Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world making it uniquely situated for accessing and harvesting a myriad of fresh foods, including seafood, fruits, vegetables, coffee, sugarcane and cocoa beans. It’s no wonder that a visit to a Colombian food market, with its farm-to-table disposition, offers an exciting culinary tour of exotic ingredients and delightful insights into Colombia’s diverse culture. Colombian cities, such as Bogotá, Cartagena and Medellín, boast some of the best food scenes in Latin America, which makes this South American country a must-visit destination for hungry travelers. To learn more, Lina Cruz with La Mesa Food Tours shares her favorite local dishes and travel tips, so you can explore a Colombian food tour in Bogota.
What are the best markets in Bogota?
Bogotá has around 19 marketplaces. Of them, there are five that are very famous, and it is recommended to visit at least one of them. They include Paloquemao, Perseverancia, 7 de Agosto, La Concordia and 12 de Octubre. In the historic center of the city, called La Candelaria, there are very good restaurants with traditional food. It is precisely there where we start one of our best-selling tours. And, there are three neighborhoods in Bogotá, La Zona G, La Macarena and Quinta Camacho/Chapinero, where there is an emphasis on haute cuisine gastronomy created by some of the best chefs in the city.
How long have you been giving food tours in Colombia?
La Mesa Food Tours started in 2014, so we have been giving tours for nearly 7 years.
What are some of your favorite Colombian dishes?
I love seafood, so Caribbean food would have to be my favorite. I really enjoy ceviche (marinated raw fish or seafood), coconut rice and cazuela de mariscos (seafood stew). I also love our fruit. We have a wide variety of fruits, including incredible exotic fruits, such as guanabana and lulo. Fruit juices are the most common beverage in Colombian homes and restaurants. When I lived abroad, I think I missed Colombian fruit the most.
Courtesy of La Mesa Food Tours
What are a few Colombian dishes that every visitor should try?
That is a difficult question. It depends on the region you are visiting, since the gastronomy differs by region: the Andean zone, the eastern plains, the Pacific or Caribbean coast. For example, if you are in Bogotá, you must try ajiaco (chicken soup with three types of potatoes). If you are in Medellín, you must try bandeja paisa, a dish with a generous amount and variety of food, including red beans cooked with pork, white rice, carne molida (ground meat), chicharron (fried pork belly), fried egg, sweet plantain, chorizo, arepa (made with ground maize dough), hogao sauce, morcilla (blood sausage) and avocado. I would also recommend a cup of Colombian coffee and a good arepa – no matter what city you are in.
Bandeja Paisa. Photo by Kelsey Hansen
Arepa. Courtesy of La Mesa Food Tours
Ajiaco. Courtesy of La Mesa Food Tours
What might surprise travelers about Colombian cuisine?
We are a privileged country with an abundance of ingredients. We produce such a wide variety of fruits that our beverage options seem endless. To top it off, our culinary heritage can be traced back at least 500 years. Three continents, and their flavors, are known to combine here: America, Europe and Africa. Our cuisine is an incredible mix!
Additionally, we are a country that is geographically privileged. Colombia has part of the Amazon and Andes mountain range (Cordillera), as well as access to two oceans (Pacific and Atlantic). This range gives us a number of altitudes and ecosystems suitable for producing exotic foods that are not usually found in other countries.
Do you have any food-related travel tips?
The travel advice that I always give to my friends is to visit food markets wherever they go. Market places let you understand more about the local culture, and since food is a social act, it lets us better read the idiosyncrasies of a place. I am a foodie, so I always research local dishes and the best-ranked restaurants, not just the prettiest or most luxurious, but the ones with outstanding cuisine.
Courtesy of La Mesa Food Tours
Courtesy of La Mesa Food Tours
Do you have any tips for finding a good coffee shop in Bogota?
Bogotá has a strong coffee scene. One tip I can give is to avoid Starbucks. There are many nice and cozy places that have good Colombian coffee in all areas. Another tip is take our Coffee Crawl, a tour designed for coffee lovers. We visit three of the best coffee shops in the city, and you can learn a lot about Colombian coffee culture.
Courtesy of La Mesa Food Tours
Have you noticed any recent food trends?
There has been a trend for having a more health-conscious diet and a higher appreciation for our farmers. Organic food and vegetarian options have taken the gastronomic scene by force. Another trend is highlighting local ingredients. In the past, we gave more value to international cuisine, like Mexican and Peruvian food. Now, I think Latin America Colombian cuisine is more highlighted, and it resonates more both nationally and internationally.
In addition to food, what do you enjoy most about living in Colombia?
Colombia is an incredibly beautiful country. It is one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet. Unfortunately, years of violence has left us in a bad way internationally, but we have a culturally very rich country. I love the Colombian landscape. And I love being in a cold place, driving just three hours through the mountains and being in a town with a warm climate. It is a country without seasons, so you can be cold when you want, and you can go to the beach with hot weather when you want. We have mountains, deserts, both oceans, the Amazon rainforest. We are the country with the most species of birds in the world. There really is a lot to see here.
Bogotá. Photo by Bergslay
Cartagena. Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel
Thank you, Lina!
About La Mesa Food Tours
La Mesa Food Tours offer gastronomy-inspired adventures that explore culture, history and cuisine in Colombia. Local food experts act as culinary guides for finding authentic flavors and hidden food gems, while uncovering the unique character and incredible sights of Bogotá, Cartagena and Medellín.
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.delamesa.com/
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