Medellín isn’t just the City of Eternal Spring, it’s one of the most vegan‑friendly destinations in South America. With its perfect year‑round climate, the city overflows with fresh tropical fruits, vibrant vegetables, and plant‑based dishes that blend Colombian tradition with global flavors. Whether you’re craving a hearty arepa de chócolo, a colorful Buddha bowl, or a five‑star vegan tasting menu, Medellín delivers.
The city’s vegan scene has exploded in recent years, offering everything from casual cafés and juice bars to upscale restaurants serving creative, locally sourced cuisine. Beyond the food, Medellín’s growing vegan community hosts markets, festivals, and meet‑ups that make it easy to connect with like‑minded travelers and locals.
In this guide, I’ll explore why Medellín is great for vegans, including the best vegan restaurants in the city, the must‑try local dishes, and insider tips for experiencing the city’s culture, nature, and nightlife, all through a plant‑based lens.
An absolutely stacked (and delicious) vegan burger
Fresh, Affordable Fruits and Vegetables
One of the best things about being vegan in Medellín is that you can enjoy the local fruits and vegetables that are fresh, cheap, and delicious. You can find exotic fruits like guanabana, lulo, maracuyá, and pitaya at any market or street vendor, and you’ll often find them inventively mixed into sauces and dishes when dining out.
You can also make your own salads, smoothies, and juices at your Airbnb with the abundant greens and herbs available in the numerous modern supermarkets and even local organic farms. Some of the staples of Colombian cuisine, such as beans, rice, plantains, arepas, and corn are also vegan-friendly and easy to find.
The best lentil cazuela (stew) in the entire world
Excellent Vegan Restaurants Are Everywhere
But if you want to try something more elaborate and creative, you can visit one of the many vegan restaurants in Medellín. The city has such a vibrant vegan scene with so many options to choose from, ranging from casual eateries where you can build custom bowls to juice and smoothie shops to five-star culinary experiences that specialize in Colombian cuisine. If you are craving international flavors, there are also plenty of Italian, Greek, Japanese, American, Indian, Mexican, Korean, and Peruvian vegan options, just to name a few.
A vegan Indian dosa unlike any you've had before
Clearly you can find every type of dining establishment in the city, and almost all of them share in common the lack of windows and doors since the weather is always so good. There is no better way to enjoy a great vegan meal than dining outdoors, and I definitely know where you should go.
There is no bad time of the day for these vegan pancakes
There Is a Growing Vegan Community
Being vegan in Medellín is not only easy but also fun. You can meet other vegans and vegetarians at events such as fairs in local parks where you can enjoy live music, workshops, and delicious food. Information is usually shared on Instagram and WhatsApp, and if you are interested in learning more, I can share some of the people and groups to follow.
The vegan community in Medellín has never been larger and it's thriving!
Beyond the Food – Culture, Nature & Lifestyle
While there is no shortage of great reasons to be eating vegan in Medellín, the city is about more than just the food. It’s also about enjoying the fantastic culture and natural beauty of the valley where Medellín is located, and between meals you should explore the city's stunning parks, museums, art galleries, and nightlife.
Medellín has transformed over the decades, and it is now a proud and innovative city. You can witness this by taking the modern metro or cable car system that connects different parts of the city, as well as by visiting like Comuna 13, a former violent neighborhood that is now a colorful and artistic community. You can also learn more about the history and culture of Medellín by visiting places like Plaza Botero and the Museo de Antioquia.
Yuca-based arepas filled with avocado and hogao (tomatos, onions, and olive oil)
Plan Your Vegan Trip to Medellín
If you are looking for a vegan-friendly and fun vacation, Medellín should be on the top of your list. You will not only find delicious vegan food, but also friendly people, amazing sights, and perfect weather. But to make the most of your trip, you’ll need a trusted guide, and there is no one better than myself. I'm an expat from San Francisco who moved here in 2018 and became a permanent resident of Colombia, and I'm now Medellín's leading expert and travel advisor. I founded The Paisa Plan to share my unrivaled passion and knowledge about this incredible city, and this includes anyone who is also completely or mostly vegan like myself.
Follow the button below to see how you can have an authentic and unforgettable experience in the city while saving time and money with my The Magic of Medellín Map. It shows you where to find the best of everything throughout the city, including my absolute favorite vegan spots with all of my recommended dishes, plus places not to go and menu items to avoid. Check it out:
Thank you for reading, enter your email address below to be notified of future blogs, and I hope you enjoy the magic of Medellín!
- Jason ✨🇨🇴
Sources:
https://www.tripadvisor.com
https://en.casacol.co
https://www.veggievisa.com/