Dishes at Sambombi Bistro Local. | Pamela Angel
Pork jowl arepas and killer flan at an influential modern bistro, crab-stuffed pasta at a decades-old favorite, empanadas with shots of aguardiente at an old hacienda, and more of Medellín’s best meals
There was a time when Paisas, people from northwest Colombia, had a reputation for conservative palates; outsiders assumed they ate only beans, rice, and meat. But locals in Medellín, the area’s largest city, nestled within the Andes, have worked hard to counter that assumption, creating a robust food scene to go along with the picturesque landscape that visitors explore during the day and the reggaetón scene that draws partiers out to the streets each night.
Today, the city offers a diverse range of dining experiences: local haunts serving iconic snacks like arepas, buñuelos, or empanadas; fine dining restaurants like X.O. showcasing the country’s biodiversity; cafes like Pergamino featuring the region’s acclaimed coffee, and so much more. Although many restaurants concentrate in the El Poblado area, there’s plenty to eat in the Manila and Laureles neighborhoods, as well as the surrounding Oriente Antioqueño region.
Liliana López Sorzano is a food and travel writer based between Mexico City and Bogotá, Colombia, where she contributes to local and international media. She is the former editor-in-chief of Food & Wine en Español.
