A route through to the best cafes, restaurants and cocktail lounges

In the vibrant heart of Medellín, the district of Provence it has been erected as a true meeting point for lovers of good food. With its tree-lined streets, its terraces invite you to the lecture and a range of cuisine that masterfully blends the local with the international, this corner of The Village has become the ideal destination for those seeking an experience that delight the palate and nourish the spirit. Here, walking is like walking a culinary map that takes you to the flavors of the tradition paisa to the most exotic corners of the world, all in a matter of a few blocks.

Make a gastronomic tour to walk through Provence is not only an activity to fill the stomach; it is a cultural immersion that awakens all the senses, tell stories of ancestral and connects people with the essence of Medellín, his story of resilience and spirit, open to the world. In this article, we will explore in depth the reasons for which Provence is a paradise for foodies, and enjoy a tour of this type, which stops can not miss and how to make the most of it to make your experience unforgettable.

Provence: more than a neighborhood, a scenario culinary

Provence is not a neighborhood either. Located in the upper area of The Village, has achieved a perfect balance between the elegance of a cosmopolitan area, and the warmth of life in the neighborhood. Its streets, lined with trees that provide welcome shade and flowers that paint the landscape of colors, are filled with life from morning until late at night. The atmosphere is relaxed and sophisticated at the same time, creating the perfect backdrop for a culinary exploration.

In a radius of just a few blocks away, focuses a gastronomic offer that demonstrates the dynamism of the city. Here coexist with haute cuisine restaurants with renowned chefs, cafés, specialty raise the culture of the coffee to another level, bars, mixology creative and, of course, stalls of street food that reinterpret traditional recipes with a gourmet touch.

What makes Provence so special for lovers of gastronomy is a combination of unique factors:

• Culinary diversity: The offer is so varied that you can find everything from the authentic and comforting colombian cuisine to proposals peruvian, mexican, japanese, Italian, and fusion play with native ingredients in surprising ways.
  
  
• Pedestrian environment and safe: Explore the neighborhood on foot is secure and comfortable, allowing for a relaxed and unhurried, ideal for a gastronomic tour. You can stand outside and observe every detail without worrying about the traffic.
  
  
• Aesthetic careful: Each room has a different personality and aesthetics, meticulously designed. The open terraces, murals and urban art and the vertical gardens make each stop a scenario photogenic and a visual experience in itself.
  
  
• Coffee culture: Medellín is located in the heart of coffee country, and in Provence this culture is lived with intensity. The coffee shops of specialty are an essential part of the experience, working directly with small producers to offer grains of the highest quality.

What is a gastronomic tour to walk? The immersion that you need

A gastronomic tour on foot is an experience guided visit various establishments to taste dishes and drinks that represent them, while an expert introduces you to their history, preparation, and cultural significance. This is not only eating, but also learn to ‘read’ the city through its flavors.

In Provence, this journey becomes a cultural immersion deep. Your guide not only you will talk about the menu, but you will tell the story of the origin of the coffee bean, you’re drinking or mixing culinary that today characterizes the city. The elements that make this experience so special are:

• Expert guides: Are people who combine a deep knowledge of gastronomic with a passion for local history, sharing anecdotes and curiosities that you wouldn’t find in a travel guide to traditional.
  
  
• Tasting cured: you won’t have to choose; the tour has been designed to try out a varied selection that includes savoury bites, sweets, drinks, and desserts, giving you a complete picture of the offer.
  
  
• Short trips: The closeness of the establishments in Provence to enjoy a tour with no rush, walk just a few minutes between each stop, which makes the ride pleasant and suitable for all.
  
  
• Local histories: Each dish has a background. From the history of the arepa, a food ancestral indigenous, until the evolution of the cocktail bar of the author with local spirits, every bite is a window to the identity of the neighbourhood and of the city.

Benefits of doing a gastronomic tour in Provence: beyond the flavor

Join a gastronomic tour has benefits that go beyond the simple pleasure of eating:

• Discover hidden gems: Many of the best flavors of Provence are in small places, managed by families or emerging chefs, that are difficult to find if you don’t have the local knowledge.
  
  
• Try without having to commit: lots of tasting allow you to experiment with a variety of flavors without having to commit to a whole plate, giving you the freedom to try a little of everything.
  
  
• Understand the local culture: The cuisine is a reflection of the history, the geography and the identity of a place. Through the meal, you can understand the influence of the farmer’s tradition, innovation and urban spirit global Medellín.
  
  
• Socialize with other foodies: The tours tend to bring together people from all over the world with the same passion for good food. It is an excellent opportunity to make new friendships, share opinions and to expand your network of contacts in the natural way.
• Optimize the time: In a few hours, a guided tour allows you to visit more sites and try more dishes than you could achieve on your own, especially if your time in the city is limited.

Suggested itinerary: from Colombia to the world in Provence

Here I propose a journey that encapsulates the best of Provence for a foodie looking for a complete experience and diverse.

1. The starting point: a specialty coffee. There is No better way to start the tour with a guided tasting of colombian coffee. In one of the many coffee shops of specialty in the neighborhood, a barista will explain to you with passion the difference between a coffee from the Huila and one of Antioquia, the processes of roasting and the different methods of preparation. The experience of tasting a coffee, high-end, with floral and fruity notes, is something that will make you rethink your relationship with this drink forever.
   
   
2. Snacks street: arepas and empanadas. Street food is the heart and soul of Medellin. In Provence, your guide will take you to test versions with elevated classics such as arepa de chócolo stuffed with fresh cheese, with its irresistible blend of sweet and salty, or some corn patties, crispy on the outside and stuffed with a stew of potatoes, and meat that is pure tradition. Accompany them with a touch of chili pepper homemade or a local soft as the Colombian.
   
   
3. The colombian cuisine reinvented. Designer restaurants in Provence, are the laboratories of creativity. Here, the chefs are not afraid to deconstruct and reinterpret dishes. You could try a version of a chili sauce in the format of foam with garnishes separate or a ceviche with mango biche and tiger’s milk of lulo, a fusion costeña-andean that amazes by its freshness and acidity.
   
   
4. An international stop. The spirit global Provence is shown in its diversity. In a matter of minutes, you can pass a local flavor to the thai cuisine, Italian or mexican. A good gastronomic tour will include a stop at a restaurant that combines the best of both worlds, for example, the sushi with the ingredients of the colombian Pacific region, or an artisan pasta that is served with a touch of local herbs.
   
   
5. The dessert and the cocoa in colombia. Colombia is one of the main producers of fine cocoa aroma in the world, and the tour would not be complete without a final sweet. The last stop could be in a chocolate artisan, where you will be able to try a chocolate mousse source, truffles handmade or ice cream and exotic fruits such as soursop or passion fruit. If you are looking for an extra touch of sophistication, some places offer food pairing chocolate with coffee or rum colombian.

Tips for making the most out of your tour

• Comes with hunger: The tastings are plentiful and varied.
  
  
• Use comfortable shoes: you’ll go through several streets, some with steep slopes, so that the comfort is key.
  
  
• Takes cash and card: Though the most places accept electronic payments, it is good to have cash for smaller more local.
  
  
• Question is: The chefs, bartenders and guides are full of stories and anecdotes that will enrich your experience.
  
  
• Be open to test: Part of the magic of a tour is to discover new flavors and dishes that you would not have asked for your account.

Beyond the food: the cultural environment of Provence

A gastronomic tour in Provence is a multi-sensory experience. Between stops, you will not only enjoy the ride, but that you empaparás of the environment of the neighborhood. You’ll hear live music from the terraces of the bars, you’ll see murals that tell the stories urban, and you fascinarás with the design shops, bookstores, and art galleries that give a touch of bohemian and modern.

This tour is, in essence, a journey of flavors without leaving Medellin. From the tasting of coffee and arepas grandma, until the ceviches creative, international dishes, and handmade chocolates, every bite is a window to a different culture. For a foodie heart, this experience is not optional, it is compulsory to connect with the heart, culinary one of the most vibrant cities in Latin america.