Fancy meets homemade: La Rufina

La Rufina, Via las Palmas antes de la EIA, Envigado, Vda. El Penasco, Envigado, Antioquia. 3505308093

La Rufina is more than just a place to eat, it is an experience. With a cozy, rustic ambiance complete with fireplaces and plenty of seating options, this restaurant offers a dining experience that is both inviting and unique.

La Rufina is a fantastic restaurant for those looking for a hearty meal of burgers, steaks, and other meat-based dishes. While it is on the pricier side, the quality of the food more than justifies the cost. The open space design is a great touch, with fireplaces providing a cozy atmosphere for diners, whether they choose to sit inside or outside.

La Rufina specializes in burgers, steaks, sides, cocktails and baristas ready to make a nice coffee for the cold weather. The menu features a wide variety of options, ranging from classic burgers to more unique creations like portobello mushroom burgers, pulled pork, and even chicken sandwiches. The burgers aren’t comparable to any fast food place with paper thin patty or old lettuce, they are comparable to Grill Station or Barrio Burger in terms of quality of the burger, more gourmet and not so “fast food”. The steaks are equally impressive, with cuts ranging from skirt steak to New York steak, all cooked to perfection and served with delicious sides like papa criolla with kale and grilled vegetables.

One of the standout features of La Rufina’s food is the quality of the ingredients. The meat they use is all high quality, with fresh and flavorful toppings and buns. In addition to the burgers and steaks, La Rufina also offers other tasty options like salads and appetizers like the Papas Rufinas, which personally, would be my go-to when with a big group. A big advantage in this restaurant is that you’ll never leave hungry. Although it is expensive, La Rufina serves in big quantities which go well with their pricings.

One constant problem I have with La Rufina, is its bad customer service. You will have to wait a long time to get a waiter’s attention. Sometimes it feels like they try to avoid you, although they are always nice. The problem, in my opinion, is understaffing. Taking in consideration that it is an open space with several dining places and a really packed restaurant in which almost every time you will have to make a reservation, or you will most probably find no table, they should hire more waiters.

La Rufina is a restaurant with a cozy and inviting atmosphere, perfect for a night out or a casual lunch with friends. The open space design features high ceilings, warm lighting, and plenty of natural wood and stone accents that create a rustic vibe. The seating options include both indoor and outdoor options, providing a comfortable and relaxing environment for diners. The fireplaces add to the cozy ambiance, almost necessary because the restaurant is in Las Palmas which can get very cold at night. The decoration is also notable, with motorcycles on display and a garage-type of vibe that give the restaurant a stylish and unique feel.

I have gone several times to La Rufina and have had an excellent experience every time, always trying something different from its varied menu. In my opinion, the burgers receive a solid 9/10, I really liked the meat which is cooked to perfection, maintaining the nice juiciness a burger requires and tasty with nice seasoning. The buns taste fresh and all the toppings have a high quality and home cooked taste to them. For appetizers, I recommend the Papas Rufinas and the Ceviche de Tocino.

My go-to would be the Papas Rufinas, I like that they serve it in mountain, with several toppings like bondiola, sour cream, cheddar cheese, guacamole, and pico de gallo. I loved them and would give them a confident 10/10. I also enjoy the alitas voladoras, cacerola de macarrones con queso cheddar, s’mores rufino and the sopa de tomate san marzano. These were all solid dishes that I would recommend and would definitely eat again.

La Rufina offers a dining experience that is not only satisfying to the taste buds but also to the senses. From the mouth-watering burgers and steaks to the warm and inviting ambiance, this restaurant truly delivers on all fronts. While the service could use some improvement, the quality of the food and the unique atmosphere make La Rufina a standout dining destination. So why not make a reservation, grab some friends, and enjoy a night out filled with delicious food and cozy vibes?