Today, I want to talk to you about my favorite place in Medellín to go out for a meal, have a coffee, or enjoy a few beers. Without a doubt, it’s the area where I would stay if I were visiting the city. I’m talking about Barrio Manila, a small sector in the lower part of El Poblado that, over time, has transformed into a curious mix of the past and present of the Antioquian capital.
As a very touristy city, many places in Medellín have transitioned from residential areas to centers of commerce and entertainment. This has happened with spots like Provenza and Comuna 13, among others.
What makes Manila special is that despite the arrival of incredible restaurants, small cafés, high-quality hotels, and hostels, it still retains much of its traditional architecture, with large houses over 50 years old, ancient trees, and especially its quiet streets that give it a touch of mystery.
Manila has been one of the historic neighborhoods where Medellinian families settled several decades ago. And indeed, today you can still see older families taking a stroll through the neighborhood and sharing the space with young people from all over the world and other parts of the city who come to enjoy the vibrant energy of the area.
In this post, I’ll tell you about my favorite spots and everything you need to know to enjoy the place.
What will you find in this post?
- Location
- How to Get There
- Restaurants
- Bihao
- Idílico
- Halong Vietnamita / Saigon Fire
- Tal Cual / Mi Ceviche
- Criminal Taquería
- Creta
- Hotels
- Landmark Hotel Medellín
- Viajero Medellín Hostel: Best Hostel in Manila
- Los Patios: Best Hotel to Meet People
- Poblado Guest House: Affordable Apartments
Location
The Barrio Manila is located just below Avenida El Poblado and above Avenida Las Vegas. It is also found to the north of Calle 10. It’s like a small island within El Poblado, separated from the chaos and massive movement that generally characterizes the area.
How to Get There
The best way to get to Manila is by Metro, as it is a 5-minute walk from Poblado station. If you are in other parts of El Poblado, you could also walk, although being surrounded by main avenues, the walk might not be the most comfortable. In this case, I recommend taking a taxi, Uber, or other transportation apps.
Restaurants
Bihao
This restaurant offers a gastronomic journey throughout Colombia. At Bihao, they revive the culinary traditions of the different regions of our country to create high-quality cuisine.
Bihao is located in a very quiet area and is pet-friendly, so you can bring your pet. Additionally, they have live music on weekends and various rituals perfect for celebrating special occasions.
Recommended dishes:
- Marranitas
- Capón de ahuyama
- Arroz endiablado
Idílico
Halong Vietnamita / Saigon Fire
A little piece of Vietnam in Medellín. This restaurant is one of the highest-rated in the city thanks to the variety of its menu inspired by oriental cuisine. Additionally, it has two settings: one more family-oriented (Halong) and another more lively for the night (Saigon Fire). What makes this place special, besides the delicious and plentiful dishes, is that it is in the middle of a small forest that has been set up by the restaurant owners with some traditional Vietnamese elements.
Recommended dishes:
- Any ramen from the menu
- Pork and chicharrón baos
Tal Cual is a signature cuisine restaurant with a lot of tradition, founded in 2014. Initially, it operated as both an art gallery and a restaurant. Today, after several years, it still retains that bohemian touch, filled with iconic pieces both in the decoration of the place and in the dishes themselves. Due to its ambiance, it is the perfect spot for a date with someone special.
Recommended dishes:
- Octopus carpaccio (starter)
- Sea and Land Trilogy
- Pacific catch
Criminal Taquería
If you prefer a relaxed place to have some good beers, in a lively atmosphere and eat something quick to start the night, Criminal is the best option in Manila. It is a taquería with a very urban touch, from the music to the ambiance and the flavor. Any taco from the menu is good, but we particularly love the quesadilla and the elotes desgranados.
Creta
Creta is a Mediterranean restaurant with unparalleled decoration. Entering there is like immersing yourself in a small Arab palace. The fountains, music, furniture textures, and even the smells transport you to the Middle East and the Mediterranean. From our list, this may be the most expensive option, but it is truly worth it, especially if you are celebrating a special occasion. I recommend going on Thursdays (when there is an Arab dance show) or on Saturdays (when there is live music).
Recommended dishes:
- Hummus (starter)
- Lamb kebab
Hotels
Landmark Hotel Medellín
Price per night: $580,000 COP ($80 USD)
Rating: 4.6
Based on: 2,178 reviews from Google Maps / Trip Advisor / Booking.
Book on Booking.com
If you are a discerning traveler who always demands and expects a little more from your accommodation experience, you will love Landmark. In addition to the design and decoration touches of a boutique hotel, what I like most about this option is that it has a very nice rooftop pool, a gym, and a space in the rooms to work comfortably.
Landmark is located in the Manila neighborhood, which we have described in this blog as one of the best mixes between a cosmopolitan atmosphere, nightlife, and local Medellín experience.
The best thing about staying in this area is that you are in the most central point of all the good things happening in El Poblado. While Manila itself is a great experience, when you want to go to busier areas like El Lleras or Provenza, or when you want to move to a tourist area on the other side of the city, you’ll be just a few minutes walking distance away.
Viajero Medellín Hostel: Best Hostel in Manila
Credits: Viajero Medellín Hostel
Credits: Viajero Medellín Hostel
Price per night: $194,367 COP ($40.03 USD)
Rating: 4.3
Based on: 1,697 reviews from Google Maps / Trip Advisor / Booking.
Book on Booking.com
Manila is a charming neighborhood with excellent accommodations, restaurants, and much less crowded than El Lleras or Provenza. The Viajero hostel chain chose this cozy place to establish its great headquarters in Medellín.
Its main attraction is the terrace, which offers a privileged view of the city and has 2 jacuzzis and a bar, the ideal place to meet more young people from all over. Additionally, in its modern facilities, there are other common areas such as the lobby with a ping pong table and kitchen/dining area.
Rooms can be private or shared (with an option for women-only shared rooms), but as is often the case in hostels, a bit of privacy is sacrificed to create an environment where travelers can have fun and interact.
Los Patios: Best Hotel to Meet People
Credits: Los Patios Hostel
Credits: Poblado Guest House
Price per night: $198,333 COP ($40.85 USD)
Rating: 4.3
Based on: 1,051 reviews from Google Maps / Trip Advisor / Booking.
Book on Booking.com
The building is located in the Manila neighborhood, 4 blocks from the Poblado Metro station and very close to the Éxito supermarket on Calle 10. This is the right option if you are looking for a restful stay in a cozy place with an excellent location.
Poblado Guest House has 4 apartments, totaling 19 private rooms available, some with private bathrooms, and all sufficiently spacious to accommodate 2 people at a very favorable price.
Among its attractions are good customer service, breakfast for only $10,000 COP (if not already included in the reservation), the kitchen, and common areas for spending time. Being a family-oriented place, they prohibit parties and are strict with schedules in the common areas.
