Machiavelli’s Alta Pastelería. The Pastry Shop Changing Breakfast in Medellín

• Flaky croissants that finally live up to the hype 🥐

• A focused menu that values technique over trends 🎯

• Coffee that pairs with the pastries instead of fighting them ☕

• A clean, modern space built for slow mornings 🌞

• A must-visit stop for Medellín food lovers and newcomers alike 📍

The Laureles Bakery Raising the Bar for Medellín

If you spend enough mornings in Laureles you start to see which cafés actually matter. Some come and go. Some stay busy because they have free WiFi or a cute mural. Then there are the spots that pull people in because the food is simply better. Machiavelli’s Alta Pastelería falls into that last category.

You find it on Carrera 73 Circular 3 20. It sits quietly on the block. No loud signage. No gimmicks. You walk in and the first thing you hear is the whirr of the coffee machine and the low hum of people chatting. The second thing you notice is the smell. Butter. Toasted layers. Fresh pastry. It hits before you even look at the menu.

A Shop That Feels Focused

Machiavelli’s is not trying to compete with giant brunch places. The space is tight and clean with muted colors and a unique look which is accented with colors that gently pronounce the luxury experience. True luxury is never loud and obnoxious. Every counter looks organized, and as I alluded to in the interview, the minimalist approach is very appreciated by me. The pastry case always seems freshly stocked, not overloaded. There is intention in how everything sits. When you talk to Charles, the owner, it makes sense. He treats pastry like a craft, not a product line.

His approach is simple. Good butter. Good technique. Repeat the process until it becomes second nature. When you hear him talk, you can see how his personal standards shaped the shop. He is not selling hype. He is selling execution. The layers on every croissant tell that story more than his words ever could.

What Makes These Pastries Hit Hard

Taste is the real separator- when you pick up one of their pistachio croissants and it has weight without feeling dense, you will know you're eating something different. The edges stay crisp, the inside feels tender, the pistachio topping brings sweetness and actual flavor without turning into a sugar bomb. It is the kind of pastry you finish slowly because you don't want the next bite to be the last.

Same with the classic butter croissant. The outside flakes just enough to make a mess on the table. You get that rich smell before you taste anything. When you break it open, it pulls apart in soft layers, these details are rare in Medellín. Most bakeries here lean toward softer, less flaky and sweet dough. Machiavelli’s goes the opposite way, they push texture, structure, and buttery flavor. These things take the time.

Their fruit danishes are another winner. The mango or raspberry options hit that balance between sharp fruit and warm pastry. The glaze is gentle, not overwhelming. You can tell they care about color and presentation because even a simple Danish looks as instagrammable as any food in the city. The brunch crowd will absolutely flood their timeline with it.

The Coffee Matters Too

Plenty of spots in Medellín lean on good pastry without good coffee. Machiavelli’s does not fall into that trap. Their drinks hold up. An espresso tastes clean, a cappuccino comes out with the right foam and temperature. Nothing feels rushed, just like their pastries. If you sit down with a pastry and a coffee, you feel like the entire combo works the way it should.

What Locals Actually Say

If you hang around the tables long enough you start to notice patterns. People mention how they “finally found a proper croissant in Medellín.” Others talk about how the service feels friendly but not intrusive. Some bring friends to show them “the spot I told you about.” You hear a lot of excitement, which is rare for a bakery. Croissants normally do not spark conversation, but these do.

Out-of-towners who stay in Laureles always say the same thing. They saw the pastries on Instagram or TikTok. They walked in expecting something trendy. They left talking about how the quality was real. That is a good sign. Trend chasers do not return to a place unless the food backs it up.

A Place That Fits the Neighborhood

Laureles has grown fast. It now pulls travelers, remote workers, and young Colombian professionals who want more from their daily coffee spots. Machiavelli’s fits that shift. It feels modern. It feels like a place you go when you care about what you are eating. It becomes a little morning ritual. You grab your pastry. You read the menu. You take a seat. You take a breath.

There’s also something refreshing about a shop that does not try to be everything. They do not push giant breakfast plates. They do not try to be a restaurant. They stay focused on pastry and coffee. That kind of discipline stands out here. It makes the place feel trustworthy.

What to Order on Your First Visit

If you are walking in for the first time, start simple. Go with the pistachio croissant. It tells you everything you need to know about their technique. After that, grab one of their buttery croissants or their danishes. If you want something richer, try their specials behind the glass. They rotate often and always look sharp.

Pair it with a cappuccino or an espresso. Sit by the atrium if you can. Watch people pass while you let the pastry settle. This is what mornings in Laureles should feel like.

Add It to Your Medellín Food List

Yes. If you love pastry, this is an automatic add. If you enjoy slow mornings, with a European vibe you will love this pace. If you travel with your eyes first and your taste buds second, you will appreciate how everything looks. Machiavelli’s isn't about flash, it's about quality. That fits the Medellín food scene right now, which has shifted toward smaller, carefully built concepts instead of loud tourist-driven venues.

My Final Take

Machiavelli’s Alta Pasteleria is one of those places that gets better the more you pay attention to it. First the croissant hits, then the coffee, then the energy, oh and not to mention the idea that someone actually cared enough to build a pastry shop that feels this refined. In a city full of new rooftop bars and bullshit "Curated Experiences" this one stands out because it delivers, they don't need a neon sign telling you to live your life, their pastries do that for you. If you need to get your foodie passport stamped by posting a picture on Instagram, make sure you pick up your fork, because once you do, it's game over.

You can find them at:
📍 Machiavelli’s Alta Pasteleria
Carrera 73 Circular 3 20
Laureles Medellín Colombia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/machiavellispasteleria
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/machiavelliscafebar
WhatsApp: +57 304 548 2468