Finding the best restaurants in Poblado can be challenging as this popular area in Medellin has an abundance of restaurants, both good and bad.
As it’s one of the top destinations for foreigners when staying in Medellin, we decided to do proper research to answer your question about where to find the best restaurants in Poblado.
Poblado is a huge area in Medellin, so we selected restaurants that are located near popular areas, meaning that you won’t have to travel much for a good dining experience.
Keep in mind that this is quite a long article with lots of text and many photos.
If you want a more simple experience, you can also visit our Medellin restaurant database.
Here, you have an overview of all the amazing restaurants listed in this article, as well as many others, with a short description, pictures, and actual prices of the dishes.
Just simply look for restaurants located in Poblado.
The best restaurants in Poblado are:
1. Mar y Fuego
One of the best restaurants in Poblado, in my personal opinion, is Mar y Fuego.
Tucked away in an alley, this trendy restaurant serves incredibly unique and tasty fusion dishes that you won’t find anywhere else.
These dishes are created by the chef, who is also the owner of the restaurant, and together with his wife, they run a great concept.
The restaurant offers a brunch menu as well as a regular menu.
What can you expect at Mar y Fuego?
Brunch is available daily until 3 pm.
Regular breakfast dishes are also served at Mar y Fuego, ranging from egg platters, pancakes, french toast, and healthy bowls.
For brunch and breakfast, expect to pay between 25.000 to 35.000 COP per dish, with a few exceptions that include premium ingredients like lobster and fresh tuna.
Here are four recommended brunch dishes:
A glimpse of their brunch dishes.
Tuna Toast (37,900 COP): Sourdough with Philadelphia cheese, fresh tuna, avocado, kimchi mayonnaise, and a reduction of sesame and lemon.
Prawns Burger (45,900 COP): Garlic prawns on a brioche bun with tartar sauce, coleslaw, roasted pineapple, mayonnaise, and bacon.
Special French Toast (29,900 COP): Super tasty and comforting French toast with honey, fruits, whipped cream, and lemon zest.
Torticas de Chocolo (23,900 COP): Their own version of a typical Arepa de Chocola, made with sweet corn and fried costeño Cheese.
Tuna Toast (37,900 COP)
Prawns Burger (45,900 COP)
Special French Toast (29,900 COP)
Torticas de Chocolo (23,900 COP)
For dinner, expect to pay between 50.000 to 75.000 COP per dish, with a few exceptions that include premium ingredients like New York Angus and lobster.
Here are the four recommended dinner dishes:
A glimpse of their regular dinner dishes.
Pork Tomahawk (59,000 COP): Juicy pork cut with bone covered in spices, served with roasted peanut sauce and an aligot of creole potato.
Lobster & Shrimp Hot Dog (45,900 COP): Lobster and shrimp sauteed with garlic sauce, sweet chili, and lemon between a brioche bread with momposino cheese and tartar oil.
Pesco del Pacífico (69,900 COP): Catch of the day with shrimp and sausage covered in a shrimp sauce and green pepper from Putumayo.
Ceviche Coral (39,900 COP): This starter is a seafood mix of shrimp and octopus combined in a creamy sauce and topped with flaked pork belly.
Pork Tomahawk (59,000 COP)
Lobster & Shrimp Hot Dog (45,900 COP)
Pesco del Pacífico (69,900 COP)
Ceviche Coral (39,900 COP)
To describe Mar y Fuego in one sentence: comfort and fusion food in the heart of Poblado with unique and heavenly-tasting dishes you won’t find elsewhere in the city, without a premium price tag.
2. Mamasita Medallo
One of our favourite restaurants in Medellin and therefore one of our favourite restaurants in Poblado is Mamasita Medallo.
This trendy restaurant serves typical Colombian food with a twist and the beautifully presented dishes won’t break the bank.
It’s the ideal place to enjoy proper Colombian food with friends and family and spend the evening sipping good cocktails.
Although there is a separate sharing section on the menu, most dishes are presented in a way that you can easily share them with each other, which challenges you to order different dishes.
Luckily there is plenty to choose from.
One of the highlights of the menu is the Picada de Morcilla (20,000 COP), which is grilled Morcilla (blood sausage) accompanied by roasted potatoes and super tasty guacamole.
The Morcilla is first cut into slices and then fried on both sides, giving it more texture and flavour.
This dish is also listed in our article about the best Colombian food in Medellin, which is an article that solely focuses on amazing Colombian dishes in the city.
Another recommended dish is their Tazon Paisa (29,000 COP), which is some sort of Bandeja Paisa but with its own twist.
This is yet another dish that you can easily share with each other.
For beef lovers, we suggest ordering the Tazon Baby Beef (29,000 COP), which is a plate with super-tender beef chunks, potatoes, arepa and salsa.
Tazon Baby Beef (29,000 COP)
Tazon Paisa (29,000 COP)
Picada de Morcilla (20,000 COP)
3. Mondongo’s
When it comes to typical food from Medellin, Mondongo’s is one of the best restaurants in Poblado.
This famous restaurant has attracted many celebrities, both Colombian and foreign and is basically a must-visit when you’re in Medellin.
As the name already suggests, Mondongo’s is specialized in Mondongo, a typical Paisa soup that’s packed with spices and herbs and made with beef tripe.
It’s good to know that you can order a junior-sized Mondongo (26,500 COP) in case you want to try their other specialities too as the regular bowl of Mondongo is huge.
The other specialities include the Bandeja Paisa, which is called Tipico Antioqueño (39,500 COP), another typical dish from the Antioquia region, and their Ajiaco, a Colombian chicken soup with potatoes.
The Ajiaco (29,500 COP) served at Mondongo’s is one of my favourite soups I’ve tried in Medellin and it’s also a good alternative for those who don’t like to eat beef tripe.
Keep in mind that Mondongo’s is extremely busy during lunchtime, although the restaurant is incredibly organized, meaning that you have a table within ten minutes and food is served almost right after you’ve ordered.
You can find more exciting restaurants in our article about the best Mondongo in Medellin if you’re really into this soup.
Mondongo (26,500 COP)
Ajiaco (29,500 COP)
Tipico Antioqueño (39,500 COP)
4. La Pampa – Parrilla Argentina
La Pampa is a successful company with several restaurants in the city.
Within the company, there are several different types of restaurants.
La Pampa – Parrilla Argentina is one of these types and serves authentic Argentinian food with one restaurant in Poblado.
In our article about the best restaurants in Medellin, we dive much deeper into the food, but obviously, we will tell you a bit more about the recommendations.
Impressive food at La Pampa Parrilla Argentina
When you visit an Argentinian restaurant, one of the no-brainers is to order loads of meat.
We highly recommend you order either the Bondiola (48,500 COP), which are two 24-hour slow roast pork steaks or the Churrasco (48,500 COP), which is a super tender beef steak served with chimichurri.
The ribs, which are called Las Mejores Costillas de la Pampa (48,000 COP), are seriously tasty as well.
All these recommended dishes are huge and served with plenty of crispy fries.
Do try to save some room for Argentinian dessert though and go for their Alfajor Argentino (9,400 COP).
The dessert is made with a typical Argentinian cookie.
There is a good reason why La Pampa – Parilla Argentina always has customers, even on a Monday afternoon, and that’s because they serve good quality, tasty food that won’t break your bank as a foreigner.
Bondiola (48,500 COP) left, Churrasco (48,500 COP) right
Chimichurri
Las Mejores Costillas de la Pampa (48,000 COP)
Promotion: by showing this page to one of the branches of La Pampa (either El Piqueteadero de La Pampa, La Pampa Parilla Argentina and Kabuki) you receive a 10% discount on your bill. Valid from Thursday to Sunday.
5. Piketeadoro
Meat lovers, pay attention, as this place is a true feast.
Piketeadoro is a place where you can eat Picada, a typical Colombian platter full of fried and smoked meats.
Picadas are usually eaten during a family gathering or when you have something to celebrate, but with a bit of search, you can find restaurants that serve a great Picada.
You can even find places where they serve one-person platters, but a real Picada is usually eaten with larger groups.
At Piketeadoro, the smallest platter is for two persons and one must visit this place on an empty stomach as the platter is huge.
The so-called Pikete Para 2 costs 64,900 COP and is full of roasted meats, sausages, potatoes, corn and many other ingredients.
It is good to know that there is even a vegetarian platter available.
A picada tastes even better with an ice-cold beer, which they luckily have plenty of.
Pikete Para 2 (64,900 COP)
Grilled meats, potatoes, sausages and arepas. Picada is the best!
6. Kabuki
Kabuki is the Japanese fusion branch of the La Pampa franchise located in Poblado located in the same building as La Pampa – Parrilla Argentina.
Sushi lovers will eat their hearts out but the menu is much broader than only sushi alone.
One of the highlights of the menu is the Parrillado de Mariscos (118,200 COP), which is a huge sizzling platter with seafood, potatoes and sesame-flavoured vegetables.
The seafood consists of salmon, octopus, calamari, prawns and crab cakes.
The octopus and calamari are covered in a typical sweet and creamy Japanese sauce.
With the variety of seafood, different textures and flavours, it’s a real feast in the form of a sharing platter and is perfect to order when you’re with a group.
But of course, the sushi rolls are highly popular as well and we recommend you their TempuraRoll (22,000 COP – 34,500 COP), which is a sushi roll filled with salmon, tobiko eggs, spinach, mushrooms and cream.
Or go for an all-time favourite like the Eby Tempura Roll (22,000 COP – 34,500 COP).
All sushi is served with soy sauce and wasabi with a good level of spice.
Our last recommendation is their Kanikama Tempura (24,500 COP) which are deep-fried crab bites that are rich in flavour and texture and really satisfying to eat.
Teppanyai is availalble at Kabuki as well.
The high-quality dishes and the good variety of dishes make Kabuki one of the popular restaurants in Poblado.
Japanese restaurant in Poblado: Kabuki!
Parrillado de Mariscos (118,200 COP)
Tempura Roll (22,000 COP – 34,500 COP)
7. Pizzaiolo
The pizza scene in Medellin is spot on with plenty of good pizzerias to choose from serving authentic pizzas that almost taste the exact same as in Napoli.
The competition is high, but there is one place that stands out from the rest and that is Pizzaiolo.
Once it opens its doors at four o’clock in the afternoon, orders are coming in and delivery guys are waiting in line, which is always a good sign.
The menu of Pizzaiolo is limited with twelve different Napolitana pizzas to choose from, but there is enough variation to satisfy any type of pizza-lover.
We like our pizzas simple, so we recommend you order their amazing Pizza Margharita (27,000 COP).
Their newest creation proves how creative Pizzaiolo also can be with their Pepperoni Jam (40,000 COP), which is a pizza topped with Parmesan cheese, bits of pepperoni, and Burrata (a ball of mozzarella cheese)
. On top of that, there is a sweet dressing, which goes perfectly with the Burrata.
Personally, I like my pizzas completely savoury, but the pizza was definitely tasty and I guarantee that plenty of their loyal customers enjoy the latest creation to the fullest.
Pizzaiolo is also listed in our article about the best pizza in Medellin if you’re curious about more recommended pizza joints.
Authentic Napolitana pizza with excellent crust.
Pepperoni Jam (40,000 COP)
Pizza Margharita (27,000 COP)
8. Hongbao
Hongbao is a tiny eatery right in the middle of Provenza that serves just a handful of different so-called Bao’s.
A bao is a Vietnamese steamed bun, although it’s also a common dish in the Cantonese cuisine.
The steamed buns as Hongbao are smaller bites and come with incredibly delicious fillings.
Meat lovers can choose between a regular “Hong”, a “Hoisin Prawn”, a “Korean BBQ Chicken”, a “Pork Belly” and a “Char Siu Roast filling.
All of them come with pickled carrot and cucumber but each of the versions comes with a different sauce and flavouring.
While all of them are incredibly tasty, when you order several buns, it almost feels like some of them are repetitive in taste.
Maybe it has to do because we tried them all and most customers won’t have that large of an appetite.
So, we would recommend you try either their Pork Belly, Korean BBQ Chicken or Char Siu Roast, and the Hoisin Prawn.
The taste of the prawn is so distinctive compared to the other flavours, that it’s worth trying that one individually and tasting one of the three sweeter buns as well.
None of the buns is spicy, but siracha sauce is served separately.
Expect to pay between 12,000 COP and 18,000 COP per bun, which seems really affordable, but we must say that these buns are a bit small.
In return, you will get one heck of a flavour explosion in your mouth!
9. Criminal Taqueria
Like the previously recommended Hongbao, Criminal Taqueria is located right in the middle of Provenza, where you can find many bars but also a good variety of restaurants.
However, both venues are perfect for a quick bite during the day but also during the night after or during a night out.
Criminal Taqueria is a popular Mexican place that serves super tasty burritos, tacos, nachos, and more.
I’ve been here several times after exploring Provenza’s exciting nightlife and one of the great things is, aside from their tasty comfort food, that when you order the spicy sauce, it is in fact deliciously spicy.
There is a good variety of tacos and the majority of the customers will order a few from their selection.
My personal favourites are the Arrachera (8,900 COP), the Cochinita Pibil (7,000 COP), and the Barria Taco (11,900 COP).
The portions aren’t that large but super tasty. It’s one of the most popular eateries during the night in Provenza.
10. Chef Burger
There are many good restaurants in Poblado, and many of them have a burger on their menu.
But there is one place that stands out from the rest, and that is Chef Burger.
Right in the middle of Provenza, you can find a branch of this successful burger company.
In Medellin alone, there are sixteen locations to be found serving simple, yet awesome burgers.
The menu of Chef Burger consists of twelve real burgers, two chicken sandwiches, and two veggie burgers.
The toppings at Chef Burger are not too complicated and the main focus is the perfectly grilled 150-gram juicy patties the burgers are built with.
You can order the doneness of the burger according to your taste, and a medium-rare is highly recommended.
Especially when you order the Blue Cheese burger (27,900 COP), the burger should be medium-rare as you combine it with blue cheese and caramelized onions and mushrooms.
For a more classic approach, we recommend you stick to the Cheese and Bacon (25,900 COP).
When we have to pick a favourite, it’s probably the La Sailor (29,900 COP), which includes bacon, caramelized onions, and Philadelphia cheese.
When ordering a side dish, we suggest rustic fries.
In our opinion, they are much tastier than regular fries.
For obvious reasons is Chef Burger listed in our article about the best burgers in Medellin.
Cheese and Bacon (25,900 COP)
La Sailor (29,900 COP)
Blue Cheese (27,900 COP)
11. Ajiacos y Mondongos
Ajiacos y Mondongos is yet another famous restaurant in Provenza that specializes in Colombian soups, including the Ajiaco and Mondongo (as the name of the restaurant already suggests).
Although not as widely known among tourists, this restaurant does have quite the fame as you will see on their Wall of Fame inside the restaurant.
Compared to the other famous restaurant called Mondongo’s, Ajiacos y Mondongos has a much more authentic and local feeling.
We highly recommend you try their Ajiaca, Mondongo, and Cazuela de Frijoles.
The good thing about this place is that all of these dishes come in smaller sizes, which is good for those who want to try out several specialties.
A smaller plate costs you 22,500 COP, while the regular plates cost 26,700 COP.
This restaurant is also listed in our article about the best Mondongo in Medellin.
Ajiaco (26,700 COP)
Top dishes at Ajiacos y Mondongos
For authentic food in Poblado, head over to Ajiacos y Mondongos
12. Olivia – Manila
Olivia is yet another popular restaurant in Provenza that serves pizza, but it’s not only the pizzas that make it such a successful business.
Spread over the city, you can find eight different branches of Olivia, all serving typical Italian meals.
It’s an excellent place for lunch and dinner with friends and family.
With a menu that consists of thirty-six pages, there is a tasty option for any type of eater.
Let’s start with the pizzas first.
Olivia offers different types of pizza bottoms, namely Napolitana, Romana, and Keto and there are plenty of toppings to choose from ranging between 25,000 COP and 40,000 COP.
For us, there was one that completely stood out from the rest: Burratta & Tomates Confitados (39,900 COP).
The menu is too large to try all the food, but you can find basically every type of Italian food here, from antipasto to pizzas, pasta, lasagnas, and risotto.
When it comes to lasagna, here are two different lasagnas to choose from, but it’s also possible to mix both lasagnas, which is seriously tasty: Lasagna Mix with Pesto Bread (25,900 COP).
Make sure to leave some room for their fantastic Galetta Macadamia (13,900 COP), especially if you have a sweet tooth.
Galetta Macadamia (13,900 COP)
Lasagna Mix with Pesto Bread (25,900 COP)
Burratta & Tomates Confitados (39,900 COP)
13. La Matriarca
It is no secret that there are many amazing restaurants in Poblado, including Colombian ones.
This restaurant offers a wide variety of typical Colombian dishes but mostly specializes in Chicharron (crispy pork belly).
What’s so good about their Chicharron is that the outside is nicely crispy while the inside is perfectly succulent.
Also, the portions are balanced and dishes that are served here are more subtle, as most Colombian dishes are robust and large.
If you want to taste their delicious pork belly, definitely try their Paella de Chicharron (48,000 COP), which is among their best-sellers.
Alternatively, I would suggest trying their Tocina al Cajón (46,900 COP).
On Friday and Saturday, the restaurant is open until late, and many of its visitors not only come for their delicious food but also for the nice atmosphere and live music.
When visiting with a (larger) group, one of the must-orders is their Picada Antioqueña (75,000 COP), which goes perfectly with an ice-cold beer or a shot of aguardiente.
On Sunday, the restaurant is open early as many of its visitors come here to enjoy a typical Colombian breakfast.
One of their bestsellers is the Calentado Matriarca (24,000 COP).
Although most of the dishes are typically from Antioquia, there are alternative and lighter dishes available as well, such as Posta De La Negra (44,000 COP), a variety of ceviches as well as a kids menu, vegetarian menu, and even food for your dog.
Tocina al Cajón (46,900 COP)
Calentado Matriarca (24,000 COP)
Picada Antioqueña (75,000 COP)
Paella de Chicharron (48,000 COP)
14. Ammazza
Ammazza is a popular up-scale Italian eatery with three different branches in the city, including one restaurant in Poblado.
Although the menu is limited compared to the other recommended Italian restaurant Olivia, what’s on the menu is exciting and tasty.
To simplify what makes Ammazza so great, besides the quality of the ingredients, the interior, and the service is that they serve some of the tastiest pizzas in the city as well as impressive risottos and pasta.
What’s so special about the pizza is that the bottom and the crust are super crispy and thin.
During our visit, we opted for the Pizza Jamón y Pimientos Asados (36,500 COP), which tastes absolutely tasty.
All the popular pizza toppings are available and guests can expect to pay between 30,000 and 40,000 COP per pizza.
We recommend you try one of the following dishes as well, namely the Risotto Solomito y Vino Tinto (43,500 COP), which is a red-wine-based risotto served with good-quality beef cooked to your preference and topped with mushrooms and a variety of nuts.
The risotto is quite heavy though.
The other dish we recommend is the Albóndigas Italianas (26,900 COP).
A dish that can’t go wrong is, which are three large Italian meatballs covered in a tomato and cheese sauce.
This starter comes with a lot of sauce, so don’t be shy to order some extra bread to dip with.
Pizza Jamón y Pimientos Asados (36,500 COP)
Albóndigas Italianas (26,900 COP)
Risotto Solomito y Vino Tinto (43,500 COP)
Do you want to know more about Colombian gastronomy?
Check out our article about what to eat in Colombia, which is an extensive article that covers the basics of Colombian cuisine as well as many dishes you should try in each culinary region of Colombia.
Ideal for those who are planning to travel around this beautiful country as well as update your basic knowledge about this diverse gastronomy.
Further relevant food articles about Medellin:
This article will be updated in the upcoming weeks and many more of the best restaurants in Poblado Medellin will be added soon.