At a Colombian restaurant you eat food from several regions: hearty dishes from Antioquia like bandeja paisa, soups from Bogotá like ajiaco, fried dishes from the coast like patacón or mojarra, arepas in all their forms, and tropical fruits in juices and cocktails. If it's your first time, start with something to share (patacones, empanadas, arepitas) and follow with a bandeja paisa or an ajiaco.
At a glance
| To start | Patacones, empanaditas, arepitas, chicharrón |
| Main dishes | Bandeja paisa, ajiaco santafereño, sobrebarriga, cazuela de frijoles, mojarra frita |
| For sharing | Picada, a platter of grilled meats with sides |
| To drink | Fresh juices, lemonades and cocktails such as the passion fruit mojito |
| Dessert | Almojábana cheesecake |
A tour of the regions
- Antioquia and the Coffee Region: bandeja paisa, beans, chicharrón, arepa and chorizo santarrosano.
- Bogotá and the highlands: ajiaco santafereño, a thick soup of chicken, potatoes and guascas.
- The Caribbean coast: patacón (green plantain, fried and flattened) and fried fish, such as mojarra.
- All over the country: arepas, empanadas and a huge variety of tropical fruits.
What to order your first time at Tequendama
- To start: the patacón mix with sour cream, avocado cream and hogao, or the corn empanaditas filled with shredded beef, potato and hogao, served with ají.
- For your main: bandeja paisa if you're hungry, or ajiaco if you'd rather have a soup.
- To share among several people: the picada, with roast chicken, skirt steak, chorizo santarrosano and grilled pork, with mazorca, blood sausage, papa criolla, cassava, ripe plantain and arepas.
- For dessert: the almojábana cheesecake, subject to availability.
All of this is on the Las Rozas menu, with prices and allergens.
A short glossary
- Hogao: a tomato and onion sofrito that goes with many dishes.
- Ají: a homemade spicy sauce served on the side.
- Patacón: green plantain fried, flattened and fried again.
- Arepa: a corn cake eaten at any time of day.
- Chorizo santarrosano: chorizo from Santa Rosa de Cabal, in Colombia's Coffee Region.
Frequently asked questions
Is Colombian food spicy?
Generally, no. The heat comes on the side, in the ají, so everyone can add as much as they like.
Are there vegan options?
At Tequendama Moments, yes: we have vegan options, with recipes adapted to leave out animal protein.
Where to eat Colombian food in Madrid?
At Tequendama Las Rozas (C/ Escorial, 1, Las Rozas de Madrid) and at Tequendama Moments (Av. de Felipe II, 4, in Goya). You can also order takeaway at both.
Updated October 7, 2026 · By the Tequendama Team · Next: ajiaco santafereño · More from the guide