Where to Eat the BEST Street Food in Medellin Colombia

A visit to another country is incomplete without experiencing its cuisine. However, as with all good things in life, quality food comes at a price. And if that price is beyond your budget, there can be disappointing alternatives.

The true cost of a well-rounded travel experience is also underestimated by many travelers. When they do, they will be hit with a large bill on their statement when they return home.

Medellin, fortunately for you, has a multitude of inexpensive but delectable food choices that will save you money while also filling you up. When it comes to their signature dishes, money-conscious and budget-savvy travelers can get a lot of bang for their buck when visiting the City of Eternal Spring.

You don’t have to spend a lot of Colombian pesos to get a taste of the best Medellin has to offer. Why waste your time when you can purchase their food for a reasonable price? From what I can see here, this sounds like a complete win.

If you want to try their native cuisine or their own exclusive variations of international foods, there are a variety of places to visit to satisfy your palate. The people of Medellin are known for delivering nothing but the most special take on their own Colombian food, never missing an opportunity to showcase their cuisine.

There’s way too much to choose from: your mind will get in knots before you even get to eat a bite.

Do not worry – we’ve prepared a special guide just for you. The best and most affordable foods in Medellin are on this list for your convenience. Here are some restaurants where you can find the best street food in Medellin.

La Mesa Food Tours

Have you ever been concerned about losing out on underappreciated restaurants that are difficult to locate on the internet? The La Mesa food tours will ensure that you never miss an opportunity to explore the concealed gems of the region.

For visitors to Medellin, this cultural immersion and food tour is a must-see. It’s a history lesson mixed with Medellin food. Now that’s something most schools don’t offer.

The tour includes a number of Medellin’s most underappreciated restaurants, including Carmen, Plaza Envigado, and Restaurante La Gloria de Gloria.

You will also understand how hard these locals work to produce the best food in Medellín. Arepas, Empanadas, Guarapo, Borojo, Chicharrón, and the classic Bandeja Paisa are just a few of the many dishes you’ll get to see prepared in front of you.

There is a total cost of $45 for this tour, which includes the dishes that you will get to encounter during the tour. This may be a little more expensive than you’re used to, but the food you’ll carry home and the business will make it worthwhile.

Plaza Minorista

The beloved local farmer’s market of Medellin, here you can get the freshest produce and meat.

This may appear to be a public market, but don’t be fooled by its appearance; it actually houses one of Medellin’s most famous restaurants. The dishes they prepare are made with locally grown ingredients, ensuring that everything is new. Their restaurants are usually lined and bustling with hungry customers eager to taste traditional Colombian food.

The majority of Medellin’s restaurants get their ingredients and produce here. If Medellin’s booming restaurant industry is any indication, the city appears to be blessed with decent (if not the best) soil that supports the local economy.

Plaza Minorista has all the supplies for preparing a meal on your own, so you don’t need to worry about getting other alternatives.

El Hueco

El Hueco is a large shopping area with over 12,000 shops. With such a large space, it’s no wonder that entrepreneurs took advantage of the opportunity to open a food stall or store.

After an hour of wandering around, shoppers should have no trouble locating a street vendor. Food stalls are strategically located in places where consumers are likely to walk by different types of street vendors.

Prices are not always fixed in El Hueco. It is common to bargain when shopping in this city.

This district has a wide variety of things at some of the lowest costs in the city. Clothing, shoes, baby things, toys, home renovation products, sports equipment, fabrics, art materials, furniture, watches, jewelry, and much more may be found at this market.

Since you will be walking a lot, we recommend dressing comfortably.

Guilty Pleasures Food Club

Looking for an informal type of food tour? Guilty Pleasures Food Club could be for you. The tour starts at night in downtown Medellin, specifically on Ayacucho street. From there, the tour guide will take you to 10 different spots, and you’ll get to try out various street foods - some of which even made it on the news!

Try to dress in comfortable clothes and shoes. There’s going to be a lot of walking involved along the lively streets of Ayacucho. The entire tour lasts around 3 hours and ends with a cable car ride, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Medellin.

The best part of this tour is the host’s story-telling skills as he shares his knowledge about Medellin culture and its food history. So you’ll definitely learn a lot about Medellin after the end of the tour.

As of this writing, the price is $36 per person, but it may change in the foreseeable future.

Mercado del Rio

Medellin’s gastronomic market, Mercado del Rio, is one of the biggest in the city. With over 50 restaurants to choose from, you can sample a wide range of dishes, both foreign and local, all within a few meters.

You’ll find yourself unbuckling your belt when you try out their dishes because of the variety of things on their menu! Even better, they are right on the beach, so you can enjoy a beautiful view while enjoying your lunch.

Whether looking for a fine dining experience or a hole-in-the-wall style of restaurant, many people, both locals and visitors, frequent this place. Only a few will set you back a lot, and it all depends on the restaurant you visit.

Compared to this, most of their other meals seem to be pretty affordable. The truth is, given the price range and the delectable dishes they offer, it would seem like a great bargain. From homemade burgers to shells made by local contractors, you can order whatever you want.

Mercado Del Norte

Last but not least, Mercado del Norte is a new addition to Medellin’s list of top gastronomic establishments. A total of 25 restaurants and bars are available at Mercado del Norte.

A first glance would lead one to think that this is a miniature version of Mercado del Ro. A sniff of this food heaven is all it takes to realize that this is going to be a very different experience.

You won’t have to stand in long lines to have your order filled, and you won’t have to push your way through a swarm of people. You can simply unwind and take pleasure in your meals without a care in the world.

A Food Trip You’ll Never Forget

It’s a fact that food is becoming one of the reasons why people travel abroad these days. Not only can they experience the culture of a foreign country, but they’re also able to sample the local cuisine and expand their palate’s sense of flavors.

In Medellin, you’ll have that same experience. The food tours are worth it, and if you’re daring enough to go solo, there are markets and shopping areas that can cater to your sense of adventure.

Either way, it’s a fun food trip experience. The best part is how inexpensive the food prices are in Medellin. According to travelers, the average cost of food can range from 20,000 to 25,000 COP per day. Convert that into USD and it comes to around $5 to $6 a day.

Talk about budget-friendly prices!