DINING GUIDENovember 22, 20255 min read
Word Smith (Muhammad Ali)
Senior Author & Travel Correspondent
Craving pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce while in Medellín? You're in luck. This November 27th, 2025, several top restaurants across the city are offering full traditional Thanksgiving feasts—butterball turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and all the fixings. Whether you're an expat missing home or a curious local wanting to try American holiday cuisine, here's your complete guide to Thanksgiving dining in Medellín.
Five exceptional restaurants in Medellín are offering complete traditional Thanksgiving dinners on Thursday, November 27, 2025. From high-end fine dining to casual American comfort food, there's an option for every budget and vibe.
Carmen, one of Medellín's most acclaimed upscale restaurants, is serving an elevated Thanksgiving experience for 179,000 COP per person (approximately $43 USD).
Expect gourmet preparation with Colombian-fusion touches on classic Thanksgiving dishes. Carmen's Thanksgiving menu typically features locally-sourced ingredients prepared with fine dining techniques—think herb-brined turkey with artisanal Colombian salt, truffle-infused mashed potatoes, and house-made cranberry chutney.
Located in El Poblado, Carmen offers a sophisticated atmosphere perfect for a special occasion Thanksgiving celebration. Reservations are essential and typically fill up weeks in advance.
Machiavelli's, known for its Italian-American fusion cuisine, is offering a traditional Thanksgiving feast for 150,000 COP per person (about $36 USD).
While primarily an Italian restaurant, Machiavelli's brings authentic American holiday cooking to their Thanksgiving special. The menu includes butterball turkey, classic sausage stuffing, creamy mashed potatoes, roasted green beans, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie for dessert.
The restaurant's warm, family-style atmosphere makes it an ideal choice for groups wanting a communal Thanksgiving experience.
The Marriott Medellín is hosting a traditional Thanksgiving buffet for 180,000 COP per person (approximately $43 USD), offering the most comprehensive spread of all options.
Hotel Thanksgiving dinners are perfect for tourists who want a guaranteed authentic experience. Expect a lavish buffet featuring multiple turkey carving stations, extensive side dish selections, and a dedicated dessert table with pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and cheesecake.
The Marriott's Thanksgiving celebration includes live music and a family-friendly atmosphere. It's an excellent choice for larger groups or families with children.
For the most affordable traditional Thanksgiving meal in Medellín, both Philly Steaks and The Smokin Pit are offering complete turkey dinners for just 120,000 COP per person (about $29 USD).
Located at Cra. 43E #11A-15 in the Manila neighborhood of El Poblado, Philly Steaks is serving butterball turkey, ham, sausage stuffing, mashed potatoes, veggies, dessert, and unlimited drinks. Contact: +57 302 696-0005 or +57 323 217-4600. This casual American restaurant brings authentic Philly vibes to Medellín, making it perfect for a laid-back Thanksgiving celebration.
The Smokin Pit specializes in American BBQ and comfort food, making them a natural fit for Thanksgiving. Their $120K menu includes turkey, sausage stuffing, mashed potatoes, roasted green beans, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, cheesecake jar, and eggnog for an extra $30K. Contact: +57 301-425-2532. Expect Southern hospitality and generous portions in a casual, welcoming environment.
All five restaurants are serving variations of the classic American Thanksgiving feast. Here's what you can expect:
Roasted butterball turkey is the centerpiece at every restaurant. Expect moist, tender meat with crispy skin, often served with rich gravy.
Traditional sausage-based stuffing with herbs, onions, and celery. Some restaurants offer variations with Colombian ingredients like arepas or plantains.
Creamy, buttery mashed potatoes—often the most beloved Thanksgiving side dish. Served with turkey gravy for the full experience.
Roasted green beans are the most common vegetable offering, though some restaurants include Brussels sprouts or roasted root vegetables.
Sweet-tart cranberry sauce, either the traditional jellied version or house-made with whole cranberries.
Pumpkin pie is the classic Thanksgiving dessert, though you'll also find pecan pie, cheesecake, and eggnog at various restaurants.
Thanksgiving meals in Medellín range from 120,000 to 180,000 COP per person. Here's how that translates:
Philly Steaks and The Smokin Pit offer the most affordable option with all traditional dishes included. Perfect for budget-conscious travelers or larger groups.
Machiavelli's provides an elevated experience with Italian-American fusion touches at a reasonable price point.
Carmen and Marriott offer the most luxurious Thanksgiving experiences with gourmet preparations, upscale atmospheres, and extensive menu options.
For context: a typical upscale dinner in Medellín costs 80,000-150,000 COP. These Thanksgiving meals are competitively priced considering they include multiple courses, premium ingredients (imported turkey), and specialty desserts. You're paying for a complete holiday experience, not just a meal.
Planning to pay cash at these restaurants? DolarPeso makes it easy to convert your dollars, euros, or crypto into Colombian pesos for pickup at partner locations across Medellín.
Here's how it works:
Visit dolarpeso.app and use the calculator to see how many pesos you'll get for your dollars. Our live exchange rate gives you competitive pricing — typically several percent better than traditional money changers.
Pay securely with your credit card, debit card, or USDC cryptocurrency. Your exchange confirmation is generated instantly and sent to your email.
Take your confirmation to one of our partner locations in El Poblado (most are within walking distance of the Thanksgiving restaurants). Show your confirmation, verify your identity, and receive your Colombian pesos in cash—ready to pay for your Thanksgiving feast.
Tourist Sarah from Los Angeles wanted to take her family of four to The Smokin Pit for Thanksgiving. She exchanged dollars using her Visa card on dolarpeso.app, picked up the cash at our Manila partner location (2 blocks from the restaurant), and paid in pesos at dinner. Total process time: 15 minutes.
Thanksgiving reservations in Medellín fill up fast, especially at premium restaurants like Carmen and Marriott. Aim to reserve at least 2-3 weeks in advance. Call directly or use WhatsApp for faster confirmation.
While all restaurants accept cards, some offer discounts for cash payments. Ask when booking if there's a cash discount—it could save you 5-10% on your bill.
Plan your transportation in advance. November 27th is not a Colombian holiday, so regular traffic applies. All restaurants are in El Poblado, making rideshares easy. Expect to pay 15,000-25,000 COP for an Uber within the neighborhood.
If you have dietary restrictions (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.), inform the restaurant when making your reservation. Most can accommodate special requests with advance notice.
Carmen and Marriott have smart-casual dress codes (no shorts or sandals). Philly Steaks, The Smokin Pit, and Machiavelli's are more relaxed but still recommend business-casual attire for the holiday.
Thanksgiving celebrations aren't limited to Medellín. Other major Colombian cities also offer traditional turkey dinners:
Multiple restaurants in Zona T and Usaquén offer Thanksgiving meals, including Descortés (180K), Four Seasons Country Club (180K), Grand Hyatt (180K), and Grazia (480K for groups of 4-5). W Bogotá (140K) and Sofitel Bogotá (215K) also host Thanksgiving events.
Hyatt Regency Cartagena (210K) and Sofitel Legend Santa Clara (160K) offer beachfront Thanksgiving dining with Caribbean vibes.
Marriott Cali (150K) provides a traditional Thanksgiving buffet for tourists and expats in the salsa capital.
Medellín has become a hub for American expats and digital nomads, creating demand for authentic holiday experiences. The city's restaurant scene has responded by offering high-quality Thanksgiving celebrations that rival what you'd find in the United States—often at half the price.
Beyond the food, celebrating Thanksgiving in Medellín offers a unique cultural experience: traditional American cuisine served with Colombian hospitality, in a city known for its perfect weather (expect 70-80°F on November 27th) and stunning mountain views.
Whether you're an expat missing Thanksgiving traditions or a traveler curious about American holiday culture, Medellín's Thanksgiving restaurant scene delivers authentic experiences at competitive prices.
The Smokin Pit and Philly Steaks at 120,000 COP offer the most bang for your buck—authentic American comfort food in casual, welcoming atmospheres.
Carmen (179K) provides the most elevated culinary experience with Colombian fusion touches on traditional Thanksgiving dishes.
Marriott Medellín (180K) offers a buffet-style experience perfect for groups with varying tastes and dietary needs.
Machiavelli's (150K) delivers a unique twist on Thanksgiving with their signature Italian-American approach.
Get Colombian pesos delivered to El Poblado partner locations near all Thanksgiving restaurants.
Financial analyst and travel writer covering dining, culture, and tourism across Medellín