The best restaurants Bogotá

An excellent restaurant of contemporary Colombian cuisine, which brings up to date the gastronomic wealth of the different regions of Colombia, especially the Pacific and the Amazon. The idea is to show the biological, cultural and culinary diversity of the country, with quality ingredients, mostly organic, supplied by isolated rural communities, with recipes rediscovered or invented by the chef Eduardo Martínez, an agronomist by training. Mini-Evil? For a lesser evil to our Mother Earth.

In front of the old side door of the cathedral (the "false door") is a tiny restaurant that is said to be the oldest in Colombia. The family that runs the establishment since its origin (1816) has kept the authentic recipes of the ancestors. It is famous for its tamal, to be enjoyed with hot chocolate, or its almojábana of yellow corn and fresh cheese, to be accompanied by an agua de panela. For a sweet treat, try the Marquesa de Guanábana.The place is small and inconvenient, but it's the heart of the Santafereña tradition!

In a rustic setting, a small vegetarian restaurant with a room and a few tables. It offers a healthy and tasty cuisine, made with organic food from small Colombian producers. The philosophy of the restaurant, which is also a fair trade grocery store, is to revalue ancestral crops such as quinoa and amaranth. Quinoa is one of the most nutritious Andean grains in the world. As for the amaranth, it was venerated by the Incas who dedicated supernatural powers to its seeds whose nutritional value is exceptional.

As its name indicates, this chain of bars-restaurants with a rock decor is specialized in burgers, including vegetarian ones, but not only: soups, Mexican specialties, salads, arepas... There are many addresses in the city, especially in Usaquén, Chapinero, La Macarena or in Candelaria. The restaurant in the Chicó neighborhood has a small terrace overlooking the Parque de la 93 (difficult to find for lunch during the week). For concerts, check the program on the website.

A small restaurant that works directly with local producers, peasants and indigenous people, who use traditional methods: honey and quinoa from Boyacá, fish from the Pacific, palm heart from Putumayo, artichokes from Tábio (Cundinamarca), sea salt from La Guajira... The decoration is like a market, colorful and warm, and the Colombian cuisine is generous, with fresh products. At the back of the room, a small store that sells organic products and wine. Another Abasto at Quinta Camacho (Chapinero).

Market cuisine prepared by chef Alejandro Gutiérrez, a biologist by profession, who is very committed to the responsible use of resources and the work of small producers. The dishes are more or less elaborate, but the flavors are always refined, at reasonable prices. Attention, the menu is often rather limited compared to the restaurants of Colombia in general, but here one chooses only products of season. The setting is quite informal, you feel good. The original coffee is a delight, as are the teas and infusions.

Doña Elvira is almost a legend in Bogotá. Since 1934, it has been serving a delicious chicken stew(sancocho de gallina), as well as many other traditional Colombian dishes, especially of the Cundi-Boyacense gastronomy. Ancestral recipes handed down from generation to generation, to the delight of the regulars. Hearty, unpretentious and authentic dishes, served only for lunch, at very reasonable prices. Typical family atmosphere. Smiling service, fast and good advice (in Spanish).

In a warm setting, with an open patio, Wok is a popular address for eating Asian dishes made from regional products. A nice and long menu, where you can order a good Amazonian fruit juice while waiting to decide. This local chain is involved in several social and environmental projects, and has about 20 other locations in Bogotá, including next to the Museo Nacional, in Parque de la 93 and in Zona T. Good value for money for a change from traditional Colombian cuisine.

A sober restaurant offering refined traditional Colombian cuisine, with regional dishes of the country's coast or interior.

Leo, as in Leonor Espinoza, the country's most prestigious chef. An economist, visual artist and true anthropologist of Colombian cuisine, she offers high quality dishes, combining ancestral knowledge with contemporary values. Her new restaurant, inaugurated in 2021, is the best Colombian establishment among the 50 best restaurants in Latin America (14th in 2021), with an eight or thirteen-course menu. Laura, his daughter, an outstanding sommelier, also has her own room. A culinary journey to the heart of Colombian gastronomy awaits you!

At La Perse market, people come especially for typical breakfasts and lunches from all regions of the country. The hygienic conditions are good, the portions are copious, the welcome is warm and the quality-price-experience ratio is unbeatable! At Luz Dary's, nicknamed "Mamá Luz", they prepare the best ajiaco santafereño in Bogotá. When leaving the market, avoid venturing further up the Perseverencia neighborhood, which is not very safe.

One of the oldest restaurants in the capital, in operation since 1902. A must to discover the traditional Colombian cuisine, in a rustic setting, from another time. You can come for a cuchuco con espinazo (pork stew with barley and beans), a mazamorra chiquita (rib soup with cow's tripe), a tamal to drink with a hot chocolate, empanadas (the best in the capital, they say!), or simply delicious pandeyucas

In a 19th century house with a contemporary decoration, an excellent restaurant of Peruvian and Colombian cuisine, with delicious seafood specialties (and some meat dishes), including the famous ceviches, a traditional dish found in many Latin American countries, with many variations, where the fish is "cooked" in a lime marinade. Here is the most famous recipe, the Peruvian one, elaborated in a classic or creative way. Reservations are recommended, as the name suggests, there are only 80 chairs.

In an old colonial house, a restaurant where you can eat well, with typical dishes (fried fish, ajiaco, sancocho...) at affordable prices. A good address for lunch. El Candelario comes back to life on Friday and Saturday nights, becoming one of the best places to go out in La Candelaria. You can sway to the rhythms of salsa, reggaetón, electro-cumbia, champeta, or the joyful rhythms of the Pacific. Sometimes concerts. Bomba Estéreo and Systema Solar, among others, have been there, before becoming successful.

Over the past two decades, Di Lucca has established its reputation as one of the most iconic Italian restaurants in the capital. There are now three Di Lucca's, this one is located next to the Andino shopping center. The interior decoration is original and the small terrace very pleasant to savor its scampi with tomato and to observe the life of this rather smart district. Delicious and generous pizzas, delicious pastas and risottos and reasonable prices for the area. Delivery service is also very efficient.

Small charming restaurant offering a simple and efficient menu of typical Colombian dishes. Hearty dishes for breakfast, with omelets and caldo de papa con pollo (chicken potato broth). For lunch, try the camarones (shrimp) salad, octopus ceviche, or chicken filet with good patacones. Well-prepared dishes, with vitamin-rich juices, local beer and South American wines. Good coffee too. Friendly reception and service. Arrive early at noon, as it is crowded and there are only a few tables.

This Mediterranean cuisine restaurant is located in a beautiful house that is part of the city's architectural heritage, one of the few preserved in the area. The interior is bright and cozy, with an elegant contemporary decor and a patio full of plants. The Spanish chef's menu offers a wide variety of dishes to share with friends as appetizers that can make a real meal, mini burgers dedicated to gourmets, and a tuna tartar with vongole pasta that has the reputation of being the best in Bogotá.

You're out and about and your stomach's rumbling? Perfect, take a seat on the terrace: this unpretentious restaurant-grocery store ticks all the right boxes. From smoked trout salad to sandwiches filled with fine charcuterie (pastrami, Serrano ham, pancetta or chorizo), the menu is generous and colorful. Vegetarians will enjoy the falafel pita bread option with tzatziki, chimichurri, smoked peppers, pickled onions and chipotle sauce. To wash it all down, we serve good craft beers. You won't want to miss a bite!

Pronounce "La Grandé", a restaurant with a colorful decor, focused on Latin culture, including beautiful graffiti by local artist Toxicómano. The atmosphere is warm with a long bar for cocktails and often live bands and DJs. The cuisine fuses Colombian, Mexican and Peruvian flavors. We enjoy tapas, tacos, ceviches, and grilled meats. The menu also offers Pacific and Caribbean specialties, with lots of fish and seafood. Ideal for an evening with friends.

This modern, sophisticated address opened its doors in 2023. Its bold, gourmet cuisine harmoniously combines flavors, colors and textures. Here, the chef strives to offer accessible, generous and creative cuisine. On the menu: fettuccini with lobster, shrimp, octopus, cumin and parmesan, salmon fillet on apple purée, roasted shiitakes and sweet peas or sesame-crusted tuna on ginger and carrot purée with manioc croquettes and passion fruit. We can't get enough!