FOOD IN COLOMBIA
CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA
Cartagena de Indias is Colombia’s top tourist destination and with good reason! This magical city on the Caribbean coast is full of romance, fascinating history, incredible food, live music, colorful architecture, and gorgeous beaches. Visiting this beautiful destination is an absolute must when traveling to Colombia! (Check out our article on What to Do in Cartagena)WHAT TO EAT IN CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA
Cartagena is not only a picturesque city with beautiful beaches, but it is also home to unique and flavorful cuisine that is infused with both history and culture. Just like in our blog post about What to Eat in San Andrés Colombia, here you will also read about delicious seafood and coastal-inspired dishes. The gastronomic flavors of Cartagena have been heavily influenced by Indigenous, Spanish, African, and even Asian cuisines. Home to some of the best restaurants in Colombia, you will be sure to have an amazing time exploring the cuisine of Colombia in Cartagena. We want to help make your vacations extra special by recommending some typical and traditional dishes from the region. Let’s take a look at some of our top picks for what to eat when in Cartagena…FOOD IN CARTAGENA: 8 TYPICAL DISHES IN CARTAGENA
1. COCONUT RICE (ARROZ CON COCO):
This delicious rice dish originating from the Atlantic Coast is extremely popular in Cartagena and throughout the Colombian Caribbean. You’ll likely find it served in almost all restaurants in Cartagena de Indias! Rice is popular in cuisine throughout Colombia, and here they put a sweet twist on this staple by preparing it with coconut.
This mouthwatering delicacy is often served as an accompaniment to fried fish and other seafood dishes, along with Colombia’s famous patacones (fried plantains). Depending on the occasion, some places may even add panela to this side plate, unrefined whole cane sugar (typical to Latin America). An unforgettable dish from the Colombian Atlantic Coast!2. COLOMBIAN CHEESE SOUP (MOTE DE QUESO COESTEÑO):
Colombia is particularly well-known for making delicious soups, and mote de queso is no exception! You won’t want to miss trying this tasty soup that has been typical to the Colombian Caribbean coast since the beginning of the 1900s. It’s made with a combination of yam, salty Costeño (coastal) cheese, onions, garlic, and lime juice. There are many variations on the soup and most families have their own recipe, with some including tomatoes, cumin, and other flavorful additions. This creamy soup is often served with patacones on the side.
CARTAGENA – ROSARIO ISLADNDS, 3 DAYS
3. CHIPI CHIPI RICE (ARROZ CON CHIPI CHIPI):
Chipi Chipi Rice is a popular Colombian meal from the Caribbean coast. The star ingredient of this rich seafood stew is chipichipi, small and flavorful clams. The delicious meal is also prepared with onions, tomato, sweet pepper, garlic, and of course rice. It is said to be one of the favorite dishes of Costeños (natives of the Caribbean coast of Colombia), and when visiting Cartagena, you’ll be sure to find chipichipi rice on every corner of this beautiful city. FUN FACT: This dish is also commonly served in Venezuela, but does it taste the same? We assume not, but you best go and try for yourself and let us know below!4) FRIED RED SNAPPER (PARGO ROJO FRITO):
If you’ve read our blog post on “Typical Food in Colombia”, you will already know that fish is an important ingredient in Colombian food; some of Colombia’s tastiest traditional foods are made with fish! Fried red snapper is a popular Colombian dish found all along the Caribbean coast.
Being a coastal city, Cartagena’s inhabitants have a long tradition of fishing and Red Snapper is a common fish that can be found in most restaurants. It is typically fried whole and served with coconut rice, patacones, and salad. It might not be the most unique dish, but it is definitely one of the most delicious! Do you want to visit an all-inclusive resort in Cartagena Colombia? Get a quote with My trip Colombia, a travel agency with over 30 years of experience creating tailor-made tour packages throughout Colombia! Get a Quote Now
TRAVEL TO CARTAGENA COLOMBIA & THE ROSARIO ISLANDS – 4 DAYS
5) FISH SOUP (SANCOCHO DE PESCADO):
Sancocho is a traditional broth/soup made differently in each region of Colombia. In the Colombian Caribbean, a typical sancocho is made with fish instead of using meat. This traditional Colombian lunch is nutritionally dense thanks to its delicious and fresh ingredients.In Cartagena, this popular version combines fish (typically catfish) with plantain, yuca, potato, and corn. It is often served with rice, salad, avocado, and lime. Did you know that on the Colombian coast and in Orinoquía (you must visit the river of 7 colors), plantains are consumed more than potatoes? Unlike in more central cities such as Bogotá, where the opposite is true.
6) CARTAGENERA EGG AREPA (AREPA DE HUEVO CARTAGENERA)
Did you think arepas would not make this list? Blasphemy! Arepas are amongst the most popular food in Colombia and this fried egg version is a favorite in Cartagena. They are arguably the most delicious arepas in all of Colombia and make for great Colombian street food! This Colombian breakfast food is made by deep-frying cornmeal balls until they puff up when they are then stuffed with an uncooked egg. The arepa is fried until golden brown and the egg is cooked, resulting in a salty, crunchy, and delicious snack! On some occasions, they are also stuffed with meat. This double-fried arepa might not be the healthiest choice, but it’s truly delicious… Did you know that this dish has mixed origins? Influenced by indigenous corn, Spanish tortillas, and African fried foods, this typical snack has been prepared in the region for more than 200 years!
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7. FRIED PLANTAINS (PATACONES FRITOS):
You will find the famous Colombian patacon served in restaurants all over the country, but this delicious accompaniment is particularly popular on the Colombian Caribbean coast! This tasty hallmark of Colombian gastronomy is made using green plantains peeled, cut, twice-fried, and flattened.
Fun Fact: It is said that Alexander the Great arrived in India and was amazed by the taste of both bananas and plantains. He decided to bring these exotic foods back to Greece with him, first introducing the banana to the rest of the world!8. COCONUT PIE (PIE DE COCO):
We’ll finish our list with a dessert that is sure to sweeten your day. Colombian sweets are an important part of the gastronomy in Cartagena, and this creamy and delicious coconut pie is one of our favorites. Although there are several note-worthy sweets from the region (including tamarind balls and cassava cake), this Colombian dessert stands out thanks to its use of the typical coconut. You’ll be able to find this sweet treat in many restaurants as well as numerous street stalls.
Travel to Colombia – Planning a trip to Cartagena? MyTripColombia’s expert advisors can help you create the perfect tailor-made plan! Come and visit the beautiful islands near Cartagena and explore the delicious and unique flavors of the Colombian Caribbean.