Platillos Voladores Restaurant, Cali: A Modern Take on Colombian Cuisine

Platillos Voladores Restaurant, Cali – When people think of Cali, Colombia, salsa dancing is usually the first thing that comes to mind. But Colombia’s salsa capital has another side that deserves just as much attention: its vibrant culinary scene. From traditional Pacific flavors to contemporary Colombian cuisine, Cali is home to some of the country’s most exciting restaurants.

Among them, Platillos Voladores Restaurant stands out as one of the city’s finest dining destinations. Owned by acclaimed Colombian chef Vicky Acosta, the restaurant has earned a reputation for transforming regional ingredients into elegant, memorable dishes. After reading countless glowing reviews while planning my trip, I knew it had to be on my list.

What I didn’t know was that my lunch there would become much more than a simple restaurant visit.

When I mentioned my plan to dine at Platillos Voladores to the friends I had met in Cali, they surprised me with an unexpected offer. One of them told me that a close friend knew Chef Vicky Acosta, the owner of the restaurant, and could arrange a lunch with her if I was interested.

Needless to say, I accepted immediately.

Just a few days later, I found myself walking through the doors of Platillos Voladores Restaurant, not as an ordinary guest, but as Chef Vicky Acosta’s invited guest.

Housed in a charming standalone building, the restaurant immediately impressed me with its warm and elegant atmosphere. Natural materials, thoughtfully selected decorative details, and beautifully arranged tables create a space that feels both sophisticated and welcoming. From the moment you step inside, it’s clear that every detail has been carefully considered.

Shortly after we were seated, Chef Vicky Acosta joined us at the table. After a pleasant conversation about Colombian cuisine and the country’s regional culinary traditions, she asked what we would like to order.

With such an extensive menu, none of us could make up our minds.

Smiling, Vicky offered a simple solution.

“Why don’t you let me choose? I’ll prepare a selection that showcases different flavors from our menu.”

It was the easiest decision we made that day.

While waiting for the first course, several appetizers arrived at the center of the table: Carantanta, Chontaduro, and Chontaduro Rolls.

Carantanta is a crispy corn-based snack served with a rich peanut sauce that leaves a gentle spicy warmth after each bite. Light, crunchy, and surprisingly addictive, it was the perfect way to begin the meal.

The next tasting was Chontaduro, one of Colombia’s most distinctive tropical fruits. Served simply with honey and salt, it has an earthy, dense flavor unlike almost any fruit I have tasted elsewhere. I can easily imagine that it divides opinions, it’s certainly not love at first bite for everyone.

Personally, I enjoyed the Chontaduro Rolls much more. Combining the fruit in a creamy filling with a crispy fried exterior made the flavor far more approachable while still preserving its unique character.

Our first proper course was Baudo Soup, a traditional specialty from Colombia’s Pacific region.

Prepared with fresh fish, pasta, and salted cheese, it managed to be both comforting and surprisingly elegant. Every spoonful balanced the richness of the broth with the freshness of the seafood.

It quickly became everyone’s favorite dish at the table.

If you visit Platillos Voladores, this is the one dish I would recommend ordering without hesitation.

The seafood journey continued with Encocado, another Pacific Coast classic.

The combination of fresh fish and sweet plantain created a beautifully balanced dish that was both delicate and satisfying. Nothing on the plate tried to overpower the other ingredients. Instead, each component complemented the next, creating a dish that felt refined without losing its traditional roots.

Its elegant presentation certainly didn’t hurt either.

Next came Pollo Guayaba, one of the meal’s most memorable main courses.

Prepared with chicken, guava, arracacha, and yellow potatoes, the dish perfectly illustrated Chef Vicky Acosta’s ability to modernize Colombian ingredients while respecting their original flavors.

The chicken remained wonderfully tender beneath its flavorful sauce, while the silky mashed potatoes tied everything together beautifully.

Before dessert, we were served a vegetarian quinoa salad featuring seasonal vegetables, plantains, herbs, and spices.

Although I wouldn’t normally order a vegetarian main course, I genuinely enjoyed it. Rather than feeling like an alternative to meat or seafood, it stood confidently on its own as a complete and satisfying dish.

It’s an excellent choice for vegetarians visiting the restaurant, but I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone.

As a chocolate lover, I was convinced that the chocolate dessert would be my favorite.

I was wrong.

The coconut and chocolate dessert was indeed outstanding. With its perfectly balanced cocoa flavor, it’s a dessert that would delight any chocolate lover.

The real surprise for me, however, was the passion fruit dessert.

What makes it so unique is that it’s not made from the fruit itself, but from its peel.

Using a special cooking technique, the peel is softened and then served with ice cream, pink peppercorns, and passion fruit jam. The result is one of the most creative desserts I’ve ever tasted, capturing the full essence and aroma of the fruit in an unexpected way.

Every dish we tried throughout the meal was exceptional, and the desserts provided a finale that was just as memorable.

Absolutely.

Great restaurants don’t simply serve delicious food; they tell a story through every course. My lunch at Platillos Voladores reminded me how much difference an experienced chef can make when local ingredients meet creativity, technique, and genuine passion.

The meal flowed naturally from one regional specialty to another, introducing flavors I might never have ordered on my own. Looking back, trusting Chef Vicky Acosta to choose the menu turned out to be the best decision of the day.

If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Cali, want to experience modern Colombian cuisine, or simply enjoy discovering regional flavors beyond the country’s better-known dishes, Platillos Voladores Restaurant deserves a place at the top of your itinerary.

Sometimes the most memorable part of a journey isn’t a famous landmark.

Sometimes, it’s a lunch that introduces you to an entire region through its food.

If you would like to explore more about Platillos Voladores, discover their menu, or make a reservation, visit their official website.