10 Most Popular Colombian Snacks & Best Restaurants To Try

When wandering in the streets of another country like Colombia, you may wonder: what are those mouth-watering foods that the locals are obviously enjoying? This article will satisfy that curiosity with a list of the best Colombian snacks. 

Throughout the world, people enjoy eating food in between the main meals: salty, sweet, or spicy, street food or snack bar fares, fresh, baked, or fried.

Colombia, with its variety of fruits and vegetable-based sauces and unique use of herbs and spices, offers a delectable array of snacks that would have you asking for more. 

10 Most Popular Snacks in Colombia

1. Mango Ceviche

Mango ceviche is unlike typical Colombian ceviche with raw fish and onions. It is the famous snack version that is made especially for vegetarians. 

The snack has mangoes, red onion, pepper, lemon, vinegar, and coriander and is flavored with a touch of sweet chili sauce. 

2. Cheese Arepas 

Cheese arepas, a snack made with corn flour with cheese filling inside, are considered the best street food in Colombia. 

They are easily available at any street food corner. If you want quality arepas, head to Señora Arepa in Chigorodó, Porvenir, or Urabá in Antioquia, where they grill this luscious snack on the street stove. 

Their cost depends on where you buy from; however, they should not cost more than 15,000 Colombian Pesos (COP) or 0.34 USD. 

3. Empanadas

Empanadas are deep-fried D-shaped pastries with seasoned pork, chicken, or beef filling. They are smaller in Colombia than those in other South American countries. 

A vegetarian version is also available in the country’s southern cities, but they aren’t as popular as the meat ones. Veggie empanadas are usually filled with potatoes and peanuts.

4. Colombian Plantain and Eggplant Mash

The snack is known as boronia. It is prepared with mashed ripe plantains (cooking bananas) and eggplant. 

Some people also top it with a sauce made with tomatoes and onions. The original taste is a little sweet but flavorful and hearty.

5. Colombia’s Drunk Corn 

Also known as Mazorca Desgranada in Colombia, this dish is called Colombian drunk corn, as most people like snacking on it after a night of partying at a club or bar. 

You can easily prepare this fast food at home. Just get some corn kernels and mix them well with chicken or beef. Afterward, combine the mixture with your cheese of choice, garlic sauce, and tartar sauce. Lastly, top the mixture with some potato chips. 

The snack has another version for vegetarians made using BBQ tofu.

6. Pastel Gloria

Pastel Gloria is one of the most delectable desserts in Colombia. 

To prepare the snack, take puff pastry and cut it into a circle. Brush the skin of the circles with egg and add some guava paste and cheese inside. Before putting it into the oven for baking, sprinkle some sugar on top.

7. Buñuelos

Buñuelos are one of the most delicious snacks in Colombia. It is widely used as a breakfast appetizer, usually eaten with a hot cup of coffee. In the interior areas of Colombia, the size of these cheese balls is quite small, but on the coast, they are almost double the size. 

You can find them on every menu, whether from a street seller or an elite restaurant.

8. Bollo de Coco

Like buñuelos, bollo de coco is mostly used as a breakfast snack. The best part is that it’s cooked and not fried, making it healthier to eat in the morning. The snack has a thick paste of corn covered with plant leaves. 

Most locals love to eat it with a mix of Colombian white cheese. 

9. Patacones

Patacones, also known as fried green plantains, are popular because of their sweet and soft taste. 

Preparing the dish is simple: take some green plantains and cut them into thick rolls; press the rolls slightly, so they don’t break, and; fry them in oil and enjoy the delicious Colombian snack.

10. Almojabana

Almojabana is the specialty of northern Colombia. The snack, a savory pastry made with corn and cheese, is almost as big as an orange. 

Its ingredients are similar to arepa, but the taste is slightly different. The dish’s name is taken from the Arabic language, meaning “the cheesy one.”

Where to Eat the Best Snacks in Colombia

Most Colombian restaurants are popular for their specialties. This section will tell you about the most picked restaurants in different Colombian cities where you can try their tasty snacks.

Andrés Carnes de Res (Near Bogotá)

One of the best day trips from Bogotá is to visit the famous steakhouse, Andrés Carnes de Res. You can find everything in this restaurant, from delicious ceviche to mouthwatering arepas. 

Their specialty is the 7 different flavors of beef steak. The price of the steak varies according to flavor, with most priced between 49,000 to 59,000 COP ($11-$13).

Included in Latin America’s 100 Best Restaurants list of 2021, the restaurant is in Chia, only 23 kilometers from Bogotá. 

Gringo Mike’s (San Gil)

If you want to enjoy fast food with some great French press coffee, there is no place better than Gringo Mike’s. 

The place is well-known for its gourmet burgers that cost 18,000 to 25,000 COP ($4-$6). The best is the Jalapeno Burger and the Mexican beef fillet burrito. 

If you are a vegetarian, Gringo Mike’s has veggie alternatives to all its burger choices. 

Leo (Bogotá)

One of the best things to do in Bogotá is to visit the renowned restaurant, Leo. The place is ideal for trying local Colombian cuisines.

Leo is known for its twelve-course tasting menu, costing around 210,000 COP ($47). This restaurant is run by a famous Colombian chef, Leonor “Leo” Espinosa. She has the art of combining all the Colombian flavors and presenting them in the most striking plating fashions you will ever see. 

While Leo the restaurant ranked No.48 in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, its owner-chef, Leonor Espinosa, was named Best Female Chef 2022 by the same prestigious body.

NarcoBollo (Barranquilla)

NarcoBollo is popular because of its Arepas de Huevo, the best-selling item on the menu. 

The restaurant prepares the snack by frying the raw dough twice after adding an egg. We recommend combining this yummy snack with traditional corozo juice.

Platillos Voladores (Cali)

If you are staying in Cali, Platillos Voladores is ideal for trying out different ceviches. This restaurant also offers a great variety of other Colombian snacks, such as empanadas and tortillas. You can choose to have your meal in an outdoor or indoor dining area. 

The mains here cost between 30,000 to 55,000 COP ($7-$12).

Carmen (Medellin)

If you are staying in Medellin, visit Carmen if you’re looking for the best Colombian snacks. It is a famous restaurant owned by an American-Colombian couple. 

The best part of this restaurant is pricing, as most main courses range between 45 to 60 thousand COP ($10-$14). 

You can also find great wines matching your Colombian snack. 

Waunana Restaurante (Cali)

Waunana is the best restaurant to try local Colombian desserts and ceviche. Its flawless presentation and excellent cocktails make it an ideal place to try different Colombian cuisines.

The restaurant offers a 4-course tasting menu with slightly different ingredients for vegetarians. Most mains cost between 25,000 to 37,000 COP ($6-$8).

Helena Adentro (Filandia) 

A local Colombian chef runs Helena Adentro. The restaurant’s menu changes quite often, so you will most likely find a different Colombian snack on the menu when you visit the place.

In this restaurant, you can enjoy the famous Colombian snacks and some great cocktails in a very spacious bar area.

Alimentarte Bogotá Food Festival

Colombia is a country that has raised a lot of hype in the media in recent years due to its unique and delicious local recipes.

It has now become a great culinary destination. From famous restaurants such as Andrés Carnes de Res and Leo, serving excellent seafood and local cuisines, to popular food spots such as Paloquemao Market and La Puerta Falsa, Colombia has something for everyone.

If you want to enjoy all Colombian cuisines in one place, there is no better place than the Alimentarte Bogotá food festival. It is held annually in August, with chefs worldwide showing off their cooking skills. The festival takes place in El Virrey Park, decorated with more than 100 food stalls for at least 2 weeks. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Colombian Snacks

What Is the Most Popular Snack in Colombia?

Arepas and empanadas are arguably the most popular snacks in most Latin American countries, including Colombia.

What Are the 3 Most Popular Foods in Colombia?

The 3 most popular foods in Colombia are arepas, bandeja paisa, and empanadas.

What Is Colombia’s Favorite Candy?

The favorite Colombian candy in Colombia is Bon Bon Bum, a gum-filled lollipop with various fruit flavors. These sweet delights are so popular that all lollipops in the country are now called by the brand name Bon Bon Bum.

What Are Some Appetizers in Colombia?

Some famous appetizers in Colombia are pastel Gloria, boronia, and empanadas.

What Do They Drink in Colombia?

The most popular non-alcoholic drinks include chocolate Santafereño, chocolate en leche de coco, agua panela, and jugo de tamarindo. On the other hand, there are some alcoholic drinks that most Colombians love, such as aguardiente, sabajon, and refajo.

Conclusion – Colombian Snacks

When it comes to the best snacks in another country, it’s best to follow the locals. That is why if you have the chance to visit Colombia, head on to the food stall or street vendor with the longest queue. 

With this list, we hope you’d be able to satisfy your munchies with the most delectable Colombian snack foods. Buen provecho! 

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