From simple pavement cafes selling traditional local dishes to neon-lit bar-restaurants where diners eat to the sound of live salsa, Cali's dining scene is varied (to say the least). The city, which once had a reputation for gang-related violence, is increasingly establishing itself as a tourist destination, and the restaurant scene reflects this, with an ever-expanding range of nationalities to choose from. Hungry visitors can take their pick from Italian, Chinese, Spanish, Mexican and Japanese restaurants, to name just a few, and there are plenty of traditional Colombian restaurants and cafes too.

Best on a Budget

The city center and the area around the city's university are chock-full of pavement cafes and budget lunch spots, and the many juice bars are good places to fill up on sandwiches and pastries, as well as nutritious jugos (fresh fruit juices). Pavement sellers are always on hand to provide tasty empanadas (little pies stuffed with fillings such as cheese, shrimp or chicken), arepas (maize cakes filled with cheese - a good bet for anyone avoiding wheat) and grilled corn on the cob. Budget travelers can save money by filling up at lunch and having a lighter snack in the evening. Look out for lunchtime set meals, which typically include a soup, main course - usually meat or chicken with rice, salad and fries or yucca - and a desert or juice. Vegetarian versions can be found at Hare Krishna restaurants, or try the vegetarian lunch spot Comedor Vegetariano y Cafe, at Carrera 5 no 7-38. Avenida 6N is a good spot for bakeries and cheap coffee shops - try Aragonesa at number 13N.

International Options

Whether you have a hankering for hamburgers or a passion for pizza, you won't have much trouble finding the international dish of your choice in Cali. There are bars and restaurants serving food from every corner of the globe, and in every price range. For excellent Italian dishes that won't break the bank, in a location close to Cali's main nightlife strip, try Ballocos, at Av 6A No 14-04. The hand-made pasta dishes are delicious and the service is excellent. For a blow out, the La Terraza restaurant at Avenida Colombia number 2-72 serves very good pan-national dishes in elegant surroundings.

Local Cuisine

There are plenty of opportunities to sample traditional local dishes in surroundings that are a little more sophisticated than the local pavement cafe. Cali Viejo, at Parque el Bosque is a good case in point, serving top-notch local cuisine in a handsome colonial building - combine a meal here with a trip to the city's zoo, which is right next door.