Maru Rico's version of the iconic bandeja paisa includes all traditional components: kidney beans cooked with lard, white rice, grilled chorizo, crispy chicharrón, morcilla, a perfectly fried egg, mature plantain slices, and fresh arepa. At Maru Rico, the chicharrón is especially praised—fried fresh to order, never sitting in a warmer. The bandeja is enormous and designed to sustain you through the afternoon.
Tips from diners
Come between 12-1 PM on weekdays when the lunch crowd is present—the kitchen is in full rhythm and food comes out quickly.
At 38,000 COP for a full bandeja, this is excellent value compared to restaurants in El Poblado. Come hungry and you'll get your money's worth.
Ground beef hash with potatoes and onions, served with rice and arepa.
Tips from diners
This is comfort food at its finest—simple, warming, and deeply Paisa. Perfect for lunch on a cloudy Medellín day.
Grilled chicken breast served with arepa, rice, salad, and plantain.
Tips from diners
If you want something lighter than the bandeja but still filling, the grilled chicken is excellent and more affordable.
Thin-cut, breaded and fried beef served with arepa, rice, and salad.
Tips from diners
The milanesa is a classic Paisa dish—thin, crispy, and satisfying. It's what many Paisas grew up eating.
Maru Rico grills beef throughout the day, and the quality shows. The meat is well-marbled, grilled over an open flame to preserve juiciness, and served immediately with all the sides. Unlike the bandeja, this focuses on the beef itself. Portions are huge—a single steak can easily be split between two people.
Tips from diners
Ask for your beef medium-rare. The grill is hot enough to get a crust while keeping the interior tender.
Maru Rico occupies a special place in Medellín's lunch culture—it's the kind of restaurant where construction workers and office employees queue alongside each other between noon and 1 PM. Operating in the Guayabal neighborhood, it specializes in grilled meats and traditional Colombian dishes served in huge portions at lunch prices. The dining room is intentionally simple: high ceilings, open space, red and white checkered tablecloths, and a bustling kitchen visible from most tables. It's not fancy, but the coordination of the kitchen staff and the quality of the ingredients elevate it above typical lunch comedores.
This is a lunch destination first and foremost. The lunch rush (12-1 PM) is when the kitchen is at full capacity and food comes out fastest. Arrive early or after 1 PM to avoid waiting.
Maru Rico's vibe is entirely unpretentious—you'll eat alongside construction workers, office staff, and locals who know quality when they taste it. No reservations, just show up.
The open dining room with high ceilings can accommodate groups, but the lunch hour gets loud—great for energy, challenging if you want quiet conversation.
Friendly staff and open tables make this comfortable for solo diners. Most people eat quickly at lunch, so there's no pressure to linger.
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