Food in The Llanos

In the food of the Llanos, meat is essential. “Carne Llanera” is famous in Colombia and far beyond. The lowlands further lend themselves well to the cultivation of rice, and the rivers are full of fish. Nutritious foods like brown beans and lentils are popular side dishes. More toward the Amazon region, local food  includes dishes like casabe, the local version of “pizza”. Here you can read all about food in the Llanos, the land of Colombian “cowboys,” from the tastiest traditional food to delicious snacks and street food.

SPECIALTIES OF THE LLANOS

TRADITIONAL FOOD

Mamona
“Signature dish” from the Llanos

Veal grilled on skewers over a fire. The meat is eaten with cassava, potato and ají dip. Other side dishes may include arepa, salad, guacamole and patacones (green banana cookies)

Other popular dishes:

  • Caldo (broth) for breakfast
  • The filling soup Sancocho, made with meat or chicken
  • Hallaca Llanera: package of cornmeal, rice, chicken, pork, vegetables and spices, wrapped and simmered in banana leaves

STREETFOOD

Cheese arepa
Not typical for the Llanos, but we had some of the tastiest arepas here! You can read more in our travel story Colombian hospitality in Yopal. 

Hamburger
Grilled hamburger with homemade fries and garlic sauce

Potato and banana chips
Thinly sliced slices of potato and green banana. Delicious with a little salt, as a snack -on the go- or with an ice-cold Poker beer

CACHAMA A LA LLANERA

This river fish is typical of the Llanos. The fish is fried or grilled and served with rice, salad and patacones.

TUNGOS LLANEROS

Sweet packets of rice puree with cheese, sugar and milk. The tungos are steamed in banana leaves.

ARROZ LLANERO

A creamy rice with beef, beef tail and vegetables. Also a popular dish to serve when there is something to celebrate.

CHIGÜIRO A LA BRASA

If you have seen the Chigüiro (Capibara) in the wild yourself, it is hard to imagine, that it’s meat is also eaten. Yet grilled Chigüiro is one of the most popular meat dishes in the Llanos Orientales.

ROSQUITAS

Deep-fried dough rounds, which we got as an extra item at breakfast. Other variations of sweets at breakfast: arepuelas (small deep-fried arepas) and torrejas (crispy dough packets).

SAN JERÓNIMO ice cream

The San Jerónimo is named after the ice cream manufacturer. Not a typical ice cream for the Llanos, but popular among locals. The traditional flavor is arequipe (caramel). Also very tasty with mora (blackberry) flavor.

#Colombia Tips

If you’re in Yopal, check out these tips:

#Tip 1:Taste the tastiest arepas in town
The popular Restaurante Doña Barbara is known for the best cheese arepas in Yopal. The restaurant is located outside of town on the Yopal-Tacarimena road, across from Garcero del Llano Nature Reserve.

#Bonus Tip: In season (around late February-March) you can spot herons from the viewing platform in front of the restaurant. The herons come there to breed and this is a spectacular sight.

#Tip 2:* Try the traditional food of the Llanos
Two good restaurants in Yopal to try the Mamona are Restaurante La Mamona and Restaurante el Brasero

#Tip 3: Grab a beer in “La T,” the “zona rosa” of Yopal.
This is the fancier entertainment district with a number of international restaurants. You’ll also find the Bogota Beer Company with an extensive beer menu.

#Tip 4: Order a home-made burger at Can West
The yummie burgers are grilled and served with fresh fries and garlic sauce. Can West sits diagonally across from hotel Casa Morales.

#Tip 5: General info about the Llanos can be found in our Llanos travel guide. Read our travel stories about our stay in the Llanos.