Login
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
Colombia is a country with many different regions, each with its own food style. Food in Colombia is full of flavour and made with fresh, local ingredients. People enjoy rice, beans, plantains, meat, and fresh fruit in their meals. Dishes vary across regions — coastal areas feature more seafood, while the mountains are known for hearty soups and stews. Many meals are shared with family and friends, with fresh juice or coffee. Street food is also very popular, with snacks like arepas and empanadas sold in every city. Food in Colombia is a big part of daily life and culture.
10 Best Food In Colombia
Here’s a selection of Colombia’s most loved and well-known dishes, showing the mix of local flavours, home-style cooking, and cultural traditions that make Colombian food special:
1. Arepas
Photo: Periodismodepaz / Wikimedia Commons
Arepas is a popular food in Colombia, eaten across all regions. These round, cornmeal cakes are grilled, baked, or fried and can be eaten plain or stuffed with cheese, eggs, or shredded meat. Each region offers variations—Arepa de Queso is especially popular for breakfast. They’re sold at roadside stalls, bakeries, and even supermarkets, making them easily accessible and deeply embedded in Colombian culture. Arepas are often eaten with hot chocolate or soup and are loved for their comforting texture and versatility.
Popular Places To Try: Bogotá, Medellín, Barranquilla
2. Bandeja Paisa
Photo: Dtarazona / Wikimedia Commons
Bandeja Paisa is the most famous food in Colombia, especially in the Antioquia region. It is a massive plate with rice, red beans, ground beef, fried pork belly (chicharrón), plantain, chorizo, arepa, avocado, and a fried egg. Traditionally served at lunch, it reflects the hearty eating habits of farmers and working-class communities. It is not considered street food, but many restaurants serve it proudly as a representation of Colombian culture and hospitality. It is incredibly filling and usually shared between two people.
Popular Places To Try: Medellín, Pereira, Manizales
3. Empanadas
Photo: Horacio Cambeiro / Wikimedia Commons
Empanadas are one of the most popular street foods in Colombia, often eaten as a snack or light breakfast. These deep-fried pastries are made with corn dough and filled with seasoned beef, potatoes, or cheese. They’re served hot and accompanied by ají, a spicy green salsa. Their crisp texture and savoury fillings make them popular among locals and visitors. They’re portable, easy to eat, and affordable, making them a staple on Colombian streets and markets.
Popular Places To Try: Bogotá, Cali, Bucaramanga
4. Ajiaco
Photo: Reg Natarajan / Wikimedia Commons
Ajiaco is a beloved traditional soup from Bogotá and central Colombia. It is made with three types of potatoes, shredded chicken, corn on the cob, and guasca (a native herb) and is thick, rich, and full of earthy flavours. This soup is served with rice, capers, avocado, and cream on the side and is a full meal. It is especially popular during colder seasons and holiday meals. It holds cultural significance in Bogotá, where locals consider it a comfort food representing Colombian hospitality and home-style cooking.
Popular Places To Try: Bogotá, Zipaquirá, La Calera
5. Tamales
Photo: Southern Foodways Alliance / Wikimedia Commons
Tamales in Colombia are made using corn dough stuffed with pork or chicken, carrots, peas, and rice, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. They’re usually eaten for breakfast or during holidays and are sold by street vendors and in local markets. One of the best-known versions is Tamal Tolimense from the Tolima region. They are rich, hearty, and infused with the flavour of the leaf wrapper. Colombian tamales differ from Mexican ones in size, texture, and variety of ingredients.
Popular Places To Try: Ibagué, Bogotá
6. Lechona
Photo: Tamorlan / Wikimedia Commons
Lechona is one of the best foods in Colombia and is a true celebration dish. It is made by roasting a whole pig stuffed with seasoned rice, peas, onions, and spices. Cooked slowly for several hours, the meat becomes tender while the skin turns crisp and golden. This dish is often enjoyed during national holidays, festivals, and large family gatherings. Though not typically eaten daily, it is found in roadside food stands or ordered by the kilo from lechoneras. Lechona is one of Colombia’s most festive and satisfying dishes, offering crispy pork with savoury, aromatic rice.
Popular Places To Try: Espinal, Ibagué, Bogotá.
7. Changua
Photo: Caldobasico / Wikimedia Commons
Changua is a traditional milk-based breakfast soup from Bogotá and the surrounding highlands. It is made by gently poaching eggs in milk and water, seasoned with scallions and salt. It is served with toasted bread or arepas and is mild but comforting. Some locals add cheese or herbs for extra flavour. Changua is especially popular on chilly mornings or after a night out. While it might sound unusual, it is a favourite home remedy for early risers and those seeking warmth.
Popular Places To Try: Bogotá, Sogamoso, Tunja
8. Pandebono
Photo: Hoako / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Pandebono is a cheesy bread roll made from yuca (cassava) flour and queso costeño. It is typically enjoyed warm, straight from the oven, and has a slightly crisp crust with a chewy, cheesy centre. It is a common breakfast or snack item found in almost every bakery, especially with coffee. Some versions include guava paste for a sweet-salty combination. Pandebono represents Colombia’s love for cheese and baked goods and is particularly popular in the Valle del Cauca region.
Popular Places To Try: Cali, Bogotá, Popayán.
9. Cholado
Photo: Engin Akyurt / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Cholado is a refreshing dessert drink mix popular across Colombia, especially in Cali’s warm weather. Made with shaved ice, chopped tropical fruits, fruit syrups, and condensed milk, it’s often topped with coconut or wafers for extra flavour. Cholado is among the best food in Colombia and is widely sold by street vendors near parks and town centres. Families and children especially enjoy it as a cooling treat on hot days. It also highlights Colombia’s rich fruit variety, making it one of the country’s most fun and flavourful street snacks.
Popular Places To Try: Cali, Palmira, Jamundí.
10. Patacones
Photo: Jdvillalobos / Wikimedia Commons
Patacones are slices of green plantain that are smashed and double-fried until crispy. Served plain or topped with guacamole, meat, or cheese, they are popular in Colombia, especially along the coast. Their crunch and salty flavour make them an excellent side dish or snack. They’re often served in casual eateries or beachside stalls, eaten with sauces like hogao or garlic mayo. Patacones are both satisfying and affordable, widely loved by locals for their simplicity and taste.
Popular Places To Try: Cartagena, Santa Marta, Barranquilla.
Food in Colombia is more than just a daily meal, it reflects the country’s mix of cultures, landscapes, and traditions. Meals are warm, colourful, and often made with local ingredients like rice, beans, plantains, and fresh fruit. These dishes have crossed borders, and Colombian flavours are now found in many parts of the world. Book your trip with TripXL and enjoy the authentic flavours of Colombia.
Cover Photo: Jdvillalobos / Wikimedia Commons
