Bandeja paisa is Antioquia's best-known dish: a platter with beans, rice, meat, chicharrón, chorizo, a fried egg, ripe plantain, arepa and avocado. It started out as a hearty meal for farm work and today it's the most famous Colombian dish outside the country. In Madrid, we serve it at Tequendama Las Rozas, where it's our most traditional dish.
At a glance
| Origin | Antioquia and the Coffee Region, the “paisa” region |
| What's in it | Beans, white rice, meat, pork belly or chicharrón, chorizo, fried egg, ripe plantain, arepa and avocado |
| How it's served | All together on a platter or large plate, each item in its place |
| Good for | One person with a good appetite |
| At Tequendama | On the Las Rozas menu |
What bandeja paisa is
“Paisa” is what people from Antioquia and the Eje Cafetero are called. Their bandeja brings together on one plate what's eaten most in the region: stewed red beans, white rice, meat, fried pork, arepa and plantain. There's no single recipe: every household changes something, but the beans, rice, egg and plantain are always there.
How it's eaten
Mix it as you like: a bit of beans with rice, a piece of chicharrón, ripe plantain for a sweet contrast and avocado to freshen things up. The arepa plays the role of bread. It's a complete meal; with a drink and, if there's room, a dessert, you don't need anything else.
Tequendama's bandeja paisa
On our Las Rozas menu, it comes with beans alongside white rice, avocado, sweet plantain, pork belly, shredded beef, arepa, a fried egg and chorizo criollo. If you like beans but prefer something you eat with a spoon, try the cazuela de frijoles, with the same flavors in a stew.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called paisa?
Because it's typical of the paisa region: Antioquia and the Eje Cafetero. “Paisa” is the popular name for the people there.
What's the difference between bandeja paisa and cazuela de frijoles?
They have similar ingredients, but in the bandeja each item sits separately on the plate, while in the cazuela everything is served together, with the beans as the base.
Where can I eat bandeja paisa in Madrid?
At Tequendama Las Rozas (C/ Escorial, 1, Las Rozas de Madrid). You can also order it for takeaway.
Updated October 7, 2026 · By the Tequendama Team · Next: ajiaco santafereño · More from the guide