Where To Eat In Colombia – National

These restaurants have been actually visited by Finance Colombia editors, and are recommended to the business traveler.The list is updated on a continual basis, and  contains a mix of the rustic to the fancy, so bookmark it and check back often.  To nominate a restaurant or to have your restaurant included, contact us via the form at the bottom of the page. A positive rating or review does not equal an endorsement.

Feel free to add your comments, opinions, suggestions at the end of the article!

International Travelers’ notes:

In Colombia it is common for restaurants to include a 10% tip in the check. Look and see: It is voluntary, and if you are dissatisfied, by law they must remove it. If you wish to leave extra, you may, but it is not expected. A few restaurants don’t include the tip automatically, so check and see to be sure.

Above photo: El Cielo’s version of a steak tenderloin, as part of a 9-course meal, Medellín

In Colombia, like many other Latin American Countries, the waiter will not bring you the check until you ask for it, even if you sit there a long time. They are not being lazy; the locals would consider it rude if they brought you the check before you asked for it—It would be as if they were asking you to leave, or rushing you out the door.

Very inexpensive restaurants will charge you a small fee to use the bathroom, if you are not otherwise patronizing the establishment. This is normal, don’t be offended.

Price Guide:

• $-Under $10 USD per entrée/main course per person
• $$- $10-$20
• $$$-$20-$40
• $$$$-$40+    
• Not including appetizers or alcohol

National

Bogotá Beer Company – Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, Barranquilla, Santa Marta (as of 4-2015)

Colombia’s largest craft brewery, the “BBC” as it is known, also operates a chain of brewpubs in various parts of Colombia. Almost all locations serve food, mostly appetizers and tasty bar fare. The star attraction is their own line of ales and lagers, from a dark stout, to a blond weiss style beer. BBC is a great spot to have a drink after work or meet up with friends. Though they usually have a TV screen or two, it’s not really a sports bar. The beer is also available for sale in grocery stores, and there is even a home delivery service. https://instagram.com/p/pxCtR0K_zb/

BBC – Bogota Beer Company

• Price    $$
• Cuisine:  Bar Fare
• X Reservations Recommended
• ♦ WiFi
• X Romantic Meals
• X Business Meals
• X More Formal Dining
• ♦ Celebrations
• ♦ Jeans & T-Shirt OK
• X Social Gathering Spot
• X Breakfast
• ♦ Franchise/Corp. Owned

Crepes & Waffles – International, With over 120 restaurants & ice cream shops in Colombia

Started by two university students in 1989, Crepes & Waffles has grown into an international casual dining chain known for high quality, affordable prices, and socially conscious hiring practices, employing lots of single mothers and promoting from within. Their meals are based largely, though not exclusively on crepes, waffles in both sweet and savory versions,  topped or filled with everything from seafood to syrup. One Finance Colombia editor considers their “Helado de Mora” – blackberry ice cream, to be the best in the world. Aside from their full service restaurants, they also operate many ice cream shops. It is not uncommon to see a Crepes & Waffles restaurant and Crepes & Waffles ice cream shop in the same shopping mall, on different levels. They have a very good self-serve (but not unlimited) salad bar.

• Price    $$
  

  Crepes & Waffles Started in Colombia and is now international. This photo is of a location in a Mexico City shopping mall.

• Cuisine:  Family style featuring crepes, waffles, ice cream, international
• X Reservations Recommended
• ? WiFi
• X Romantic Meals
• X Business Meals
• X More Formal Dining
• ♦ Celebrations
• ♦ Jeans & T-Shirt OK
• X Social Gathering Spot
• ♦ Breakfast (selected locations)
• ♦ Franchise/Corp. Owned
• ♦Family friendly