The best restaurants in Cali
Here you will find the best restaurants in Cali Colombia, for every taste and budget. On the culinary front, you won’t have to bore yourself in Cali. The selection of international restaurants is not as large as in Bogotá and Medellín, but there are good restaurants and bars for every taste and budget. Since San Antonio is the most popular neighborhood with travelers and many locals, most of the restaurants and bars can be found here. The neighborhood of Granada, is considered a foodie neighborhood, due to its many good restaurants and also in Ciudad Jardín you will find a wide choice of (more expensive) restaurants. Want to dance after dinner in one of the many salsa clubs and bars? Check here the best salsa clubs of Cali.
Our tips
ZAHAVI GOURMET
San Antonio
Considered by many to be the best bakery in Cali. Its specialty is the Pandebono. Also a popular place for brunch.
ZEA MAIZ
San Antonio
For Cali’s best arepas, which you eat in a colorful setting. Also gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options. From 4000COP/1 euro for a small arepa.
MACONDO CAFÉ
San Antonio
Macondo café, named after the fantasy village from Gabriel García Marquéz’s novel “100 Years of Solitude,” has long been a favorite in Cali. Not only for the good coffee and delicious desserts, but also for the free movies shown every day. Each month there is a particular movie theme.
EL BUEN ALIMENTO
San Antonio
A vegetarian/vegan restaurant, which has been serving up the most delicious dishes for over 10 years. You can choose from a very wide menu, from falafel, to lasagna and Colombian specialties like Ajiaco soup.
TIERRADENTRO
San Antonio
A nice terrace in a beautiful green setting for a nice cup of coffee or a good glass of wine
LA COLINA TIENDA TERTULIADERO
San Antonio
The oldest bar in San Antonio and you can feel it in the atmosphere when you enter. In 2022, the bar already celebrated its 80th anniversary. A good place to have a good beer with a tasty snack, while enjoying old salsa music.
RINGLETE
Granada
An icon in Cali! Here typical dishes from the Valle de Cauca, are prepared in a culinary way and presented in an original way. The building in a bright pink color is not to be missed.
EL TEATRO MÁGICO DEL SABOR
San Antonio
Not a regular restaurant, but a live cooking show, where chef Michael explains the menu and prepares the food à la minute. Best described as a combination of food and stand-up comedy. The restaurant is set up like a “theater,” with tables overlooking the kitchen. This is fun to do if you want something different. Expect about 3 hours for the entire experience. Check out here for more info.
TRILOGIA
San Antonio
A trilogy of wine, art and gastronomy. The restaurant describes its menu as “Euro-pacifico.” This colorful restaurant regularly hosts live performances and salsa shows.
LA TRATTORINA
Ciudad Jardín
In Ciudad Jardín there are all kinds of trendy and expensive restaurants. So you can also eat out culinary here. You can eat out in the €€€€ google category, but comparatively by Colombian standards. For example, for COP100,000 for 3 people you can go to Italian La Trattorina in shopping center Jardín Plaza.
ANTIGUA CONTEMPORANEA CAFÉ
San Antonio
This attractively decorated restaurant, feels like a piece of Bali in San Antonio. You can choose from a menu of international and local dishes. Also a favorite with locals, who like to come there to celebrate and take beautiful photos.
RESTAURANTE PLATILLOS VOLADORES
Centenario
This “upscale” restaurant in Cali, has branches near Centenario shopping center and Ciudad Jardín. The cuisine is Fusion, with Colombian and Asian dishes beautifully presented. Main courses cost between 30,000COP/€7.50 and 80,000COP/€20.
Bonus Tip:
Tip #1
In Cali Culinary you can read more about the food and drink in Cali and Southwest Colombia: traditional dishes, snacks and street food.
Tip #2
Take a trip to Restaurante las Neblinas por lo alto
The typical Colombian restaurant Las Neblinas is located on KM18 and – besides the beautiful view – is famous for the “patacón gigante,” the giant patacon. A kind of crispy “cake” made of banana, which is served with various toppings, such as chicken, pico de gallo, beef and hogao, a tomato-onion sauce. The patacón is so big, you can share it with the whole family -:)
