8 Best Restaurants in Colombia

The owner of Medellín's beloved purveyor of high-end speciality coffee prides himself on his thorough investigation of and involvement with his suppliers from plant to cup. Let Pergamino's friendly and knowledgeable baristas talk you through the beans on the daily specials list and the best method of preparation. While you wait for your brew, let yourself be tempted by the selection of baked treats before choosing a cozy spot to linger over your choices. The street-side patio is perfect for people-watching.

There are few things more welcoming in the tropical Cartagena humidity than cold, creamy gelato, and this tiny corner offers the best in town, outshining the competition with quality ingredients, creative flavors, and friendly service. Owners Davis and Mateo have not only succeeded in bringing the true taste and texture of Italian gelato from their homeland, but they also offer a range of flavors based on local fruit, including lulo and guanabana, that surprise and delight.

An offshoot of the burgeoning coffee scene in Bogotá, Sybarita serves a smashing cup of coffee. The baristas are knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and have been known to talk customers through the range of modern and traditional preparation methods or the various coffee varieties and the country’s growing regions. Don't skip the desserts, like the house-speciality cheesecake. When you're done, stop by the counter and purchase a bag of your favorite beans.

Set in one of the village's most beautifully restored spaces, this otherwise simple café has an intricately designed roof that's worth checking out as it's the perfect example of traditional Antioquian style. This will become your go-to spot for a well-brewed cup of coffee and something sweet. Detailed murals add an extra touch of color to the space, and efficient service means you'll never wait too long.

Charming and plant filled, this quaint little coffee shop makes a great escape from the rush of the Sunday-market streets. Visit on a quiet day to relax, sip a coffee, and have a go at some of the dangerously tasty cakes. The Spanish hot chocolate is thick enough to stand a spoon up in, and is beastly good.

A funky little café with checkered floors and tearoom-style salons, La Canoa's air-conditioned, brightly lit interior makes for a welcome respite any time of the day. The highlight is the selection of pastries and desserts for a snack with coffee. At lunchtime, the daily set menu is delicious and comes at a comfortable price; the homemade panini sandwiches are great, and the seafood salads are always a winner---try the Mediterráneo (shrimp and capers).

This upscale bakery and coffee shop offers touches of quaint, country-style decor and friendly service. Particularly popular for a midmorning coffee break or afternoon tea, the temple of pastry, cake, and silken mousse delivers a welcome respite, and you'll likely end up spending more time than you have planned. The pour-over filter coffee is good, and the lemon-coconut drink—a Cartagena classic—may be at it's best.

Under the watchful gaze of the myriad black-and-white photos of Parisian life, the display cases of the village's favorite breakfast spot are heaped with sweet and savory delights like flaky almond croissants, chocolate éclairs, blackberry pasties, and savory quiches---the mustard-and-tomato quiche is a winner. Pair a treat with a cappuccino that comes topped with a mountain of frothed milk. Get in early for breakfast—doors open at 8 am—as the place fills up fast.