Where To Eat In Colombia – Medellín and Antioquia

These restaurants have been actually visited by Finance Colombia editors, and are recommended to the business traveler.The list is updated on a continual basis, and  contains a mix of the rustic to the fancy, so bookmark it and check back often.  To nominate a restaurant or to have your restaurant included, contact us via the form at the bottom of the page. A positive rating or review does not equal an endorsement.

Feel free to add your comments, opinions, suggestions at the end of the article!

International Travelers’ notes:

In Colombia it is common for restaurants to include a 10% tip in the check. Look and see: It is voluntary, and if you are dissatisfied, by law they must remove it. If you wish to leave extra, you may, but it is not expected. A few restaurants don’t include the tip automatically, so check and see to be sure.

Above photo: El Cielo’s version of corn soup with shrimp

In Colombia, like many other Latin American Countries, the waiter will not bring you the check until you ask for it, even if you sit there a long time. They are not being lazy; the locals would consider it rude if they brought you the check before you asked for it—It would be as if they were asking you to leave, or rushing you out the door.

Very inexpensive restaurants will charge you a small fee to use the bathroom, if you are not otherwise patronizing the establishment. This is normal, don’t be offended.

Price Guide:

• $-Under $10 USD per entrée/main course per person
• $$- $10-$20
• $$$-$20-$40
• $$$$-$40+    
• Not including appetizers or alcohol

Medellín

Pizzería Olivia – 4 locations (as of 4/2015), Laureles was visited, Circular 74B No.39-46

Upscale casual gourmet pizza restaurant with other entrees such as lasagna and pastas. The Laureles location is a very attractive setting with al fresco dining. https://instagram.com/p/x-gk0xq_xn/

Pizzeria Olivia has 4 locations in Medellín

• Price    $$
• Cuisine:  Pizzeria
•  Reservations Recommended
• ♦ WiFi
• ♦Romantic Meals
• X Business Meals
• X More Formal Dining
• ♦Celebrations
• ♦Jeans & T-Shirt
• X Social Gathering Spot
• X Breakfast
• X Franchise/Corp. Owned
• ♦Family friendly

El Cielo – Carrera 40 No.10A-22 – Zona Rosa

Voted one of the 50 best restaurants in Latin America, El Cielo is truly a gastronomic experience, whether the larger Bogotá location, or the intimate (8 tables) Medellín location. The meal is a dazzling culinary adventure, both creative and delicious. The service matches the quality of the food, the servers are knowledgeable, but still friendly, and not at all snobby. The restaurant is known for its foundation, which employs victims of violence, and runs community nutrition and non-violence projects. Chef & Restauranteur Juan Manuel Barrientos has recently opened the third El Cielo in Miami’s Brickell. https://instagram.com/p/qFY6ZEK_wf/

• Price    $$$$
  

  El Cielo’s intimate Medellin location – reservations are suggested!

• Cuisine:  Molecular gastronomy
• ♦ Reservations Recommended Medellin (4) 268-3002 Bogotá (1) 703-5585
• ? WiFi
• ♦ Romantic Meals
• ♦ Business Meals
• ♦ More Formal Dining
• X Celebrations
• X Jeans & T-Shirt OK
• X Social Gathering Spot
• X Breakfast
• X Franchise/Corp. Owned

Marmoleo – Carrera 11 No.9a Sur-180, Loma del Tesoro – Poblado

Marmoleo can be tricky to find the first time you go, but it’s worth it. A specialty of the restaurant is Certified Angus beef imported from the United States, but even their domestic beef is top quality. This is a steakhouse. One Finance Colombia editor’s opinion: Best steak ever in Colombia.  The view of the city is spectacular, and the restaurant seats  240 people with ample, on site parking. Marmoleo  pulls off a hat trick of being casual, romantic, and suitable for business meals and gatherings all in the same venue. In addition to several dining areas, there are patios for al fresco dining.

• Price    $$$
  

  Cheese smothered steaks at Marmoleo

• Cuisine:  Steakhouse
• ♦Reservations Recommended Medellin (4) 268-3002 Bogotá (1) 703-5585
• ? WiFi
• ♦Romantic Meals
• ♦Business Meals
• X More Formal Dining
• ♦Celebrations
• ♦ Jeans & T-Shirt OK
• X Social Gathering Spot
• X Breakfast
• X Franchise/Corp. Owned
• ♦Family friendly

Mondongo’s – Carrera 70 No. Circular 3-43 – La 70  also in Poblado at Calle 10 #38-38

This family style Colombian restaurant (with a third location in Miami) offers a broad menú of Colombian favorites in a clean, family friendly setting, with attentive professional waiters, and balcony seating options overlooking “La Setenta,” one of Medellin’s entertainment districts near the Laureles and Estadio neighborhoods. Portions are hearty and the restaurant uses quality ingredients. The main dining room is on the second floor. At street level there is a carry-out counter serving walk-up customers.

• Price    $$
• Cuisine:  Colombian
• X Reservations Recommended
• ? WiFi
• X Romantic Meals
• X Business Meals
• X More Formal Dining
• ♦Celebrations
• ♦Jeans & T-Shirt OK
• X Social Gathering Spot
• X Breakfast
• X Franchise/Corp. Owned
• ♦Family friendly