Colombia’s cuisine is a vibrant reflection of its diverse landscape and rich cultural heritage, blending indigenous traditions with African and colonial influences. From hearty stews like Ajiaco and Sancocho to iconic street snacks like arepas and buñuelos, every region offers a unique culinary adventure waiting to be discovered.
Whether you are exploring the bustling streets of Bogotá or the coastal flavors of Cartagena, this guide highlights the must-try dishes that define the authentic taste of Colombia. Prepare your palate for a journey through the country's most beloved flavors and traditional recipes.
Cartagena Cuisine
Ajiaco
Ajiaco is a chicken, corn, and potato stew native to Bogotá, and it is warm and hearty to complement the chilly mountainous city. It is made with 3 kinds of potatoes, one of which can only be found in this area. The rich flavor of this soup comes from "guasca", a Colombian herb, and from the giant capers which are cooked and sprinkled on top along with a generous dollop of cream. You will also find giant hunks of corn on the cob and chicken in your soup.
Sancocho
You’ll see sancocho on menus all over Latin America and many countries have their own version of this style of soup. In Colombia, sancocho is a thick, broth-based soup that’s almost more like a stew, made with potatoes, yuca, plantain, a chunk of corn on the cob, and meat. The soup is usually topped with fresh herbs and served with avocado and rice.
Cazuela de Mariscos
Cazuela de Mariscos is a creamy seafood stew that is cooked with coconut milk and shrimp, clams, and white fish. Given that Colombia borders the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, the country's seafood scene is incredible, and this stew is one of the best ways to sample Colombia's catch.
Chuzos de Res or Chuzos de Pollo
Oh, meat on a stick…. Skewers are found throughout the world, with each country owning its own variation, allowing us to eat and talk with our hands simultaneously. You will see street carts selling sizzling meat on a stick all over Colombia and they are seriously worth the mess if you need a bite on the go.
Arepas
Arepas are basically cornmeal pancakes, and you will have them with pretty much every meal in Colombia! Sometimes your restaurant meal will include plain arepas on the side, which are tasteless and a disservice to superior arepas. Arepas are quite possibly the most popular food in Colombia. There are many different versions of arepas you can find. There are large ones, small ones, fat ones, skinny ones, stuffed with cheese and other toppings, used as a sort of flatbread with all kinds of toppings, or cut in half and used as sandwich bread. It’s important to eat arepas when they are just made and still warm.
Patacones
Patacones are mashed and deep-fried green plantains and are crunchy and delicious. Plantains are a staple in many Colombian dishes and are eaten both as bananas – sweet and soft, made from ripened plantains – and patacones, the savory, crunchy version made from underripe plantains. Patacones often come served as a standard side with most meals and can be eaten just with a sprinkling of salt or topped with a variety of meats or cheese. Patacones make a great appetizer or snack at a bar. They often come with a couple of sauces to spice up the snack.
Bandeja Paisa
This tasty variety platter is known for its generous serving of red beans, ground meat, chorizos, fried pork belly, eggs, plantains, arepa, rice, and avocado. Translating to “Countryman’s Platter,” the dish is basically designed to fill up a hungry Colombian farmer and you won’t go hungry after eating one! Due to the sheer amount of different foods it contains, Bandeja Paisa is traditionally served on a large platter. It’s also one of the country’s most popular dishes; it almost became the country’s national dish, but sancocho won out in the end! Bandeja Paisa is also representative of the many cultural influences in Colombia.
Hot Chocolate and Cheese
This may sound strange, but it’s actually pretty good. This drinky dessert is how Colombians drink their hot chocolate! The cheese that’s used is easy to melt and low in salt so it doesn’t overwhelm or even really change the sweetness of the chocolate. The only difference is that you plop a couple of big chunks of cheese into the bottom of the mug while it’s still hot and a few minutes later you fish out the now-melted cheese and eat it while you’re sipping the chocolate.
Buñuelos
These little bread balls are the most popular street foods in Colombia. When you find a bakery that’s selling them, you’ll see that they almost can’t keep up with the demand. They are basically little balls of dough made from corn flour, cassava starch, cheese, and eggs. They are then deep-fried and served hot. You can also find them stuffed with various jams, of which guava jam is the most popular. Buñuelos are often eaten as a quick breakfast or an afternoon snack in Colombia.
So there was a brief outline of what to eat in Colombia when you visit this incredible destination!
