Bogotá's food is hearty, comforting and full of surprises, and a guided tasting walk is the quickest way to learn it. The Viator tour we feature, billed as a Viejo Bogotá food tour with twelve or more tastings and a coffee workshop, has an outstanding record, with hundreds of reviews and a 5.0 rating on the listing page. Tours of this style generally wander through the historic center, stopping at small restaurants, bakeries and market-style counters to taste dishes such as ajiaco, the chicken and potato soup, tamales wrapped in banana leaf, empanadas, arepas, cheese and hot chocolate, and local fruits you may never have seen. A guide explains the origins of each dish, the role of altitude and climate in the cooking and how Bogotá blends Andean, Spanish and Caribbean influences. A coffee workshop adds a hands-on tasting. You walk between stops, so it also serves as a mini-orientation to the center, and it is sociable, because small groups share plates. It is an ideal first-day activity, because it equips you with dishes to order for the rest of the trip.
What you will taste: ajiaco is the signature, a soup of three kinds of potato with chicken, corn and capers and cream, which suits the cool climate. Tamales vary by region, and Bogotá's are usually rich and filling. Colombian arepas are made from corn and often topped or stuffed with cheese. Bogotá also has a habit of drinking hot chocolate with cheese, which sounds strange and tastes wonderful. A good guide will show you where locals actually eat.
Planning: come hungry and plan a light lunch or dinner, since twelve tastings add up. Tell the operator about allergies, vegetarian needs and dietary rules in advance, because many dishes use meat, dairy and gluten. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a small bag, since you will walk between stops, and bring cash for extra snacks or coffee beans. Small groups mean tours can adapt, but they also fill up, so book a few days ahead.
Pairing: the tour sits well with the old center, so combine it with a museum morning or the graffiti tour. For markets, the Paloquemao tour goes deeper on fruit and fresh produce, and for coffee, the farm day goes deeper on the bean. If you only do one food experience in Bogotá, this walk is the broadest.
What to expect
The experience
A guided walking tasting tour of the old center, with more than a dozen tastings and a coffee workshop, led by a local guide.
Best time
Late morning or early afternoon, so the tastings stand in for lunch.
How long
Roughly three to four hours with walking between stops.
Tips
Arrive hungry, mention dietary needs when booking, wear comfortable shoes and bring a little cash.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Food lovers and first-timers who want an easy, social introduction to local dishes.
- Families
- Older children who will try new foods do well, but picky eaters may struggle.
- Couples
- A fun, flavorful afternoon and a chance to meet other travelers.
- Pair with
- The graffiti tour or La Candelaria, in the same neighborhood.
- Time needed
- Half a day with travel.
Good questions
What dishes will I try?+
Typical stops include ajiaco, arepas, tamales, empanadas, cheese, hot chocolate and local fruit. Menus vary by operator and season.
Is it a lot of food?+
With twelve or more tastings, many people skip the next meal. Come hungry and plan accordingly.
Can vegetarians join?+
Often, but Bogotá's classic dishes use meat, so tell the operator in advance. They can usually adjust some stops.
Is it walking-heavy?+
You walk between stops in the old center, which has cobbles and some slopes. Comfortable shoes are essential.
Is the tour well reviewed?+
The Viator listing page showed a 5.0 rating from several hundred reviews when we checked. Read recent reviews before booking.
