Food in Bogotá
Eating in Bogotá is a party, because Bogotá is a real foodie city: you can eat in trendy restaurants with flavors from around the world, taste traditional dishes and try the most delicious snacks and street food. North of Bogotá, the regions of Boyacá and Santander have their own traditional dishes, such as fish stews, the arepa Boyacense and even deep-fried ants, a delicacy in Barichara! Check out our tips for the best food in Bogotá and the surrounding areas.
TYPICAL BOGOTÁ
TRADITIONAL
“Signature dish” of Bogotá
With the cold weather, a bowl of hot soup is the ideal comfort food for Bogotános. This is also our favorite soup in Colombia!
Ajiaco is made with chicken, corn, cassava, papas criollas, among other ingredients. (potatoes) and guascas herbs, which give the soup its specific flavor. Next to it comes a bowl of rice, avocado, capers and a generous portion of crème fraiche. Whenever we are in Bogotá, we eat this soup at least once! Because of all the side dishes that go with it, it’s a complete, filling meal with a very good taste.
This soup and other authentic Colombian dishes, you can also try during a food tour or workshop, such as the Bogotá Food experience.
STREETFOOD
- Obleas: thin wafers filled with arequipe (caramel), cheese and/or other toppings
- Arepas: A grilled or deep-fried flat “cake” made of corn dough. What the role of bread is in a lot of other countries, is the arepa to Colombians; the arepa can be eaten throughout the day, plain as a side dish or with various toppings for a filling snack
- Empanadas: deep-fried snacks made of corn dough, usually filled with cheese, meat and chicken. Extra tasty: the different sauces that come with it. Tip: There are small “snack bars” and restaurants that specialise in arepas and empanadas and bake new loads all day long. On the counter, there is a wide selection of sauces to choose from, such as Ají Colombiano (spicy sauce), garlic and pink sauce, guacamole and Hogao (slow cooked tomato-onion sauce. Buy the snacks here rather than on the street, for the freshest possible empanada.
Tip: The best tips for the tastiest food in Bogotá, you will get from the local guide, during a street food tour.
FRITANGA
TAMALES
CHANGUA
Changua is made with milk, a poached egg, spring onion and cilantro. Delicious for dipping with a piece of bread.
AREPA BOYACENSE
This arepa from Boyacá is also very popular in Bogotá. Sugar is added to the corn flour and the arepa is filled with a fresh, soft cheese.
HORMIGAS CULONAS
Deep-fried ants anyone?!
The large black ants, are a real delicacy in Barichara. The period around Easter, is the “season” and then you can find the hormigas in many stores and restaurants.
RAMPUCHADA
Norte de Santander
A spicy stew with the fish Rampuche. This fish is caught in the Zulia River and stewed with milk, potatoes, banana, cassava, onion and garlic, among the ingredients.
#ColombiaMyWay tips
You can do this at Restaurante San Isidro, on the Cerro de Monserrate. Because of its location at over 3,000 meters, you have a fantastic view of the city.
#Tip 2: Have a plate of Caldo de Costilla against a hangover
Had a bit too much to drink the night before? A plate of Caldo for breakfast works wonders. The soup with ribs, potatoes, onion and cilantro is the best recipe for a “guayabo” (hangover) -;)
#Tip 3: Want to learn more about Colombian food culture?
Check out the Netflix series Streetfood Latin America (2020) featuring chef Luz Dary of Tolú restaurant. In 2019, she won Bogotá’s Best Aijaco award. Visit “Mamá Luz” in her 2-by-2 kitchenette in the Plaza de Mercado la Perseverancia. The best way to visit this traditional market, while learning about its background and the vendors, is with the Bogotá food & local markets tour.