# What to eat in Medellín: a guide to paisa food > Start with a bandeja paisa, the big Antioquian platter of beans, rice, meats, egg, plantain, arepa and avocado, then work through arepas, a bowl of frijoles or mondongo soup, and buñuelos with your coffee. Don't leave without trying the fruit: lulo, maracuyá, guanábana and granadilla are everywhere, as juices or fresh from the market. Source: https://www.ilovemedellin.net/what-to-eat-in-medellin/ Last checked: 2026-10-20 Must-try dish: Bandeja paisa Everyday staples: Arepas, frijoles (red beans), soups like mondongo and sancocho Snacks and sweets: Buñuelos, pandequeso, empanadas, mazamorra Drinks: Tinto (black coffee), fresh fruit juices, aguapanela Where to try them: Hatoviejo, Mondongo's, markets like the Minorista ## Paisa food in a nutshell People from Medellín and the rest of Antioquia call themselves paisas, and their food grew out of the region's farming and mountain life: filling, built on beans, corn, pork and plantain, and meant to fuel a day of hard work. It isn't spicy. Flavor comes from slow cooking, a little hogao (a tomato and onion sauce), and good ingredients. You'll eat it everywhere, from market stalls and corner restaurants to classic sit-down places. Here's what to look for. ## Bandeja paisa The dish everyone associates with Medellín. A bandeja paisa ("paisa platter") is a big plate that usually brings together: - red beans (frijoles) and white rice - ground beef (carne molida) - chicharrón, crispy fried pork belly - chorizo, and sometimes morcilla (blood sausage) - a fried egg - slices of ripe plantain (maduro) - an arepa and a few slices of avocado It's huge, so share or skip breakfast. [Hatoviejo](/hatoviejo/), which has served traditional food since 1982, is a classic place to try it. At Mondongo's, the similar "típico antioqueño" comes with beans, crispy pork loin, ground beef, egg, plantain and potato. ## Arepas Colombia has dozens of arepas, but the everyday paisa version is plain: a thin, white corn arepa with little or no salt, served alongside almost every meal. On its own it's mild, so people top it with butter, cheese or hogao. You'll also see thicker arepas stuffed or topped with cheese, often sold as street snacks. Try one with **quesito**, a soft fresh cheese, at breakfast. ## Beans and soups **Frijoles antioqueños** are Antioquia's red beans, slow-cooked with pork and plantain. They're often served as a meal on their own, with rice, avocado and an arepa. **Mondongo** is a hearty tripe soup with vegetables, usually served with avocado, banana or plantain, rice, lime and cilantro. Medellín's Mondongo's restaurant is named after it and serves it with a torta de elote (corn cake). **Sancocho** is a stew of meat, potatoes, yuca, plantain and corn, popular for Sunday lunches and family gatherings. **Ajiaco**, a chicken and potato soup from Bogotá, is also on many menus. ## Snacks and sweets - **Buñuelos:** round, fried balls of cheese dough, crisp outside and fluffy inside. They're eaten year-round with coffee and are a Christmas tradition with natilla, a soft custard. - **Pandequeso and pandebono:** cheese breads, best warm from a bakery. - **Empanadas:** fried corn turnovers filled with potato and meat, sold everywhere, with ají (a fresh, mild chili sauce) on the side. - **Mazamorra:** a cold drink of cooked white corn in milk, often sweetened with panela (unrefined cane sugar). It's a traditional end to a paisa meal. - **Obleas:** thin wafers sandwiched with arequipe (caramel), jam or cheese, a street-cart classic. ## Fruit and juices Colombia's fruit is one of the best surprises of a trip. Look for: - **Lulo:** tart and citrusy, great as juice - **Maracuyá:** passion fruit, used in juices and desserts - **Guanábana:** soursop, creamy and sweet-sour - **Granadilla:** a sweet passion fruit you crack open and eat with a spoon - **Uchuvas:** small golden berries - **Mango biche:** green mango, sold in cups with salt and lime - **Guayaba:** guava, eaten fresh or as a sweet paste with cheese - **Tomate de árbol:** tree tomato, usually as juice Juices are typically offered "en agua" (with water) or "en leche" (with milk). Markets like the Minorista downtown are the best places to see the full range. Food halls like [Mercado del Río](/mercado-del-rio/) make it easy to try a few things at once. ## Coffee and other drinks Antioquia is coffee country. Order a **tinto** for a small black coffee, the way most Colombians drink it, or head to a specialty café such as [Pergamino](/pergamino-cafe/) for single-origin beans brewed by hand. [El Café de Otraparte](/cafe-de-otraparte/) in Envigado is a lovely place to linger. See our guide to the [best coffee in Medellín](/best-coffee-in-medellin/). **Aguapanela** is panela dissolved in water, served hot or cold with lime. **Aguardiente**, an anise-flavored spirit, is the drink of fiestas, especially during the [Feria de las Flores](/feria-de-las-flores/). ## Eating at Christmas and during festivals Food follows the calendar in Antioquia. In December, families make **natilla** and **buñuelos** together, and you'll see them sold everywhere while the city's Christmas lights are up (see our guide to the [Christmas lights](/festival-of-lights-in-medellin/)). During the [Feria de las Flores](/feria-de-las-flores/) in August, street stalls sell snacks like empanadas and arepas, and aguardiente flows. Street food at these times is part of the fun, but choose busy stalls where food is cooked fresh in front of you. ## Where to eat it - **Traditional restaurants:** [Hatoviejo](/hatoviejo/) for bandeja paisa; Mondongo's on La 70 in Laureles or Calle 10 in El Poblado for mondongo and ajiaco. - **Markets:** the Minorista for fruit and simple local meals. - **Bakeries:** almost every neighborhood has one for buñuelos and pandequeso. - **Food halls:** [Mercado del Río](/mercado-del-rio/) for variety. For modern takes on Colombian ingredients, see our guide to the [best restaurants in Medellín](/best-restaurants-in-medellin/). ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Medellín's most famous dish? The bandeja paisa, a big platter of beans, rice, ground meat, chicharrón, chorizo, egg, plantain, arepa and avocado. ### Is paisa food spicy? No. It's hearty and mild. Ají, a fresh chili sauce, is served on the side for those who want heat. ### What should I eat for breakfast in Medellín? Try an arepa with quesito, eggs, and a tinto or hot chocolate. Buñuelos and pandequeso from a bakery are a quick option. ### Is Medellín good for vegetarians? Traditional food is meat-heavy, but arepas, fruit, juices, bakeries and many modern restaurants make it workable. Ask whether beans are cooked with pork.