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Short on time? Carmen Restaurante is the top fine-dining spot in Medellin.
Ultra-proud of their pork-heavy platters, paisas have traditionally ranked the experience of eating out on quantity over quality.
As a result, until recently, it’s been hard for visitors to find a restaurant worthy of a four or five-star review. That’s not to mention finding one that they’d label fine-dining!
Thankfully, a handful of pioneering chefs have transformed the city’s culinary scene in the last 15 years. These chefs combined with a more international outlook have completely changed the attitude toward eating out.
The result? Today, fine dining abounds in the city. Let’s take a look at some of the top fine dining restaurants in Medellín.
Effortlessly laid-back, Oci.Mde serves up comfort food that’s slow-cooked to perfection in an award-winning architectural setting at the upper end of Provenza.
Founded in 2013, this popular pillar of Medellin’s slow-food revolution is the baby of executive chef Laura Londoño and husband and architect Santiago Arango, one of Medellin’s power couples.
While Londoño is at the forefront of the city’s farm-to-table culinary transformation, Arango is responsible for much of the lush vegetation adorning the city’s most striking new buildings.
The duo is working tirelessly to take the city in a healthier direction. Don’t let that put you off their food, however. Every dish on the menu is perfectly crafted so that you’d never know you’re consuming your daily dose of fruits and veggies!
One of our favorite items on the menu includes every paisa’s favorite food – pork. Here are our other recommendations for what to order while you’re at the restaurant:
Unlike some of the other fine dining restaurants in Medellín, Oce.Mide has slightly more extensive opening hours. They’re closed on Sundays, but aside from that, you can visit whenever works for you.
Address: Carrera 33 No.7-21, El Poblado, Medellín, Colombia
IG: @oci.mde
Website: https://www.ocimde.com/
Abbiocco is an Italian restaurant with some of the best fine dining in the Poblado area!
Created by Carmen Angel & Rob Pevetts with a culinary concept inspired by Italian cuisine and interpreted with the finest Colombian products and local ingredients.
This culinary colosseum is found on the ground floor and in the deluxe lobby of the Marquee hotel. It’s the latest accomplished venture by the same team that re-invented Medellin’s restaurant scene.
While each part of the menu outperforms the last, we highly recommend to ask for the fish/seafood on season, Abbiocco has a responsibly caught policy.
Address: Cra. 38 #9a-13, El Poblado, Medellín, Colombia
IG: @abbioccomedellin
Reservations: Direct whatsapp reservation
A mainstay of Medellin’s fine-dining restaurant scene for nearly three decades, La Provincia, is where the heavyweight checkbooks of Medellin’s old money go for a power lunch. It’s also a hot spot for celebrating special occasions with loved ones thanks to its cozy atmosphere.
At this venue, each mouthful is the foodie equivalent of a time machine, a tantalizing window into the collective celebrations of a city. The menu mixes Mediterranean seafood staples with subtle oriental touches in a simple, yet stylish, setting.
With a selection of impeccable pasta dishes that you’d be happy to savor staring out over the Amalfi coast and Cordon Bleu meat specialties that will whisk you off to Paris, it’s easy to see why this special family affair has endured in a city that hasn’t always been recognized for what’s on the menu.
You only have to crack the crust of the city’s best creme brulee to understand how Maria Adelaida Moreno has kept her ultra-faithful clientele coming back time and time again.
There are so many good dishes on the menu at La Provincia that you’ll want to make sure you come hungry. Our top picks are:
Like some of the other restaurants on this list, La Provincia offers extended opening hours. You’ll find the restaurant open most days of the week and allowing for both lunch and dinner service.
Address: Carrera 42 No. 3 Sur 81 Milla de Oro Distrito de Negocios Local 303, El Poblado, Medellín, Colombia
IG: @laprovinciarestaurante
Website: https://laprovinciarestaurante.com/
Whether it’s a business lunch or date night, this open-air eatery high up in the hills of Envigado is where Medellin’s moneyed movers and shakers take their prospective partners away from prying eyes to seal the deal.
The fine-dining restaurant’s imperious views over the valley, live music, and alfresco ambiance combined guarantee memorable moments even if the food is more steady than spectacular.
The menu includes a mix of seafood ceviches, risottos, and slow-cooked meats that will satisfy even the biggest appetite.
The only downside to this restaurant is that tables book out fast. Make sure you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.
The menu at Colosal is not for the faint of heart, with tons of unique dishes for you to try. Our recommendations include:
One of the (many) things we love about Colosal is that it’s open every day of the week. Plus, you can enjoy extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays.
Address: Envigado, Medellin, Colombia
IG: @colosalmedellin
Website: https://www.colosalrestaurante.com/
Experience intimacy with your loved ones in Sambombi, a simple yet reserved fine dining restaurant ideal for couples. Sambombi’s founder and chef, Jhon Zárate, takes pride in serving premium quality food to support Medellin’s local economy.
The restaurant’s name is a local word that simply means popular cuisine. And customers can definitely attest to that.
The restaurant features a bright, airy, long dining room with abundant plant decorations and lush green landscapes. Tables are made of wood, and guests can steal a quick view of the kitchen from where they’re seated.
Diners can enjoy a wide variety of food options every day, especially since the menu changes weekly. This ensures Sambombi stays true to its desire to promote fresh and new ingredients from local farmers.
Another good reason why customers love going back to Sambombi is its sustainability. It doesn’t use plastic bottles and uses biodegradable packaging for as long as possible.
We suggest booking a reservation if you plan to try out this restaurant! Sambombi is a small place, so it quickly gets packed – especially because the food is indeed excellent!
You need to order the best dishes if you score a table at Sambombi. It’s not always easy to get a reservation, so experience the best native flavors when you visit the place.
What’s even better is that Sambombi offers vegan options for health-conscious guests!
Starter: Tuna tartare and sourdough bread toast
Main: roast chicken with shiitake mushrooms
Dessert: crème caramel or cassava gnocchi
Sambombi is open five days a week, from Tuesdays to Saturdays. It’s usually open from 12 to 2:30 pm and 7 to 10 pm, perfect for your lunch and dinner cravings. Reservations are highly recommended because the restaurant rarely serves walk-in customers.
Address: Cra. 35, 7-10, La Florida, Medellín
IG: @sambombi.bistro
Website: https://sambombi.com/
Care for some elegant experience? Don Diablo will not disappoint!
As a famous steak place in Medellin, you’ll love carefully curated matured meats cooked in different sauces and marinades. Don Diablo features 100% Colombian dry-aged meat tendered to perfection in the restaurant’s own chamber.
The exciting menu does not just stop there. Don Diablo also serves unique and artisanal cocktails and liquors. Don Diablo is definitely the place to be if you fancy having the perfect nightcap after a long day at work.
Guests also love the restaurant’s cozy atmosphere with superb customer service. The people behind the team are very approachable and enjoyable and are more than willing to walk you through Don Diablo’s menu.
What makes Don Diablo even more exceptional is its affordable price point! It serves premium quality steak at low price ranges. And guests love everything about the restaurant’s menu – it’s really a catch!
An aged meat cellar tour is also possible if you’re interested. Just look for Johnny; he’ll show you the magic behind the restaurant’s wine bottles and drink options.
However, if we may add, Don Diablo does not offer a long list of dishes and food options. If you’re not a steak fan, choosing a different fine dining place from our list might be better.
Don Diablo specializes in meat dishes. Steak should indeed be a part of your table. It also caters to wine connoisseurs and alcohol drinkers because of its long list of unique wine bottles and cocktails.
However, unlike Sambombi, Don Diablo does not feature vegan and vegetarian dishes. This restaurant firmly believes that steak is a necessity and should be a staple dish.
Appetizer: foie gras, pulpo a las brasas (octopus dish)
Mains: steak tartare, New York Strip
Dessert: classic New York Cheesecake
Don Diablo is open six days a week, from noon until 3 pm for lunchtime and 6:30 until 10 pm. But the restaurant is only available in the evening on Mondays. Reservations are highly appreciated because the restaurant gets packed, especially during dinner.
Address: Cra. 36 #10A-45 2nd piso, El Poblado, Medellín
IG: @dondiablosteakhouse
Website: https://dondiablo.co/en/
A Colombian restaurant internationally recognized is El Cielo. The chef behind this grand restaurant is Juan Manuel Barrientos, a widely known culinary expert with molecular tricks up his sleeves.
El Cielo features two major experiences:
We enjoyed the tasting menu with 18 tasty local delicacies. It also requires a reservation, and we highly recommend booking months in advance. El Cielo gets fully booked fast!
This restaurant is all about taking pride in unique Colombian food sensations. It offers sophisticated elaborate dishes you won’t find elsewhere. Plus, did you know that El Cielo currently has branches in Washington DC, and Miami?
This exceptional fine-dining restaurant also features sensory experiences like choco-therapy. It allows guests to use liquid chocolate in washing their hands, helping them awaken their senses.
El Cielo exudes creativity in every dish. Regardless of its tasting or regular menu, you’ll have the opportunity to taste everything unique about Colombian food.
This restaurant also paved the way for Chef Barrientos to open El Cielo Boutique Hotel, packed with romantic getaway packages and luxury suites in Medellin. Experience a different kind of fine dining in El Cielo, and head to the hotel’s beautiful suites for the night.
El Cielo features vibrant dishes you’ll want to taste. It gives you an elevated fine-dining experience with your loved one on a date night. Informing the staff about allergies is highly recommended, and you can also inquire about vegan options.
Appetizer: corn tempura, sweet potato and coconut, shrimp and salad
Main: Salmon with Colombian fruit sauce
Dessert: Grapefruit lollipop with white chocolate and vermouth
El Cielo is open daily, from 12 to 3 pm and 6 to 11 pm. If you’re going for the tasting menu, you definitely need to reserve and pre-book early.
Address: Cl. 7D #43c36, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín
IG: @elcielorestaurant
Website: https://elcielorestaurant.com/en/home-english/
Another unique fine-dining restaurant in Medellin is Herbario. This modern Colombian restaurant came from a former warehouse and was designed with rustic materials of iron and cement. Moreover, it also comprises subtle graphic elements and wood.
As its name suggests, it’s all about balancing herbs and spices. The locals believe the secret to a tasty local dish combines aesthetics and respect for the country’s native products. And Herbario definitely will not disappoint.
Herbario combines different international cuisines with Colombian dishes to give modern twists and fusion. That way, you get the best of both worlds!
Let’s talk about the restaurant’s interiors. It’s spacious, with a seated balcony, a bar, and a private dining space on Herbario’s second floor! But even though this restaurant is big, it’s almost always fully booked. Reservations are highly recommended!
Herbario serves a wide range of food options, including meat and vegan options. This restaurant fulfills every food lover’s attraction to Colombian cuisine and international dishes.
Appetizer: Squid Chicharron with roof herbs chimichurri
Main: White fishing
Dessert: Red berry and chocolate dessert (has a vegan option)
Herbario Ristorante is open daily except Sundays, from 6 to 10 pm on Mondays, and 12 to 10 pm on Tuesdays to Saturdays. Unlike most restaurants on this list, it doesn’t close between lunch and dinner.
This means you’re free to visit the place anytime within the opening hours.
Address: Cra 43D #1030, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín
IG: @herbario_restaurante
Website: https://elherbario.com/
Experience an exclusive tasting menu in X.O. Because it works closely with the head chefs, X.O. is only open when they are available. It’s mainly why you cannot simply head to the restaurant and get a table. You must book a table online or reserve months before to check the chefs’ availability.
X.O gives you a completely different experience with its omakase concept. Whatever food and beverage offered rely only on the available chef. Moreover, each dish is paired with a corresponding drink.
This fine-dining restaurant features a bar where you can closely see the chef preparing your dishes. But tables are also available when you want to be more intimate with your partner.
X.O. is definitely an experience you’ll not witness in any other restaurant. It’s sophisticated and unique, and it’s one of the best ways to experience unique twists to famous Colombian cuisines.
Because X.O. exclusively offers tasting menu dishes, you must inform the chef if you have specific food allergies or diet preferences. The chefs are willing to adjust the menu, especially when you prefer vegan options.
Appetizer: Truchera Sierra Blanca
Main: Beef Tartare
Dessert: X.O Yogurt
X.O is typically open from Wednesdays to Saturdays, from 7:30 to 10:30 pm. Reservations are the only way to secure a table, so we recommend booking months in advance.
Address: Cra. 36 #10a-45, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín
IG: @x.o.med
Website: https://xomedellin.co/en/
Medellín is jam-packed with fine dining restaurants that you can eat at. Whether you’re looking for traditional Colombian food or you’re wanting to try something off the beaten path, we guarantee there’s something on this list for you.
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