Colombia Cuisine: Traditional Food and Popular Dishes

Cuisine in Colombia

What can you expect from the cuisine in Colombia? Our experts have some tips to share with you.

Colombian cuisine is a delightful smorgasbord of European influence and Andean ingredients. Nestled by the towering Andes and set on the equator, when it comes to fresh produce, your choices are endless! Given the varied topography within the country, the cuisine and traditional cooking methods also vary considerably between regions.

Cereals such as maize and rice are a staple part of Colombian cuisine and included in most meals alongside potatoes and cassavas. Meat, including pork, mutton, beef and seafood near the riverine and coastal areas, are a very important part of the diet. Corn, milk and dairy products such as butter or cheese are consumed daily. Most meals typically include three separate course and lunch, often served later in the afternoon, is the most important meal of the day. While Colombians don’t prefer spicy dishes, the food is uniformly delicious and flavorful, especially the various types of soups that are regularly served at mealtimes.

Colombia is a haven of fresh tropical fruits such as dragon fruit, papaya, guava, blackberry and passionfruit. Readily available around almost all street corners, take a break between your trips to sample Colombian juice to refresh yourself! 

Owing to its geographical location and favorable climate, especially in the hilly reaches, Colombia grows some of the best coffee in the world. Unlike its darker French cousin, Colombian grows mild and rich Arabica coffee, which is often considered an all-purpose coffee unlike the Robusta beans of the East. The Juan Valdez marketing campaign of the nonprofit National Federation of Coffee Growers have done much to increase the production and export of Colombian Coffee.