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A brief guide on where to eat in Salento, where there’s a good variety of restaurants to choose from. Because it pulls in a lot of international travelers, there’s plenty of international cuisine to be found as well as traditional Colombian food and vegan specialties. Things change quickly so I’ll try to keep up this post as much as possible.
Brunch de Salento
I have to start this post with Brunch de Salento. It deserves to be set apart from the rest of the places listed here. After a few other go-to choices closed down, it quickly became my favorite restaurant in Salento. It’s located on Calle 6, the main road into town.
Brunch de Salento has a big menu with HUGE portions. They offer all day breakfast, lunch, and dinner, featuring a variety of international and gourmet fast food specials. They also have the best pizza in town, and even do pack lunches for hikes at Cocora Valley or long bus rides. On one trip with a group, we ate there three times in four days! I’ve only been there for lunch and dinner, but I plan to try the breakfast on my next trip.
Burgers
The burgers at Brunch de Salento are some of the best I’ve had in Colombia. I’ve probably ordered more burgers than any type of food there. They’re served on fresh baked buns and you can substitute a black bean patty or chicken for any burger. It’s also possible to get them on a gluten-free corn tortilla. Burgers are served with fries, fruit, or salad
Mexican-style Favorites
The Mexican-style favorites have also been delicious. They have nachos, chili, quesadillas, burritos, and Navajo tacos. My favorite has been the gigantic spicy Mexican burrito filled with deliciousness – salsa, black beans, onions, rice, and cheese. It was so big I was able to save half of it for dinner.
The Navajo taco was also good but more than I could handle. It could easily feed three people. The bowl of the Brunch House chili surprised me when it was mostly rice topped with a little bit of chili. At least the chili part was good.
Pizza
One afternoon, I stopped in and had a sausage and mushroom pizza. It was excellent and one of the better pizzas I’ve had in Colombia. The pizzas are big enough for two to three people, so I had plenty left over for dinner and even a late night snack. I’ll definitely try some of the other pizzas on future visits.
Milkshakes, Juices, and Smoothies
Another favorite on the menu are the thick and creamy milkshakes, just like the classics I get back home in the States. One shake is a meal in itself! A shake with any meal is good enough to put anyone into a food coma. They have a selection of eight creative milkshakes as well as several fruits available for juices and smoothies. They can even make a milkshake from any fruit.
Dessert
As far as dessert, it’s no surprise I haven’t been able to try them more than once. The meals are just too big! The only dessert I’ve had is a giant cinnamon roll, which was so-so.
Where to Eat Along Calle Real
Several restaurants in Salento line Calle Real, which is the main street through town. I’ll start at the steps to Alto de la Cruz and work my way down to and past the plaza.
D’li Paletería
Maybe I shouldn’t start with a gelato place, but at the end of Calle Real is D’li Paletería. They have a good selection of homemade gelato pops. Some flavors are exotic tropical fruits while others are more common or traditional.
Camino Real
Camino Real is located a few steps away. It’s got a great atmosphere with good variety on the menu. They make decent cocktails and have very good food. Service is friendly and attentive, and everyone I’ve sent there has had a good experience. It’s a little on the expensive side by Colombian standards.
On our first visit, I had a filet mignon wrapped in bacon and topped in a mushroom sauce, which was excellent. On another trip, we had wings and chicken brochette. Both were very good.
Piccola Italia
Piccola Italia is down a bit on Calle 3. They serve decent pasta dishes and so-so pizza. Pizzas are huge. I had a personal sized cuatro estaciones (ham, olives, mushrooms, and eggplant) and struggled to finish.
Bernabé Café & Bistro
Bernabé Café & Bistro (formerly Café Bernabé) is a fusion restaurant that should be at the top of your list. It’s currently located on Calle Real between Calle 3 and Calle 4, around the corner from its old location.
On my first visit at their old location, our group had eggplant parmigiana along with some pasta dishes and a stir fry. We all went back to our hotel happy.
On another visit I had the pasta and tomato soup. The salmon is also very good, and so is the filet mignon.
Café Kaldi
Café Kaldi has hearty breakfasts. They’re located in a beautiful building just off Calle Real on Calle 4.
Donde Laurita
If you’re looking for some of the best traditional Colombian food in town, look no further than Donde Laurita. They have a menu full of hearty favorites such as bandeja paisa, local trout dishes, and steaks. They’re located just downhill from the plaza on Calle 5.
Ocaso Coffee House
Next to the church on the plaza is Ocaso Coffee House. Run by Finca El Ocaso, they have a good selection of coffees as well as alternative methods available. We had a delicious coffee brewed in a Chemex and took home a few bags of beans. Service is excellent and the baristas are knowledgable. I rank Ocaso as one of the best coffees in the region.
Somevi
I walked into Somevi one night to grab a pizza. It’s a nice place, but the pizza was very disappointing. It’s located back on Calle Real just past the plaza and Calle 6.
Café Jesús Martín
A few steps away is Café Jesús Martín, an upscale café selling their own locally grown coffee. They have some of the best coffee I’ve tried in Colombia and also have a good selection of excellent cakes and pies.
We had a caramel cappuccino (cappuccino con arequipe) and an arequipe cake on our first visit. The next day, we had the Café Angela, which is a sweet espresso layered on top of condensed milk. On other visits, we were able to try more coffees and teas, and have taken a liking to the María Aleja (a cold coffee). The coffees with liquor are also worth a try.
If you want to try coffee brewed with alternative methods, Café Jesús Martín does a great job with them. We ordered a Chemex and were given an excellent demonstration and explanation by one of the baristas. The coffee was delicious. Café Jesús Martín also offers an excellent coffee tour.
La Sazón de la Abuela
Across the street is La Sazón de la Abuela serves up traditional Colombian food. I didn’t think it was nearly as good as Donde Laurita.
Eating on the Plaza (Booths are Permanently Closed)
On weekends, the plaza comes alive. The right end of the plaza when facing the church has several craft booths. On the end directly in front of the church you will find fast food stands. Finally, on the opposite end stand many restaurants serving Salento’s signature dishes, including trout and patacones. Prices are fairly similar at all of the restaurants.
We ate at Aliria on a few of our visits. On our first visit, I had a patacón and Marisol had trucha con leche de coco (trout with coconut milk). Both were excellent and highly recommended. With fresh mango juice, our bill was very reasonable.
Where to Eat Around Town
There are plenty of other restaurants located outside Calle Real and the plaza. I’ll start at the upper end of town on Calle 2 and work my way down.
Pailart
Walking downhill from the Mirador de Salento is Pailart. They create delicious creamy handmade ice cream made the traditional way. The workers give an explanation and demonstration on how the ice cream is made and are happy to give out samples.
Quindú
On Calle 2 between Carrera 4 and Carrera 5, is Quindú. They serve traditional Colombian food. It’s away from all the action in a beautifully decorated space with a nice bar and terrace at the back. Unfortunately, the service was horrible for my visit.
I walked into the restaurant and passed up four staff members, none of whom acknowledged me. Finally, someone greeted me and told me to sit anywhere I’d like. After I found a table, I sat invisible for 15 minutes before anyone brought me a menu.
I ordered ajiaco and a passionfruit juice. The ajiaco came within a reasonable amount of time, but the juice never showed up. Also, the ajiaco looked delicious but it lacked flavor. Maybe they had an off night so I’m willing to give it another chance.
Sueño de Fresas
If you have a sweet tooth, head straight to Sueño de Fresas. It’s located at Carrera 2 and Calle 4, on the road to Cocora Valley (their old location was to the left of the church). They sell delicious strawberries in whipped cream, among other fruits and ice creams. It’s a great treat.
El Cacharrito
If you’re looking for good gourmet burgers, try El Cacharrito. It’s just a block downhill from the plaza at the corner of Calle 6 and Carrera 5. They also serve a few other items including vegetarian dishes.
Trattoria Urrea
Trattoria Urrea, at Carrera 7 and Calle 7, has good pasta and decent pizzas. They’re located a block from the plaza. Service is hit or miss. I went in one time when it was completely full, sat down, and was never noticed after 15 minutes so I left. Another time when it was empty, I ordered take away for 4 people and they didn’t pack one of the drinks. Other than the problems with service, the food is worth trying.
Donde Laurita Campestre
Just outside town on the road to Cocora Valley is Donde Laurita Campestre. They serve delicious traditional Colombian dishes. It’s the same as the one in town, but in a much nicer setting.
I had a punta de anca while Marisol had a trout dish. The trout was cooked in coconut milk and topped with shrimp, mushrooms, and cheese. Both were very good.
La Herrería (Permanently Closed)
A must try should be La Herrería, which is located right next to the bridge on Carrera 5. It’s an upscale place with excellent ribs, burgers, fish, and starters.
The ribs are the house specialty, and they’re absolutely delicious. It’s a huge portion so go with an empty stomach.
Luciérnaga (Permanently Closed)
Luciérnaga, near the cemetery, serves some good (and a few creative) international dishes. It doubles as a hostel and has a good backpacker crowd along with live music at night. There are also some decent views of town from the outdoor patio in the back. They used to take credit cards but it’s now under new management and cash only. (Note: Since the new owners took over, quality has suffered.)
I really enjoyed my cheesesteak. The chicken fingers and patatas bravas are good starters. The pizza is also delicious, and I would say it’s the best in town.
