Last checked: 25 October 2026 by Lia. Sources: Local food knowledge. Hero photo: Matt Lemmon from Colorado, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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Order the bandeja paisa once, properly hungry. It is beans, rice, ground beef, chicharrón, egg, plantain, avocado and an arepa, and it is not a light lunch. Then live on arepas, buñuelos, fruit juice and the local coffee. Provenza in El Poblado and La 70 in Laureles are the two neighbourhoods I would point you at for a meal.
What to eat
Paisa food is hearty. Come hungry or share.
- Bandeja paisa: the regional platter. One between two is not a defeat.
- Arepas: corn cakes, often plain with cheese or butter.
- Buñuelos: cheese fritters. Dangerous near a morning coffee.
- Mazamorra: a corn drink often served with panela.
- Fruit: lulo, maracuyá, guanábana and the rest, usually as juice.
- Coffee: the region’s own. Drink it. This is not the place to be precious and then order a soda.
Where to eat
- El Poblado: Provenza and Manila for cafés and restaurants.
- Laureles: La 70 and La 33 for a casual meal.
- Centro markets for a cheap lunch, in the daytime.
Tips
Lunch is the main meal. Look for the menú del día if you want to eat like a person who lives here, not a person collecting dishes.
Frequently asked questions
What is Medellín’s signature dish?
The bandeja paisa.
Where should I eat in El Poblado?
Provenza and Manila are the easy answers for restaurants and cafés.
