A Foodie’s Journey: My Top 3 Restaurants to Try on Your Colombia Gay Travel Adventure

One of my favorite ways to experience Colombia is through its food. The country’s landscapes and cultures are so diverse that every region feels like its own world, and nowhere is that more evident than in its kitchens. Over the years, I’ve had some incredible meals here, but there are three restaurants that stand out — not just for their flavors, but for the memories they created.

For anyone interested in foodie experiences while on their gay vacation in Colombia, these spots combine world-class dining with unforgettable cultural moments.

Bogota: A Fine-Dining Surprise at Leo

I still remember walking into Leo in Bogotá with a group of travelers from Miami. The energy was refined yet warm, the kind of place where you knew you were about to have an experience — not just a dinner.

Leo’s tasting menu doesn’t let you choose. Instead, you put yourself in the hands of Chef Leonor Espinosa, one of Latin America’s most celebrated chefs, and allow her to guide you through Colombia’s ecosystems. Every course tells a story — from Amazonian roots to Caribbean herbs — and it feels like a culinary map of the country.

But what struck me most that night wasn’t just the food, it was the care. When one of my clients wasn’t enjoying a dish, the staff quietly replaced it with another option before we even thought to ask. That kind of intuition is rare.

And then came dessert — a playful creation that left all of our teeth green. We couldn’t stop laughing, and to this day it remains one of those silly, shared moments that turned dinner into a memory.

Leo sits in Bogotá’s Zona G — the city’s so-called gastronomic district. But since it’s right in the heart of Chapinero, Bogotá’s gayborhood, I like to think the “G” stands for Gay. Either way, it’s the perfect setting for a restaurant that’s upscale, creative, and proudly Colombian. We can help you book a table at Leo as part of your private Bogotá gay tour with OUT in Colombia.

Medellin: Endless Plates at Zombra

If Leo is polished sophistication, Zombra Restaurante in Medellín is creative generosity with a personal touch. The concept is simple but brilliant: a tasting menu that doesn’t end until you say so. Dish after dish arrives at your table, each one inventive and satisfying, and the only limit is your appetite.

The first time I went with a friend, we tested just how much we could handle. At one point, Chef Pablo Naranjo, who studied at Le Cordon Bleu in France and worked in Michelin-starred restaurants before returning to Colombia, came out of the kitchen to see for himself who was enjoying his food so much. Since then, every time I’ve gone back, he remembers me — a reminder that here, hospitality is as important as the cuisine.

Pablo’s creativity really shines in Zombra’s menu del día. Yes, it costs a bit more than the typical Colombian lunch, but it’s on a whole other level — refined flavors, beautifully presented, and constantly changing. Ask what’s on the menu tomorrow, and he’ll simply smile and say, “I’m not sure yet — I’ll decide then.” That spontaneity is part of what makes dining at Zombra so exciting.

And if you want to experience his talent in a different setting, Pablo is also the mind behind the menu at Bosko, an upscale glamping retreat overlooking the lakes of Guatapé. Just like Zombra, it’s a hidden gem where the cuisine is every bit as memorable as the setting.

Tucked away on a cozy block just off El Poblado’s buzzing restaurant and nightlife zone, Zombra feels like the cool spot you almost want to keep secret — but can’t help but share. For those on a gay Medellín tour, this is a restaurant that truly captures the city’s creative energy. We’d love to include Zombra as part of your Medellin foodie adventure with OUT in Colombia.

Cartagena: Caribbean Magic at Celele

And then there’s Celele in Cartagena — a restaurant that feels like a love letter to the Colombian Caribbean. Founded by two gay chefs, it’s proudly gay-owned and has become one of the most talked-about restaurants in all of Latin America. Celele has earned a spot among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants and ranks high on the Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list, proving that Cartagena’s dining scene can compete on the global stage.

What makes Celele special is how it reimagines the flavors of the Caribbean coast. Under the vision of Chef Jaime Rodríguez, every tasting menu is an adventure — dishes that surprise you with bold combinations of seafood, tropical fruits, and regional ingredients you won’t encounter anywhere else. It’s food that feels both deeply rooted in place and refreshingly inventive.

The atmosphere is just as memorable: colorful, relaxed, and welcoming, reflecting the creative soul of Getsemaní. And while the cuisine is innovative, the experience never feels intimidating. Instead, it’s joyful, celebratory, and distinctly Colombian.

One of my most vivid memories at Celele was the night we had the entire restaurant to ourselves with a group of well-traveled gay food lovers. Course after course, the excitement around the table built until, at the end of the evening, the guests spontaneously rose to their feet in applause. It was the only time I’ve ever seen a full standing ovation for a restaurant’s staff — a testament to how extraordinary the experience was.

When you join one of our gay Cartagena tours, we’ll make sure Celele is part of your culinary adventure with Out in Colombia.

Colombia Foodie Experiences That Complement Gay Colombia Travel

What ties these three restaurants together is more than just exceptional tasting menus. At Leo, Zombra, and Celele, I felt cared for, welcomed, and surprised. Each one left me with memories that go beyond food — laughter around the table in Bogotá, a chef’s warm recognition in Medellín, and the pride of seeing gay chefs shine on an international stage in Cartagena.

Colombia’s culinary scene is daring, diverse, and deeply rooted in its landscapes. These three restaurants remind me why I love experiencing the country through food: because each bite tells a story, and every meal has the chance to become a memory. And for anyone planning gay Colombia travel, they prove that food can be one of the best ways to discover the country.

Planning Your Gay Colombia Travel?

At OUT in Colombia, we specialize in creating private, full-service itineraries that celebrate the best of Colombia’s culture, cuisine, and LGBTQ+ life. Whether you’re dreaming of a gay Bogotá tour, a gay Medellín foodie adventure, or a gay Cartagena trip that includes fine dining at Celele, we’ll make sure your journey is seamless, welcoming, and unforgettable.

👉 Ready to plan your own Colombia foodie experiences? Contact us today to start building your itinerary.