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Salento, Colombia, is a beautiful and vibrant town located in the southwestern part of the country. The town is known for its stunning colonial architecture, verdant landscapes, and friendly people.
Like other pueblos in Colombia, you can find a variety of traditional Colombian dishes in Salento. From arepas to bandeja paisa, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
However, it can be tough to know where to begin when it comes to finding the best places to eat in Salento. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best places to grab a bite to eat in this lovely town.
Salento is quite a trek from Medellin. In fact, taking a bus ride to this magical town will take you 7-8 hours. So, you might be thinking, “Why bother?”
Well, we believe the journey is worth it, and once you arrive in Salento, you’ll be glad you made the trip. This is a town that is rich in culture and history with plenty of things to see and do.
Plus, Valle del Cocora is the top-visited attraction in all of Colombia. Why? because it’s home to the tallest palms in the world.
If tall waxy palm trees don’t excite you, then the diverse bird species, waterfalls, and hiking trails will. In other words, there’s plenty to keep you busy in Salento including places to eat.
While pueblos like Guatapé or Jardin both have an array of places to eat, Salento is on another level. Not only are there more places to choose from, but the food is also exceptional.
One thing you will notice when you arrive in Salento is that there are many food options. So, how do you know where to eat in Salento? We’re here to help with that.
Below is a list of some of the best places to grab a bite to eat in Salento, Colombia.
It would be nearly impossible to eat at every restaurant in Salento. With a small population of over 7,000 people, this pueblo almost has the same number of restaurants.
We know that’s an exaggeration, but you get the point; there are a lot of places to choose from.
You hit almost every restaurant in Jardin in a three-day trip. However, Salento is a different story.
To help narrow down your options, we’ve put together a list. Let’s take a look!
As the name states, this restaurant specializes in brunch. From waffles to football-size breakfast burritos, they have it all. The best part is that their dishes are affordably priced.
However, the food train doesn’t stop at brunch. Brunch de Salento has an expansive lunch and dinner menu. Take your choice of nachos, chili, burritos, burgers, sandwiches, and pizza.
The list goes on, but we only have so much time and space. One thing great for digital nomads and adventures seeking a day in Valle del Cocora is the pack lunch option.
Depending on if you choose the half or full pack, you can get the following:
This is a great option for those wanting a quick and easy lunch while exploring Valle del Cocora.
In addition, Brunch de Salento has a cafe upstairs called Eclipse Coffee Salento. The cafe has strong Wifi if you need to get some work done.
Eclipse Coffee Salento also has a variety of pastries and desserts to choose from in case you get the munchies while working.
Website: https://www.instagram.com/brunch_salento/?utm_medium=copy_link
Address: Cl. 6 #3-49, Salento, Quindío, Colombia
Once you climb the steep streets of Salento, you will eventually arrive at the main square known as Plaza de Bolívar.
This is a great place to get your bearings and check out some local shops. It’s also a perfect place to eat in Salento because plenty of restaurants surround the plaza.
In the middle of the plaza, there is a long line of popup restaurants. Each restaurant has typical Colombian food such as bandeja paisa, arepas, empanadas, and trucha.
You will also variety of chicken, pork, and beef entrees. These dishes are usually accompanied by plantains, rice, potatoes, french fries, and sometimes all of the above.
If you want a quick bite to eat in Salento, this is the place for you. The food is delicious, and it’s affordably priced. Just remember, the portions are large, so come with an appetite!
In addition, this is a great place to indulge in the authentic Salento experience. Many locals and tourists will enjoy the food, music, and atmosphere.
So, if you’re looking for a place to people-watch and take in the local culture, then Plaza de Bolívar is the place for you.
Address: # a 4-83,, Cra. 6 #41, Salento, Quindío, Colombia
Right across the street from the string of popup restaurants at Plaza de Bolívar is Fika Café y Cocina. This is one of the most popular places to eat in Salento, especially for breakfast and lunch.
Don’t be fooled by the outside because you walk in; you will see a huge seating area with plenty of space. In addition, behind Fika Café y Cocina is a public parking lot.
It’s hard to find parking in Salento, so this is a huge plus. The menu at Fika Café y Cocina has something for everyone. However, you will find that trucha (trout) dishes are their specialty.
The most popular dish is the trucha a la plancha, which is a trout filet served with rice, vegetables, and salad. Other popular dishes include trucha al horno (trout in the oven) and trucha frita (fried trout).
Of course, if you’re not a fan of trout, then don’t worry because they have plenty of other options.
The cafe is upstairs and has ample seating and great views of the plaza. This is a great place to get some work done or just relax and people-watch.
Website: https://fikacafeycocina.com/
Address: Cra. 6 ##5-38 Piso 2, Salento, Quindío, Colombia
If you are vegetarian, vegan, or just looking for a healthy option, you will want to check out Coco Bowl. This is a great place to eat in Salento if you’re looking for something light and healthy.
They offer a variety of bowls, such as the Buddha bowl. In addition, you can get sandwiches, spring rolls, tofu, soups, and rice dishes.
In addition, you can grab breakfast, including waffles, oats, smoothie bowls, and fruit.
The atmosphere at Coco Bowl is very relaxed, and they have plenty of seating. Like Brunch de Salento, Coco Bowl offers pack lunches to go.
This is a great option if you’re planning on doing a lot of exploring and don’t want to stop for lunch.
Website: https://www.instagram.com/coco_bowl/
Address: Cra. 6 #1-2, Salento, Quindío, Colombia
Another vegan and the vegetarian-friendly option is Restaurante Bistró Mi Tepuy. This place reminds us of our friends in Jardin at Artesana Cocina Gourmet due to its small size. With only two tables and one couch, it is cozy but charming.
Restaurante Bistró Mi Tepuy is a one-man show with the owner, waiter, and chef being one and the same. He is very friendly and takes the time to explain the dishes and his process for cooking.
The style of the dishes has a mix of Asian and Indian flavors. All of the dishes are made with fresh ingredients, and you can tell he takes pride in his cooking.
If you are traveling with someone who doesn’t want vegetarian food, then don’t worry. The chef will add a protein of your choice, including chicken, chorizo, pork, or beef, to any dish.
The owner was so nice and welcoming that we ended up staying for two hours talking with him and enjoying our meal.
Address: Cra. 5 #5-53, Salento, Quindío, Colombia
So no matter if you are in Salento for business or pleasure, there is a restaurant for you. Be sure to bring cash, as many places only accept cash.
When you do find a restaurant that accepts cards, more than likely, there will be a service fee. The restaurants do this to cover the tax they have to pay.
If you didn’t bring enough cash with you, then don’t worry. Here are two places you can find an ATM in Salento.
The first one is in the plaza next door to Café Quindío. Since this is a high-traffic area, you may need to wait in line, or the ATM may be out of cash.
If this is the case, then there is one a block away from the park. For example, go to Hotel El Jardin, and there is one next to the main entrance.
This ATM is away from the tourist area, so you shouldn’t have any problem getting cash.
You won’t go hungry when visiting Salento. This town has a wide variety of restaurants to satisfy any craving.
And with so many options, you can easily try something new every day. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip to Salento and book your ticket today!
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