25 Best Colombian Street Foods To Try in 2025
Colombia is a vibrant South American country known for its diverse natural landscapes, delicious Colombian street food and high-quality coffee. Although Colombia is not the most prominent Andean country, it still boasts picturesque snow-capped peaks and a growing tourism industry. If planning your next hiking trip already has your stomach rumbling, check out these unique Colombian street foods you have to try.
Colombia has a storied history, and the flavors of the country's favorite street food dishes reflect that. This country was originally inhabited by Indigenous peoples before being colonized by the Spanish, making the food an interesting mix of Spanish and Indigenous flavors. As Jerónimo Martins highlights, Colombian cuisine is a "vast Creole gastronomy, with strong peasant and popular roots, where indigenous, Spanish and African influences meet and mix."
From fresh-cut tropical fruits to savory empanadas there is a Colombian street food for every palate. Interested in learning more about Colombia street food? There is a wide range of flavors and dishes for every culinary adventurer to explore.
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25 Popular Colombian Street Foods To Try
1. Arepas
When you ask the average person about Colombian street foods, arepas are probably one of the first foods that come to mind. Arepas are one of the most well-known Colombian street foods that are popular at Colombian restaurants all over the globe. These corn cakes are often enjoyed plain, sometimes with butter or cheese, but can also be stuffed with fillings like spiced meat, eggs or fresh cheese. Eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner, arepas are a Colombian street food every traveler needs to check off their foodie bucket list.
2. Empanadas
Empanadas are another extremely popular Colombian street food that has become a staple in the local diet. Originally from Spain, these hearty handheld snacks are found all across Latin America, each country adding its unique touch. Empanadas were brought over to South America by Spanish colonists. This historic recipe dates back to the seventh century and is thought to be a modified version of the Indian samosa.
In Spanish, Empanada translates to “to wrap or coat in bread.” In Colombia, empanadas are typically made with flour and corn before being stuffed with savory filling and deep-fried until crispy. Colombian empanadas can be filled with spiced beef, as well as shrimp, onions or cilantro.
3. Carimañolas
Like empanadas, carimañolas are also handheld meals that are deep-fried. What sets carimañolas apart is that the outer layer is made from mashed yuca root that is then filled with beef, shredded chicken or cheese before deep-frying to the perfect golden brown. Because yuca is a starchy root, using it to coat the outside of the pie gives this street food a crispy and filling flavor profile.
4. Papas Con Huevo y Carne
Is there anything better than a crispy fried potato? Papas con huevo y carne is a popular Colombian street featuring fried mashed potato balls filled with eggs and spiced meat. This street food translates to potatoes with eggs and meat and it makes a great breakfast, lunch or dinner.
5. Tamales Tolimenses
Tamales are a popular dish all across South America and parts of the Southwestern United States. Tamales Tolimenses are a Colombian street food that comes from the Tolima department in the Andean region, hence the name. These hearty tamales are loaded with ingredients including, chicken, pork ribs, potatoes, peas, carrots, boiled eggs and rice. Typically served for breakfast, Tamales Tolimenses are the perfect start to a long day of sightseeing.
6. Colombian Cheese Bread
Colombian cheese bread is a staple Colombian street food you can find at most bakeries and food stalls in the country. These cheesy breads come in three different varieties. First, we have almojábana, made with cornmeal and cuajada cheese which is a fresh cheese made from unpasteurized milk.
Then is pandebono, which is similar to almojábana except it is made with corn flour, yuca flour and costeño cheese. The yuca flour gives this cheese bread a lighter, springier texture. Finally, the Pandeyuca is only made with yuca flour and is airy, dry and completely hollow on the inside.
7. Dedos De Queso
Dedos de queso is one of the most common street foods in Colombia. This silly name translates literally to cheese finger and it is very similar to an American cheese stick but bigger. This Colombian street food is made by deep frying a large white cheese and can come in various sizes including a miniature version known as Deditos de Queso.
8. Pinchos or Chuzos
No street food list would be complete without including meat on a stick. Pinchos or Chuzos are a Colombian street food made with grilled meat on a skewer served with different sauces and grilled potatoes. In Spanish “pincho” means spike making this an aptly named street food in Colombia.
9. Salchipapas
Salchipapas is a Spanish portmanteau blending the words salchicha meaning sausage and papas meaning potatoes. As you may have guessed from the name, this Colombian street food is a mouth-watering combination of sausage and french fries topped with various ingredients like bacon, quail eggs, shredded cheese, cheese sauce and barbecue sauce.
10. Lechona Tolimense
Lechon is a type of roast pig that is popular in Spain, Latin America and even the Philippines. Lechona Tolimense is a different take on this extremely popular street food. This Colombian street food hails from the Tolima Department and consists of a slab of pork back fat stuffed with rice, beans, pork, peas and various spices. The backfat has a similar fat content to bacon and it is then roasted until crackling and crisp.
11. Buñuelos
Buñuelos may be the most famous Colombian snack in the country, especially on Christmas. This sweet snack is a popular Colombian street food that is found throughout Latin America and can come in various shapes including flat, round, ring-shaped or even rosette. Colombian buñuelos are usually ball or oval-shaped and made with corn or yuca flour. They are then filled with curd white cheese and deep-fried before being slathered with fruit jam, chocolate or dulce de leche.
12. Bollos De Mazorca con Queso
If you like traditional tamales then you should try their sweet counterpart, bollos de mazorca con queso. This Colombian street food is made with mashed or pureed corn that is shaped into a dough and wrapped in corn husks before steaming just like tamales. Unlike tamales, bollos de mazorca con queso are made with fresh corn giving the dish a sweeter taste. These sweet tamales are often sold stuffed with cubed cheese for extra flavor.
13. Bocadillo
Bocadillos are a popular Colombian street food made from panela and guava paste or guava pulp. Panela is an unrefined cane sugar that makes these sweet treats sugary and tropical. Known for their rich, fruity taste and chewy texture, bocadillos are a must-try when exploring Colombian street food culture. This sweet, bite-sized snack is often paired with white cheese and enjoyed as a sweet and salty treat.
14. Brevas con Arequipe
Brevas con arequipe is a beloved Colombian street food that combines the natural sweetness of figs (brevas) with the creamy richness of arequipe (dulce de leche). This obscure Colombian street food is made by stuffing figs with creamy dulce de leche for an unforgettable snack. This traditional treat is often enjoyed as a quick dessert or snack and has a unique flavor that is sweet, creamy, fruity and slightly bitter.
15. Cocteles
Savor the fresh flavors of the Columbian coast with Cocteles. This refreshing Colombian street food is made with fresh seafood that is dressed with cocktail sauce and chilled. Commonly made with fresh crab, shrimp, octopus, squid, clams and sea snails, cocteles is then dressed with a special sauce made from a cocktail of ketchup, mayonnaise, hot sauce, lime juice, onions and cilantro. This street food in Colombia is typically served in a styrofoam cup and eaten on saltine crackers or chips.
16. Paletas
Looking to cool off from the Colombian heat? Paletas are the Colombian street food equivalent of popsicles and are fruity and sweet. They are known for their smooth, velvety texture and refreshing flavors, often made with various tropical fruits or nuts. These sweet, chilled popsicles are typically enjoyed on warm days, offering a delicious way for tourists and locals to cool down while experiencing local flavors.
17. Mango Biche
Colombia has an abundance of tropical fruits that are commonly used in Colombian street food. Mango biche is a popular Colombian street food that features unripe green mangoes sliced and served with a sprinkle of salt, chili powder and sometimes lime or lemon. This healthy treat is rich in fiber, antioxidants and vitamins, making it a refreshing and nutritious option on the go. Loved for its bold flavors and health benefits, mango biche is a great way to enjoy a fresh, low-calorie snack while experiencing street food in Colombia
18. Cocada
This coconut-based treat is made from shredded coconut, sugar and sometimes lime, offering a natural, sweet flavor. Cocada is a popular tropical Colombian street food that exists in many pockets of South America and the Philippines. Rich in fiber, healthy fats and essential minerals, cocada provides a nutritious and satisfying option for those craving something sweet. A perfect blend of indulgence and nutrition, cocada is a healthy snack that showcases the wholesome, tropical ingredients found in Colombian cuisine.
19. Salpicón
What better place to enjoy a fruit salad than in tropical Colombia? Salpicón is a vibrant Colombian street food made from a colorful mix of tropical fruits like papaya, pineapple and mango that is often drizzled with a splash of freshly squeezed orange juice. Salpicón is often eaten with a spoon and enjoyed in a cup like a cool refreshing beverage with large chunks of fresh fruit.
20. Guarapo
Guarapo is a refreshing Colombian street beverage that is naturally sweet and made from freshly pressed sugarcane juice. This Colombian street food is often served with a squeeze of lime for added zest and to cut the extreme sweetness of sugarcane juice. Guarapo is a refreshing natural beverage to help you cool off and renew your energy after a long day of sightseeing in beautiful Colombia.
21. Patacones
Patacones are a very common Colombian street food that are almost as popular as arepas. This Colombian snack is made from crispy, golden plantain slices that are fried to perfection and enjoyed with a variety of different dips or toppings. Patacones can be topped with guacamole, cheese, chicken or salsa and make a filling snack or light meal.
22. Hormigas Culones
Looking for an adventurous street food you won’t find anywhere else? Hormigas culonas literally translates to big ass ants and is made from exactly that. This crispy Colombian street food is made from large ants that can be made either toasted or deep fried. If you aren’t squeamish this unique snack has a pleasant nutty, crunchy and almost chocolatey flavor that is said to be an addictive snack food.
23. Perros Calientes
Want to taste a Colombian twist on a classic American dish? Perros calientes are the Colombian street food version of hot dogs. They feature a sausage in a bun topped with unconventional toppings like ceviche, shrimp in coconut sauce, refried beans and even shoestring potatoes. This hearty fare is rumored to be a great hangover cure and is often eaten after a long night out.
24. Colombian Coffee
Interested in sipping a cup of some of the best coffee in the world? Colombian coffee is often enjoyed as a Colombian street food and is a rich, aromatic beverage made from some of the finest coffee beans in the world. This coffee is often described as balanced with a fruity tropical flavor and a slight hint of caramel. Try Colombian coffee to get a jump on your day or power through the afternoon slump.
25. Obleas
Obleas are a sweet wafer-like dessert with origins in Europe before becoming a street food in Colombia. This delicate dessert is made from many thin layers of wafers filled with luscious layers of arequipe ( dulce de leche), fruit jams or cheese. This sweet, creamy and crunchy dessert satisfies your sweet tooth with every bite.
Learn How To Cook Colombian Food
Want to master the flavors of Colombian street food in your own kitchen? Explore cooking classes near you and find a wide array of Colombian cooking classes featuring everything from fresh seafood, traditional arepas or even sweet desserts. Master new skills in the kitchen while learning from a five-star professional chef. Cook your way through a multi-course menu while having a blast in the kitchen.
Looking for a stress-free way to learn to cook at home? Try online cooking classes and explore global flavors from the comfort of your own home. Learn to bake, grill or even mix cocktails while under the instruction of a top-notch chef. Online cooking classes are a great group activity for a party or a fun Friday night activity when you are flying solo.
Colombia is a vibrant country with a varied street food scene. Exploring the bustling street vendor culture is a fun way to experience the country and connect with the culture. From fresh tropical fruits to savory roasted pork, there is a street food dish in Colombia for every occasion.
For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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