What Food To Try in Cali and Food Prices
How much does lunch and dinner cost
Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Cali for 2024.
National currency: Colombian Peso, symbol — (international currency code COP).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Cali cafes and restaurants
$3
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $2.4
$24
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $13.18
$6
Combo Meal
Starting from $4.79
What to Try in Cali
Must-try Dishes
Arepas - Cornmeal Patties - Soft, grilled cornmeal cakes often filled with cheese, meats, or avocado. You’ll find these at any breakfast spot, usually enjoyed with a hot cup of chocolate.Bandeja Paisa - Paisa Platter - A hearty dish featuring beans, rice, ground meat, fried plantain, avocado, and a fried egg. It’s a staple for lunch and fills you up for the rest of the day, best enjoyed at family-run eateries.
Tamales - Steamed Corn Dough - Masa (corn dough) wrapped around various fillings like chicken or pork and steamed in banana leaves. These are often eaten during casual gatherings, especially on weekends when people indulge a bit more.
Ajiaco - Chicken and Potato Soup - A warming soup made with chicken, three types of potatoes, and herbs, typically served with avocado and capers on the side. Locals love it during cool evenings, especially when sharing it with family.
Chocoramo - Chocolate-Dipped Cake - A surprising combo of chocolate-covered cake filled with cream, it's a popular sweet to enjoy with breakfast or as an afternoon snack. Don’t forget to grab a couple from street vendors for a quick treat!
Empanadas - Stuffed Pastries - Golden fried dough pockets filled with meat, potatoes, or cheese. These are perfect street food options, often devoured while standing up at open-air markets, enjoyed at any time of day.
Pandebono - Cheese Bread - A cheesy, chewy bread made with cassava flour and cheese, commonly eaten for breakfast. Locals usually grab a warm one from bakeries early in the morning, paired with a savory arepa.
By the way, locals often opt for the fresh versions of these dishes, steering clear of anything pre-packaged to savor the real flavors of Cali!
Desserts & Drinks
Agua de Panela - Agua de Panela (sweet cane drink) - A refreshing drink made from boiling panela (unrefined cane sugar) with water, and sometimes flavored with lime or lemon. Locals enjoy this chilled on hot days, often accompanied by a piece of cheese for a sweet and savory combo.Salpicón - Salpicón (fruit salad drink) - A vibrant cold drink made from diced fresh fruits like mango, papaya, and pineapple, soaked in fruit juices and served with a splash of soda. Very popular during family get-togethers, especially for festive gatherings, it's filled with delightful textures and flavors.
Aguapanela con Queso - Aguapanela con Queso (hot sweet drink with cheese) - This unique hot drink combines aguapanela with melting cheese, creating a sweet and savory experience. Enjoyed preferably in the cool evenings, it’s common for locals to sip this while chatting on porches.
Merengón - Merengón (meringue dessert) - A layered dessert made with crunchy meringue, fresh fruits, and whipped cream. Often served at special occasions like birthdays, the crispy meringue contrasts beautifully with the soft cream and juicy fruits, making it a favorite at celebrations.
Nieve - Nieve (ice dessert) - A refreshing frozen treat similar to sorbet, made with natural fruit juices and often sold from street carts. Perfect on sweltering days, the vibrant flavors and chill will cool you down and are also a hit during local festivals.
Food and Groceries in Cali
Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
| Bread | $1.45 |
| Bananas | $0.72 |
| Oranges | $1.23 |
| Potatoes | $1.17 |
| Apples | $2.24 |
Beverages
| Water 1.5L | $0.85 |
| 0.5L Local Beer | $0.98 |
| Imported Beer | $1.63 |
| Wine Rating >4.0 | $7.19 |
| Milk 1L | $1.14 |
Various Groceries
| Meat (Beef or Pork) | $7.78 |
| Chicken | $4.93 |
| Cigarettes | $2.28 |
| Rice | $1.31 |
| Local Cheese | $4.24 |
Overview of Cuisine and Specialties
The rhythm of Cali's dining scene flows against the usual patterns you might expect. Unlike the hurried lunches you find in cities like New York, where grabbing something on the go is the norm, here in Cali, lunch—known locally as "almuerzo"—often takes center stage around noon to 2 PM. Families and friends gather to savor every bite, accompanied by lively conversation over hearty portions. It’s not unusual to see tables filled with people sharing a typical dish like sancocho or bandeja paisa, with prices ranging from 15,000 to 30,000 COP depending on the spot. A recent casual meal I had cost me 25,000 COP, which was a bargain for the filling plate of food.
Now, speaking of price variations, locations like El Peñón will hit your wallet harder with similar meals costing upwards of 40,000 COP, showcasing how dining areas differ dramatically. In areas with high tourist foot traffic, the markup can be quite steep; locals often know to venture into quieter neighborhoods for authentic bites at better prices. (A tip for the budget-conscious—street vendors can be a goldmine for both value and taste, with meals as low as 5,000 COP!)
Payment customs caught me off guard at first. While credit cards are accepted at many places, cash remains king, especially in smaller establishments. It's always best to keep some bills handy, in part because many spots might not accept cards for small transactions. As for tipping, locals typically leave small change—around 10% is appreciated but not mandatory, which contrasts with the often expected 15-20% in other parts of the world.
Oh, and before I forget, a common mistake tourists make is rushing through their meals. Understanding that a meal isn't just about eating but about experiencing the local culture can change the whole dynamic. Instead of fitting in a quick bite, try to embrace the slower pace—take your time to enjoy the flavors and ambiance.
The best dining hours can vary. If you’re aiming to dodge crowds, avoid peak lunch times around noon, and aim for a late lunch between 2 and 4 PM instead. That’s when you’ll often find more relaxed atmospheres and better chances to connect with locals.
Looking forward, many younger locals are gravitating toward fusion dining, mixing traditional Colombian ingredients with international flavors. This shift not only reflects changing tastes but keeps the culinary scene diverse and exciting. It’s a thrilling time to delve into Cali’s vibrant food culture, where every meal tells a story.
Now, speaking of price variations, locations like El Peñón will hit your wallet harder with similar meals costing upwards of 40,000 COP, showcasing how dining areas differ dramatically. In areas with high tourist foot traffic, the markup can be quite steep; locals often know to venture into quieter neighborhoods for authentic bites at better prices. (A tip for the budget-conscious—street vendors can be a goldmine for both value and taste, with meals as low as 5,000 COP!)
Payment customs caught me off guard at first. While credit cards are accepted at many places, cash remains king, especially in smaller establishments. It's always best to keep some bills handy, in part because many spots might not accept cards for small transactions. As for tipping, locals typically leave small change—around 10% is appreciated but not mandatory, which contrasts with the often expected 15-20% in other parts of the world.
Oh, and before I forget, a common mistake tourists make is rushing through their meals. Understanding that a meal isn't just about eating but about experiencing the local culture can change the whole dynamic. Instead of fitting in a quick bite, try to embrace the slower pace—take your time to enjoy the flavors and ambiance.
The best dining hours can vary. If you’re aiming to dodge crowds, avoid peak lunch times around noon, and aim for a late lunch between 2 and 4 PM instead. That’s when you’ll often find more relaxed atmospheres and better chances to connect with locals.
Looking forward, many younger locals are gravitating toward fusion dining, mixing traditional Colombian ingredients with international flavors. This shift not only reflects changing tastes but keeps the culinary scene diverse and exciting. It’s a thrilling time to delve into Cali’s vibrant food culture, where every meal tells a story.