Cartagena
Right in the heart of the Getsemaní action, Demente is an open-air (well, has a retractable roof), rather trendy spot where craft beer and great cocktails…
Must-see restaurants in Colombia
Popayán
The owners of this hotel are key players in the Congreso Nacional Gastronómico and their passion for food is evident in the interesting menu, which…
Cartagena
It’s the bane of every backpacker: where to get your laundry done with minimal fuss. Here’s the answer: deposit it with the friendly English-speaking…
Armenia
For a quality Italian meal, look no further than this well-run restaurant in a converted house in the north of town. The atmosphere is casual, with…
Caribbean Coast
Named after the original name of the area before the Spanish conquest, the Mompoj is an excellent restaurant with an interesting and eclectic menu. Try…
Cali
Yes, this is a Colombian chain, but that's no reason not to like it. We love the light, fluffy crepes – with cheese, with maracuya, with banana and…
Medellín
This vegetarian restaurant does its best to woo diners with its shawarma, burgers, falafel, soups, quinoa dishes and salads. Some of the flavors hit the…
Cartagena
As if to underscore this place's ceviche credentials, its dining room enjoys a somewhat writ-large nautical theme, but it remains a stylish and cool place…
Cali & Southwest Colombia
Pastusos get dressed up to eat at this place about 1.5km north of the center of town. There's only one thing on the menu: asado de cuy (grilled guinea pig…
Medellín
This popular Laureles haunt focuses on what it does best, which is meat. The ribs are tender and slide off the bone, the baby beef, pepper steak and bife…
San Gil
Fairly new, the simply named Coffee House has elevated itself into one of San Gil's best places for breakfast (available all day), with everything from…
El Patio Mágico de Gabo & Leo Matiz
Santa Marta & Around
This rather lovely place is a somewhat unexpected slice of local life run by the namesakes Gabo and Leo. With a daily changing menu that can easily be…
Los Llanos
This is the only restaurant in town that really stands out, and even if it is a very big place aimed at groups, it's by far the smartest place in La…
Caribbean Coast
Cuban seafood is the fare in this restaurant, where photographs of local celebrities deck the walls, and it's very good seafood indeed: the lobster salad…
Around Medellín
This restaurant is in an elegant colonial house with high ceilings and a flowery courtyard, with walls that are covered with the owner's interesting…
Leticia
This wonderful little cafe serves good, reliable coffee, and if you thought it was impossible to get freshly baked donuts in the Colombian jungle, 'donut'…
Medellín
Sit outside on the small plaza at this neighborhood restaurant to enjoy wonderful pizzas and homemade pastas cooked to perfection. It also serves one of…
Manizales
Rushi is a hip vegetarian restaurant serving great juices and interesting dishes such as vegetarian lasagna, quinoa couscous and chickpea casserole,…
San Andrés
Despite the touristy-sounding name, this place in San Andrés Town is the real deal. You can expect to find Parma ham and amazing cheeses in its Italian…
Popayán
Run by a Mexican expat and his local wife, this small restaurant in the center prepares good-value homestyle Mexican dishes. While some authentic…
Guatapé
Expats swear by this cute little cafe that serves mostly vegetarian plates alongside a bacon wrap for carnivorous visitors. The veggie burgers, tasty dips…
Boyacá, Santander & Norte de Santander
The town's best cafe, a small and trendy little number with good espresso, cocktails and imported beers, alongside sweet and savory waffles, tapas and a…
Salento
Prepares gourmet pizzas, pasta and, if you're in the mood for culinary Russian roulette, hit-and-miss Indian curries, all served on a deck overlooking the…
Cali & Southwest Colombia
This cozy cafe on the plaza serves classic pastuso snacks, including empanadas de anejo (small fried pastries), quimbilitos (sweet pastries of raisin,…
San Andrés
With shade-dappled tables scattered all over the beach, this friendly little locale does a range of mean seafood dishes, including ceviche, rice and wok…
Pereira
Up an unmarked staircase in a nondescript house in the center, this homely vegetarian restaurant is a local institution, serving up delicious meat-free…
Manizales
An unpretentious little place with just a handful of tables serving up traditional French fare at good prices. Take your pick from a variety of crepes …
Cauca & Huila
The pick of Villavieja's paltry dining scene, this family-run place serves monster portions of chicken and beef with rice, plantain and salad, among other…
Cali
This working-class food market serves cheap, classic Colombian meals at a number of small stalls, including plenty of seafood dishes prepared in front of…
Cauca & Huila
On a hillside on the way to the Parque Arqueológico, this cute little restaurant uses produce from its own organic garden to cook well-prepared Colombian…
Medellín
Walk off the street and into Argentina at this bustling little steakhouse in a converted house in Manila that serves up choice cuts at reasonable prices…
San Andrés
On a great strip of white-sand beach, El Paraíso is a slightly more upmarket restaurant than some of the simpler beach shacks, but its fresh seafood is of…
Popayán
Swing open the saloon doors of this Swiss-owned Italian joint and you'll find great pizza and pasta as well as authentic fondue for those cool mountain…
Manizales
This scrumptious bakery does great pastries and serves tasty breakfasts plus excellent light lunches, including pastas, gourmet sandwiches and wraps. But…
Barichara
In a large courtyard decorated with bric-a-brac, this reliable cafe serves decent paninis, burgers and salads with solid tunes on in the background. Grab…
Riohacha
This place, right on the seafront, attracts local families all day long with its deliciously prepared, freshly landed fish and seafood. Specialties…
Villa de Leyva
Don Salvador does the best mute (puffed-corn soup, served with a side of cow foot or chicken thigh) and carne asada (grilled steak) at Villa's bustling…
Bucaramanga
One of the better set-meal spots you'll come across in Santander, this very popular, very clean corner restaurant dishes out a few choices daily,…
Riohacha
Delicious, simple Lebanese food in a mercifully air-conditioned environment. The staff is exceptionally friendly, the hummus is creamy and the pita bread…
Villa de Leyva
It's not the most imaginatively named place in town, but this Korean-run restaurant is worth a visit for authentic Asian cuisine. There are only eight…
