The meals in Colombia is unimaginable, from road meals distributors to hearty soups, unimaginable candy baked items, and desserts ‘postres’. Throughout my 3 months in Colombia, I ate my means round Bogota, Medellín, and Cartagena, sampling a few of the most must-try dishes in Colombia.
When you’re questioning what to eat in Colombia, here’s a listing of my favourite dishes, together with my suggestions as to the very best locations to eat in Colombia.
15 Meals To Strive in Colombia
There’s some unimaginable meals to be present in Colombia, and resulting from its measurement, 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 General)
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 moderately priced.
When you’re in Bogota, positively ensure you cease for a bowl of this unimaginable 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 Info
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 massively standard soup in Colombia is Sancocho. This one is legendary 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 sorts 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 provides it an actual Caribbean twist.
It’s one other scrumptious, conventional meals in Colombia. Even in Cartagena, the place the climate is often sizzling, I positively advocate the soup. You received’t be upset.
Head to Cocina de Pepina in Cartagena to do this well-known dish in Colombia.
Cocina de Pepina Info
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 data
3. Changua
Final, so as to add to the superb listing of soups in Colombia, I’ve to incorporate changua. This one is barely totally different because it’s usually eaten for breakfast in Colombia, or not less than in Bogota and the highlands.
Changua is created from milk, water, coriander, parsley, onions, and egg. It’s served with bread and is even rumored to remedy hangovers – it’s bought to be value a attempt.
This deliciously creamy soup has a wealthy heritage within the Andes and is believed up to now again to the Muisca civilization in 1500 BC. For me, it’s an effective way to start out the day within the cooler elements of Colombia. It’s additionally one thing totally different from ordinary breakfast choices and I like to attempt totally different traditions while touring.
To do that wonderful Colombian meals, preserve your eyes out round Bogota. I personally appreciated Mama Lupe which is positioned near the cathedral within the heart of town.
Mama Lupe Info
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
Certainly one of my absolute favourite issues to eat in Colombia is the unimaginable 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 the vast majority of them deep-fried, which differentiates them from the remainder of the continent.
They’re generally full of beef, hen, cheese, and ham. More and more standard 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. When you’re in Medellin, attempt Empanadas El Machetico. You possibly can inform the empanadas listed here are nice from the lengthy queues! Be affected person, they’re definitely worth the wait.
Empanadas El Machetico Info
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 data
5. Arepas
One other excellent possibility for a grab-and-go snack, arepas are a very widespread chunk in Colombia.
There are over 30 various kinds of arepas in Colombia, however in essence, they’re cornflour pockets full of a wide range of fillings. A few 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 can even get candy arepas, that are cooked with a unique kind of corn, extra like sweetcorn. They’ve a scrumptious taste, they usually’re surprisingly filling.
You’ll discover that plain arepas are served on the aspect of meals in eating places, significantly with breakfast. These is usually a little plain and I positively advocate heading out and discovering arepas road meals stands that are significantly better and much tastier.
Alternatively, attempt La Pepiada in Cartagena for an incredible number of stuffed arepas.
La Pepiada Info
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 typically served as a aspect or a starter and are created from plantain, which is smashed after which deep-fried.
They’ll be served as ’rounds’ and if introduced as a starter you’ll get a wide range of sauces to dip them in, from ketchup and mayo to native, home made sizzling sauces.
Patacones are created from unripe plantains, from which the dish will get its title. The riper, sweeter plantains are referred to as platanos and will also be deep-fried to make a a lot sweeter aspect.
You’ll discover this tremendous typical meals in Colombia all over the place you go, however for those who’re in Medellin, attempt conventional Colombian meals, together with patacones and extra at Mamasita Medallo.
Mamasita Medallo Info
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 usually eaten at breakfast on a Sunday in Colombia, though you’ll discover them obtainable at any time of day in many various locations all through the nation.
These tasty parcels include a mix of maize, meat (typically 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.
Yow will discover tamales in lots of typical eating places in Bogota, significantly round Simon Bolivar Sq.. They’re significantly scrumptious in La Puerta Falsa, however it’s also possible to purchase them from the grocery store or native distributors and prepare dinner them your self at dwelling.
La Puerta Falsa Info
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 top-of-the-line examples of conventional native meals in Colombia is bandeja paisa. It’s referred to as the countryman’s platter and may be very standard in each Bogota and Medellin.
This enormous plate of meals will certainly fill even the hungriest of vacationers. It’s an enormous serving of floor meat, chorizo, chicharon (fried pork stomach), fried eggs, plantain, rice, avocado, and a plain arepa.
It additionally has an fascinating 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.
When you’re in Medellin, head to Restaurante Mondongo’s for bandeja paisa, one of many must-try dishes in Colombia.
Restaurante Mondongo’s Info
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/#principal
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 unimaginable fish dishes.
Certainly one of 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.
When you’re in a neighborhood restaurant, then the exact contents of the cazuela will rely on what’s been caught on the day.
As with Sancocho, that is one other wonderful sizzling dish to be loved by the coast regardless of the temperature. It’s tremendous contemporary and attractive and is certainly top-of-the-line meals to attempt in Colombia. I’d advocate having it at Buena Vida Marisquería in Cartagena.
Buena Vida Marisquería Info
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 dwelling and you’ll want to do that scrumptious Colombian meals.
Historically, ceviche is made with uncooked white fish cured in citrus juice and blended with totally different flavors. In Colombia, there are two sorts of scrumptious ceviche to get pleasure from.
The primary is nearer to the standard Peruvian dish, with totally different sorts of seafood marinated in tiger’s milk. This produces an extremely fresh-tasting dish which is usually topped with patacones.
Alternatively, for those who’re on the seashore, look out for carts promoting ceviche or cocteles de camarones, the second kind 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 unimaginable.
When in Cartagena, head to La Cevicheria in Previous City for unimaginable ceviche in a superbly Colonial road setting.
La Cevicheria Info
Handle: Calle Stuart por el resort 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 offered 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, sizzling sauce. It could sound like an unlikely mixture however attempt it, it’s actually good.
These are tremendous low-cost snacks which you can decide up throughout Colombia. They’re good to eat on the go and are actually refreshing within the hotter elements of Colombia. Or for those who’re taking an extended bus journey, look out for the sellers coming onto the bus and seize your self a cup for the journey.
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.
It’s possible you’ll discover cholao with added coconut or cherries on high, or sometimes 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 widespread everywhere in the nation, significantly by the coast. It’s initially from Cali, so for those who’re within the south, take a look at Cholados Connoisseur in Cali for this superb Colombian meals.
Cholados Connoisseur Info
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
When you like distinctive mixtures, then it’s essential to 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 mixture of sizzling chocolate and cheese has been a typical meals in Colombia for hundreds of years. It includes a cup of sizzling 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 luxuriate in this style sensation. It could look like a loopy mixture to many people, however in Colombia, it’s completely regular.
It’s typically loved on weekends, with sizzling chocolate being a well-liked drink to be served with breakfast (with or with out cheese!). When you’re staying in El Poblado in Medellin, head to The Chocolate Home to get pleasure from this unusual however delicious favourite.
The Chocolate Home Info
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 sizzling drink, pandebono is a superb possibility. This small, spherical, bread-like chunk is full of a delicate candy cheese.
You’ll see pandebono offered by road sellers and obtainable in most espresso outlets in Colombia. It’s historically eaten with sizzling chocolate, however can it will also be eaten alongside espresso or by itself.
It’s an incredible grab-and-go possibility for those who’re on the transfer or if you need a fast snack. When you’re staying within the standard Chapinero in Bogota, head to Árbol de Pan for unimaginable pastries and brunches, together with pandebono.
Árbol de Pan Info
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, you probably have a candy tooth, ensure you attempt obleas while you’re in Colombia.
Generally offered by road distributors with carts in Bogota, an obleas consists of two skinny, spherical wafer discs with candy fillings added between. You possibly can select from chocolate sauce, blackberry jam, shredded coconut, arequipe, or caramel. The 2 wafers are then caught collectively and voila, you’ve got your self a scrumptious, candy deal with.
When you’re wandering via the middle of Bogota, you’ll discover obleas carts with footage of Mick Jagger on them. Apparently, in 2016, Mick Jagger was photographed consuming an obleas purchased from one such cart (practically all of them declare to be the one cart that offered that obleas to the worldwide star).
Obleas de Doña Berta appears to have declare to be the precise road stall that offered to Mick. If not, its value understanding that she nonetheless serves mighty nice obleas.
Obleas de Doña Berta Info
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 a few of the finest meals in Colombia, I extremely advocate becoming a member of a meals tour. These are wonderful methods to not solely attempt nice typical meals in Colombia however to additionally study the historical past and cultural components behind these well-known dishes.
Listed below are a few of my favourite excursions for attempting Colombian meals:
Medellin Avenue Meals and Rooftops Tour
Uncover the colourful neighborhood of El Poblado on this good meals tour whereas sampling a few of the finest Colombian road meals like arepas (corn truffles) or palitos de queso (cheese sticks).
As a bonus, you’ll head as much as a few the very best rooftops within the space, with superb views and nice atmospheres. Click on right here to ebook a spot.
Santa Marta Strolling Meals Expertise
Pattern some typical meals in Colombia on this incredible 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 study all about Colombian tradition and historical past via the scrumptious meals. Click on right here to ebook now.
Bogota Meals Discovery Tour
Because the capital of Colombia, Bogota is dwelling to some unimaginable 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 study and style some regional and conventional dishes, in addition to obtain the information’s professional suggestions of the very best locations to eat within the metropolis. Click on right here to ebook the tour.
Cartagena: Greatest Avenue 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 totally different cultures which have influenced it, however you’ll get to study just a little in regards to the metropolis too.
You’ll go to 10 must-see locations and pattern unique recipes made by conventional cooks in between. Ebook right here for a scrumptious day trip.
Flavors of Cali
Take a break from salsa dancing, and style and study all in regards to the totally different flavors in Cali. This meals tour focuses on tropical fruits, which is one among my favourite issues about Colombia and South America total.
It’s a unique twist to a conventional meals tour, and also you’ll study in regards to the practices of the totally different cultures which give life to the scrumptious contemporary meals within the area. Click on right here to ebook.
Greatest Colombia Meals FAQs
Listed below are some solutions to regularly requested questions in regards to the meals of Colombia:
Soups are very talked-about in Colombia, with essentially the most conventional dishes being Ajiaco and Sancocho. Arepas are additionally a typical meal in Colombia and are available plain or with totally 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 doubtless 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 sizzling chocolate.
Sure. Most eating places will embody 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 together with, relying on the kind of restaurant.
Bandeja Paisa is formally Colombia’s nationwide dish, and positively essentially 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 in all probability some of the standard as they make nice aspect dishes or might be eaten as a snack. You’ll additionally discover them all over the place; in eating places, road distributors, and within the supermarkets too.
In Conclusion
The meals in Colombia may be very different. 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 positive, you actually go hungry in Colombia.
There are such a lot of wonderful dishes past this listing, however these are indisputably my favorites. Now, get pleasure from sampling the very best meals in Colombia!
