Eating Out

Varied Dining Scene

From upscale restaurants to corner snack bars with plastic tables and chairs, you’ll find something for every budget in hot and humid Barranquilla. Being a coastal city, fish and seafood features on many menus, and locals like to raise the heat still further by adding a large dollop of very hot chili sauce to every meal. A substantial Arab population has leant an international flavor to the city’s dining scene, and there are also some good-value chifas (Chinese restaurants) dotted around the city. Good street eats include barbequed corn on the cob, occasionally served with a slab of local cheese; empanadas (little pies filled with meat, chicken or cheese); and delicious arepas – maize pancakes served hot and filled with cheese and butter. Tutti Frutti, which involves diced fruit suspended in a sweet sauce and topped with condensed milk, is a cheap and cheerful way to get a sugar rush.

Best for Budget Diners

Eating out in Barranquila is well suited to the budget traveler, with a wealth of options that will fill you up without making too much of a dent in your travel fund. A good way to make your money go further is to follow the example of the locals and make lunch your main meal of the day. Many restaurants offer great value set lunches, which generally offer soup, a filling main course of meat, chicken or fish with rice, salad, fries or fried plantain (a savory green banana) and sometimes a modest dessert too. Vegetarians should hunt out Hare Krishna restaurants, which offer good set lunches for very modest prices, or snack on falafel, rice and lentils at Barranquilla’s many Arab restaurants. Many budget restaurants and snack bars can be found along the streets of Calle 70 to Carrera 42. Self caterers can stock up on groceries at the city’s street markets and supermarkets.

Upmarket Options

Barranquilla does not attract many luxury travelers, but many people stop by here on business and as a result some of the city’s upscale hotels also boast good restaurants. One of the best examples of this is El Prado, at Carrera 54 number 70-10. This plush hotel is situated some distance from the city center, but its in an attractive listed building and the restaurant here is very good if you have the budget. There are many sophisticated dining spots to be found in the city center, and many of Barranquilla’s late-night bars also offer mid-range meals and snacks. For a superior Arab meal, try Arab Gourmet at Carrera 49C, number 76.