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