"Welcome to our curated list of recommendations for traveling and dining in Colombia. These suggestions have been gathered from our personal networks. While these recommendations are not personally vetted by us, they come highly recommended by those within our network. Please feel free to add your own favourite spots or share any updates in the comments section below. If you come across any information that may have changed, such as closures or updated details, we would greatly appreciate your feedback. Let's build a community-sourced guide to ensure that everyone can enjoy the best of what Colombia has to offer." Marco van Embden, Cape Town
1. Travel Agent Recommendation
- Alluring Americas added 7 June 2024
For luxury travel in South and Central America
Contact: Raj Sanghrajka
T: USA: +1 (772) 291-7581 | UK: +44 1376 329846
E: raj@alluringamericas.com
“We have done several trips with him and he is amazing - attention to detail, and expert local teams”
Index
2. Dining Recommendations
- Alma (Hotel Casa San Agustin) - Traditional Colombian cuisine with organic vegetarian options
- Andres Carne de Res (lunch and dinner)
- Asha (pizza + bread)
- Bohemia - Contemporary Latin cuisine
- Café Del Mar Ltda. for a pre-dinner drink/ coffee or even non-alcoholic drink.
- Cande - really enjoyed the live music and food
- Carmen – Colombian Caribbean cuisine
- Celele – Intimate restaurant offering traditional dishes including seafood and snacks. 50 best restaurants Latin America
- Chicheria Demente – Fashionable airy restaurant serving pizzas, tapas, meat plates and cocktails
- Don Juan Vegetarian and vegan friendly Carribean, Latin, Mediterranean cuisine
- Erre by Ramon Freixa (Las Americas Hotel) - "Mediterranean mixed with Caribbean cuisine created by the Spanish chef with two Michelin stars"
- El Gobernador (Bastion Hotel) - "Avant-garde gastronomy fused with the aromas of the region. Seafood and international cuisine"
- El Arabe - Lebanese cuisine
Epoca – great coffee spot
- Harry’s (lunch and dinner)
- La Comitiva (quite good vibe and music)
- La Vitrola - "Local gastropub cuisine, live music"
- La casa de la Pasta - Italian cuisine
- La María - "A fuse of Latin and Caribbean flavours with an emphasis on Colombian and Mexican cuisine"
- La única - Mexican Latin cuisine
- La Cocina de Pepina – "Easy-going Colombian restaurant serving traditional fare such as stews & empanadas, beer and coffee"
- La Cevichería - La Girolata
- La Hacienda
- Lobo de Mar - lunch and dinner
- Los Tacos del Gordo
- Libertario – great coffee spot
- Mama’s Pizza - rooftop - pizza
- Marea
- Mila Pastry Shop - for breakfast or tea
- Marzolla Parrilla Argentina
- Mary Zielo - "In the heart of the Historic Centre of Cartagena is La Escribana, the historic house that houses Mar y Zielo. A gastronomic project that exalts the true protagonists: The Colombian territory, its people, culture, products and tradition"
- Mistura - Fusion cuisine serving Seafood and sushi
- Mardeleva Restaurant - (Hotel Boutique El Marquis)
- Niku – Japanese fusion and grill
- Pascal (breakfast and lunch)
- Paralelo
- Plstillos
- Quebracho Parilla Argentina Restaurante Bar – "Easy-going restaurant offering generous steaks & seafood dishes, plus pasta and desserts"
- Restaurante D'Res
- Rabo de Pez - lunch and dinner
- Salón Tropical (lunch and dinner)
- San Joaquin
- Di Silvio Trattoria - "Eat pizza with good wine in the heart of the Gestemaní town"
- Uma - Peruvian
- Vera – "Authentic Italian restaurant within the Mansion Tcherassi Hotel’s lush indoor garden. Dress code is casual elegant and men have to wear long trousers and collared shirt"
- Zona 6 / Milano – Italian, sushi and street food
Safety Tip: "I was born and grew in Cali. I hate to write this but…Please be very careful in my hometown - please leave precious jewels at home and don’t carry anything valuable with you. Unfortunately it’s not the safest town in the world."
Bohemia Restaurant
La Vitrola Restuarant
3. Bar Recommendations
- Alquimico- great cocktails and rooftop. Monday’s are great.
- Barra 7 - cocktails
- Café Havana - salsa
- Casa Cruxada - breakfast all day + rumba
- El Barón - cocktails and bites + brunch
- El Pasquin
- La Cava del Puro – for a good cigar
- La Jugada - rooftop, club music
- La Movida - club
- Townhouse - rooftop + cocktails
Beach Clubs:
- Amare - beach club industry prices
- Blue Apple Beach - beach club
- Eteka - beach club
- Fenix Beach - beach club
- Makani - luxury beach club tierra bomba
4. Activities Recommendations
- "Renting a bike and biking around the city could be fun besides walking around the historic downtown"
- "Have an ice cream in Gelateria Paradiso or while the horse carriage ride."
In Bogota:
- Museo del Oro (Gold Museum) - "Housing the most important collections of pre-Hispanic metallurgy in the world."
In Medellin:
- Medellin Metrocable - "Get a regular metro ticket and take a 30 min gondola lift ride that links the city centre with the surrounding hillside offering breathtaking views of the city and surrounding countryside"
In Villavesces Park, Zipaquira
- Visit the Catedral De Sal De Zipaquira, "a Cathedral completely carved in salt located 180 meters underground and considered the First Wonder of Colombia"
5. Accommodation Recommendations
In Cartagena de Indias:
6. Shopping Recommendations
- La Serrezuela
- Plaza de la Trinidad – Small urban square known for food sellers, colourful buildings and murals in the surrounding streets open 24 hours a day
- St. Dom