Otro Sabor

Held annually over the last weekend of August at Medellín's Botanical Garden, Otro Sabor has established itself as one of Colombia's principal gastronomy events. Founded in 1972 and particularly known for its orchid collection, the garden provides a genuinely striking setting for the three-day culinary showcase, each year built around a different theme, occasionally inviting other Latin American countries to participate directly.

Inside the garden's main buildings, talks and cooking demonstrations run throughout the weekend, while a large covered outdoor area fills with stands representing regions from across Colombia and, in some editions, neighbouring countries. Colombia's arepa — a flat corn bread eaten plain, with fillings, or as part of a larger meal — appears in countless regional variations, alongside dishes like bandeja paisa from Medellín's own Antioquia region.

As an introduction to Colombian cuisine specifically, Otro Sabor offers a genuinely broad cross-section in one location, giving visitors a chance to sample regional dishes from across the country without needing to travel much beyond Medellín itself.