ColombiaWhat to eat in Colombia: top 10 dishes
Traveling to Colombia? These are the ten dishes it is best known for, from everyday staples to festive classics, with a short background and a tip on where and when to eat each one. Ranked by how widely they are known around the world.
01Arepa
An arepa is a type of flatbread made of ground maize dough that may be stuffed with a filling, eaten in northern parts of South America since pre-Columbian times, and notable primarily in the cuisine of Colombia and Venezuela, but also present in Bolivia,…
Travel tip Eaten at breakfast or as a snack, sold at street stalls and bakeries and made at home. Order one plain with butter and cheese, or filled.
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03Wafer cookie
Oblea is a type of wafer dessert commonly found in several Latin American countries, particularly in Colombia. It typically consists of two thin, round wafers filled with sweet ingredients.
Travel tip Sold at street carts and in parks, often filled with sweet caramel and toppings. Choose your own toppings at the cart.
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04Ropa vieja
Ropa vieja is a dish with regional variations in Spain, Latin America and the Philippines. It normally includes some form of stewed beef and tomatoes with a sofrito base. Originating in Spain, it is known today as one of the national dishes of Cuba.
Travel tip Known mainly as a Cuban national dish, so look for it in Cuban-style restaurants. It is usually served with rice and beans.
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05Changua
Changua (milk broth with eggs) is a typical hearty breakfast soup of the central Andes region of Colombia, in particular in the Boyacá and Cundinamarca area, including the capital, Bogotá.
Travel tip A breakfast soup from the Andean highlands around Bogota, eaten in the morning. It is usually served with bread to dip in.
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06Almojábana
Almojábana is a type of bread made with cuajada cheese and corn flour.
Travel tip Found in bakeries and cafes and often eaten warm for breakfast or a snack with coffee or hot chocolate.
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07Bocadillo
Bocadillo, guava jelly, or guava paste, is a Hispanic American confection made with guava pulp and panela, which is consumed abundantly throughout Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela.
Travel tip A sweet sold in small packs at markets and shops, often eaten with cheese. Try it as a snack or a gift.
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08Pandebono
Pandebono or pan de bono is a type of Colombian bread made of cassava starch, cheese, eggs, and in some regions of the country, guava paste. Traditionally, it is consumed with hot chocolate, still warm a few minutes after baking.
Travel tip Eaten warm for breakfast or an afternoon snack at bakeries, often with hot chocolate or coffee. It is best fresh from the oven.
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09Cuchuco
Cuchuco is a soup, part of Native American cuisine of South America associated with the Muisca people, made with corn, barley or wheat and mashed beans, popular in Colombian cuisine, especially Altiplano of the Boyacá and Cundinamarca Departments of Colombia.
Travel tip A hearty soup from the Andean highlands, eaten at home or in traditional restaurants for lunch. It is a good meal on a cool day.
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10Polvorosa
Polvorosas (Spanish pronunciation: [polβoɾosas]) are traditional Venezuelan and Colombian cookies. They are often made with flour, cornstarch, sugar, milk, and butter (or lard).
Travel tip A crumbly cookie sold at bakeries and shops, often eaten with coffee or at holidays. Handle gently, since it breaks easily.
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