El Poblado keeping the prices down-to-earth and affordable for Colombians and visitors alike.
Empanadas El Machetico
A popular spot in Poblado known for serving up some of the best empanadas in the city. This local outfit has satisfied hungry customers for over thirty years with its savory street food like empanadas, arepas de huevo, papas rellenas and panzerotti. The menu mainly comprised fried delights, showcasing their expertise in this cooking style.
The empanadas are particularly praised for their flavourful filling and crispy crust. For those wanting a typical Colombian street food experience, this is the place to go.
Mondongos
Ensure you develop a serious appetite before visiting Mondongos in Poblado. They are known for serving generous portions of genuine Colombian cuisine, drawing in a lively local crowd. Those who enjoy meat should try their special sopa de mondongo, a hearty soup made from tripe and served with avocado, fried plantain, lemon and arepas (corn cake). There are also all kinds of other traditional Colombian plates for your enjoyment, all at a very agreeable price.
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Alambique – a hidden gem
This is a unique rooftop bar and restaurant with a relaxed vibe and amazing food. It is located above an art gallery in the heart of the city, a bit tricky to find as there is no visible sign for Alambique, but well worth the effort.
From the street you will see some smaller double doors, painted light blue. Behind is a staircase leading up to the art gallery and from there some more stairs leading up to Alambique itself.
The wooden interior, varying selection of chairs and interesting ornaments make this more of a comfortable living room rather than a trendy rooftop bar. It is a fabulous oasis in an otherwise hectic and vibrant city that is Medellín.
Alambique serves Colombian food with a colorful and creative twist, like the black tacos filled with breaded shrimp, cilantro sauce, avocado and pink kimchi. The flavor combinations in these tacos are truly a delight to your taste buds.
As a starter do try the Canasticas de Buñuelo, a classic Colombian buñuelo filled with shrimp cocktail and served with a coconut lemonade with a good shot of Antioquian rum. Main dishes include torta de chócolo y tres cerdos, cheese-filled meatballs in puff pastry with pesto sauce, ceviche and for vegans, a tasty falafel.
A pitcher of sangria is totally delicious, great value and plenty of it! Dishes at Alambique are to be shared, so you should gather together a group of friends and try to sample as many of the plates as possible. From the quirky interior, and the warm atmosphere to the creativity and the price of the dishes that Alambique serves, everything is just perfect.
The vibe and service here are great and the food is stunning. If you are looking for a casual and relaxed dinner with great food and good vibes, then we would recommend visiting Alambique.
Halong Vietnamita
Although Vietnam is on the other side of the globe, Vietnamese food has found its way to Colombia and when it tastes like what it does at Halong Vietnamita, it is entitled to be front and center.
Halong Vietnamita is located in the chic and bustling El Poblado, close to the center of all activity and in deference to the Poblado aesthetic, is upscale. You will find the décor and the fare at Halong to be quite extraordinary. Vietnamese cuisine is unique compared to any in Southeast Asia, including a mix of Malay and Indian cuisine with French influences, but retaining its own blend of harmonious flavors, colors and textures.
This is where the Indigenous mixes with Indian curries and chilies, French baguettes and pâtés, traditional Chinese recipes and other flavors typical of tropical areas that come together to create a unique identity
Halong has traditional Vietnamese classics as well as other Asian dishes, including Ramen and Bibimboo on the menu. The food is classy, delicious, well prepared and presented. The menu is varied with really good pho, summer rolls and banh mi, an incredibly delicious green mango salad with meat or tofu and even Chinese bao.
The ambiance of Halong immerses you right into Vietnam, black and gold feature prominently and the feeling is so far away from the hectic Poblado. With very competitive prices Halong Vietnamita should be on your list of places to visit for an entertaining time.
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Café Cliché
Located in Laureles, Café Cliché is a well-known French café that provides a diverse and interesting menu and is French-managed and owned. Café Cliché is an excellent opportunity to explore the Laureles neighborhood while enjoying more affordable dining options compared to Poblado.
The Café is a refreshing change from the typically heavy Colombian cuisine with its appetizing French-inspired dishes.
Crepes & Waffles
This popular chain of restaurants is found all over Medellín and offers a wide variety of fresh and delicious food, that is perfect for anyone looking for something lighter than a normal full-on meal. Crepes & Waffles not only has excellent cuisine but also seriously good ice cream and sorbets. It is recommended to dine slightly outside normal meal times as they become very busy with waiting time. Crepes is of tremendous value for delicious and fresh flavors.
Café Zorba
This is a straightforward no-nonsense outdoor eatery in the El Poblado district. A fashionable Café with pizza, craft beer and cocktails served on its patio. Always busy with a hum of activity. With exposed brick walls, tufted leather couches and ambient lighting, Café Zorba attracts a young and bohemian crowd. Given the clientele it attracts it is especially good value for money.
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Mekong
A well-recommended restaurant in El Poblado for lovers of Asian cuisine, it is in a beautiful setting with an appealing ambiance. Delicious food is complimented by an amazing drinks selection. They offer a very diverse menu inspired impressively by South-East Asian flavors, highlighting curries, Pad-Thai, Buddha Bowls and spring rolls.
The portions are generous and the interior exudes an authentic Thai atmosphere with traditional lamps and furniture. Service is excellent as one would expect, enhancing the sentiment of receiving great value.
Restaurante La Matriarca
A wonderfully relaxed establishment with an outdoor seating area oozing a bohemian atmosphere. Serving very good traditional regional cuisine, you will find in Poblado.
A very popular restaurant, the signature dish being the Colombian favourite Chicharrón. Crispy pork belly that has a delightful combination of perfectly tender meat and a satisfyingly crunchy exterior. Very Moorish.
Refreshing cocktails and a decent wine list make this stand out for an enjoyable time day or night, well within budget.
Amor-Acuyá Gelato
Amor-Acuyá Gelato is a must-stop for ice cream lovers in Medellín. There is an impressive selection of homemade gelatos, as well as tempting sorbets and ice creams. Their signature flavor has the same name as the shop – a passion fruit ice cream with chocolate bits, while another favorite is the lime-watermelon ice cream.
You can either sit inside or wander onto the patio, to cool off in the shade. Prices are extraordinarily reasonable.
El Pilon Guarceño
This small restaurant has an excellent menu del día. You have your choice of main, sides and most unusually you compose your own salad. The only constant is rice, as this is a typical Colombian restaurant after all, so there is always rice.
The food certainly is not gourmet, but it definitely is sustaining and good and it will not blow your budget. The soup and quality of the main course is above-average by Colombian standards and the serve-yourself salad bar is infinitely better than the typical lettuce leaf and tomato slice salad. El Pilon Guarceño is in Poblado and is a great Menu del Día option.
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Dharma Vegan Resto
Surprisingly, many of the best-value restaurants in Poblado are vegan or vegetarian. Dharma is another Poblado gem that sees a steady crowd of patrons come for lunch. The menu del día is very well priced for a drink, soup and a main course, There is also a whole grain bakery for delicious take-home delicacies.
The restaurant itself is small but has a very friendly vibe, fast competent service. Interesting animal artwork adorns the walls, while there is a patio area to eat in the sunshine with friends.
La Sazón de María
Located on the first floor of a modest apartment building in Poblado, this small restaurant has a very “grandma is cooking” feel to it. Señora Maria has been running the restaurant for more than 12 years now and has become something of an institution for her menu del día.
The full-course meal generally comes with bean or yuca soup, a very well-seasoned chicken breast, and a nice cut of beef or pork rinds. This can be accompanied by, a generous helping of fries, carrot salad, rice and something sweet to end up with. A refillable juice is included too with flavors including strawberry, guarapo (sugar cane juice) and maracuya.
The location is hard to find, however, so walking down Calle 10, after Parque Poblado, turn left at the corner tech shop and the restaurant is next to Sastreria Horacio.
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