Where to Celebrate Thanksgiving in Medellin

TLDR? Grab some fine dining grub at Abiocco as a unique way to celebrate Thanksgiving in Medellin.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been waiting all year to fill my stomach with turkey dinner. 

The only trouble is, where do I do that in Medellin?

Although Thanksgiving isn’t a Colombian holiday, you can still celebrate it while in Medellin. Let’s take a look at a couple of the places you can celebrate the holiday around the City of Eternal Spring.

Dinner Venues

One of the best ways to celebrate Thanksgiving is by grabbing a holiday meal at a local restaurant. 

Luckily, there are tons of fine dining options around town for you to choose from. Here are a couple top picks to help you celebrate in style!

Abbiocco by Carmen

Let your trip to Medellin be the perfect opportunity to try new things and add culinary concepts to your Thanksgiving dinner by dining at Abbiocco by Carmen.

Located in the Marquee, one of the city’s most renowned luxury hotels in the heart of Lleras Park, this place doesn’t disappoint. They make sure that your Thanksgiving meal has a homey vibe by taking care of every detail and preparing the best-stuffed turkey in town. 

On their menu, you can find tons of dishes that fit something you would eat on Thanksgiving, such as the red wine-braised beef brisket, balsamic & cane sugar glaze, Gorgonzola gratiné, giardiniera and garlic bread. This year’s special Thanksgiving Day menu includes:

• Welcome drink
• Corn muffin, butter, and coarse salt
• Turkey
• Pumpkin pie
• Roasted cassava casserole with sugar cane
• Gravy
• Cranberry sauce
• Sweet potato salad

On top of that, its varied menu of liquors and cocktails has tons of options for a nightcap. I recommend you close the evening with a round of “Caffé Speziale.” Or, you can head downstairs after dinner to enjoy your cocktail at Z Bar, accompanied by live jazz music!

Just make sure to book your table in advance so that you can actually get a seat!

IG: @abbioccomedellin

Address: Cra. 38 #9a-13, El Poblado, Medellín 

Patrick’s Irish Pub

One way to enjoy typical Thanksgiving foods is at the first and only Irish pub in town.

In addition to being the meeting place for many Americans celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, it’s one of my top city treasure spots for beer and snacks.

Plus, just because it’s an Irish pub hasn’t stopped them from whipping up one of the best local meals in town!

Every year they host a Thanksgiving dinner where, for a reasonable price, you can gorge on homestyle turkey, turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, homemade stuffing, and pumpkin pie with whipped cream.

This sports bar is very popular among expats, so be sure to reserve your dinner in advance. Dinner is available from 1 pm until 10 pm, however, so you’ve got plenty of window for your reservations.

IG: @patricks_medellin

Address: Cra. 37a #8 A 43, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia

Philly Steaks 

Philly Steaks is a restaurant with an American atmosphere where you get large portions of food. Their specialties are fresh rolls made daily, prime-cut meats, and all kinds of cheesesteaks.

Of course, they can’t let such an important holiday pass them by, so they prepared a turkey dinner for ex-pats who miss the taste of a good homemade meal. 

Their special Thanksgiving menu for this year includes:

• Turkey
• Smithfield ham 
• Sausage stuffing
• Mashed potatoes
• Veggies
• Cornbread

You can make reservations for any time from 3 pm to 7 pm, and definitely get ready to feast!

IG: @philly_medellin

Address: Cra. 43E #11a-15, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia

Carmen Restaurant

Carmen has held the title of the best restaurant in Medellin for more than a decade. Its contemporary Colombian cuisine makes this place one of the favorite places for Americans to enjoy a twist on traditional meals. 

Despite the fact that these are meals made with Colombian ingredients, there are tons of dishes that fit Thanksgiving.

I personally have two dishes in mind.

The first one is lamb raised in Caldas, Antioquia, marinated in rooftop herbs, cooked in Josper, house hummus with sesame seeds from the Montes de María, pennyroyal chili, watercress, and smoked jus. The second recommendation is the tamarind glazed pork belly and tenderloin.

Either of these two options make an honorable replacement for the roasted turkey we’re accustomed to.

The only thing with this restaurant is that you should make reservations a couple of weeks in advance, especially if you’re having dinner on the weekend.

IG: @carmenrestaurante

Address: Cra. 36 #10a-27, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia

Oci.mde

Oci offers fine dining with organic ingredients responsibly extracted from the fertile lands of Antioquia. 

There are tons of different dishes on the menu for you to pick from. Personally I recommend the pork elbow (baked for 12 hours straight) in orange and tomato sauce, with creamy mashed pastusa potatoes.

One nice thing about this place is that it’s not usually necessary to make reservations as there are often free tables. However, you can always play it safe and book a seat in advance. 

IG: @oci.mde

Address: Cra 33 #7-21, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia

Brooklyn Restaurant & Lounge

Another American place where you can find traditional Thanksgiving dinner is Brooklyn Restaurant & Lounge. 

In addition to the typical holiday fare, they serve glazed ham with cherry sauce and apple crisp with whipped cream.

The price of the dinner is lower than the other places on this list and children eat half price. So if you’re looking for a turkey dinner that’s family-friendly, this may be the place for you.

IG: @brooklynrl_

Address: Cra. 43E #11a15, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia

Where to Grab Thanksgiving Drinks

If you want some after dinner drinks to keep the party going, there are plenty of great bars you can check out in Medellin, too. 

One place I’d recommend is Amazza Gin Garden. Ammazza Gin Garden is a quaint restaurant with locations in Laureles, Provenza, and Mall Indiana. They specialize in signature dishes as well as vegan and vegetarian food.

If you’re tired of the typical roast turkey and mashed potatoes, at Ammazza you can find pasta, risottos, salads, and casseroles inspired by Italian cuisine. 

But, that’s not what you really came for. You’re here for the drinks, of course! This place has more than 20 different gin and tonics for you to choose from, all of which are fantastic. 

In addition, you can take a look at their liquor menu and especially gin and tonic, the flagship drink with more than 20 varieties. 

Just don’t overdo it, or the following day might not be quite so fun.

IG: @ammazzagingarden

Address: Cra. 76 #73b – 39, Laureles, Medellín, Antioquia

Brunch Venues

If you want to try something a bit different, you can always go for Thanksgiving brunch instead. 

Here are some places to sip on celebratory mimosas this Thanksgiving season in the City of Eternal Spring!

Azul Selva

Looking for some great brunch in Medellin? Then Azul Selva is a must. By using organic ingredients and fresh vegetables that come from an environmentally conscious cooking mindset, they offer some of the tastiest breakfast grub in town. 

They also offer vegan, gluten-free, detox, milk free, and more—all you have to do is ask for it!

There are tons of items on the menu, but nothing beats their mimosas and pancakes. Or, if you want to get into the festive mood, I recommend you try the pumpkin soup so that you can celebrate Thanksgiving as it should. 

Last but not least, check out their menu of freshly made desserts and pastries. Go for the carrot cake for another seasonal sweet!

I should also mention that this place is located in the lobby of the Celestino Boutique Hotel. That makes it super convenient for guests staying in the area!

IG: @azulselva

Address: Cra. 37 #8a-60, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia

Sweet Georgia Cafe

Sweet Georgia Cafe is a cozy spot dedicated to gladdening the hearts and stomachs of Americans pining for a breakfast that reminds them of home.

To celebrate such an important holiday as Thanksgiving, they’ll prepare a special buffet that you can attend for a reasonable price. You can also buy the full turkey cooked or raw there in case you change your mind and want to surprise your friends with your culinary skills.

The holiday menu consists of:

• Meats: Fried or baked turkey (cranberry sauce), baked ham, or baked ribs.
• Sides: Mac & Cheese, dressing, mashed potatoes, green beans, collard greens, vegetables. 
• Bread: Dinner roll, cornbread, biscuits (gravy).
• Desert: Sweet potato pie, pumpkin pie, cake.
• Drinks: Soda, sweet tea, red fruit soda, mimosa.

Note: You can also watch an American football game here once you’re done eatin—a real Thanksgiving experience!

IG: @sweetgeorgiacafe

Address: Cra. 78 #32e-25, Belén, Medellín, Antioquia

Enjoy Thanksgiving in Medellin 

Although Thanksgiving is not a day celebrated in Colombia, you can find endless ways to give thanks for the year and for the family.

Fortunately for Americans like us, Medellin has embraced the customs of its visitors, so there are plenty of places for you to celebrate the holiday in the area. 

Whether you chow down at Carmen or go for brunch at Azul Selva, I’m confident you’re in for a treat this year. 

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