Best food and drinks in Laureles, Medellin: 15 cafés and restaurants you shouldn't miss
- 11 minutes ago
- 8 min read
Before visiting Medellín, Colombia, of course I did due research on the best neighbourhoods to stay in the city of eternal spring. While most sources online cited El Poblado, some recommended Laureles as a more local, laid-back and residential and safe option to stay at. Of course, when I can I try to avoid the most touristy areas everywhere I go, so I decided to base myself in Laureles. And if you'd asked me where I would stay again, I would 100% choose this neighbourhood over El Poblado. I visited the latter for a few days and even stayed in the area, and while it is vibrant and lively, for a more calm and local experience, while still feeling safe and comfortable, I preferred Laureles.
Whether you are searching for the best cafés, wondering where to eat, or looking for healthy brunch spots, specialty coffee or laptop-friendly cafés, this neighbourhood has something for everyone. As a solo female traveller and digital nomad, I spent over 3 weeks exploring the area, and these are the Laureles food spots I would happily return to and can honestly recommend to anyone planning a trip to Medellin, Colombia.
One thing I've learnt through solo travel is that finding a few familiar places wherever I stay makes such a difference. Whether it's a café for my morning coffee, somewhere to journal before heading out or a favourite brunch spot to return to, those little routines quickly make a new destination feel like home.
That's exactly what inspired my free Travel Wellness Routine Builder. It's designed to help you create simple routines while travelling, with reflective prompts, easy habits and a printable checklist to help you feel more grounded wherever your adventures take you.
One of the best things about Laureles, Medellin? You can walk almost everywhere
One of the things I loved most about staying in Laureles was just how compact the neighbourhood is. Rather than planning my days around transport, I found myself wandering from one café to another, stopping for brunch, browsing local shops or simply enjoying the leafy streets in between. My favourite part was grabbing a nice takeaway coffee and wondering around the streets with no plan. The front gardens of each house/building are beautiful and filled with plants I have never seen before.
Every café and restaurant in this guide is within around a 20 to 25-minute walk of each other, which makes Laureles the perfect neighbourhood for slow travel. Instead of rushing from one place to the next, I spent my mornings grabbing a coffee, exploring a few streets I'd never walked before and stumbling across little local businesses along the way. Some of my favourite cafés on this list weren't even planned stops, I just found them along the way.
Who is Laureles best for?
If you ask me, Laureles is the perfect neighbourhood for digital nomads, solo travellers and anyone who prefers a slower travel vibe. During my stay, I loved how residential it felt compared to other parts of Medellín. The streets are lined with trees and colourful gardens, and it never felt like I had to venture far to find another great café to work from or a local restaurant to try.
That said, if your priority is nightlife and being right in the middle of Medellín's busiest bars and clubs, Laureles probably wouldn't be my first recommendation. I'd be more inclined to suggest El Poblado, where you'll find a much livelier atmosphere after dark. For me, Laureles offered the best balance of local life, excellent cafés, beautiful streets and a relaxed atmosphere. It's the kind of neighbourhood that makes you want to slow down.
Now to my list of the best cafés & restaurants in Laureles, Medellín.
I visited every spot on this list during my stay in Laureles. Some became regular breakfast spots, while others I discovered after spending mornings wandering the neighbourhood. Every recommendation comes from my own experience rather than online research.
Quick answers if you're short on time
Best cafe for co-working: Semilla Cafe Coworking
Best nutrition: Smash Avocaderia
Best hidden-gem: San Juan de Mata Café y Miel
Best aesthetics: Palma Pitón
Best coffee: Pergamino Café
Best value: Naturalia Café
Now let's get into it, one spot at a time.
Pergamino Café, Laureles, Medellín
This is definitely a digital nomad hub in Medellín. There are a few of them scattered in the city, but I particularly liked the one in Laureles, because it is located in more of a residential area and I really enjoyed getting a takeaway coffee here and exploring the area afterwards. This place was recommended to me even by a coffee expert during a coffee tasting session as one of the best quality coffee in the city.
Palma Pitón, Laureles, Medellín
Another restaurant in Laureles that has a twin in El Poblado, I visited both, and both have very unique interiors that are worth a trip. It looks trendy, and very instagrammable. But this does not take away from the fact that the food served here is also amazing. I tried the ceviche and the cinco leches (5 different types of milk) cake, which was a dream.
Semilla Café Coworking, Laureles, Medellín
I would highly recommend this spot for solo travellers and digital nomads because it is one those places where you see people hanging out with their laptops, pretty much any time of the day. It certainly delivers on the atmosphere front and is great for a slower morning with a nice coffee too.
Naturalia Café, Laureles, Medellín
A cozy corner of Laureles with great food, with plenty of plant-based and healthy options. Their daily menu is also really good value for your money. The atmosphere is really warm and inviting, laptops are also allowed, so if you need to get some work done you will be welcome to.
Smash Avocaderia, Laureles, Medellín
This is for those who search for ‘avocado toast near me’ in Google maps. This is a good spot to try different types of avocado toasts, and the price is also great. Another spot where eating enough fibre in a day won’t be a challenge.
Lavocadería Rooftop, Laureles, Medellín
While we’re on the topic of avocado toasts, while not take it one step further and add beautiful rooftop views to it? Lavocadería Laureles Rooftop offers some great views of the city of Medellín, paired with good food and friendly service I had to add this to my list. If you are looking for a cool rooftop, definitely add this one to the mix.
Café Terrario, Laureles, Medellín
A more quiet, less crowded spot if you want to enjoy a nice tea or coffee with a delicious pastry or cake on the side. They also have strong WiFi in case you would also like to get some work done while visiting. For me this spot was a perfect slow travel stop in between busy areas or activities.
Alcume Café & Concept Store, Laureles, Medellín
As a solo female traveller I kept coming back to this cute, family run concept store. Beyond being a cafe and serving delicious food and drinks (try the chichárron salad, very popular in the area), they also have different activities and events planned like Sunday morning yoga or painting class, making it easy to connect with likeminded travellers.
Café Cliché, Laureles, Medellín
This is a quirky little cafe that offers good food, live music and a warm environment. This is a good spot for slow travellers who want to relax in a sofa chair with a good book and coffee in hand.
Caelus Bakery Coffee, Laureles, Medellín
A trendy little cafe with a nice back garden to enjoy. I never saw this getting super busy, which can be a blessing if you feel like you need a little break.
Lavato Laundry & Brunch, Laureles, Medellín
This is a unique concept, getting your laundry done while enjoying a drink or meal. I had to try it once, and I actually really enjoyed the atmosphere. There are lots of plants, the staff is friendly and the food was also great.
Khal Café, Laureles, Medellín
I would recommend this for more of a takeaway spot as there aren’t as many places to sit around, but can be a perfect option if you are off to explore the city.
Mundo Verde, Laureles, Medellín
This is more of a chain, but I really enjoyed it and ended up going back here a couple of times. This is because this seemed to be a really good value to get a nutritious meal for my money. The portions are generous and you can get various dishes some with more internationally recognised, and some with more Colombian flavours. I tried a few different options and never got disappointed. I would also highly recommend trying some of their desserts, they offer some really good ones from gluten and sugar free to vegan options. My favourite was the chocolate cake, it was rich and creamy.
San Juan de Mata Café y Miel, Laureles, Medellín
Green interiors are very common in Medellín and this little corner cafe is no exception. There are lots of thriving plants indoors making this quite possibly the cosiest cafe of all. You can also buy some local products here as souvenirs, so it’s also bit of a concept store. The place is very small, so I would recommend visiting off-peak hours to make sure you can get a table.
Frequently asked questions about eating in Laureles, Medellín
Is Laureles a good area for food?
Absolutely. The food and drinks spots quickly became one of my favourite things about Laureles. It has everything from specialty coffee shops and healthy brunch cafés to local restaurants and rooftop dining. Compared to some of the more touristy parts of the city, it also feels much more relaxed while still offering plenty of choice.
What are the best cafés in Laureles, Medellín?
If you love specialty coffee, Pergamino is a must-visit. Semilla Café is ideal if you're working remotely, while Alcume became one of my favourite places thanks to its community atmosphere and regular events. If you're after something quieter, Café Terrario and Caelus Bakery Coffee are both great options.
Is Laureles good for digital nomads?
Yes. During my stay in Laureles, I found plenty of cafés with reliable WiFi, good coffee and laptop-friendly spaces. The neighbourhood has a relaxed atmosphere that makes it easy to settle into a slower routine, whether you're working remotely or simply enjoying a long breakfast before exploring Medellín.
Are there healthy restaurants in Laureles?
Definitely. Naturalia Café and Mundo Verde became two of my favourite healthy food spots in Laureles thanks to their fresh ingredients, generous portions and excellent value for money. If you're looking for plant-based options, you'll also find plenty of choice throughout the neighbourhood.
Final thoughts on cafés and restaurants in Laureles, Medellin
One of my favourite things about Laureles is that it never felt rushed. It is the kind of neighbourhood where you can spend an entire morning walking from one café to the next, stop for a healthy lunch, get a little work done and finish the day watching the sunset from a rooftop. Staying in Laureles completely changed how I experienced Medellín. Rather than rushing between attractions, I found myself slowing down and enjoying the neighbourhood itself, whether that meant discovering another specialty coffee shop, chatting to locals or finding a new favourite brunch spot. If you're looking for the best food and drinks in Laureles, Medellín, I genuinely don't think you can go wrong with any of these places. Whether you're visiting Medellín for a few days or staying for a few weeks as a digital nomad, these cafés and restaurants made Laureles one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Colombia, and I would happily return to every single one.
