Experience Colombia Like a Local: 30 Hidden restaurants and cafes Gems to Discover
Join us on a journey to uncover Colombia’s best-kept secrets with our list of 30 restaurants and cafes. Whether you’re looking to explore 30 amazing restaurants and cafes or discover the most famous and best 30 restaurants and cafes in Colombia, we’ve got you covered. Let’s explore Colombia with our ultimate guide to 30 of the best restaurants and cafes, or uncover Colombia’s hidden restaurants and cafes with 30 must-visit places. Get inspired and start planning your next adventure with our comprehensive list of the best destinations in Colombia.
Information about Colombia
Colombia and its capital, Bogota, are located in the northwestern region of Latin America and lie on the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Colombia’s climate varies according to the region, and therefore it is divided into 4 different regions, as the tourist can discover the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, the tropical jungles of the Amazon, the turquoise coasts of the Caribbean, and the sunny deserts. The recreational activities that can be carried out in Colombia are varied. You can visit the city of Bogota to enjoy its cultural diversity or visit restaurants and hotels that serve tourists throughout the year, and the waters of Colombia contain a unique group of islands that provide the most wonderful natural landscapes such as San Andres Island and Crab Cay Island, and the country comes third in terms of tourist attractions in South America It is considered one of the safest countries for tourists and visitors.
A list of the best Restaurants and cafes in Colombia
Looking for the best restaurants and cafes in Colombia? Look no further than our carefully curated list, selected by our team based on visitor ratings and reviews to help make your trip planning a breeze.
1- Andres Carne de Res
Andres Carne de Res – The reputation of this place is beyond borders and it specializes in grilled meats and typical Colombian dishes so you can sample de chiclo (sweet corn tortillas), papas criolla (Colombian potatoes) and chichernos (fried pork rinds). There is pure pleasure as the live music and the decor are of the highest standard. And if you feel like partying, Saturday is the best (and hardest reservations) night. A purely Colombian experience in one of the most unique restaurants in Colombia.
Place address: Cl. 93b ## 13 – 55, Bogotá, كولومبيا
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Looking for more : The best Local and popular food restaurants in Colombia
2- La Provincia
La Provincia – For all seafood lovers, the Provincia Restaurant is one of the ancient romantic restaurants in Medellin, and it is also one of the best restaurants in preparing seafood, as most dishes are prepared from the fresh catch of the day with basil, pistachio and pesto, and they also have shrimp flavored with coconut curry and delicious risotto. The food must be irresistible
Place address: Restaurante la Provincia, Cra. 42 #3 Sur 81, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
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3- La Garza Café
La Garza Café – La Garza Café is a nice restaurant that serves a group of carefully selected items from the Mediterranean and Arabic cuisine, and it is distinguished from other restaurants due to the beautiful design of the place and its inspiration from Arab culture.
Place address: Calle de Ayos, Cl. 35 #34-37 Local #3 Centro Historico, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
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Looking for more : The best Steak grill restaurants in Colombia
4- Arcobaleno
Arcobaleno – The restaurant is located in the surroundings of the Thomas van der Hamen Forest Reserve. The character of the restaurant relates to the nature and lands in which the restaurant is located, where the wonderful landscapes are located. Inside, you will enjoy distinctive Italian dishes, such as smoked salmon, cold meat, and delicious pizza of all kinds and pasta. The dishes of this restaurant are inspired by its name, as it is distinctive and full of different colors.
Place address: Arcobaleno Restaurante, Km 3, vía, Bogotá, Cota, Cundinamarca, Colombia
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5- La Provence de Andrei
La Provence de Andrei – This restaurant is a unique French corner located in the usaquen district. It is a magical place where you can enjoy an experience full of harmony, taste, pleasure and European flavor. The restaurant features live French music performances such as playing the saxophone and violin. The menu contains many French items, including pesto soup, orange duck, filet mignon, and many others. In this restaurant, they can coordinate a special dinner based on the visitor’s desire, and help him decorate and so on. It is beautifully designed inside and out as it looks like a unique old house.
Place address: La Provence de Andrei, Cra. 6 #117-44, Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia
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6- Cuzco Cocina Peruana
Cuzco Cocina Peruana – Cozco Peru Restaurant is located in a former colonial mansion that is still standing today, and it has many indoor and outdoor seating areas. It specializes in preparing fine Peruvian and Colombian cuisine, in addition to providing several varieties of fresh seafood.
Place address: Calle Santo Domingo #33-48, Cartagena de Indias, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
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7- M Cocina Arabe
M Cocina Arabe – The restaurant is located in front of wonderful landscapes and is characterized by wonderful Levantine food and simple, imaginative decor. Among the Arabic dishes that characterize the restaurant are tabbouleh, mix grill, Arabic kebab, grape leaves, all kinds of kibbeh, mujadara, falafel, salads such as Arabic salad, tabbouleh, and appetizers such as hummus, muttabal and labneh. The decor is nice and comfortable and there are some plants inside.
Place address: M Cocina Árabe, Cra. 7 #6739, Bogotá, Colombia
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8- Novo Kebab Grill
Novo Kebab Grill – wonderful sandwich restaurant in Cartagena, serving a variety of Turkish and Arabic sandwiches. The restaurant prepares its dishes from fresh and high-quality products, and its dishes are distinguished by the variety of flavors and delicious spices in them. Among the sandwiches offered are falafel, shawarma, grilled chicken and delicious kebabs. All dishes are served with many sauces such as tahini sauce and harissa sauce, and you can also order some side dishes such as fried potatoes. All of which you can enjoy in this restaurant with its cozy environment and great service.
Place address: Novo Kebab Grill, Cl. 39 #9-136, Cartagena, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
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9- El Arabe Restaurant
El Arabe Restaurant – Great Arabic restaurant in Bogota. The restaurant is dominated by a beautiful modern character that has been combined with a few Arabic details, so you can find Arabic motifs on the tiles and walls, and its environment is characterized as comfortable and inviting relaxation, and the restaurant is spacious and prepared to receive groups consisting of a large number of individuals. The dishes it serves are traditional Arabic with a sophisticated modern touch. Among the dishes offered are light dishes such as kibbeh, hummus, grape leaves (varicose), delicious chips stuffed with cheese, salads such as tabbouleh, main dishes such as chicken seasoned with garlic and parsley, Arabic shawarma with chicken and meat, and delicious kofta, and desserts such as baklava and orchid, and many drinks.
Place address: El Árabe, Cl. 69a ##6-41, Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia
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10- Zatar Restaurant
Zatar Restaurant – wonderful Arabic restaurant in Bogota that serves delicious oriental dishes, and this restaurant is keen to provide authentic dishes with a modern western touch that gives its dishes a unique and beautiful character. The restaurant environment is simple and suitable for spending a great time with friends and family. Among the dishes offered by appetizers such as hummus, falafel, grape leaves (varicose), kibbeh, labneh, salads such as tabbouleh, and main dishes such as delicious Arabic shawarma with different sauces and salads, and wonderful manakishes in various forms such as zaatar manakish and cheese manakish. The restaurant also offers many sweets and delicious drinks.
Place address: Restaurante Zátar, Cra. 5 ##69-15, Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia
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11- Mar y Zielo Gastro Bar
Mar y Zielo Gastro Bar – Mar a Zillo Restaurant & Bar is located in the heart of the main tourist area of Cartagena. It is famous for its ability to prepare various types of traditional cuisine in a modern and innovative way using the freshest Colombian ingredients, as well as for preparing fresh seafood of all kinds.
Place address: Cra. 5 #34-63, Cartagena de Indias, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
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12- Salma Falafels
Salma Falafels – distinctive Arabic falafel restaurant in Bogota. This restaurant is not like any traditional falafel restaurant, as there are wonderful decorations, in the restaurant you will find ornate Arabic tiles, and green plants everywhere, and all these factors make the environment of the place a comfortable and eye-catching environment, and it is definitely a wonderful place where you can spend time with your friends. The restaurant offers falafel in various forms, you can order it in a plate or in a sandwich, and there are also many options for salads, sauces and vegetables added to each of them, so there are falafel with eggplant and falafel with tomatoes. You can also order various salads to eat alongside your plate, and the restaurant also offers many delicious drinks such as lemonade.
Place address: Salma Falafels, Cra. 8 #40B-94, Bogotá, Colombia
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13- La Mulata
La Mulata – In La Mulata restaurant, the menu is renewed on a daily basis to include a few main meals, appetizers, and desserts as well, at reasonable prices and suitable for everyone. The place is famous for mainly seafood and Colombian dishes.
Place address: Cl. del Quero #9 58, Cartagena de Indias, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
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14- Restaurante Arabe Internacional
Restaurante Arabe Internacional – An Arabic restaurant in Cartagena, characterized by the refined and intimate environment suitable for spending a wonderful time with friends and loved ones. The restaurant offers delicious dishes carefully selected from the oriental Arab cuisine, and the restaurant adds a modern touch and Western flavors to its dishes, so that its dishes are unique and distinctive. Among the dishes offered are appetizers such as hummus, chips with cheese, delicious grape leaves (dawali) and kibbeh, salads such as tabbouleh, main dishes such as upside down, mansaf, hummus with meat, mixed grills and mujadara, and desserts such as tiramisu, kunafa and Arabic baklava. All this in a lovely welcome and excellent service.
Place address: Restaurante Árabe Internacional, Cra. 3 #8 – 83, Cartagena, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
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15- Caffe Lunatico
Caffe Lunatico – Lunatico Café is located on a quiet street in the bohemian Gethsemane neighborhood in Cartagena, which is famous for its alleys full of colors and drawings, as there are a large number of artists and musicians in the area, and the menu includes a group of delicious Spanish food, and the chefs also offer cooking lessons for those who want to learn how to prepare this meals.
Place address: Av. Pedregal#29-225, segundo piso, Cartagena de Indias, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
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16- Fenicia Restaurant
Fenicia Restaurant – If you want to eat delicious Arabic food in a place where you feel as if you are in a truly Arab country, Phenicia Restaurant is the right place for you! Where the restaurant provides a quiet atmosphere and comfortable sessions suitable for spending a wonderful time with friends and family. Among the dishes served are appetizers such as kibbeh, hummus, chips with cheese, salads such as tabbouleh, fattoush, grape leaves (varicose) and cabbage dishes, and main dishes such as delicious capacity, shawarma, mujadara and mansaf. The restaurant also prepares Arabic shrak bread in the wonderful traditional way.
Place address: FENICIA Comida Arabe, Cra. 73 #Cir2-41, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
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17- Abasto Restaurant
Abasto Restaurant – Abasto Restaurant owns several branches in the city of Bogota, and specializes in serving classic Colombian cuisine in addition to several international dishes, using local and organic agricultural crops. The restaurant also owns a small market in which they display fresh farmers’ products.
Place address: Cl. 118 #5-41, Bogotá, Colombia
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18- Full Arabe Restaurant
Full Arabe Restaurant – restaurant serving delicious Arabic dishes in the heart of Medellin. It is known for its great service and irresistible dishes. It is a suitable place for spending a wonderful family time, and also suitable for meeting groups of friends. The restaurant provides outdoor seating for those who wish to dine outdoors. Among the dishes offered are appetizers such as hummus and the Baba Ghannouj dish, salads such as Arabic salad and tabbouleh, main dishes such as grills and kibbeh, a dish of mujadara with crispy onions, and many delicious Arabic drinks and sweets.
Place address: Full Arabe, Cq. 5 ##70-56, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
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19- Samara Rabah Patisserie
Samara Rabah Patisserie – This wonderful café offers a range of international pastries and baked goods that combine local, Arabic, American and French cuisine. The menu includes a large number of fresh and baked sweets daily, and among these items; Biscuits stuffed with chocolate, and French macarons made in different bright colors and various foods. It also specializes in preparing walnut and caramel cakes, chocolate tart rich in flavors, the famous red velvet cake, and other sweets that everyone loves, which are sold at reasonable and appropriate prices.
Place address: Samara Rabah Patisserie, Cartagena, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
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Looking for more : The best Bakeries in Colombia
20- Toscano Trattoria
Toscano Trattoria – In this restaurant, the comfortable atmosphere and excellent service, you will find delicious dishes, as this restaurant specializes in preparing the most delicious Italian dishes prepared on the right foundations, including; Delicious pasta available with many toppings and sauces that will definitely suit your taste, such as pesto spaghetti, pasta with bolognese sauce, and linguine with mussels. It also offers delicious Neapolitan pizza with crispy sides and is available with several toppings according to customers’ request, as well as grilled steak with rosemary, and textured risotto. Creamy, and other delicious main dishes made with passion and professionalism.
Place address: Toscano Trattoria, Cl. 8a #34-20, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
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21- Marrakesh Comida Marroqui Chapinero
Marrakesh Comida Marroqui Chapinero – wonderful Moroccan restaurant that you will not find anywhere else in Bogota. The decor of this restaurant is unique, as it can be described as modern Moroccan. Traditional Moroccan colors are found throughout the place, but the decorations and drawings are modern and modern. The restaurant offers a mixture of carefully selected dishes from the most famous oriental kitchens, such as Levantine, Moroccan and Turkish cuisine. Among the dishes offered are appetizers such as hummus, falafel, and grape leaves (varicose), and main dishes such as various Moroccan tagines, delicious Arabic shawarma, various grill dishes, and many desserts and drinks.
Place address: Marrakesh Comida Marroquí Chapinero, Cra. 8 #64-17, Bogotá, Colombia
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22- Al Shawarma
Al Shawarma – This restaurant offers distinctive Arabic and oriental dishes that everyone loves, and it is distinguished by providing a variety of dishes with an irresistible delicious taste. Arabic shawarma dish stuffed in Arabic pita bread, Lebanese kibbeh dish, falafel covered with sesame, shish tawook dish, and other delicious dishes served with salads, pickles and homemade hummus.
Place address: Al Shawarma, Cra. 80b ##35-6, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
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23- Shawarma – Comida arabe
Shawarma – Comida arabe – An Arabic fast food restaurant, this is the right place for a person who wants to order an authentic Arabic meal at a low price. The restaurant provides its customers with great service and dishes that you cannot find in most Arab restaurants in Western countries. Among the dishes it offers are delicious labneh balls with olive oil and chickpeas, and main dishes such as hawawshi and shawarma with chicken, meat and falafel. All of these dishes come with the traditional Arabic pita bread, and there is a wide variety of options for toppings that you can put on any sandwich that you order.
Place address: Shawarma, Carrera 32, Cl. 1b Sur #51, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
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24- Restaurant Casa Santa Clara
Restaurant Casa Santa Clara – Located at the top of the famous Monserrate mountain, this restaurant has one of the most beautiful views of the beautiful city of Bogota, and is an ideal destination for those who want to eat traditional and fresh seasonal local food such as coastal halibut.
Place address: Carrera 2 este # 21-48, Estación Funicular Cerro De Monserrate, Bogotá, Colombia
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25- El Kilo
El Kilo – El Kilo Restaurant is a nice restaurant with a quiet modern decor and a comfortable setting in the city of Cartagena. The restaurant provides its customers with many local, Latin and seafood dishes, as the menu includes octopus meat dishes, oyster dishes, shrimp dishes, grilled and fried fish of all kinds, fresh salads with vegetables and marine ingredients, rice dishes, grills and many more. The service here is excellent and the atmosphere is full of joy and positive energy.
Place address: El Kilo, #36- a Carrera 7 #36122, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
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Looking for more : The best Local and popular food restaurants in Colombia
26- Zaitun Restaurant
Zaitun Restaurant – Zaytoun Restaurant is a beautiful restaurant that you will want to spend a long time in. The environment of the restaurant is dominated by the beautiful traditional Arab character with a modern touch, as the decor reflects the type of dishes served, as the restaurant offers traditional Arabic dishes with the addition of modern elements. The restaurant offers a long menu of delicious Arabic dishes that have been carefully selected, in a variety of ways, to satisfy all customers. Among the dishes served are salads such as tabbouleh and Arabic salad, appetizers such as hummus, baba ghanoush, fried kibbeh, main dishes such as steak cooked with honey, various grill dishes, delicious shawarma, and desserts such as baklava.
Place address: Zaitún Cartagena, Calle de Ayos, Cl. 35 #34-37 Local #3 Centro Historico, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
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Looking for more : The best Steak grill restaurants in Colombia
27- Ganesha Restaurant
Ganesha Restaurant – An Indian restaurant serving delicious halal dishes. When you enter the restaurant, you feel as if you are really in India, as you see the Ganesha elephant all over the place and the bright Indian colors. The environment of the place is comfortable and suitable for receiving groups of friends and families. The restaurant is characterized by quick service and that it adds authentic Indian spices to its dishes. Among the dishes offered by the restaurant are the wonderful sambar, chana masala, and kirai koto, which the chef recommends for its magnificence. These dishes are served with traditional naan bread of all kinds and its various fillings.
Place address: Ganesha Restaurante, Cl. 30 #10-81, Cartagena, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
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28- Kebab House
Kebab House – wonderful Arabic restaurant in the heart of Medellin, here you will want to sit for a long time because of the beautiful updated Arabic decorations that bring comfort to visitors. What distinguishes the restaurant is that it serves authentic Arabic dishes without modification or even additions. It is also distinguished by the low prices and the wonderful service. Among the dishes offered are appetizers such as hummus, kibbeh, stuffed cabbage, fried potatoes, and main dishes such as shawarma with different fillings and sauces, delicious kebabs, shish tawook, and many options of sweets and delicious Arabic drinks.
Place address: Kebab House, Cra. 34 ##7-129, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
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29- Beirut Restaurant
Beirut Restaurant – distinctive Arabic restaurant in Bogota, and it was designed in a beautiful way that gives the place an antique Arab character, so that visitors feel that they are in an Arab country when entering it. The restaurant is characterized by its distinctive dishes, and the many menu options that include many delicious options for vegetarian visitors, and it is distinguished by its intimate atmosphere that makes spending quality time with family and friends an imperative. Among the dishes offered are appetizers such as hummus, salads such as tabbouleh, side dishes such as kibbeh and baba ghanoush, and main dishes such as Arabic shawarma with chicken and meat, and grills of all kinds. The restaurant also offers many options for desserts and drinks.
Place address: BEIRUT, Cl. 117 #6-30, Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia
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Looking for more : The best Vegetarian restaurants in Colombia
30- El Khalifa Shawarma
El Khalifa Shawarma – wonderful Shami Arabic restaurant. This restaurant is distinguished by its beautifully updated Arabic décor, which combines beautiful Arabic motifs with modern furniture, to create a unique environment in which visitors can enjoy. The restaurant is famous for the wonderful service it provides, and it is also distinguished for offering its visitors Arabic dishes prepared from fresh ingredients and according to authentic Arab traditions. Among the dishes served are delicious Arabic shawarma, kebabs, shish tawook, and side dishes such as fried potatoes, Arabic salad, tabbouleh, and hummus. All these dishes come with pita bread or saj, and with many delicious sauces and pickles.
Place address: EL KHALIFA Shawarma, Bogotá, Colombia
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Conclusion
Exploring Colombia is a journey that will take you through diverse landscapes, vibrant cultures, and captivating histories. Our guide has given you a taste of the must-see destinations and hidden treasures that await, but there’s always more to discover. Take the time to connect with the locals, try the local cuisine, and immerse yourself in the traditions and customs that make Colombia so special. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or enlightenment, Colombia has something to offer everyone. As you journey through this remarkable region, we invite you to let go of your worries and embrace the present moment. Take time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds you, and allow yourself to be swept away by the magic of Colombia. We hope our guide has been a valuable resource in planning your trip, and we look forward to hearing about your travels. Until then, happy exploring!