Restaurants in Ciudad Del Rio Worth Visiting (My Personal Picks)

Ciudad del Rio in El Poblado is growing fast. I’ve been coming to this part of Medellín since 2017, and the change is dramatic. It used to be mostly empty land—not many apartments, not many restaurants, mostly a destination for medical appointments. The medical towers in the area have long been popular with doctors, dentists, and specialists, and that’s what drove most of the foot traffic for years. These days, there are a lot more corporate offices opening up, and that has made the area much more attractive for restaurants.

So here is my personal take on the restaurants in Ciudad del Rio worth visiting—whether you’re here for a medical appointment, here for work, or just passing through.

Quick picks: Hat Trick (best classic burger), Helenico (gyros + best fries), Office Burger (sweeter smash), Firehouse (wings off-hours), Crepes & Waffles (reliable), Mercado del Rio (go for the vibe, not the food).

Getting to Ciudad del Rio

Getting here is easy. From El Centro it’s about a 40-minute walk for me, or a quick 10-minute metro ride. If you’re coming from the tourist part of Poblado—Parque Lleras or the Milla de Oro—you can grab a taxi or a ride, and from Manila it’s about a 20-minute walk. Once you’re here, it’s a very walkable pocket, so you can easily hit a few of these spots in one visit.

I personally love coming here to work at Starbucks—it’s my co-working spot when I need to get out of the house. Reliable Wi-Fi, a seat, and it does the job between appointments or meetings.

The Restaurants in Ciudad Del Rio Worth Visiting

Where you go depends on what you’re craving. Here’s my honest list, in the order I’d send a friend.

Hat Trick — Best Classic Burger

Hat Trick also has locations in Bogotá, and honestly I think they make the best classic burger in Ciudad del Rio. It reminds me a lot of the burgers back in the US—very well seasoned, freshly made right on the spot. If you want a straight-up great burger, this is my first pick. They opened their Ciudad del Rio location in 2026, and it was immediately the new benchmark for the neighborhood. They’re also participating in Burger Master 2026 with their “The Real Hat-Trick”—three smashed 60g patties, three cheeses including cheddar and pepper jack, triple crispy bacon, and pepper jam. That tells you everything you need to know.

Office Burger — For the Sweet Tooth

Office Burger is great too. If you like your burgers on the sweeter side, this is the place to go. Their Ciudad del Rio location is at Cl. 20 #44g-103. It was actually my favorite spot in the neighborhood until Hat Trick showed up. Still worth a visit, especially if you want something a little different from a classic smash.

Helenico — Greek Gyros and the Best Fries

Helenico is a Greek restaurant, and their gyros are genuinely excellent. They have a location right here in Ciudad del Rio at Distrito Veta, and also in Amsterdam Plaza Poblado and Laureles. The gyros are the draw, but honestly the fries are the star—crispy, tucked right into the gyro, and they elevate the whole thing. Menu prices as of mid-2026: gyro de pollo around COP 31,000, Greek fries COP 14,000 — confirm before ordering, prices change. I never leave disappointed. It’s my go-to for lunch when I want something other than a burger.

Firehouse — Burgers and Wings (Go Off-Hours)

Firehouse is solid for burgers and wings. Their Ciudad del Rio location is at Cra. 48 #20-34. The wings and ribs are what they’re known for, and there’s a 2x1 wing deal on Tuesdays. I wasn’t as into the chicken burger, but the regular burgers are good. One important warning: go during off-hours. When they get busy, the service basically disappears. I’m not being harsh—it’s just the reality. Plan around it and you’ll have a fine meal.

Crepes & Waffles — A Reliable Crowd-Pleaser

Crepes & Waffles has a location in Ciudad del Rio near Calle 20, just a short walk from Mercado del Rio. It’s a Colombian chain that’s been around for decades, so you know what you’re getting: solid crepes, good desserts, consistent quality. If you’re with someone who can’t decide or you want something lighter, this works.

Mercado del Rio — Variety Over Quality

Mercado del Rio is the food hall, located at Calle 24 No. 48-28, right next to the Bancolombia headquarters building. It opened in October 2016 in a converted soap warehouse from the late 1800s, and it has over 50 stalls: sushi, Chinese, Indian, Cuban, pizza, Colombian, and more.

It’s a great spot because of the vibe and the variety—perfect for a group or for the person in your party who can never decide where to eat. But I’ll be straight with you: the food is mediocre across the board. Don’t set your expectations too high. Go for the atmosphere, go because it’s convenient, go when you’re with a big group. Just don’t go expecting the best meal of your trip.

Two Places I Wouldn’t Rush Back To

Not every new spot that opens in Ciudad del Rio is worth the price. Two recent additions—Bacu and Grill Station—weren’t worth it for the price, in my experience. The food didn’t match what they were charging. You’ve been warned.

The Bottom Line

Ciudad del Rio isn’t the flashy, touristy part of Poblado, and that’s exactly why I like eating here. It’s grown from empty lots into a solid weekday food scene, and the burgers alone—Hat Trick in particular—are worth the metro ride. Start there, swing by Helenico for lunch, save Mercado del Rio for when you can’t decide, and skip the overpriced newcomers.

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For more eating options nearby, see my guide to the best brunch spots in El Poblado. And to keep up with what’s opening and closing around the city, check the Medellín restaurant news roundup for July 2026.