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Eating Your Way Around Colombia

If you’re looking for your next gourmet experience, Colombia’s vibrant gastronomic scene is one to check out. The country is home to some of the world’s best chefs, who experiment with fresh ingredients from all over Colombia’s varied landscape. With flavors and techniques inherited from indigenous, Spanish, and African cultures, this is truly diverse cuisine.

The country’s most famous meals are made with a variety of the delicious fresh produce which is locally grown across Colombia. Many of the best dishes are usually best eaten in the rural towns that made them famous. And world-travelers are drawn to the exciting contemporary recipes found in metropolitan cities. 

Here’s a guide on how to eat your way through the best food in Colombia.

Colombia is the new dining destination for foodies 

Like Paris, Tokyo, and London, Colombia’s towns and cities are fast becoming a place for gourmet food and diverse dishes. The country was designated a Culinary Leader 2020 at the World Travel Awards, thanks to the quality of gastronomy available.

Not only that, but Colombia also had four restaurants in the 2020 Latin American’s 50 Best restaurants awards. These include El Chato by Chef Alvaro Clavijo in Bogota, Harry Sasson’s self-named restaurant in Bogota, Celele by Chef’s Jaime Rodríguez and Sebastián Pinzón in Cartagena, and Leo by celebrated Chef Leonor Espinosa in Bogota.

Espinosa is recognized for her pioneering approach to Colombian cuisine, looking at traditional ingredients and techniques from the country’s diverse past, to elevate awareness and development of indigenous, Afro-descent, and rural communities. Visitors can find some of the best Colombian cuisine at Espinosa’s award-winning restaurant LEO. Critics describe her food as fun and creative while also honoring Colombia’s eclectic gastronomy. 

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Escape to the rural towns for a taste of traditional Colombia

If you’re looking to get the most authentic taste of Colombia, then head away from the city and into the departments of Antioquia in the northwest of the country and Cundinamarca and Boyaca in the center of the country.

Bandeja paisa, a savory dish featuring Colombian-grown beans is served on a platter due to the wide variety of different ingredients. Red beans are cooked with pork, white rice, ground meat, fried egg, plantain, avocado, and hogao (tomato and onion) sauce, making it a filling but delicious meal. It is usually served with mazamorra, a drink made with maize and milk, and served with ground panela (pure unrefined cane sugar).

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The central region of Colombia is home to Ajiaco santafereño, soup based on several potato varieties from the high plains. The soup also includes the guasca herb as well as local corn and chicken. Believed to have been created by the indigenous Chibcha people of Cundinamarca, it is still popular in Colombian homes and restaurants, especially in Bogota. Potatoes are staple ingredient in Colombia, which explains why 800 of the 4000 global varieties originate here.

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Visitors to market squares can experience local produce at its freshest, with a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and spices. Get the classic market experience at Galería de Alameda in Cali. 

Local producers selling food off the street have become particularly popular, with people like Luz Dary Cogollo, who goes by ‘Mamá Luz’, go from selling street food to opening restaurants. She has even featured on the Netflix documentary “Street Food” Latin America, which, along with the beautifully presented and delicious meals, has led to frequent queues.

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But if you don’t want to queue, there are many other ways to explore the flavors of Colombia. The country is the third largest producer of coffee in the world, and exports delicious single origin arabica beans, so a coffee tasting is a must. 

Colombia is full of gastro gems, so when you’re done eating your way through this list, there will be plenty more flavors to enjoy.