Colombia’s Pacific coast is home to one of the richest culinary traditions in Latin America: Afro-Colombian cuisine. With its bold flavors, fresh seafood, coconut, and aromatic herbs, an Afro-Colombian wedding menu is a feast for the senses that honors centuries of cultural heritage.
If you are planning a wedding in Colombia and want to showcase this incredible cuisine, here is a complete Afro-Colombian wedding menu from appetizers to dessert.
Appetizers
- Coconut empanadas: Traditional empanadas made with coconut flour, filled with shredded beef or cheese.
- Fried plantain cups: Small cups made from green plantain, filled with shrimp ceviche or avocado.
- Carimañolas: Yucca fritters stuffed with seasoned ground beef and cheese.
- Ceviche de camarón: Fresh shrimp ceviche marinated in lime with red onion, cilantro, and tomato.
- Abutas: Corn and coconut fritters, slightly sweet — perfect cocktail hour bite.
Main Courses
- Arroz con coco y camarón: Coconut rice with shrimp — a Pacific coast classic. The rice is cooked in coconut milk with fresh shrimp, giving it a creamy, tropical flavor.
- Encocado de pescado: Fresh fish (typically sea bass or snapper) cooked in a rich coconut sauce with tomatoes, onions, garlic, and cilantro. Served with white rice and patacones (fried green plantains).
- Cazuela de mariscos: A hearty seafood stew with shrimp, crab, clams, mussels, and fish in a coconut and peanut broth. Perfect for the main wedding reception.
- Sancocho de pescado: Traditional fish soup with yuca, plantain, corn, and cilantro. A comforting option that guests love.
- Arroz atollado: Creamy rice with chicken, pork, and vegetables, seasoned with annatto and cumin. A heartier option for guests who prefer meat over seafood.
Side Dishes
- Patacones: Twice-fried green plantain slices — crunchy and salty, served with hogao (Colombian tomato-onion sauce).
- Coconut rice: Sweet and creamy coconut rice, served as a side.
- Fresh salad: Tropical salad with mango, avocado, and lime dressing.
- Fried yuca: Golden yuca fries served with garlic aioli or hogao.
Desserts
- Cocadas: Sweet coconut candies, often baked until golden — a traditional Afro-Colombian treat.
- Arroz con leche de coco: Rice pudding made with coconut milk, cinnamon, and raisins.
- Flan de coco: Creamy coconut flan with caramel sauce.
- Dulce de papaya: Candied papaya dessert, a Pacific coast specialty.
Beverages
- Lulada: Refreshing drink made from lulo fruit, blended with water and sugar.
- Aguapanela con limón: Traditional sugarcane drink with fresh lime — a Colombian staple.
- Fresh coconut water: Served straight from the coconut for a tropical touch.
- Champús: A traditional Pacific coast drink made with corn, fruits, and spices.
An Afro-Colombian wedding menu is more than food — it is a celebration of culture, tradition, and community. At Wink Eventos, we work with the best caterers on Colombia’s Pacific coast to create an unforgettable culinary experience for your wedding.
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