San Andres and Providencia Caribbean food is a true culinary treasure of Colombia. Its cuisine combines local ingredients such as coconut, fresh fish, and tropical spices with a notable British influence inherited from the colonial past. This fusion has given rise to an authentic, colorful cuisine deeply tied to the Raizal identity.
The British imprint on island cuisine is not limited to names or techniques. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the English established a presence on these islands, bringing with them not only their language and religion but also food customs that were reinterpreted by the Afro-descendant and Creole communities living in the region. Today, dishes such as crab empanadas and crab soup reflect this cultural blend, combining traditional island ingredients with culinary practices shaped by history.
Traditional food in San Andres, Colombia
Crab empanadas: a breakfast with island flavor
@mamaadita ¿Empanadas de cangrejo al ajillo, deliciosas, accesibles y con café gratis e ilimitado? ¡Claro que sÃ, papi, aquà no falta nada! Y por si fuera poco… por la compra de 2, te regalamos una bebida. Solo en Mamá Adita, donde el sabor y la abundancia nunca fallan. #mamaadita #comidatipica #comidaadomicilio #restaurantesenguayaquil #dondecomer #empanadas #mariscos #cangrejo #alajillo #empanadasdeverde ♬ Ella Es Mi Fiesta – Carlos Vives
Mornings on the islands begin with flavors that are both hearty and distinctive. Instead of the usual bread and coffee, many homes in San Andres and Providencia welcome the day with crab empanadas. These golden pastries are filled with seasoned crab meat, mixed with onion, spices, and sometimes a hint of chili, then fried until crisp on the outside and tender inside.
They are more than just a quick bite; they reflect the island’s creativity in combining local seafood with culinary techniques rooted in Spanish and African traditions. For islanders, crab empanadas are both comfort food and a proud symbol of their coastal identity.
Rondon: a traditional island lunch
@stefanymll_ No te vayas de San andres sin probar este plato #sai #sanandres #turismo #fyp #rondon #comidatipica #comidaisleña #sanandresislascolombia #cultura #parati ♬ tropical reggae BGM no melody – yo suzuki(akisai)
If there is a dish that defines San Andres and Providencia, it is rondon. This seafood stew cooked in coconut milk is much more than a soup: it is a culinary ceremony. Rondon is slowly cooked over low heat with fresh fish, queen conch, cassava, green plantain, and yam. Everything simmers in a base of freshly extracted coconut milk, giving it a creamy texture and an enveloping aroma that fills the kitchen while it is being prepared.
There is no single recipe, as every family has their own version, which makes it even more special. In some households, lobster is added, or even a touch of hot pepper to enhance the flavor. Rondon needs little else: it can be served on its own, but sometimes it is paired with coconut rice or cabbage salad.
Seafood dinner: crab soup
@cangrejbar La buena sopa de cangrejo!! #fypシ゚viral #parati #cangrejos🦀🦀 #show #guayaquil #centr #ecuador🇪🇨 #fyeシ #shows #promo ♬ Por Toda la Vida – Fonseca
As night falls, dinner becomes a warm and comforting experience with a bowl of crab soup. This dish, deeply rooted in island tradition, is prepared with fresh crab simmered in a fragrant broth of coconut milk, onion, garlic, and local spices. Cassava, green plantain, or yam are often added to give body and substance to the soup, making it both nourishing and full of flavor.