Granada and Avenida 9 Norte
Granada is north Cali's restaurant neighborhood, along Avenida 9 Norte between Calles 9 and 18. People go for lunch, dinner or drinks, and many foreigners end up living there.
- Price
- Depends on the restaurant
- Price
- Free
- Duration
- 2 to 4 hours
- Address
- Avenida 9 Norte between Calles 9 and 18, Granada neighborhood, Cali
Granada began around 1890 as Cali's first residential neighborhood, on Avenida 9 Norte between Calles 9 and 18. Wealthy families built republican-style houses in the early 20th century, and many of them are now restaurants, cafés and shops.
The area became a food destination after 2000. Within a few blocks you'll find Valle del Cauca cooking, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Mexican, Asian and chef-driven food, and on weekends Avenida 9 Norte and the streets around it keep their bars going late. Expats compare it to Laureles in Medellín for its tree-lined, walkable streets.
After the August 10, 2026 earthquake, on August 19 the facade of a shop at Avenida 8 Norte and Calle 13, already damaged, came down; no one was hurt. There are no reports of widespread closures on Avenida 9 Norte, but some places may be under repair.
What to see
- The republican houses on Avenida 9 Norte and Calle 15.
- The restaurants on Avenida 9 Norte between Calles 9 and 18.
- The view of the western hills from the neighborhood's streets.
Getting there
- Taxi to Avenida 9 Norte and Calle 15, in the middle of the area.
- On foot from Centenario or Avenida Sexta, about 10 blocks north.
- From San Antonio it's about 10 minutes by taxi across the Cali River.
Tips
- Book for Friday and Saturday nights; the well-known restaurants fill up.
- Get around by app-booked taxi when you go out late.
- Platillos Voladores, one of the city's best-known restaurants, is nearby in Centenario.
- If you want real salsa, go to San Antonio or Parque del Perro; the dinner shows in Granada are pricey.
FAQ
Where is Granada's restaurant area?
On Avenida 9 Norte, between Calles 9 and 18, in north Cali.
Is it a good neighborhood to stay in Cali?
Many foreigners who stay for weeks or months choose it because it's walkable and has food and bars close by.
Was Granada damaged by the earthquake?
There was some isolated damage, like the facade that fell at Avenida 8 Norte and Calle 13, with no injuries. The restaurant area is still running.
On the map
Photos: CalinkaPF, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Andrés Montenegro · Wikimedia Commons
