Colombian food varies sharply by region, with coastal, Andean and other influences showing up distinctly on the plate. A handful of dishes are worth seeking out wherever your trip goes, and most are easy to order as a solo diner. This guide covers the essentials, street food, sweets and drinks, where to eat them and how to eat safely.
The Essentials
- Bandeja paisa: Antioquia’s signature platter of beans, rice, ground meat, chicharrón, a fried egg, plantain and avocado. Very filling, so order it hungry or share if the portion is large.
- Ajiaco: Bogotá’s creamy chicken and potato soup, served with ingredients such as corn and capers, and flavored with the herb guascas. Worth seeking out in the capital.
- Sancocho: a hearty broth-based stew with meat, yuca and plantain, found in regional variations nationwide. A market or fonda is often the best place to try it.
- Coastal seafood: fresh ceviche and fried fish are common along the Caribbean coast.
Street Food Staples
- Arepas: grilled corn cakes, sometimes filled with cheese. Try the plain version, the sweet arepa de choclo and the coastal arepa de huevo, which has an egg fried inside.
- Empanadas: fried turnovers with varied fillings.
- Patacones: twice-fried plantain slices.
Sweets and Drinks
- Buñuelos: fried, cheese-based dough balls that pair well with coffee.
- Arequipe: a rich caramel spread found in many desserts.
- Fresh juices: lulo and maracuyá are worth trying because many visitors have not had them before.
- Coffee: consistently good, and often served after a meal. See coffee culture for solo travelers.
Where to Eat These
Local markets (plazas de mercado) and fondas serve some of the most authentic and budget-friendly versions of these dishes. Look for busy stalls with visible cooking and a steady line of locals, a reliable signal of quality and turnover. For more on eating alone comfortably, read eating alone in Colombia.
Eating Safely
- Choose freshly cooked, hot food over anything sitting out, and favor busy, high-turnover stalls.
- Many travelers choose bottled water outside major cities. Check local advice on tap water.
- Peel raw fruit yourself or buy from a stall you trust.
- Introduce rich foods gradually if you are new to the region, and carry oral rehydration salts. See health and vaccinations for solo travelers.
Vegetarian and Dietary Notes
Bogotá, Medellín and Cartagena have a growing vegetarian and vegan restaurant scene. Elsewhere, arepas, patacones and rice-and-bean plates are often meat-free, but confirm preparation, as some are cooked in the same oil or stock as meat dishes. Useful phrases:
- “Soy vegetariano / vegetariana”: I’m vegetarian
- “Sin carne”: without meat
- “Tengo alergia a…”: I’m allergic to…
More phrases in essential Spanish for solo travelers.
To Wrap Up
Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, sancocho, arepas and a good cup of Colombian coffee cover the essentials, and a market or fonda is often the best place to find them done well and affordably. Build meals into your itinerary rather than treating them as an afterthought.
FAQ
Q: What are the essential Colombian dishes to try?
A: Bandeja paisa, ajiaco, sancocho and arepas in their regional forms, plus fresh seafood on the coast.
Q: Where is the best place to find authentic food?
A: Local markets and fondas. Look for busy stalls with a steady line of locals.
Q: How do I eat safely as a solo traveler?
A: Choose hot, freshly cooked food from high-turnover stalls, use bottled water where advised, and peel your own fruit.
Q: Is it easy to eat vegetarian?
A: In major cities, yes. Elsewhere, ask about preparation and use the phrases above.
Q: What should I drink?
A: Fresh juices such as lulo and maracuyá, and coffee.
I’m Luciana, a travel writer from Bogotá, Colombia, and yes, I know exactly what it’s like to be a solo female traveler in a country the world still misunderstands.
I’ve been travelling independently for 10 years, completing 50+ solo trips across Colombia, Mexico, Central America, Argentina, Peru and the United States. I write in both English and Spanish, and I also contribute to allaboutcolombia.com where I cover my home country in depth — from the coffee region to the Caribbean coast to the Andes.
My speciality is Latin America: the neighbourhoods the guidebooks skip, the buses that are actually fine to take, the hostels that feel like home, and the restaurants where locals actually eat. I’ve hitchhiked across Patagonia, navigated Medellín’s metro system at rush hour, and camped solo in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. I know this region the way you only can when it’s yours.
I also cover the US for solo travelers, having spent time road-tripping through the Southwest, the Pacific Coast and the Deep South.
