Armenia is not a destination food city, but it eats well. The defining dish of the coffee region is the bandeja paisa — a heaped platter of beans, rice, fried egg, chicharrón, chorizo, plantain, arepa, and avocado that is a meal you remember rather than enjoy. For something lighter, the river trout (trucha) of nearby Salento is the regional specialty, served whole and grilled, often with garlic or in coconut sauce.
Reliable options in the city centre include the chain Crepes & Waffles for vegetarian-friendly meals, Helena Adentro in Filandia for elevated local cooking, and the food stalls inside the Mercado de la 21 for cheap and excellent set lunches (almuerzos corrientes) at around 15,000 to 20,000 pesos. Carrera 14 has a strip of casual restaurants and bakeries; the area around Avenida Bolívar in the north has more upscale dining.