A Taste of El Poblado

Pergamino Cafe, Medellin, Colombia

In this week’s edition of Leah Leaves the Apartment, I’m taking you on a little photo tour of my favorite haunts (read: restaurants and cafes) in El Poblado, an affluent neighborhood in Medellín that’s–surprise, surprise–popular among expats.

Yes, yes, Medellin is a huge city and there’s so much more to explore outside of this one little area, yet I consistently find myself back here to spend an afternoon working, despite the often poor WiFi connections.

What can I say?  The food is delicious, the coffee is strong, the dessert options are endless and the baristas are cute.  And did I mention I can shop between meals?  The trendy boutiques on Via Primavera suck me in every time.  Some expats love to hate on El Poblado (sometimes referred to as gringolandia) but this expat loves to love it.  Sorry I’m not sorry.

Allow me to introduce you to…

Verdeo

This restaurant serves the most amazing vegetarian dishes I have ever tasted.  Sounds hyperbolic, I know, but it’s true!  A burger made with portobello mushroom and blue cheese is a personal favorite, and the roasted rosemary potatoes that come as a side dish (and the green mystery sauce to dip them in) are absolutely divine.  And no solo lunch date would be complete without a glass of house red.  The decor is kitschy and eccentric; I’m always discovering new things.Verdeo, Medellin, Colombia Verdeo, Medellin, Colombia Portobello blue cheese burger, Verdeo, Medellin

Pergamino

This coffee shop has the most reliable WiFi connection but the indoor lighting is poor, so I typically don’t stay here longer than a few hours at a time so I don’t totally fry my eyeballs.  When I’m not doing work, the outdoor seating area is a most excellent place to relax and do some people watching.  The coffee sure is delicious, too–definitely served con amor.Pergamino Cafe, Medellin, ColombiaSeating at Pergamino Cafe, Medellin, Colombia Pergamino Cafe, Medellin, Colombia

Velvet

This coffee shop is just a quick jaunt across the street from Pergamino.  They have more food items on their menu so if I’m feeling peckish this is where I usually end up.  I’d prefer it always, actually, if there was a power outlet that my bulky international converter would actually fit in.  It’s comfy, bright, and beautiful inside and the coffee comes served with a tiny lemon cookie.  Sometimes it’s the little things…Cafe Velvet, Medellin, Colombia Chocolate mousse at Cafe Velvet, Medellin, Colombia

Are you a creature of habit like me, or do you prefer to mix it up?

10 comments

  • Jason

    These places all look pretty cool to me!

    I’m a total creature of habit. I like to frequently change my macroenvironment, but I am much more likely to visit the same street food vendors (and order the same thing!) and cafes and parks than broaden my horizons once I’ve found places I like.

    • La Mochilera (author)

      Still not entirely convinced we weren’t separated at birth. I like the way you phrased that: “frequently change my macroenvironment.” My sentiments exactly. And they are cool! The vegetarian place especially. I’ve tried branching out on the menu but that portobello burger calls to me every time.

  • Rachel

    I too am a big fan of the solo lunch wine. You know, I didn’t think I’d miss the fancy camera pictures, but now that you have a dSLR back in your hands, these photos do look excellent. Shows what I know. (Now feel free to tell me they are all iPhone fotos so I feel like an idiot.) I do love a good food pic.
    Rachel recently posted…Cooking Classes Oaxaca with AgustínMy Profile

    • La Mochilera (author)

      Ha! Thanks Rachel, I’m enjoying being that obnoxious person again, photographing their food for ages as it goes cold on the table. They are in fact dSLR photos. Well actually, there’s one sneaky iPhone pic in here…10 points if you can guess which one!

  • V

    Ha! I was laughing at ‘Gringolandia’.

    I would totally hang out at these places. Then again, I’ve never really cared too much what others think. If the food is good and the atmosphere is nice, I’m there! I’m definitely a creature of habit too. If it ain’t broke… ;o)

    V
    Life+1
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  • Anna | The Blonde Banana

    The vegetarian place sounds so good! I’m definitely a creature of habit when it comes to restaurants. Somehow I’ve lived in NYC for 4 years – a city filled with hundreds and hundreds of incredible restaurants – yet I keep rotating between the same 5 spots.
    Anna | The Blonde Banana recently posted…Izamal: the Enchanting Yellow City of YucatanMy Profile

    • La Mochilera (author)

      Hahaha I was the same way when I lived in New York! It didn’t help though that I lived within spitting distance of a million awesome places…I never had to walk farther than a few blocks to get a great meal if I didn’t want to.
      La Mochilera recently posted…The 12 Best Things About Being an Expat in MedellínMy Profile

  • Justine

    I like to think I like to mix it up, but I am such a creature of habit. So I don’t feel like I ate at any memorable restaurants in Medellin – that is if you don’t count the fruit vendor guy – but these places sound great. Obviously I’m super bummed I missed out on that veg place. That burger is definitely calling my name. I’m bookmarking this for next time I’m in town!
    Justine recently posted…8 Random Things to Know Before Traveling to JakartaMy Profile

    • La Mochilera (author)

      Keep these places in mind, as well as Cafe Zorba, this amazing vegetarian pizza place! That’s one of my favorite go-to spots for dinner…it’s SO popular that sometimes it’s super crowded and the service sucks, but that never stops me!
      La Mochilera recently posted…The 12 Best Things About Being an Expat in MedellínMy Profile

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