Have you come to Salento to visit the famous Cocora Valley or a few coffee farms? This vibrantly colored village can be crossed in about 10 minutes, but that doesn’t mean Salento is lacking in tasting eats. Check out these best restaurants and coffee spots on your next trip to Salento, Colombia.
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This Venezuelan hole-in-the-wall offers unique dishes with local flavors. I loved the Asado Negro, with enough sauteed veggies to satisfy my daily intake requirements. 😊 The arepas and non-alcoholic drinks are quite nice too.
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The best Western breakfast in Salento, Brunch de Salento offers a unique take on huevos rancheros (soo good!). They also serve pancakes/waffles and various omelets. Breakfast and lunch menu items are served all day. If you have a sweet tooth, the peanut butter brownie served with homemade vanilla ice cream is delicious, and shareable.
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Arepa Fusion Food
This food truck-like stall serves make-your-own arepas at a good cost. I recommend selecting 2-3 options to add; I especially like the shredded beef. It’s on the edge of town, but close to the Viajero and Coffee Tree Boutique Hostel, making it a great choice for backpackers on a budget. Â
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Santa Triada
This second-floor restaurant offers several iterations of trucha (trout). The grilled garlic trout was delicious, as well as the fish soup. If you get lucky, you can sit on the balcony overlooking Calle Real for some great people-watching.
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Head to the top of the scenic viewpoint for a cool beer with a view. They offer tables along the ridge where you can look out over the city and watch the sunset. Cash only.
This no-frills restaurant offers cheap arepas and burgers, as well as trout dishes. I really enjoyed the Todo Riko arepa (with shredded beef) and a side of yuca fries. Credit cards only accepted with bills more than 30,000 pesos.
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If you are looking to sample some local coffee of higher quality, you’ve come to the right place. This café offers many different types of coffee drinks, but the drip pours let the coffee beans speak for themselves. It’s a great spot for a chill afternoon or a place for a digital nomad to work. They also offer breakfast items and tasty desserts.
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Bonus: If you travel to Filandia for the day, stop for a meal at Cocinando con la Tia, a little restaurant tucked into a courtyard with shops off Carrera 7. They offer authentic, homemade dishes with a twist. A favorite spot with locals and tourists alike, I loved the gratin grilled chicken served with crispy potatoes and a delicious salad.
I hope you enjoy my recommendations for the best restaurants in Salento. This part of Colombia is beautiful and deserves to be savored. I also enjoyed the fincas (coffee farms) in the area.
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