Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
EATING
Paisa cuisine, among Colombia's most distinctive, is heavy
on the frijoles (black beans), grilled meat, plantains and
rice. Perhaps no dish is more characteristic of the region
than the bandeja paisa , a large bowl filled with ground
beef, chorizo sausage, frijoles, rice, fried green bananas,
a fried egg, avocado and fried pork. The city's trendiest
restaurants are around leafy Parque Lleras in El Poblado,
also known as the Zona Rosa.
Le Bon Café C 9 No. 39-09. Excellent pastries and 32
types of coffee are on offer at this El Poblado café, which
has several other locations throughout the city. Mon-Sat
4.30am-11pm, Sun 5am-10pm.
Ì The Flip Flop Sandwich Shop Cra 36 No. 8A -92.
Homesick travellers (or anyone in search of real bacon)
gravitate towards this excellent breakfast/sandwich joint.
Chris, the owner, is a treasure trove of local information,
his sandwiches (try the Buffalo) hit the spot and the vibe is
wonderfully relaxed. Sandwiches COP$7,000. Mon-Sat
9am-3pm.
Il Forno Cra 37A No. 8-9. A modern, open-air Italian
place and El Poblado institution with plenty of mood
lighting and satisfying pizza, home-made pasta and
salads. Mains COP$12,000-18,000. Daily noon-10pm.
Ì Hummus C 6 No. 43C-12. Not only are there plenty of
vegetarian options at this classy Lebanese restaurant, but
their limonada de coco is easily the best in town, and if
you're extra hungry, go for the mixto platter - complete
with kofta , tabouleh , swarma , kibbeh and rice. Mains from
COP$20,000. Daily noon-3pm & 7-10pm.
Ì Royal Thai C 8A No. 37A-05. Though there are
Japanese elements to the decor upstairs, the food here is
authentic Thai. The curries, though not cheap, are beauti-
fully flavoured and hit that spice spot, and the dessert
menu features the classic sticky rice with mango. Mains
COP$25,000. Mon-Sat noon-3pm & 7-11pm.
Señor Itto C 9 No. 43B-127. For a taste of beautifully
prepared raw fish, try what is considered to be the best
sushi joint in town. The “Dinamita Especial” deserves
applause and there are plenty of noodle and teriyaki
dishes for those who like their food cooked. Lunch menú
COP$12,000, mains COP$20,000. Mon-Sat noon-3pm &
7-10pm.
5
it's made, this brewery offers weekly tours (COP$18,000),
including five free beers, to help you appreciate Medellín's
finest. Thurs only 5.30-9pm.
El Blue C 10 No. 40-20. Giant speakers pump hard electro
beats to a student and backpacker-centric crowd who
wave along to flashing green laser lights. Thurs-Sat until
late. Entry COP$10,000.
Ì El Eslabón Prendido C 53 No. 42-55. Renowned for
its live music on Tues nights, when the tightly packed
crowd goes wild to Colombia salsa. Tues-Sat 8pm-2am.
Entry COP$5500.
Luxury Cra 43G No. 24-15. This is where a young, tipsy
crowd gets down and dirty to reggaeton, hip-hop and
more. Luxury it ain't, but it sure is lively. Thurs-Sun
9.30pm-3am. Entry COP$20,000.
DAY TRIPS FROM MEDELLÍN
A few nearby parks make good if not
absolutely essential stops within range
of Medellín.
Parque Ecológico Piedras Blancas
he Parque Ecológico Piedras Blancas
(daily 9am-5pm; free), 26km east of the
city, serves as the lungs of Medellín. Set
at the cool height of 2500m, much of
this nature reserve has been reforested
with native species, attracting butterflies
and birds such as the brilliant blue
soledad and the toucanet. Well-preserved
pre-Columbian stone trails constructed
between 100 BC and 700 AD weave
through the park, while there is a
butterfly gallery and a slick insect
museum close to the official entrance.
To get to the park , board a bus from
the corner of Ayacucho and Córdoba
in the city centre (leaves every 30min)
to the village of Santa Elena (30min),
where another bus runs (every 30min) to
the park. The metro cable car that runs
from Santo Domingo to Parque Arví (see
p.538) also connects the city to the park.
DRINKING AND NIGHTLIFE
A cluster of thumping bars and clubs - most of them
catering to a young clientele - is in El Poblado. If you fancy
something a bit more authentic, start with a beer on Calle
70 (Metro El Estadio) and listen to local musicians playing
vallenato before heading on to Calle 33 (Metro Floresta) for
a dance. Bars usually close around 2am Mon-Wed and
4am Thurs-Sat.
3 Cordilleras C 30 No. 44-176 T 4 444 2337. If you take
beer seriously and want to learn a thing or two about how
Piedra del Peñol and Guatapé
Bearing a freakish resemblance to Rio de
Janeiro's Sugar Loaf Mountain, Piedra
del Peñol , or simply “the rock”, rises
spectacularly from the edge of Embalse
del Peñol, an artificial lake some 70km
east of Medellín, studded with islands.
Locals may tell you that the 200m granite
and quartz monolith is a meteorite.
 
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