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Where to eat in Cali?
Quick guide to street food in our city
Today, July 25, is the anniversary of our city's foundation. And what better way to celebrate it than going out to its streets: remembering the melting pot that we are, enjoying our traditional fast food with this small index that we have prepared for you.
If you are new to our city or know little about it yet, this selection of places might be useful. Whether for business or leisure, take the time to try these typical spots in Cali you will definitely like (some well-known and others not so much).
In some cases, we also tell you what you cannot miss on certain routes so that you can also taste the best street food in Cali, in a tour only suitable for mouth-watering adventurers.
We have classified these suggestions by city sectors so depending on where you are or where you are going, you can check any of the activated links below to see what you can find in the area and its distance from our Spiwak Hotels.
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Also, click on the indicated addresses to see how you can get to these locations and know exactly where to eat in Cali.
In the north of Cali
– La Estación del Trigo (Calle 47n #4bn-18): the quintessential place to hang out with friends and order the spectacular deep-fried snacks that have made it a famous landmark. Their delicious marranitas (plantain croquettes with pork crackers), aborrajados (cheese-filled plantain), papas rellenas, and empanadas (turnover-like pastries) are fried at the moment and match perfectly with Poker, beer, the local brand of our city. But we recommend that you also call for an unmissable option here: its magnificent cassava cake, a battered pasty stuffed with shredded meat you will fall in love with. Yummy!
– Parque del Chontaduro (Cr 5 # 34-00): once in Cali you have to try and eat chontaduro, an exotic fruit from our palm and a delicacy to those with a fine palate (because if you don't like it, you know nothing about life's pleasures)... In this park, the starting point of the Chontaduro Route, wise men and women of our Colombian Pacific prepare this fruit with salt and honey for your delight. But you can also drink it as a juice or, if you're lucky, find it in presentations such as jams, ice creams, desserts, and even arepas!
– Panadería Montecarlo (at the K8-28 kiosk of our Chipichape Shopping Center and also on Avenida 6 #42N-18): with a history of more than 60 years in the art of baking, this place is famous for its tender pandebono, a star product of its ovens and symbol of our identity. Order it with a traditional oatmeal drink (the avena caleña to feel like a genuine son of this city.
– Pandebonitos (Avenida 6 bis norte # 28-57): it is the visionary venture of a couple of Lebanese-Colombian brothers who started making mini-pandebonos. But they were creative enough to transfer their recipe to other preparations such as waffles, bakery, desserts, and even pizzas, all of them made out of pandebono dough! They are manufacturers and you can also buy their frozen products to take away at their Santa Mónica café.
– Panadería El Molino (Avenida 6AN # 26N-11 and in our Chipichape Mall): they have been making bread since 1896 (yes, it's a 126-year-old business now!), meaning they have several branches in our city and a classic of our bakery. But apart from their exquisite local products, they also bake wonderful pastries such as their Easter colomba, cinnamon rolls, mojicones, Danish bread, lemon tarts, citrus crackers, orange and carrot cakes, etc... If you see this cafeteria is crowded, go to Panadería Kuty (Avenida 6N #27-03), which is only 2 blocks away and as good as this one.
– Empanadas de Niko (Calle 30 Norte #4N-35): all of their products are 100% corn-made, with dough made directly from the grain. And that is why those who come to this place are delighted with the crispness of their empanadas, because in addition to being crunchy, they come with some spicy sauces that make it impossible to eat just one. Their arepas de huevo (egg arepas) and corn toasts are addictive, so, a warning: we are not to be held responsible for any diet you don't follow while in this place.
– Las Quintas de Don Simón (Av 6 # 42-116): it is a business on a corner that, at first, looks like a barbecue restaurant until you see that they are also a bakery. And that's when it gets interesting because, in addition to tempting skewers, fresh almojábanas and soft pandebonos, they also offer fried foods that are impossible to ignore, such as their striking buñuelos (fritters), aborrajados, marranitas and empanadas. Nice to see them on the counter well organized and fresh from the heat, but it is even more beautiful to bite, eat, and enjoy them all.
– Manjar del Valle (Carrera 1 #52-05): this is for those with a sweet tooth who can't live without dessert. Because this brand produces the best typical sweets of our Valle del Cauca like manjar blanco (blancmange), cortado de leche (curdled milk pudding), brevas rellenas (stuffed figs) and mecatos and various Colombian treats. As they come ready to go, you can eat them in the privacy of your room, or take them well packed to whoever you want back at home.
– La Zarzuela (Av. 6D 36N – 18): our restaurant inside the Spiwak Chipichape Hotel. Although we handle an extensive menu of main dishes merging Mediterranean cooking techniques with regionally inspired recipes and ingredients, we keep our loyalty to certain Valle del Cauca appetizers, namely the picada valluna (assortment of fried entrées) and our shrimp empanadas, which stand out as the perfect starters to share with friends on a day like today.
In the Granada neighborhood
– Amarily Restaurante (Avenida 9 Norte #20-40): its beautiful owner, a native of Bahía Málaga, brings to this place all the original flavors from the Pacific. And that is why we have included this place, because of how alluring chontaduro makes its appetizers, drinks and desserts be, like: chontaduro chips, chontaduro cocadas, chontaduro cakes, and even chontaduro mojito! The best way to end your day with this sexy fruit from the region.
– El Ringlete (Calle 15a Norte #9N-31): an old house in the Granada neighborhood which is a reference to our gastronomy, cooking just like our grandmothers used to! With fried foods from our region, made at the very moment. Once here, we invite you not to miss the tapioca cake stuffed with bull's tail stew, and especially: bofe de Tomás, or as commonly known, beef lung... Don't give us that face about this last one: you'll get a pleasant surprise that will change your opinion about this unfairly despised cut.
– Pacífico (Avenida 9 N # 12N-18): another of those essential places synonym of our regional cuisine and a tribute to the ocean bashing into the shores of our department. Here it is imperative to try the piangua empanada, the smoked fish aborrajado, the jaiba (crab) fritter, and the repingachos served with a tamarind chili sauce. Don't forget to order a badea or borojó sorbet, and while you're there, we suggest you take a peek into the dessert menu. We won't explain why.
– Platillos Voladores (Avenida 3 N #7-19): like some previous examples, the most celebrated restaurant in the city should not appear in a guide to the best fast food in Cali. But the fact is that its chontaduro, shrimp and crab rolls with chili jam, and its carantanta with peanut sauce, are appetizers to be devoured at the speed of light, reason enough to be included in this repertoire... Native ingredients of the Colombian southwest are mixed to offer you the most sublime entrees... It is not an option for "chichipatos" (stingy people) and it requires prior booking because this place is always full, but it will be worth it.
– Champús de Lola (Avenida 2 Norte, Local 1-130): in the Jairo Varela square, in front of the Mayor's Office of Cali, it is a duty to ask for Doña Lola Carabalí's shampoo, a traditional spiced soft drink made of corn, pineapple and lulo, one of the best in the city. Known in Spanish as "champú", this beverage is now prepared by Ana Ruth and Noralba, Lola's granddaughters who are in charge of this small but very popular business.
En el barrio El Peñón
– Obelisco (Avenida Colombia N. 4 Oeste – 49, and also at the K8-30 corner of our Chipichape Shopping Center just as you admire Hernando Tejada's beautiful cat sculpture, you must also indulge in some empanadas here, right across or more precisely on the opposite bank of the Cali River. Make sure to sample all the fried delights they prepare, from marranita to aborrajado, and even the cassava cake (or “pastel de yuca” as we call it). And, of course, wrap up your experience with one of their famous and hearty luladas to truly savor the essence of Cali. Highly recommended.
– Saludando (Calle 3 Oeste #3A-18): this is a lovely restaurant with a focus on crafting healthy, artisanal cuisine suitable for diabetics, vegetarians, vegans, and those with gluten intolerance, but it's also a delight for omnivores. They exclusively use ingredients sourced from our region, which makes one of their specialties truly unique. They prepare a nourishing dish with a functional chontaduro arepa (sourced from a very original supplier in our capital called Chonta Arepa), that serves as an ideal option to replenish your energy healthily. It's a food item with high nutritional value, crafted from the distinctive fruit typical of our southern Colombian region.
– La Sanduchería del Escudo (Calle 4 Oeste #3-46): after two years of pandemic-induced absence, this magnificent establishment (a sibling of another renowned name in Valle del Cauca's restaurant scene, El Escudo) has joyfully reopened its doors in El Peñón. It brings to you some hearty sandwiches you won't find anywhere else. The beloved chef, María Claudia Zarama, who consistently draws inspiration from local flavors and ancestral influences, now presents creations like the Belén de Docampadó burger, inspired by the Chocó region; her criollo sandwich; or even chontaduro ravioli. Let's welcome this phoenix back and show our support because a delightful time at her establishment is guaranteed.
– Domingo Mercado de Vereda (Calle 4 Oeste #3A-50): this is an exquisite store and restaurant that offers artisanal Colombian cuisine and market-fresh dishes in a beautifully stocked space featuring local farm products and the exciting creations of Catalina Velez. Everything here is excellent: salty and sweet, liquid and solid, dine-in or take-out. The desserts by this talented chef are particularly special, like the soursop meringue, the Chocolate Devil's Cake with orange and ginger, the pandebono cake with guava jelly, the borojó granita, the copoazú sorbet, and more. Don't resist the temptation to try one.
– Turk House (Calle 1 Oeste 2-62): it's true that this is not an establishment serving Colombian cuisine but rather Middle Eastern-inspired. However, as a fast-food venture with a New York style in Cali, we recommend it not only for its affordable prices but for the delightful flavors and vibrant colors of its creations. In particular, don't miss their cheese croquettes with tamarillo chili sauce – they're a heavenly treat. And since you're in the area, it's definitely worth a visit for your convenience…
En el barrio San Antonio
– Tertuliadero La Colina (Calle 1 #48-83): this is the story of a humble neighborhood house that transformed from a small grocery store into one of the most emblematic and cherished spots in Cali's nightlife. In 2022, this store, which celebrates its 80th anniversary, remains a meeting place for students, artists, teachers, and those seeking a good time filled with relaxation, conversation, talks, and laughter. All of this unfolds over a dynamic spread of empanadas and never-ending servings of beer at their always-packed tables, set in an environment brimming with nostalgia, curious objects, antiques, and joys dancing to the vibrant rhythm of old-school salsa.
– Mazorcas en San Antonio (Carrera 4C #2A-86): there's nothing more Colombian than enjoying a charcoal-grilled corn on the cob in the street. But there's nothing more Cali than taking a bite of this charred ear of corn and savoring the delightful confirmation that it's made from sweet, yellow, and tender corn grown in the region. This is unlike what you'd find at stalls in other parts of the country, where they use different varieties of this noble grain. At San Antonio Park, in front of the church, street vendors sell them for you to enjoy on the spot while you admire the cityscape from this hill.
– El Zaguán de San Antonio (Carrera 12 #1-29): in a beautiful colonial house, you'll find this establishment that stands out not only for the beauty of its setting but also for the countless photographs and autographs of national and international celebrities who have visited this place, proudly adorning its walls. Among them, there's even a portrait and signature of none other than Anthony Bourdain. This is the place to spend your afternoon on its terrace with a view, enjoying their delicious 'puerquitas' and 'aborrajados' in great company.
– Oiga Mire Vea (Carrera 10 #1-30): a place where typical fried snacks are always available, such as stuffed potatoes, 'marranitas,' 'aborrajados,' cassava cakes, and empanadas filled with shredded meat. You can savor these bites along with luladas' with or without condensed milk, regional beers, various beverages, and other dishes like hamburgers, 'salchipapas', wings, and ribs if you're not in the mood for the traditional 'bofe' from Valle or the typical platter from our region.
– J&J Fritanga (Carrera 10 #3-13): it's another one of those classics that are perfect for indulging in Valluno delights or for snacking during a quick get-together with friends. Founded by the Otero Llanos family (the same family mentioned in this article as one of the great preservers of the macetas tradition), this restaurant is unquestionably a place of tradition in Cali. It's renowned for its famous 'chunchulos' and other fried snacks.
En el barrio La Alameda
– Basilia (Calle 8 #23C-17, piso 2): in the heart of the Galería Alameda market square, you'll find this monumental and highly acclaimed eatery run by Basilia Murillo, an ambassador of Pacific cuisine. The full menu at this popular diner is fantastic, but if you're looking for snacks, we recommend trying the crab, piangua, and shrimp empanadas, the chocoano pie, and the classic sancochos that this place offers. And if you're not the designated driver, consider indulging in one of the traditional viche-based spirits this place has for both the curious and connoisseurs.
– La Caleñita (Carrera 24 #8-53): a shop with beautiful regional crafts that conceals a discreet and special little bar inside called Café Mimelao, offering delicious fritanga and a champú that they say is out of this world.
– La Casa del Pandeyuca (Calle 5° N° 23B – 40): the temple of Cali's bakery located on Roosevelt Avenue, and as its name suggests, known for its cassava bread (in Spanish: “pan de yuca”), which rightfully earns it that title. Although it's a title hotly contested with other highly esteemed rivals also thriving in this area, such as Surtipanes (Carrera 23D #9-52), Panadería Paola (Calle 5 #24C 6) and the other Panadería Paola (Av. Roosevelt #29-42) which is just as good as its namesake.
– Apolo Restaurante (Carrera 15 #8-37): in 1962, Fernando Home, the first Colombian player to score two goals against Brazil's national team in the Olympic qualifiers in Rome, abandoned his promising football career to invest in the eatery of his aunts, Flora and Luis Carlos... His fans, drawn by the achievement and curious about this young star's radical change of life, began to fill the tables of this establishment that was born in 1959. Since then, it has been serving typical fried dishes and the original chuleta valluna, highly recommended by all Cali locals.
– Pedro Junior (Calle 8 #23A-67): just as the legendary Maura de Caldas was the pioneer of seafood cuisine in this part of the city, the uncle of the manager of this place, don Pedro, was the first to sell ceviches outside the Alameda Market... No longer a street vendor, but a two-story establishment with dozens of employees and even live music, it's the place where many go for their seafood cocktails, especially their fish sancocho, a true icon in Cali and a holy remedy for weekend hangovers.
En las Canchas Panamericanas
– El Oasis (Calle 9 # 36ABis – 38): everything that encompasses the parallel of Calle 9 and Avenida Joaquín Botero Sinisterra (alongside the Pan American Sports Complex) is an area where you can find the typical 'cholados' of Jamundí: crushed ice drinks with a topping of sorbets, diced fruits, and a sprinkle of whichever ingredients you like, from caramel chips to cheese... But this legendary spot, which began as one of the many carts you'll see on the street, is the first of these places that we confidently recommend to cool down in the heat with this refreshing local dessert For a more street-style experience, there are the mobile stalls like El Cacique, La India, El Paraíso, Los Niches, Caliche, El Paraíso, Los Niches, Caliche, among many others that are customary.
– El Bochinche (Carrera 37 #8-56): if you happen to crave a different snack or simply a meal in this area, an excellent option is to visit this establishment where the pork chop is another culinary hallmark celebrating our Cali identity since 1958. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, it's a Valluna dish that we're sure you'll enjoy.
Without further ado, we hope this guide proves valuable for you to savor the best flavors of our city in good company.
Happy Cali Day!
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Spiwak Hotels: your most secure choice for vacation and corporate accommodation in Cali. Located in the Chipichape Shopping Center, in the Zona Rosa of Cali, just 5 minutes from the Granada gastronomic district. We offer 493 suites, parking facilities, and 12 rooms for social and corporate events. We are the largest hotel complex in Valle del Cauca.
