Eating cheap in Medellín is easy, especially if you come from countries with euros or dollars. The most expensive dishes in Colombian restaurants would be cheap in our countries. However, in the more touristy areas like El Poblado, prices are usually quite high for locals, who use the Colombian peso. So We have decided to organize this list of restaurants to eat in Medellín in two categories:
- 💰 Cheap restaurants: with dishes that cost up to 30,000 COP (€6). It is hard to find these restaurants, especially in the more touristy areas like El Poblado.
- 💰💰 Mid-range restaurants: with dishes ranging from 30,000COP (€6) to 50,000COP (€10). These are the ones we frequent the most, since they seem very cheap compared to Europe or the United States, but we understand that not so much for locals or countries that go with more devalued currencies. And they come in luxury!
It must also be taken into account that In many places in Medellín, from Monday to Friday, they offer the typical “menu del día” for 15,000-20,000COP (€2 to €4).. However, this does not apply to the restaurants listed below.
Contents of this article
12 RESTAURANTS WHERE TO EAT IN MEDELLÍN (GOOD AND CHEAP)
1. Mondongo’s, the best bandeja paisa in Medellín
Restaurant type: 💰💰 Midrange | 📍 The Town and Laurels
If you travel to Medellín and you don’t eat a bandeja paisa at Mondongo’s, it’s like you’ve never been there. This restaurant is quite an institution in the city! They serve typical Antioquian dishes at reasonable prices. Obviously, its star dish is the bandeja paisa, although it appears on its menu as typical Antioquia. It is quite strong!
You will find cheaper restaurants to eat bandeja paisa in Medellínbut few better than Mondongo’s. There it will cost you 48,600 Colombian pesos (€9), a super reasonable price considering its quality. Definitely, one of the best restaurants to eat in Medellin.
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2. Burger Chef
Restaurant type: 💰💰 Midrange | 📍 Various locations
Fancy a good burger but don’t want to spend a lot of money? You will hardly find a better place than Chef Burger. Like Mondongo’s, this franchise is well-known in the city and they have several locations in strategic points of Medellín. We went to El Poblado, on Provenza street, and we loved it!
We had to wait about 15 minutes as it was packed. Is there a better sign than this to know that a restaurant is good and cheap? The hamburgers start at 30,000 Colombian pesos (approximately €6) and are delicious. They have a lot of variety, including vegetarian options. Also, for that price, the meat is really good. Highly recommended if you are looking for a good and cheap place to eat in Medellin!
3. Cucayito, one of the best restaurants to eat cheap in Medellín
Restaurant type: 💰 Cheap | 📍 Laurels
Do you have a lower budget and feel like eating coastal food? In Antioquia they eat a lot of meat, since it is a department mainly of peasants. If you cannot travel to Cartagena or other sea destinations, in Cucayito you will find a piece of coast. Obviously, their specialty is fish, although they also have other options for those who want to eat something else.
The prices are really cheap. They have fish dishes from 25,000 Colombian pesos (€5). Super cheap!
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4. Pizzaiolo, one of the best pizzas in Medellín
Restaurant type: 💰💰 Midrange | 📍 The Village
You will find a lot of pizzerias to eat in Medellín. However, few like Pizzaiolo. This artisan pizzeria won the prestigious Pizzamaster 2022 contest, which rewards the best pizza in the city of Medellín. In this case, they won with their Ragú pizza, really delicious. They don’t have much variety on their menu, but the few they do are really good.
The place is located in a very nice area of El Poblado and is quite cosy. Regarding the price, they will cost you about 40,000 Colombian pesos (€8). Very reasonable prices, considering that it is one of the best pizzerias in Medellín.
5. Arepatodo, one of the best places to eat cheap in Medellín
Restaurant type: 💰 Cheap | 📍 Laurels
Colombians eat arepa at all times: at breakfast, at lunch, in the mid-afternoon or at night. Also, they have a lot of variety! One good thing about eating arepas is that they fill you up and are usually very cheap. A good place to eat arepas in Medellín is Arepatodo. It is located in Laureles, a fairly touristy area.
They serve corn arepas filled with various ingredients. The menu is quite varied, so the most difficult thing will be to choose. Definitely, one of the best restaurants to eat cheap in Medellín.
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6. The Oven
Restaurant type: 💰 Cheap | 📍 Various locations
This restaurant is quite commercial. It is a franchise that has stores throughout the country and that offers typical Italian dishes at very affordable prices. Obviously the dishes do not have the quality of a trattoria Italian, although they are really well priced. For you to have a reference, you can eat a plate of pasta for less than 30,000 Colombian pesos (€6).
They have a place very close to Parque Lleras, where we ate, which is very convenient. Apart from pasta, they also have pizzas, salads and mixed drinks for a change. ¡Bueno!
7. Alambique, one of the best restaurants in Medellín
Restaurant type: 💰💰 Midrange | 📍 The Village
This restaurant is our favorite in Medellin. And that we had to wait a long time to eat! First, we went without a reservation and had to wait 45 minutes. And then it took another 30 minutes to get our plate to our table. And not because of incompetence, but because his kitchen is slow, different!
If you look at the prices of the dishes, most of them are over 60,000 Colombian pesos (€12), a priori it may seem expensive. However, all the dishes at Alambique are to be shared between two or three people.. So it’s a perfect place to eat cheap in Medellín!
We leave you two recommendations: the brisket and the carrot pie. To lick your fingers! In addition, the atmosphere of the place is very nice. A restaurant of 10.
8. Parmessano
Restaurant type: 💰💰 Midrange | 📍 Various locations
In the Mercado del Río we tried this Italian restaurant and we loved it. Then we found out that they have several locations in Medellin, so it won’t be hard for you to locate one. Its specialty is mixed: portions of meat accompanied by pasta and salad. If you want a recommendation, we recommend the truffled chicken. It’s really good!
Regarding the prices, most dishes range between 30,000 and 40,000 Colombian pesos (€6 to €8).
9. Govinda’s, one of the best restaurants to eat cheap in Medellín for vegetarians and vegans
Restaurant type: 💰 Cheap | 📍 Historic center
Are you a vegetarian and looking for a place to eat well and cheap in Medellín? Govinda’s will be your ally. We went to the place located right next to Plaza Botero and we really liked it. And the best thing was its price! The dishes cost about 20,000 Colombian pesos (€4) and do not contain any type of meat.
Besides, the place has very nice views of the Church of VeracruzAlthough the atmosphere in the historic center is not very pleasant. So it’s better to get psyched up!
10. The Estate
Restaurant type: 💰 Cheap | 📍 Various locations
Medellín is the ideal city to try traditional Colombian food. This franchise started in the 90s in the heart of Medellín with its location on Junín street (which they still have). But today they have 5 more stores in the city! Its ingredients are fresh, purchased directly from local farmers, and this shows in the final quality of the product.
You can eat a small paisa tray for less than 20,000 Colombian pesos (€4) or a lot of traditional dishes for less than 30,000 Colombian pesos (€6).. Do not miss it! Definitely, one of the best restaurants to eat cheap in Medellín.
11. Mekong, a good Thai restaurant to eat in Medellín
Restaurant type: 💰💰 Midrange | 📍 The Village
In Medellín you will find restaurants of all the cuisines of the world. And we love the Thai one! Mekong is not just any Thai restaurant, but through its flavors you will travel to the famous Asian country. This place is located in El Poblado and offers typical dishes of Thai cuisine at very reasonable prices.
His specialty are his curry recipes and his pad thai. The dishes cost between 40,000 Colombian pesos and 50,000 Colombian pesos (€8 and €10). And they are delicious!
12. It is necessary
Restaurant type: 💰 Cheap | 📍 Various locations
And finally, to end this article on the 12 best restaurants to eat well and cheap in MedellínWe couldn’t forget to mention Wajaca. This franchise has stores nationwide, especially in shopping centers.
They serve typical Mexican dishes at really cheap prices. For you to have a reference, you can eat three delicious tacos from 25,000 Colombian pesos (€5) or burritos from 20,000 Colombian pesos (€4). Definitely, one of the best restaurants to eat cheap in Medellín.
LOCATION OF THE 12 BEST RESTAURANTS WHERE TO EAT IN MEDELLÍN WELL AND CHEAP
On the following map you will find marked the restaurants to eat in Medellin mentioned above.
Source: https://lostraveleros.com/donde-comer-en-medellin/
