Medellin Food Tour: Street Eats, Aguardiente & Coffee Farm Dinner

Summary

Medellin flavors from street snacks to coffee farm feasts with locals

You’ll wander Medellin’s lively streets tasting arepas de chocolo and cheesy buñuelos before sharing shots of Aguardiente in a bustling fonda paisa bar. Try empanadas with local sauces, then relax at a hilltop coffee farm for homemade dinner and Refajo as city lights twinkle below—you’ll leave full and maybe a little bit changed.

What’s the experience like?

The van was already weaving through Medellin’s outskirts when I realized I’d skipped lunch on purpose—maybe not the best idea, but hunger made that first arepa de chocolo taste even sweeter. Our guide, Camilo, handed it over with a grin and said something about “pancake vibes”—he wasn’t wrong. The edges were crisp, the inside almost creamy, and there was this faint smell of corn that stuck to my fingers. I tried asking the vendor how she gets it so golden; she just laughed and shrugged like it was obvious.

We moved from stand to stand, each one louder than the last. Someone pressed a warm buñuelo into my hand—a cheese ball, fried until crunchy outside but soft inside. It’s apparently a Christmas thing here, but honestly I’d eat them year-round. Camilo joked that the best ones are always found in places you’d never notice on your own. He kept us moving (and laughing), pointing out how everyone eats empanadas differently—some drown them in ají sauce, others go for pink salsa. I tried both. Still can’t decide which is better.

The night got rowdier when we ducked into a fonda paisa for shots of Aguardiente—liquor with this sharp anise kick that kind of sneaks up on you. There was music spilling out onto the street and locals clinking glasses; nobody seemed in a hurry. We washed it down with spicy butifarra sausage (not sure if I loved it or just liked the challenge) before heading out to what felt like another world—a family-run coffee farm perched above the city lights.

I didn’t expect dinner to feel so homey. The farmer’s wife brought out plates piled with ripe plantain, guava, and melting cheese—she called it dessert but it tasted more like comfort food. We tried Refajo too (beer mixed with Colombiana soda), which sounds weird but is actually perfect after all those salty snacks. The air up there was cooler, smelled faintly of earth and coffee blossoms; I still think about that view over Medellin as we sipped their homemade “coffee tea.” Never had anything quite like it—fruity somehow? Hard to explain. Anyway, if you’re after a food tour in Medellin that feels real (and leaves you full), this one’s worth every bite.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Authentic Medellin food and drink tour

• Pick up and head south of Medellin
• Try Chocolo Arepa snack
• Try traditional cheese Buñuelo
• Taste Aguardiente liquor at Fondas Paisas
• Eat Empanadas with four sauces
• Try spicy Butifarra sausage
• Visit coffee farm with homemade food
• Drink Refajo, beer mixed with Colombiana
• Enjoy dessert of plantain, guava, and cheese
• Taste unique coffee tea product
• Admire city view at farm

Top questions

How long does the Medellin food tour last?

The tour covers an evening of tastings and dinner, including travel time from central Medellin (about 30 minutes each way).

Is hotel pickup included for this food tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in your booking.

What foods do you try on this Medellin food tour?

You’ll try arepa de chocolo, buñuelo, empanada with various sauces, spicy butifarra sausage, homemade dinner at a coffee farm, dessert with plantain/guava/cheese, and more.

Do you visit touristy areas or local neighborhoods?

This tour focuses on non-touristy areas about 30 minutes from central Medellin for an authentic experience.

Are drinks included on the tour?

Yes—Aguardiente (local liquor), Refajo (beer/soda mix), Colombian beer, and homemade “coffee tea” are included.

Is this food tour suitable for vegetarians or vegans?

No—the meals contain beef, pork, cheese and gluten; it’s not recommended for vegetarians or vegans.

Will there be an English-speaking guide?

A professional local guide leads the tour; English is spoken throughout.

How do you get to the coffee farm from Medellin?

The group travels together by van or car with your driver/guide; transport is included in the price.

What’s included

Your evening includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Medellin plus private transport south to colorful neighborhoods where you’ll sample street snacks with your local guide. All tastings—arepas de chocolo, buñuelos, empanadas with sauces—and drinks like Aguardiente are covered before heading to a family-run coffee farm for homemade dinner with dessert and Refajo before returning home full late at night.