My Food & Place Notes from Medellin

Colombia, Destinations / / Leave a Comment

When people hear Medellin, Colombia, most still think of the same things: Pablo Escobar, cartels, and crime stories.
But the city is so much more than that.

Yes, its past was tough.

But today’s Medellín is energetic, colorful, young, and incredibly alive.
In this post, I’m not going to talk about crime stories, I’m going to talk about food.

Aguapanela con Queso

My first surprise happened here.

Hot sugarcane water… with cheese inside.

Sweet?
Savory?
Undecided.

A man with a joyful expression and wide eyes holding a plastic fork with melted, stringy cheese over a plastic cup filled with Aguapanela. He is wearing a grey cap and a light blue shirt.
Aguapanela con queso

Interesting?
Absolutely yes.

I tried it at a small street stand.
First sip: “What is this?”
Second sip: I was getting used to it.
Third sip: it was already gone.

Definitely try it.

Carne Molida

It may sound simple — just ground beef.
But once you add onions, spices, and a few small touches, it becomes something else.

A colorful plate of Carne Molida (ground meat) served with white rice and fried plantains on a glass table. The table is set with other Colombian sides like avocado, salsa, and fruit.
Carne molida

It’s usually served with rice.
Nothing fancy, but full of flavor.
I had it several times in Medellín, and each time it felt like homemade comfort food.

Bandeja Paisa

A true “chef’s mixed platter”!

It has everything: beef, avocado, rice, fried egg, plantain, red beans, arepa, chorizo, chicharrón…

Portion size?
Huge.

A hearty bowl of Bandeja Paisa, a traditional Colombian dish, featuring grilled pork, red beans, white rice topped with a fried egg, a small arepa, avocado, chicharrón, chorizo, and plantain.
Bandeja paisa

Did I finish it?
Barely, but yes.

If you’re visiting Colombia, this is a must-try.

Street Food in Medellin (Hot Dogs & Burgers)

When evening comes, the street corners come alive.

Hot dogs, burgers, and grilled meats line up on sizzling grills.
Many of them are better than what you’d find in proper restaurants.

A man in a blue puffer jacket and grey cap smiling at a street food stall in Medellin while squeezing a large amount of yellow sauce onto a loaded hot dog. A menu and various sauce bottles are visible in the background.
Hot dog
A close-up of a loaded Colombian-style street burger held in a hand. The burger is wrapped in foil and overflowing with melted cheese, sauces, and a thick layer of crispy shoestring potatoes (papitas fritas).
Street burger
A street food vendor in Medellin grilling thin steaks and white arepas over hot charcoal on a large outdoor metal grate. The vendor is using tongs to flip an arepa.
Fresh steaks
A man in a blue puffer jacket and grey cap smiling at a street food stall in Medellin while squeezing a large amount of yellow sauce onto a loaded hot dog. A menu and various sauce bottles are visible in the background.
Hot dog
A close-up of a loaded Colombian-style street burger held in a hand. The burger is wrapped in foil and overflowing with melted cheese, sauces, and a thick layer of crispy shoestring potatoes (papitas fritas).
Street burger
A street food vendor in Medellin grilling thin steaks and white arepas over hot charcoal on a large outdoor metal grate. The vendor is using tongs to flip an arepa.
Fresh steaks
A man in a blue puffer jacket and grey cap smiling at a street food stall in Medellin while squeezing a large amount of yellow sauce onto a loaded hot dog. A menu and various sauce bottles are visible in the background.
A close-up of a loaded Colombian-style street burger held in a hand. The burger is wrapped in foil and overflowing with melted cheese, sauces, and a thick layer of crispy shoestring potatoes (papitas fritas).
A street food vendor in Medellin grilling thin steaks and white arepas over hot charcoal on a large outdoor metal grate. The vendor is using tongs to flip an arepa.
1/1

The price–performance ratio is excellent.
And the best part?
You’re eating right in the middle of real city life.

Chef Burger (Laureles – Medellin)

If you’re craving a burger, Chef Burger is a solid option.
The Laureles branch is quite popular.

A gourmet bacon cheeseburger served open-faced on newspaper-print parchment paper, accompanied by a cone of french fries and a bottle of Club Colombia Dorada beer on a wooden table.
Chef Burger

The patty is juicy and flavorful.
Portions are satisfying.
Sauce combinations are well balanced.

If you want something classic but high quality, this is a good pick.
Click for their website!

Cafe Revolución

Cafe Revolucion is a calm and relaxed spot.
Perfect for a coffee break.

A top-down view of a white cup of black coffee and a square plate with a slice of chocolate cake on a table featuring the "Café Revolución" logo.
Café Revolución

It’s located on Carrera 73, close to the university area.

Cafe Zeppelin

Cafe Zeppelin has a cozy and friendly decoration.
It feels fresh and green, almost like sitting inside a small urban garden.

A view through a doorway into the interior of Café Zeppelin in Medellin. The room has white textured walls, wooden tables with dark chairs, a black leather armchair, and posters on the wall, including one of a jazz musician.
Cafe Zeppelin

The menu offers a variety of options.
Prices are reasonable.
Ideal for both daytime and evening visits.

A man wearing a grey cap and glasses sitting at a cafe table on Mount Monserrate, Bogota, with a cup of coffee and a dessert. The vast city of Bogota is visible in the background under a cloudy sky.

The Best Places to Eat in Bogota & Local Delicacies

When I asked Colombians about Bogota, the answers were never quite heartening; everyone complained about the chaos, the traffic, and the crowds. True, Bogota has the vulnerabilities of any major capital, but one shouldn’t be so relentless. Behind the city’s gray clouds lie hidden gems that will nourish both your soul and your appetite. Here are my personal notes on the culinary spots that defy Bogota’s ‘tough’ reputation…

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