Colombia
Where to eat really well in Colombia
Colombia is warm and has quiet periods for discovering the country at your own pace, with the coffee region providing a flavourful start to every day. Food and drink here follow the rhythm of the day, from early coffee to late dinners.
21 September 2026 · Wayloha editorial · 3 sources
Breakfast and coffee in the coffee region
The day begins quietly in the green valleys of the coffee region.
Many visitors combine their breakfast with a walk in the Cocora Valley, famous for its tall wax palms. A mistake travellers often make is skipping breakfast to get into nature faster. That quiet start is actually part of the region.
- Take your time with your coffee before you go walking.
- Set off early, as the paths are still quiet then.
In Colombia, the day revolves around morning coffee and evening music.Colombia
Lunch
People look for a simple eatery for a meal. This happens everywhere, from cities to small villages along the coast.
A common mistake is choosing a menu clearly made for tourists, with higher prices and less flavour. Instead, ask where the people who work there eat themselves. That is usually the place with the best lunch.
- Choose an eatery where many local people are sitting.
- Avoid menus that are only in English.
Drinks on the square
As the afternoon turns into evening, the squares come to life. In Cartagena, within the old walled city, live music often plays while people sit outside.
One mistake visitors often make is sitting down for dinner too early. Drinks here last a long time, and the music is often just as important as the drinks themselves.
- Go to the squares in the late afternoon for live music.
- Take your time, there is no need to rush here.
Late dining and dancing in Cali
In Cali, the evening revolves around salsa. Dinner there is usually lighter than lunch, because the night can still be long. It is pleasantly warm, which is ideal for starting outside and moving indoors later for the dancing.
A mistake travellers often make is tipping the dance teacher or host, even though that is not customary here. Instead, order another drink and stay seated for the atmosphere.
- Eat lightly before you go dancing, as the evening lasts long.
- Do not tip at the dance venues, as that is unusual here.
