Eating Your Heart Out at Medellin’s Lavocaderia

TLDR? Lavocaderia is a must-try restaurant during your visit to Medellin.

When it comes to places to eat in Medellin, there’s no shortage. You’ve got everything from Asian food to American to traditional paisa meals. 

But, have you heard about Lavocaderia?

Lavocaderia is the first avocado bar in Colombia, and quite literally everything on the menu features avocado. Whether you’re on the fence and want someone to clear up your doubts or you’re ready to jump in and take a bite out of these meals, this guide is for you.

Here’s what you need to know about Lavocaderia.

The Vibe

In Medellin, there are actually two Lavocaderia locations. You’ll find one of them tucked away in cozy barrio Manila, which is right near the bustling Parque Lleras district.

Another spot is located fairly far to the north, in La Floresta. Regardless of which you pick, you’ll be greeted with the same vibrant experience. 

The atmosphere in Lavocaderia is vibrant and Avante Garde, highlighted by brightly colored images of avocados and neon lights.  

Probably the best thing about the vibe at the restaurant is that it’s pet friendly. You can bring your furbabies with you and spoil them rotten with your favorite avocado treats. 

Pro Tip: Follow Lavocaderia on social media. They have contests and run discounts that you can take advantage of if you show the restaurant you follow them!

The Prices

Even though we’d all like dining out to be free, it’s not. The good news is that Lavocaderia isn’t expensive, either. 

You can get away with spending just a few dollars if you only plan on ordering a drink and a dessert. 

However, if you want to eat a whole meal, you’ll have to pay a bit more. Still, you can eat the same amount of food for two people as you would for the price of one back in the US! 

What’s on the Menu?

Okay, enough about the details. Let’s talk about what’s on the menu and what you should order!

Not only have I broken down the main menu items, but I’ve also hand-picked a couple of recommendations for you to try. Here’s what to know.

The Appetizers

Let’s start off with a couple of appetizers. After all, who doesn’t like to get the meal going with some tasty apps?

Lavocaderia has quite a few options, all of which, of course, feature avocado. You can pick from:

• Avocado filled empanadas
• Chips and guac
• Deep-fried, guacamole-filled spring rolls that will take you back to the Cheesecake Factory
• Arepas topped with avocado

My personal favorite is the spring rolls. They’re super juicy, and the avocado balances out the crispy, crunchy exterior. 

The Main Courses

In terms of the main courses at Lavocaderia, you can pretty much find anything you can set your heart on. 

For example, if you love beef? There are juice burgers for you to try. 

Do you prefer seafood? Go for a twist on your classic ceviche!

There’s also a healthy mix of shareable platters as well as meals that are sized perfectly for one. 

In terms of what to order, it’s really hard to pick. Here are my top three choices.

Papas Boom

The Papas Boom are, as their name implies, the bomb! This recipe is made up of French fries topped with ground beef, the house guacamole, refried beans, sour cream, mozzarella cheese, pico de gallo, green salsa, and a fried egg.

Even though it sounds like it’d be an appetizer, that’s definitely not the case. This dish is huge, and will easily fill you up with just a couple of bites.

Tacos de Chicharron

The tacos de chicharron are a twist on a classic paisa meal. They feature corn tortillas stuffed with spicy mango jam, sliced mango, avocado (of course), red onion salad, and fried pieces of pork rind.

They’re delicious, and they’re not as filling as some of the other items on the menu, either. 

Avoburger

You can’t miss the signature Avoburger, which consists of a hamburger sandwiched two halves of an avocado instead of your typical burger bun. 

In addition, the burger features a breaded onion ring, tomato slices, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and BBQ sauce. You can accompany it with french fries, onion rings, or salad.

The Drinks

You can’t eat an entire meal without pairing it with something to drink! Luckily, there are tons of great drinks on the menu at Lavocaderia. 

Here you can enjoy all the typical beers and sangrias, but the real magic lies in some of their more offbeat menu items: 

• Avocado Lemonade: as odd as it sounds, the avocado lemonade is delicious. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and sour
• Green drink: a green smoothie made with mint, avocado, and lemon. It’s super creamy and very smooth.
• Avocado ‘Michelada’ Soda: a sweet and sour soda flavored with avocado, salt, and lime. 
• Avocoffee: hot coffee or latte served in the shell of an avocado

You can also opt for an array of avocado-themed cocktails. Or, stick to classics like beer and wine to stay more comfortable.

Lavocaderia Merch

Okay, I know this is going to sound odd, but Lavocaderia has quite a bit of merch. Even though they’re mostly a restaurant, there’s also a small gift shop where you can pick up some cute avocado-themed accessories. 

A few of the more unique products I found in the shop were:

• Avocado oils to prevent stretch marks
• Shampoo and conditioners made with avocado nutrients
• Avocado themed notebooks
• Cute jibbitz for Crocs
• Fun keychains
• Mugs

The keychains make some great souvenirs to take to friends and family back home, since they don’t take up a ton of space in your suitcase. 

Check Out Lavocaderia: A Complete Avocado Experience

Without a doubt, Lavocaderia is unique and can’t be missed whether you’re visiting Medellin for a few weeks or a few days. 

Plus, in addition to trying exquisite seasonings, you can take home some quirky souvenirs that show your friends and family that you’re an Avocado Lover!

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