A NEW stall at The Barras serving up Colombian cuisine is about "so much more than just food" the owners say.  

Ana Orsino and her partner Andres Moya opened Colombian Bites at the world-famous market in May. 

Owners Andres Moya and Ana OrsinoOwners Andres Moya and Ana Orsino (Image: Robert Perry)

Ana says the food stall is more of a “love story than a business story” and says she and Andres, who comes from Colombia, have the same dream to help people in South America and the Latin community in Glasgow.  


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The 41-year-old said: “I’ve been working with asylum seekers and refugees since I’ve been in Scotland, but I’ve never had a charity or proper place to help them.  

“We share the same vision, it’s a business yes, we are starting something new because there are no Colombian places in Glasgow but the mission in the future is to create a charity or community for Latin people who are here.  

“Then we want to help people in South America because we still have a lot of family there and they need clothes, food and money for education so our dream in the future is to create something so we can help our people.” 

(Image: Robert Perry)

She added: "Colombian Bites is our love letter to Colombia and to the Latin spirit that lives in both of us – a small but powerful dream that we’re so proud to share with the people of Glasgow."

(Image: Robert Perry)

Ana and Andres, who both moved to Scotland in July 2017 but met a year ago, first set up Colombian Bites in September last year for the Latin Fiesta Fest at SWG3

Ana, who is a risk analyst and sings in Glasgow-based band Furor Tropical, has been involved with the city’s Latin community since she moved here and runs the festival alongside Janet Durand.  

Colombia Bites serves dishes such empanadas, tostadas and arepas, with Ana using her own recipes.  

Ana was born in Uruguay and has lived in Italy and Spain but learned to cook Venezuelan and Colombian dishes, with Andres’ family also now helping her.  

(Image: Robert Perry)


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Since being at The Barras, both Ana and Andres, who are raising three children between them, have been surprised by how many people are already familiar with Colombian culture and food and also how many people have roots in the country.  

Ana said: “It’s not only about food.  

“When people come to our stall, they share their experience, and we didn’t know how many people there were in the city who have roots in Colombia.  

“Many people know Colombian cities and they tell us they’ve been there and loved the food, so there’s a link between Scottish and Colombian culture we didn’t know about it and it's so surprising.” 

She continued: “It’s had an amazing response.  

“We’ve been sold out many weekends and we have long queues. 

“We’re seeing people are coming looking for us which is really good."

(Image: Robert Perry)

Colombian Bites is located on Moncur Street at The Barras and is open Saturday and Sunday.