Made with homemade penne and a sauce built on rendered guanciale fat and imported tomato. Simple, traditional, and better for the quality of ingredients. Reviewers consistently praise this dish for its authenticity and balance.
Tips from diners
This is lighter than the lasagna. Good if you're returning and want variety.
This is Elena's flagship dish. The pasta sheets are rolled by hand, the beef ragù is simmered for hours with Italian tomatoes, and the béchamel is made fresh daily. Reviewers note the quality of each layer—nothing is rushed. It's comfort food executed with discipline.
Tips from diners
The lasagna is the signature. Order it on your first visit. It's what locals come back for.
Be prepared to wait 30 minutes. Everything is made fresh. Use the time to settle in and enjoy wine or water.
Homemade layered dessert with mascarpone, espresso, and cocoa.
Tips from diners
Skip it if you're in a hurry—this is a finale to linger over with an espresso or digestivo.
Homemade pasta tubes filled with spinach and ricotta, topped with béchamel and baked.
Tips from diners
The canelones are a solid vegetarian option. The spinach and ricotta filling is generous and well-seasoned.
Fresh fettuccine with shrimp, garlic, and a light tomato-white wine sauce.
Tips from diners
This is a good middle-ground between the hearty lasagna and the lighter amatriciana. The shrimp adds protein without heaviness.
Founded in 1986 by Italian-trained Chef Elena Cuccia Alloni, Palazzetto D'Italia is one of Medellín's oldest Italian restaurants. It occupies the second floor of a historic building at the corner of Caracas and El Palo in El Centro, away from tourist traffic. Everything is made by hand in-house—pasta, sauces, and fillings. The kitchen takes 30 minutes per order because nothing is pre-prepared. The result is that downtown office workers remain loyal customers, filling the small space during lunch hours.
Reservations are essential, especially lunch time (noon–2pm) when it fills with downtown office workers. Call ahead: 315-477-4316 or 318-468-7993.
This is a hidden gem. It's on the second floor of a historic downtown building, not marked prominently. Find the corner of Caracas and El Palo, look for the bakery below, and go upstairs.
The wait for food is 30 minutes because Elena cooks everything from scratch. This is a feature, not a bug. Settle in, relax, and understand why locals love this place after 38 years.
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