A beefy, chili-like filling which accompanies fried cornmeal flatbread, or arepas, at Cafe de Colombia in Wiesbaden. The arepas were incredible, warm with a perfect, crispy texture. (Dan Stoutamire/Stars and Stripes)
A beefy, chili-like filling which accompanies fried cornmeal flatbread, or arepas, at Cafe de Colombia in Wiesbaden. The arepas were incredible, warm with a perfect, crispy texture. (Dan Stoutamire/Stars and Stripes)
Arroz con pollo, or chicken and rice, at Cafe de Colombia in Wiesbaden. The chicken was a good mix of light and dark meat, and the rice was seasoned to perfection. (Dan Stoutamire/Stars and Stripes)
Graviola juice from the soursop fruit, a Colombian specialty, as served at Cafe de Colombia in downtown Wiesbaden. Pressed freshly daily, the unassuming cafe's juices are a standout menu item. (Dan Stoutamire/Stars and Stripes)
If you’re looking for a no-frills, authentic Latin American dining experience in Germany, Cafe de Colombia in Wiesbaden fits the bill. While its small dining room and kitchen might seem underwhelming at first glance, the cafe’s owner and chef makes up for that with a range of traditional Colombian and South American dishes and delicious fresh-squeezed fruit juices. Cafe de Colombia is situated in the shadow of Wiesbaden’s beautiful Ringkirche, along a busy road with plenty of foot traffic — perfect for people-watching and enjoying the summer and fall weather at one of several outdoor tables. The owner is a Colombian native who cooks and serves the meals himself out of his small, residential-type kitchen. His English is basic, but he’s enthusiastic and enjoys speaking his native Spanish with guests. The menu, displayed on a board in the humble dining room, is in Spanish and German. It’s recommended to order at the counter. The food is simply phenomenal: The portions are generous; a main dish is enough for two people. The appetizers, particularly arepas — cornmeal flatbread served with meaty or vegetarian fillings on the side — are delicious. The texture of the bread is incredible: warm, crispy, and it melts in your mouth. It alone made the trip worthwhile. For a main course, I ordered a staple of Latin American cooking, arroz con pollo, or chicken with rice. It was really nicely done, with a pleasing mix of white and dark meat and seasoning that had just enough kick to make it interesting. The chicken was extremely fresh. The real star of the meal for me was the juice, which is freshly pressed daily. The cafe has four or five different fruit juices, some rather exotic, depending on what’s available that day at local markets. I tried the graviola juice, made from the soursop fruit. I was surprised at how tasty the flavor was, a mix of pineapple and strawberry. Rounding out the menu are empanadas, several meat and vegetable soups, and salads. Cafe de Colombia does everything well. It’s a great place for cheap, authentic Latin fare in a great central Wiesbaden location.stoutamire.dan@stripes.com
Cafe de Colombia Location: Bismarckring 11, Wiesbaden, Germany 65183 Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; closed Sundays. Prices: Soups, salads and appetizers 2.50-7 euros ($3-$8.30); main courses 5-14 euros. Phone: (+49)(0) 611-400-200.
