The Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Medellin

Short on time? Restaurante Justo has the best vegetarian and vegan food in Medellin.

Consuming meat – pork in particular – is such a big part of the paisa identity that anyone on a vegan or vegetarian diet has traditionally had a tough time finding good food in Medellin.

The proliferation of plant-based options finding their way onto the menu in many of the best restaurants, however, is heartwarming for all vegetarians and vegans visiting Medellin.

The bad old days of having to pick fried pork belly out of a bean stew or surviving on rice and beans are no longer the only way to enjoy a “vegetarian” meal in Medellin.

Even Medellin’s fast-food chains are starting to wake up to the plant-based movement!

If you’re a digital nomad planning an extended stay in Medellin, don’t panic. There are some great places where you can grab some plant-based grub in the city!

Restaurante Justo

Restaurante Justo is veganism taken to the next level for plant-based practitioners that have had enough laboring over their lentils and want to pick up some new tricks from celebrated chef Anthony Rincon.

There are a few reasons why we love this restaurant.

Firstly, most of the products crafted into tasty treats by Rincon are grown on a nearby farm owned by the restaurant’s owner, Sebastian Hernandez.

Secondly, this spot happens to offer some of the best fine dining in the city.

Not everything is vegan, but most of the sophisticated menu is.

Plus, it’s even more impressive given the stylish interiors and a privileged spot on one of the tastiest streets in Medellin making for an altogether more elegant healthy eating experience.

Additionally, far from the utilitarian cliches normally conjured up when people imagine vegan restaurants in South America, the restaurant also has a market for fresh and dried foods.

That’s ideal for wannabe plant-based chefs to take home with them and spice up their daily rations.

What to Order

There are tons of great dishes to order at this restaurant. Our favorites include:

• Ceviche with palm hearts, red onion, avocado, and tiger’s milk made with tomato from the tree. 
• Fritters stuffed with shitake and oyster mushrooms and traditional costeño cheese.
• Creamy rice with setas made with cream of cashew nuts, baked portobello mushroom, asparagus, and oyster mushrooms.

IG: @justorestaurante

Address: Cra. 37 #10A-58, Poblado, Medellín

Kai Restaurante

Medellin’s only restaurateur with a Michelin star to his name, Juan Manuel Barrientos, opened this plant-based kitchen with his mum and sister in 2018. This spot is located opposite the original venue of his award-winning El Cielo.

Since it opened it has done more than any other restaurant to move the needle in the right direction for vegan and vegetarian food in Medellin.

Mother nature takes center stage thanks to the dishes served up daily by Juanma’s mother Gloria Valencia and his sister Sara Barrientos. These marvelous women have given the place a feminine touch.

Like most of Juanma’s chain of excellent eateries, the food is as pretty as the interiors. Sara’s surf vibe comes through in the healthy Hawaii vibe. Two doors down,  Tres Trigos produces some excellent sourdough and cakes to have on hand for your Medellin vacation rental.

What to Order

Portobello Burger
Roasted Sweet Corn
Lemon Cheesecake

IG:  @kaimerestaurant

Address: Cra. 40 #10a-21, Poblado, Medellín

Mija Artesanal

Occupying the garage of an old house, Mija Artesanal serves up one of the healthiest breakfasts in Medellin for guests staying at the boutique hotel, Quinta Ladera.

Additionally, owing to its remote location, the place gets little foot traffic. But, it’s a little gem that’s well worth the trek up the hill!

On top of that, you can enjoy world-class sourdough sandwiches, deli-style quiches, and artisanal soups that will warm your soul.

Now, the menu switches around with what’s seasonal. Therefore, it brings the Colombian countryside to your plate as an honorable homage to the hard-working farmers that keep the country going. 

What to Order

If you’re wanting some great grub, we’ve got some recommendations. Try out:

• The carrot and pumpkin soup with a gingery zest is a keeper.
• A burrata sandwich on beetroot and black pepper sourdough. 
• Vegan desserts including the chontadoro alfajor or the brownie melcochudo.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/mijaartesanal/
Address: Calle 5G 32-190, Poblado, Medellin

Lenteja Express

This no-nonsense vegan and vegetarian fast food restaurant has outlets in Poblado and Laureles. Additionally, there’s a location to the north of the city.

Refreshingly, Lenteja Express isn’t trying too hard to be anything other than a down-to-earth plant-based restaurant. This spot delivers delicious lentil, chickpea or quinoa burgers on vegan burger buns.

Served with some delicious dips and creole papitas, this is the fastest way to get some plant-based protein inside you and get back to exploring Medellin.

Moreover, they sell a variety of pre-packed burgers and sauces. You can take those to go in case you want to stock up the fridge at your luxury vacation rental in Medellin.

What to Order

If you’re looking for what to order, we’ve got your back. We can’t get enough of:

• The chickpea burger with guacamole
• One of the vegan burritos with tofu.

IG: @lentejaexpress

Laureles Location: Circular 74B #39b-122, Laureles, Medellín

El Poblado Location: Cra. 35 #8a 76, El Poblado, Medellín

Centro Location: Cra. 45 #52-75, Centro,  Medellín

Verdeo

One of the pioneers paving the way for other vegetarian restaurants to experiment with meat-free menus, Verdeo has a special place in the heart of vegans in Medellin.

Found in the bohemian Manila neighborhood, Verdeo has been fine-tuning its particular brand of superior vegetarian and vegan fare for almost a decade.

What’s more, the venue is one of the cornerstones of the friendly fabric that makes Manila stand out as one of the most socially-conscious barrios in the city.

What’s more, the lovely leafy interiors invite you to linger with one of Verdeo’s brilliant burgers. Enjoy biting into burgers made with 7 grains and served in vegan burger buns. Or, try the great wraps, vegetarian lasagna, and falafel shawarma all fighting for a place in your fully fortified, plant-based heart.

What to Order

There are some truly delectable plates at this restaurant, but we recommend:

• The Aztec bowl with a Mexican mix of guacamole, pico de gallo, Achiote rice, plantain, nachos, and vegan sour cream. 

• The vegan burger made with seven grains in a pesto and passion fruit sauce.

• The falafel kebab with hummus, tabuleh, and tahini.

IG: @verdeo.co

Address: Cl. 12 #43d-77, Poblado, Medellín

Eat Out at the Best Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants in Medellin

If you’re a vegan or a vegetarian, don’t worry about where to eat. There are tons of places around Medellin where you can grab some great grub!

And, regardless of which you pick, we’re confident you’ll find some food that makes your heart sing.

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