Five Authentic Colombian Food Experiences in Medellin

Known for its incredible culture, nightlife, viewpoints, and nature, Medellin is also renowned for the great quality of its food. While the city offers a wide selection of local and international food, from street food to high-end fine dining restaurants, today we want to present some of the city’s best options when it comes to Colombian food. Generous, flavorful, and diverse, Colombian food is indeed worth exploring, and Medellin is the perfect place for this culinary adventure.

El Machetico, the best empanadas in Medellin

Empanadas are arguably the most popular and flavorful street food in Colombia, available in every restaurant and street corner food stand. With an abundance of choices, there is truly something for everyone. Yet, in Medellin, there is an institution specializing in crafting these snacks, El Machetico. Founded in the city of Eternal Spring in 1985, the success of this establishment has allowed it to open franchises in other Colombian cities, including Cali and Bogota. Adhering to the traditional recipe, El Machetico offers not only empanadas but also Colombian deditos (cheese sticks), arepas, and stuffed potatoes. ColombiaOne highly recommends the meat and potato empanada, a delight!

Mondongo’s, family-style Colombian food

Mondongo’s is the quintessential Colombian family restaurant. Founded in 1976 by a family from Bolivar, a small village southwest of Medellín, the restaurant initially aimed to recreate the tradition of family gatherings around a Mondongo, a typical Colombian dish consisting of a meat soup accompanied by rice, a banana, an arepa, and avocado. The restaurant has two locations, the original in the Laureles neighborhood and a more recent one in El Poblado. Besides its foundational dish, Mondongo’s offers typical Colombian family meals such as ‘cazuela de lentejas’ (pan lentils) or the ajiaco. It is a place to visit for those who want to immerse themselves in Colombian culinary culture.

Panchocha, a delight for the palate… and the eyes!

Panchocha offers a unique experience that tourists will find unforgettable. Serving as a bakery, restaurant, and bar all in one, Panchocha specializes in creating ‘panchocha,’ a local invention. This dish consists of bread stuffed with mozzarella, costeño cheese, and cuajada (a milk curd), then baked to perfection. The result is an incredible, melting bread that’s sure to impress. The restaurant’s location will make your experience even more amazing. Panchocha’s original shop is situated in the northern part of Medellín on ‘via San Felix,’ and boasts an incredible viewpoint with stunning views over the city and even offers paragliding activities. To put it simply, it’s a must-visit!

El Social, honoring Medellin’s lifestyle

Founded in 1969, El Social is a historic spot located in Provenza, in the El Poblado neighborhood. It’s neither a bar nor a restaurant but a place like no other, found only in Medellin. Originally, El Social was a shop that brought the neighborhood’s residents together every Friday night to chat and mark the end of the week. Today, transformed, the venue has still retained its original essence and remains a gathering place for friends, family, or colleagues to eat and drink. El Social offers delicious ‘picada’, dishes that feature popular Colombian snacks like empanadas, arepas, and grilled meat.

Hatoviejo, a traditional Colombian food experience

Hatoviejo is a restaurant you must try if you want to have a complete paisa and Colombian food experience in Medellin. Founded in 1982 on the ‘Via de Las Palmas’, this restaurant was specifically designed as a showcase of Colombian culture and gastronomy. Hatoviejo welcomes you into a setting that is typical and traditional of Medellin culture and offers the most iconic dishes of Medellin’s gastronomy, such as empanadas, bandeja paisa, chicharron (fried pork belly) and flan de leche (caramel pudding).