The meals in Colombia is unbelievable, from road meals distributors to hearty soups, unbelievable candy baked items, and desserts ‘postres’. Throughout my 3 months in Colombia, I ate my manner round Bogota, Medellín, and Cartagena, sampling among the most must-try dishes in Colombia.
In the event you’re questioning what to eat in Colombia, here’s a listing of my favourite dishes, together with my suggestions as to the perfect locations to eat in Colombia.
15 Meals To Strive in Colombia
There’s some unbelievable meals to be present in Colombia, and resulting from its dimension, an enormous selection too. I’ve picked out a few of my favourite conventional dishes in Colombia, in addition to some suggestions for the place to attempt these tasty delights.
1. Ajiaco (Most Well-known Meals to Strive in Colombia Total)
Within the highlands and central area, Ajiaco is likely one of the hottest meals in Colombia. It’s finest described as a kind of hen and potato soup with capers, cream, and corn. The capers and cream are often served on the aspect so as to add to your style.
It’s given its attribute taste by the addition of the Colombian herb, guasca. Ajiaco is often accompanied by avocado and rice, so it’s a full meal in itself. Within the cooler elements of Colombia, like Bogota, it’s my favourite Colombian meals. It’s filling, warming, and really fairly priced.
In the event you’re in Bogota, undoubtedly ensure you cease for a bowl of this unbelievable soup. I’d extremely advocate La Puerta de la Catedral which is near Simon Bolivar Sq., the principle sq. in Bogota. It’s splendidly genuine and serves some nice meals.
Ajiaco is a superb instance of conventional meals in Colombia and is severely scrumptious.
La Puerta de la Catedral Data
Handle: Cl. 11 #6-26, La Candelaria, Bogotá, Colombia
Cellphone: +573138002181.
Working Hours: Open 7 am – 7.30 pm day by day besides Sunday, when it closes at 6 pm
Common Price of the Dish: $8
Web site: www.lapuertadecatedral.com
2. Sancocho
One other vastly well-liked soup in Colombia is Sancocho. This one is known all through Latin America, and also you’ll see that every nation has its personal twist on the fundamental recipe.
In Colombia, Sancocho is just like a stew and is made with plantain, yucca, and potato, making it a thick and filling broth. To this, numerous kinds of meat are added, together with hen or fish. In Cartagena, for instance, Sancocho consists of scrumptious white fish and coconut milk in its recipe, which supplies it an actual Caribbean twist.
It’s one other scrumptious, conventional meals in Colombia. Even in Cartagena, the place the climate is often scorching, I undoubtedly advocate the soup. You gained’t be disenchanted.
Head to Cocina de Pepina in Cartagena to do that well-known dish in Colombia.
Cocina de Pepina Data
Handle: Cl. 25 #9a-06 native 2, Getsemaní, Cartagena
Cellphone: +573008565189
Working Hours: 12 pm – 4 pm day by day, and moreover 7 pm to 9.30 pm from Tuesday to Saturday
Common Price of the Dish: $7-$8
Web site: Take a look at their Fb web page for extra info
3. Changua
Final, so as to add to the superb listing of soups in Colombia, I’ve to incorporate changua. This one is barely completely different because it’s sometimes eaten for breakfast in Colombia, or not less than in Bogota and the highlands.
Changua is constructed from milk, water, coriander, parsley, onions, and egg. It’s served with bread and is even rumored to remedy hangovers – it’s received to be price a attempt.
This deliciously creamy soup has a wealthy heritage within the Andes and is assumed thus far again to the Muisca civilization in 1500 BC. For me, it’s a good way to start out the day within the cooler elements of Colombia. It’s additionally one thing completely different from typical breakfast choices and I like to attempt completely different traditions while touring.
To do that glorious Colombian meals, maintain your eyes out round Bogota. I personally favored Mama Lupe which is situated near the cathedral within the middle of the town.
Mama Lupe Data
Handle: Cl. 11 #6-14, La Candelaria, Bogotá
Cellphone: +5712818717
Working Hours: 7 am – 9 pm day by day
Common Price of the Dish: $4
4. Empanadas
One in all my absolute favourite issues to eat in Colombia is the unbelievable road meals on provide, and near the highest of that listing are empanadas.
These little pockets of pleasure aren’t unique to Colombia and are discovered throughout Latin America in numerous guises, however in Colombia, you’ll discover nearly all of them deep-fried, which differentiates them from the remainder of the continent.
They’re generally filled with beef, hen, cheese, and ham. More and more well-liked are vegetarian empanadas containing cheese, spinach, and blended greens.
You’ll generally discover road distributors in each main Colombian metropolis serving these from pop-up stalls. In the event you’re in Medellin, attempt Empanadas El Machetico. You’ll be able to inform the empanadas listed here are nice from the lengthy queues! Be affected person, they’re definitely worth the wait.
Empanadas El Machetico Data
Handle: Cl. 9 #42-38, El Poblado, Medellín
Cellphone: +576044079925
Working Hours: 5 am – 10 pm day by day, open till 12 am on Friday and Saturday
Common Price of the Dish: lower than $1 per empanada
Web site: Take a look at their Instagram web page for extra info
5. Arepas
One other excellent choice for a grab-and-go snack, arepas are a very frequent chew in Colombia.
There are over 30 various kinds of arepas in Colombia, however in essence, they’re cornflour pockets full of quite a lot of fillings. A number of the hottest varieties are arepa de queso which is savory and created with a cheese filling, and arepa de huevo which is (one way or the other) cooked with an egg inside.
You too can get candy arepas, that are cooked with a special sort of corn, extra like sweetcorn. They’ve a scrumptious taste, and so they’re surprisingly filling.
You’ll discover that plain arepas are served on the aspect of meals in eating places, notably with breakfast. These is usually a little plain and I undoubtedly advocate heading out and discovering arepas road meals stands that are a lot better and much tastier.
Alternatively, attempt La Pepiada in Cartagena for an excellent number of stuffed arepas.
La Pepiada Data
Handle: Cra. 6 #35-17, Centro, Cartagena de Indias, Provincia de Cartagena
Cellphone: +573138451682
Working Hours: Open 24 hours, Thursday to Saturday, 8 am – 10 pm, Sunday to Tuesday, and eight am – 11 pm on Friday
Common Price of the Dish: Round $5
6. Patacones
Patacones are a staple meals in Colombia and I discover them completely scrumptious. They’re usually served as a aspect or a starter and are constructed from plantain, which is smashed after which deep-fried.
They’ll be served as ’rounds’ and if introduced as a starter you’ll get quite a lot of sauces to dip them in, from ketchup and mayo to native, selfmade scorching sauces.
Patacones are constructed from unripe plantains, from which the dish will get its identify. The riper, sweeter plantains are referred to as platanos and may also be deep-fried to make a a lot sweeter aspect.
You’ll discover this tremendous typical meals in Colombia in all places you go, however in the event you’re in Medellin, attempt conventional Colombian meals, together with patacones and extra at Mamasita Medallo.
Mamasita Medallo Data
Handle: Cra 43D # 10 – 77, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín
Cellphone: +573223591901
Working Hours: 12 pm – 12 am day by day. Closes at 2 am on Friday and Saturday
Common Price of the Dish: $3-5 as a aspect, or attempt loaded patacones (pataconda) for $11
Web site: https://www.mamasitamedallo.co/inicio
7. Tamales
Tamales are sometimes eaten at breakfast on a Sunday in Colombia, though you’ll discover them out there at any time of day in many various locations all through the nation.
These tasty parcels comprise a mix of maize, meat (usually hen, pork, or each), peas, carrots, and different greens relying on the area. The filling is then blended collectively and wrapped in a plantain leaf.
The leaf and its filling is then positioned in boiling water for round 5 hours to let the flavors all combine into one another. It’s a hearty, warming, and easy dish.
You will discover tamales in lots of typical eating places in Bogota, notably round Simon Bolivar Sq.. They’re notably scrumptious in La Puerta Falsa, however you too can purchase them from the grocery store or native distributors and cook dinner them your self at house.
La Puerta Falsa Data
Handle: Cl. 11 #6-50, Bogotá, Colombia
Cellphone: +5712865091
Working Hours: 7 am – 7.30 pm Monday to Saturday, 7 am – 6 pm on Sundays
Common Price of the Dish: $2-$5 (relying on the place you eat them)
Web site: www.restaurantelapuertafalsa.inf.journey
8. Bandeja Paisa
Maybe probably the greatest examples of conventional native meals in Colombia is bandeja paisa. It’s often known as the countryman’s platter and could be very well-liked in each Bogota and Medellin.
This big plate of meals will certainly fill even the hungriest of vacationers. It’s a large serving of floor meat, chorizo, chicharon (fried pork stomach), fried eggs, plantain, rice, avocado, and a plain arepa.
It additionally has an attention-grabbing cultural relevance because it incorporates many various influences on Colombia. The arepas come from the indigenous, the beans and plantain from African influences, and the chorizo and floor meat from the Spanish.
In the event you’re in Medellin, head to Restaurante Mondongo’s for bandeja paisa, one of many must-try dishes in Colombia.
Restaurante Mondongo’s Data
Handle: Cl 10 #38-38, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín
Cellphone: +576046048116
Working Hours: Opens at 11.30 am day by day, closes at 9.30 pm Monday to Friday, 10 pm on Saturday, and eight pm on Sunday
Common Price of the Dish: $8
Web site: www.mondongos.com.co/carta-menu/1/#primary
9. Cazuela de Mariscos
As you head in direction of the coast of Colombia, the hearty stews and platters of the highlands are changed by unbelievable fish dishes.
One in all my absolute favorites is cazuela de mariscos, or seafood stew. It is a rather more typical meals in Colombia while you attain the Caribbean coast. It’s a creamy stew with shrimp, clams, and white fish cooked in a coconut broth.
In the event you’re in an area restaurant, then the exact contents of the cazuela will depend upon what’s been caught on the day.
As with Sancocho, that is one other glorious scorching dish to be loved by the coast regardless of the temperature. It’s tremendous contemporary and attractive and is unquestionably probably the greatest meals to attempt in Colombia. I’d advocate having it at Buena Vida Marisquería in Cartagena.
Buena Vida Marisquería Data
Handle: Centro histórico, Cl. del Porvenir #Esquina, Cartagena
Cellphone: +573223061025
Working Hours: 8 am – 11.30 pm day by day
Common Price of the Dish: $10
Web site: www.gela.co/menu_buenavida.pdf
10. Ceviche
The ceviche in Colombia is really scrumptious. Overlook what you might know of ceviche from house and make sure to do this scrumptious Colombian meals.
Historically, ceviche is made with uncooked white fish cured in citrus juice and blended with completely different flavors. In Colombia, there are two kinds of scrumptious ceviche to take pleasure in.
The primary is nearer to the normal Peruvian dish, with completely different sorts of seafood marinated in tiger’s milk. This produces an extremely fresh-tasting dish which is usually topped with patacones.
Alternatively, in the event you’re on the seashore, look out for carts promoting ceviche or cocteles de camarones, the second sort of ceviche. This well-known dish of Colombia is extra like a tangy prawn cocktail served in a plastic or styrofoam cup. It could not sound a lot however belief me, it’s unbelievable.
When in Cartagena, head to La Cevicheria in Outdated City for unbelievable ceviche in a superbly Colonial road setting.
La Cevicheria Data
Handle: Calle Stuart por el lodge Santa Clara Calle 39 #7 14, Cartagena
Cellphone: +5756798743
Working Hours: 1 pm to 10.30 pm, 7 days every week
Common Price of the Dish: $10
Web site: www.lacevicheriacartagena.com
11. Mango Biche
The fruit in Colombia is unbelievable, with many, tremendous contemporary varieties. A few of my favourite fruit-based meals in Colombia is mango biche.
These spears of unripe mango are bought by road sellers throughout Colombia. You’ll get a small plastic cup of mango spears that are sprinkled with lemon juice, salt, pepper, and, if you need it, scorching sauce. It could sound like an unlikely mixture however attempt it, it’s actually good.
These are tremendous low-cost snacks you can choose up throughout Colombia. They’re excellent to eat on the go and are actually refreshing within the hotter elements of Colombia. Or in the event you’re taking an extended bus journey, look out for the sellers coming onto the bus and seize your self a cup for the experience.
12. Cholao
Persevering with the fruit theme, cholao (also called cholado), is a loopy combination, however a really well-known dish in Colombia.
It’s a superb concoction of fruit and condensed milk that makes a scrumptious snack or dessert. It’s often served in a big glass with ice within the backside. To this, layers of fruit are added equivalent to papaya, soursop, and pineapple. It’s completed off with fruit syrup and condensed milk, that are added to make the fundamental cholao.
You might discover cholao with added coconut or cherries on high, or often with whipped cream and wafers for an actual deal with.
For anybody with a candy tooth, this little gem is scrumptious and in addition surprisingly refreshing. It’s frequent everywhere in the nation, notably by the coast. It’s initially from Cali, so in the event you’re within the south, take a look at Cholados Gourmand in Cali for this superb Colombian meals.
Cholados Gourmand Data
Handle: Cra. 34 #3-47, El Sindicato, Cali
Cellphone: +573054272087
Working Hours: 1 pm to 9 pm day by day, opens at 11 am on Saturday and Sunday
Common Price of the Dish: $2 – $3
13. Chocolate Santaferaño
In the event you like distinctive combos, then that you must look out for chocolate Santaferaño or chocolate con queso. Sure, for people who perceive Spanish, that does translate to chocolate with cheese.
Historically, eaten or drunk as a meal between lunch and dinner, this mix of scorching chocolate and cheese has been a typical meals in Colombia for hundreds of years. It includes a cup of scorching chocolate with cheese, and generally bread, on the aspect.
The cheese is minimize or ripped into small items and dropped into the chocolate to soften. Give it a stir and revel in this style sensation. It could appear to be a loopy mixture to many people, however in Colombia, it’s completely regular.
It’s usually loved on weekends, with scorching chocolate being a preferred drink to be served with breakfast (with or with out cheese!). In the event you’re staying in El Poblado in Medellin, head to The Chocolate Home to take pleasure in this unusual however delicious favourite.
The Chocolate Home Data
Handle: Cl. 8 #34-33, El Poblado, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín
Cellphone: +5743222214
Working Hours: 1 pm – 8.30 pm day by day, open till 9.30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays
Common Price of the Dish: $1 – $2
Web site: www.thechocolatehouse.com.co
14. Pandebono
For a fast snack to be eaten with a scorching drink, pandebono is a good choice. This small, spherical, bread-like chew is full of a refined candy cheese.
You’ll see pandebono bought by road sellers and out there in most espresso outlets in Colombia. It’s historically eaten with scorching chocolate, however can it may also be eaten alongside espresso or by itself.
It’s an excellent grab-and-go choice in the event you’re on the transfer or if you need a fast snack. In the event you’re staying within the well-liked Chapinero in Bogota, head to Árbol de Pan for unbelievable pastries and brunches, together with pandebono.
Árbol de Pan Data
Handle: Cl. 66 Bis #4-63, Localidad de Chapinero, Bogotá
Cellphone: +573127039828
Working Hours: 8 am – 7.30 pm Tuesday to Friday, 8 am – 6 pm Saturday, 8.30 am – 4 pm Sunday, closed Monday
Common Price of the Dish: Lower than $1 for pandebono
15. Obleas
Lastly, when you have a candy tooth, ensure you attempt obleas while you’re in Colombia.
Generally bought by road distributors with carts in Bogota, an obleas consists of two skinny, spherical wafer discs with candy fillings added between. You’ll be able to select from chocolate sauce, blackberry jam, shredded coconut, arequipe, or caramel. The 2 wafers are then caught collectively and voila, you will have your self a scrumptious, candy deal with.
In the event you’re wandering by the middle of Bogota, you’ll discover obleas carts with photos of Mick Jagger on them. Apparently, in 2016, Mick Jagger was photographed consuming an obleas purchased from one such cart (almost all of them declare to be the one cart that bought that obleas to the worldwide star).
Obleas de Doña Berta appears to have declare to be the precise road stall that bought to Mick. If not, its price understanding that she nonetheless serves mighty nice obleas.
Obleas de Doña Berta Data
Handle: Cl. 11 #6-42, Bogotá
Working Hours: 10 am – 6 pm day by day
Common Price of the Dish: Lower than $1
Meals Excursions in Colombia
To attempt among the finest meals in Colombia, I extremely advocate becoming a member of a meals tour. These are glorious methods to not solely attempt nice typical meals in Colombia however to additionally be taught the historical past and cultural components behind these well-known dishes.
Listed below are a few of my favourite excursions for making an attempt Colombian meals:
Medellin Road Meals and Rooftops Tour
Uncover the colourful neighborhood of El Poblado on this good meals tour whereas sampling among the finest Colombian road meals like arepas (corn muffins) or palitos de queso (cheese sticks).
As a bonus, you’ll head as much as a few the perfect rooftops within the space, with superb views and nice atmospheres. Click on right here to e book a spot.
Santa Marta Strolling Meals Expertise
Pattern some typical meals in Colombia on this improbable foodie tour in Santa Marta. You’ll get to attempt the well-known Arepa de huevo (corn cake with egg) which is made on the coast.
As well as, you’ll additionally meet some super-talented baristas and be taught all about Colombian tradition and historical past by the scrumptious meals. Click on right here to e book now.
Bogota Meals Discovery Tour
Because the capital of Colombia, Bogota is house to some unbelievable eating places. I like to recommend becoming a member of this 3-hour meals tour on the begining of your journey to Bogota.
The tour helps you find out about and style some regional and conventional dishes, in addition to obtain the information’s professional suggestions of the perfect locations to eat within the metropolis. Click on right here to e book the tour.
Cartagena: Greatest Road Meals with Native Chef
Uncover Cartagena’s genuine road meals within the firm of a educated, native chef. Not solely will he train you all in regards to the delicacies, and the completely different cultures which have influenced it, however you’ll get to be taught a bit of in regards to the metropolis too.
You’ll go to 10 must-see locations and pattern unique recipes made by conventional cooks in between. E book right here for a scrumptious day trip.
Flavors of Cali
Take a break from salsa dancing, and style and be taught all in regards to the completely different flavors in Cali. This meals tour focuses on tropical fruits, which is one in every of my favourite issues about Colombia and South America total.
It’s a special twist to a conventional meals tour, and also you’ll be taught in regards to the practices of the completely different cultures which give life to the scrumptious contemporary meals within the area. Click on right here to e book.
Greatest Colombia Meals FAQs
Listed below are some solutions to incessantly requested questions in regards to the meals of Colombia:
Soups are very fashionable in Colombia, with probably the most conventional dishes being Ajiaco and Sancocho. Arepas are additionally a typical meal in Colombia and are available plain or with completely different toppings in eating places.
To flee the warmth, dinner is eaten late in Colombia, often between 8 pm and 10 pm. You’ll discover that eating places get busier from round 9 pm with locals nonetheless arriving.
Lunch is the biggest meal of the day and is usually eaten at mid-afternoon, between 1 and three pm. That is possible as a result of dinner is eaten later in Colombia.
Like in North America, breakfast is eaten between 7 and 9 am. It’s often eaten earlier, with a snack (like a pandebono) eaten at mid-morning with a espresso or scorching chocolate.
Sure. Most eating places will embrace a voluntary tip on the invoice (propina voluntaria) which is often round 10%. Double-check whether or not that is included on the invoice. If not, 10-15% is an effective quantity to go along with, relying on the kind of restaurant.
Bandeja Paisa is formally Colombia’s nationwide dish, and undoubtedly probably the most filling. It comes on an enormous plate and consists of beans, pork, rice, chicharron, avocado, arepa, chorizo, and eggs. It’s a monster dish, so ensure you’re particularly hungry earlier than ordering it.
Arepas are most likely one of the well-liked as they make nice aspect dishes or may be eaten as a snack. You’ll additionally discover them in all places; in eating places, road distributors, and within the supermarkets too.
In Conclusion
The meals in Colombia could be very various. From scrumptious ceviche on the coast to variations of arepas relying on which area you go to, from candy to savory, fried to contemporary. One factor is for certain, you definitely go hungry in Colombia.
There are such a lot of glorious dishes past this listing, however these are certainly my favorites. Now, take pleasure in sampling the perfect meals in Colombia!
