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If you are embarking on a trip to Colombia, you cannot miss out on visiting Medellin, also known as the “city of eternal spring” because of its mild temperatures throughout the year. As a vegan, you might be wondering what this city has to offer regarding food. Not much is known about the vegan scene in Colombia. That is why I have compiled this vegan restaurants Medellin Guide with places that are surely worth a visit. Here we go!
Medellin, Colombia
Medellin is the vibrant capital of the Antioquia department in Colombia. As you probably know, the city is mainly known for its tumultuous past and was considered the world’s most dangerous city in the 1990s.
Today, Medellin has remarkably transformed itself from a past of unrest and turmoil to become a hotspot of innovation and culture. Today, art and culture flourish here, with the streets of Comuna 13 and the sculptures of Fernando Botero offering a glimpse into the city’s soul, one that focuses on social inclusion, self-expression, and a progressive atmosphere.
While there are still gangs operating in the city, today a cease-fire between these gangs makes it possible to visit Medellin in a relaxed and comfortable way.
The main areas to stay in for travelers in Medellin are El Poblado, Laureles and La Candelaria. These are also the areas where most of the vegan restaurants in this post are located.
Colombia is becoming increasingly vegan-friendly and reflects the growing global trend towards plant-based diets. In the past, traditional Colombian cuisine, known for its reliance on meat, dairy products, and eggs, might have posed challenges for vegans in Colombia.
However, the country’s rich biodiversity and wide variety of fruits and vegetables mean that there is an abundance of plant-based options available, especially in larger cities and tourist areas.
In cities like Bogota, Medellin, and Cartagena, you can find a growing number of restaurants and cafes dedicated to vegan and vegetarian diets, offering everything from traditional Colombian dishes adapted for vegans to international vegan cuisine.
Health food stores and markets selling vegan products are also becoming more common in urban areas and even smaller cities like San Agustin or small towns like Minca. You can find things like plant-based milk, oatmeal, and tofu in supermarkets and even in some small tiendas in more off-the-beaten-track towns.
Minorista Market, Medellin, Colombia
Medellin is becoming increasingly vegan-friendly with Happycow listing 19 fully vegan restaurants in the city and 22 vegetarian restaurants with decent vegan options.
While this is nowhere near the numbers of top cities in the world for vegans like Berlin and London in Europe, this reflects a growing awareness and adoption of veganism in Medellín, catering to both locals and tourists seeking plant-based dining options.
In Medellin, as a vegan, you can enjoy a variety of choices, from traditional Colombian dishes made vegan to international vegan cuisine.
Having personally visited Medellin as a conscious traveler who likes to immerse herself in the local culture, I’ve specifically sought out plant-based restaurants in Medellin that are focusing on vegan adaptations of traditional local cuisine.
However, at the end of this post, I’ll also provide you with a list of more upscale restaurants with international dishes that can be found in the trendy El Poblado area.
Here are the best vegan restaurants in Medellin that are located in the areas of Laureles and La Candelaria.
While La Candelaria is the beating heart of Medellin where all of the big attractions are located, Laureles is a very pleasant local residential area with a lot of nice Airbnbs and hotels to stay.
Vegan burger @ Vegarden
Located at Calle 32b 81-41 Nueva Villa del Aburra, this wonderful restaurant was my favorite place in Medellin for dinner. It is popular among both locals and travelers who seek vegetarian and vegan dining options in Medellin.
The menu offers both international dishes like pizza and burgers but also vegan adaptations of traditional South American dishes like tamales and salchipapas.
Website: Vegarden
Where: Directions
El Arbol de la Vida is a vegan restaurant in Laureles close to the Suramericana metro station. It is only open for lunch and the sole thing you can eat here is a well-priced menu del Dia.
A menu del Dia includes a drink, soup, a main plate, and a dessert and you can be sure that the nutrients of the dishes are balanced out, with enough vegan proteins.
Website: El Arbol de la Vida
Where: Directions
Probably my favorite place for lunch in Medellin is Pita’s Buffet. As the name says, this restaurant offers a buffet of delicious vegan dishes! It is located on the Nutibara Avenue in Laureles. The location is not that cozy but the food in very tasty!
Vegan soup and banana cake with chocolate @ Pita’s buffet
While you can get a one-plate dish here like a wrap or a lasagna, the best thing to do here is to order a menu del Dia. At the time of writing, the price for this is 21.500 COP and you will get a drink, soup, main plate and dessert for this price.
The great thing here is that you can select all the things you feel like eating yourself from the large buffet. You can choose between two kinds of soup, two drinks, and various proteins, vegetables, and carbs.
Website: Pita’s Buffet
Where: Directions
Vital Cook in Medellín is a lovely restaurant that specializes in healthy vegan cuisine, offering a range of dishes that cater to vegetarian and vegan diets.
With a menu del Dia price of 18.000 COP at the time of writing, it provides an affordable option if you are looking for a healthy plant-based lunch.
The restaurant is located at Carrera 42 54 01 Centro in La Candelaria and is known for its friendly service and value. Aside from the menu del Dia, you can also find burritos and burgers on the menu.
Website: Vital Cook
Where: Directions
Plato principal @ Veggie life, Medellin
Veggie Life is another plant-based restaurant that you can find in the heart of La Candelaria. Be aware when you try to find this restaurant! It is located on the third floor of a large mall and can be a little tricky to spot.
The menu del Dia comes at 15.000 COP which is one of the cheapest I found in Medellin. Other à la carte dishes include spaghetti and burgers and are all priced at 19.000 COP.
Note that this is not the best place for a cozy lunch but rather a cafeteria-like atmosphere for a quick meal.
Website: Veggie Life
Where: Directions
Tienda & Cocina Vegetariana is located in the heart of La Candelaria and offers delicious vegan food! As the name indicates, it’s also a store where you can buy things like supplements, vegan proteins, and other products.
The menu del Dia comes at a cheap price and offers a well-balanced meal consisting of a drink, soup, and a main plate. There’s also an à la carte menu that changes regularly and it includes dishes like burgers, tamales, and lasagna.
Tienda & Cocina Vegetariana is open until 7 P.M. which makes it, compared to most local restaurants, also a viable option for having an early dinner.
Website: Tienda & Cocina Vegetariana
Where: Directions
→ Also read: Can You Drink Tap Water in Medellin?
El Vegano Andante is a vegan restaurant offering cute outdoor wooden seating on the busy Avenida El Colombiano in Laureles.
It offers a range of vegan dishes with a focus on South American and Colombian cuisine and is recognized for providing a variety of flavorful vegan options, including innovative takes on traditional dishes, appealing to both vegans and non-vegans.
Note that they are only open for lunch! They offer an incredible vegan menu del Dia for a great price.
Website: El Vegano Andante
Where: Directions
Las Veganas is another vegan restaurant in Laureles that is managed by a lovely lady with an incredibly charming attitude. I ended up here after finding out that my first choice, Alma Natura, was closed and I’m glad I found this gem!
It is located on a quite street in a lovely neighborhood with pleasant outdoor seating. Regarding location and vibe, it was one of the most relaxed places I’ve been to in Medellin.
Las Veganas is open both for lunch and dinner. It offers a great menu del Dia for 20.000 COP consisting of juice, soup, a main plate, dessert, and tea or coffee.
Aside from that, the à la carte menu is amazing. You can find vegan versions of Colombian dishes, like tamales, Bandeja Paisa, and bean casseroles for excellent prices!
Website: Las Veganas
Where: Directions
Mati was one of the restaurants that were high on my wishlist when I visited Medellin. Not because they serve fancy food but on the opposite, good-looking food with a bit of an oriental touch at very economical prices.
On the menu, you can find main plates that cost between 12.000 and 14.000 COP and, if you want a drink to accompany your dish it only costs 1500 COP extra. Dishes on offer are for example oriental fried rice, teppanyaki pasta, or vegetarian chuleta.
Unfortunately, they were taking a break during the holidays and I ended up in front of a closed door. But this place is definitely on my list for my next trip to Medellin!
Website: Mati
Where: Directions
Govindas is a chain of vegetarian restaurants with different branches in Medellin and also one in Bogota. The Govindas restaurants in Medellín are well-regarded for their vegetarian and vegan options.
They offer a variety of dishes like vegan burgers, burritos, pizza, and pasta to cater to those looking for meat-free dining experiences.
Govindas is known for its friendly atmosphere and the quality of its food and I must say that the seating area on the second floor on Calle 51 was a great place to spend some time, also to get some online work done, because you can stay there as long as you want.
I took the vegan menu del Dia, which set me back 17.000 COP at the time of writing. The food was good, but I’ve had better meals as a set menu in Medellin. If I would go back, I would choose something from their à la carte menu.
Website: Govindas
Where: Directions
Alma Natura in Medellin is a vegetarian and vegan community restaurant located in the Laureles neighborhood. It is known for providing a variety of plant-based dishes that cater to both vegetarian and vegan diets.
With a focus on healthful and flavorful meals, Alma Natura offers a vegan menu del Dia at very economical prices. I was really forward to eating here, since their dishes look a little more creative than at most vegan lunch places but, just like Mati, they were closed due to the holidays.
If it’s open, I would suggest you go! what attracted me in the reviews were mentions of classical music in the background, a cozy communal atmosphere, and the creative dishes that differ a bit from traditional Colombian cuisine.
Website: Alma Natura
Where: Directions
Lenteja Express is another vegetarian restaurant in Medellin offering plenty of vegan and vegetarian food options. It used to be a chain but I’ve seen that most of their branches are now indicated as “permanently closed” on Google Maps. As far as I can see, there is only one branch left, located on Calle 53 in La Candelaria.
While I haven’t personally eaten here, the place gets a lot of praise for its Arabic-inspired vegan food like hummus, Lebanese plates, and Moroccan soup. They offer a menu of the day and are open for dinner as well.
Website: Lenteja Express
Where: Directions
Here are the websites I use when I travel to Colombia:
Booking.com: For the best guesthouses, homestays, or small hotels
Hostelworld: To find the best hostels located in the cities
Homestay: For a unique immersive homestay experience in the big cities or the countryside
Busbud and Redbus: The best transport websites for long-distance buses in Colombia. Note that 12Go also works in Colombia but the tickets they will buy for you are open-seat tickets and don’t guarantee a seat on the bus you book online.
Uber: Uber is a convenient and cheap ride-hailing app that can be used in the bigger cities of Colombia. Other apps are Cabify or Didi.
Skyscanner: For affordable flights to Bogota and intercity flights in the country.
Viator and Get Your Guide: book all kinds of activities from the Ciudad Perdida trek to a guided private tour of Comuna 13 in Medellin.
Citizens of many countries, including the United States, Canada, the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand, do not require a visa for short tourist stays (typically up to 90 days). However, this can vary, so it’s always best to check iVisa for the specific requirements for your nationality.
If you’re looking for travel insurance, the one with the best benefits online is undoubtedly Heymondo! It’s very easy to ask for a quote on the website and, if you book with this link you’ll get 5% off!
Access mobile data immediately when entering the country with a Colombian E-sim or a Latamlink E-sim when traveling through multiple countries. If you are already in Colombia, the best local prepaid sim card is Claro.
The plant-based restaurants in Laureles and La Candelaria offer decent food at mostly economical prices but, if you are keen on staying in a fancier neighborhood with hip restaurants than El Poblado might be better for your taste!
I haven’t visited any of these restaurants personally because I like to keep it a bit more local, but here is a selection of vegan restaurants in El Poblado included with a little description of what you can expect.
Betty’s Bowls is a hipster health food restaurant that is eager to promote healthy habits and nutritional awareness to its clients. On the menu, you can find vegan bowls, salads, and toasts.
Website: Betty’s Bowls
Where: Directions
Vegan & Veggie is a fully vegan restaurant located on Calle 12 in El Poblado. It offers various dishes like upscale burgers, bowls and vegan cakes and pies.
Website: Vegan & Veggie
Where: Directions
Ama is a vegan restaurant and organic market also located on Calle 12 in El Poblado. They get excellent reviews and the cuisine varies from vegan adaptations of local dishes to international meals.
Website: Ama
Where: Directions
→ Also read: Is Medellin Safe to Visit? What You Need to Know!
Kaime is a fully vegan restaurant with a Bali-style atmosphere and is located on Carrera 40 in the center of El Poblado. The menu is very extensive, from burgers to Asian-inspired dishes and they also have their own range of ice cream.
Website: Kaime
Where: Directions
Helecho is a 100% vegan sushi bar located on Carrera 43C in El Poblado. You can choose between a variety of sushi rolls like Maki, tempura, and pepita and they also offer additional dishes like soups and gyozas.
Website: Helecho
Where: Directions
Open from nine A.M. to nine P.M., Marietta is another vegan restaurant located on Carrera 35 in El Poblado. While it seems that they used to serve a cheap menu del Dia, right now they seem to focus more on à la carte dishes.
Website: Marietta
Where: Directions
Coraje is a small vegan joint located on Calle 13 in El Poblado. It offers appetizers as well as mains like a mushroom ceviche and pizza but also serves as a bakery where you can find sourdough bread and a large array of pastries.
Website: Coraje
Where: Directions
If you are looking for the best vegan pizza in Medellin, check out Café Zorba. While this isn’t a vegan or even a vegetarian place they make pizzas with vegan cheese like a pizza bianca with kale and lemon.
Website: Café Zorba
Where: Directions
Plaza Botero, Medellin
There you go! As you can see, there are plenty of vegan options to choose from in Medellin, whether you are looking for local vegan restaurants in Medellin or rather upscale dining options.
Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or drop me a message through my contact page.
Also, don’t forget to check out my resources page with my favorite booking platforms and tips to start planning your trip. Additionally, have a look at my favorite travel gear if you want to pack more consciously!
ENJOY!
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links. If you click on them, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
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