A Guide to Eating Your Way Through Bogotá

Image Name: The cobblestone streets

Colombia has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, emerging as one of South America’s most sought-after travel destinations. While Bogotá, the country’s capital, has often been overshadowed by more famous destinations like Medellín or Cartagena, the city has quietly become a culinary hotspot. Thanks to chefs like Álvaro Clavijo, Bogotá now offers a range of gastronomic experiences that reflect Colombia’s rich diversity, with flavors and ingredients from all regions of the country.

As a travel enthusiast and a food lover, you’re in for a treat when visiting Bogotá. With incredible travel experiences to be had, you’ll find yourself exploring the intersection of traditional Colombian food and innovative cooking techniques. In this guide, Chef Álvaro Clavijo offers his personal recommendations for eating your way through Bogotá. From home-style dining to contemporary twists on Colombian classics, these spots provide an unforgettable taste of the city’s dynamic culinary scene.

Best for Home-Style Dining with Big Portions: Tolú (Mamá Luz)
When you step into La Perseverancia, one of Bogotá’s oldest markets, you’ll discover a whole new world of flavors. This vibrant market is home to Tolú (Mamá Luz), a food stand run by Luz Dary Collogo. Clavijo praises Mamá Luz as one of Bogotá’s best places to experience traditional Colombian food. Known for dishes from the Caribbean coast, like shrimp ceviche and goat stew, Mamá Luz offers a hearty and authentic experience.

For Clavijo, Tolú’s ajiaco (a rich chicken and potato soup) is a must-try and arguably the best in the city. The restaurant’s cozy, down-to-earth atmosphere combined with the comforting flavors of its dishes makes this a great spot to immerse yourself in Colombian culture. If you’re looking to connect with the food culture of Bogotá, this is one place you shouldn’t miss.

Best for Traditional Colombian with a Twist: Mini-Mal
If you want to experience Colombian food with a modern twist, Mini-Mal is the place to go. This neo-Colombian restaurant celebrates traditional ingredients with a creative approach. Chef Clavijo calls it the flagship of contemporary Colombian cuisine, though he notes that it is rooted deeply in tradition.

At Mini-Mal, you’ll find dishes like dog-ear arepas, made from maize flatbreads folded to resemble a dog’s ear, or braised beef topped with tucupí, an Amazonian sauce made from cassava. Mini-Mal focuses on highlighting Colombia’s biodiversity and local ingredients, including Andean tubers and Amazonian fruits. The restaurant’s commitment to preserving Colombia’s culinary traditions while exploring new cooking techniques makes it an exciting spot for food enthusiasts.

Image Name: Bogotá’s vibrant culture

Best for Fine Dining and Wow Factor: Prudencia
For an upscale dining experience, Prudencia offers one of the most sophisticated options in Bogotá. Tucked away in the historic La Candelaria neighborhood, Prudencia is a speakeasy-like restaurant that serves a seven-course menu that changes every month. Open only for lunch, this intimate space accommodates just 36 guests at a time, making for an exclusive dining experience.

Clavijo notes that Prudencia’s attention to detail and focus on ingredient exploration sets it apart from other fine-dining restaurants. The wood-roasted lamb ragu and charred carrot and squash purée are just a few of the creative dishes you might find on their rotating menu. The restaurant’s ethereal ambiance, with natural light streaming in from a sunroof and a cozy garden setting, makes it the perfect place to spend a leisurely afternoon. After dining, you can explore La Candelaria, with its cobblestone streets and nearby Museo del Oro (Gold Museum), to round off a perfect day in Bogotá.

Best for Empanadas: Empanaditas de Pipián and Las Margaritas
If you’re craving an authentic Colombian snack, you can’t go wrong with empanadas. Two spots stand out in Bogotá: Empanaditas de Pipián and Las Margaritas. These empanada joints are beloved by locals, and Clavijo praises both for their unique takes on this Colombian classic.

Empanaditas de Pipián specializes in pipián empanadas, filled with a flavorful stew made from Andean potatoes, peanuts, and annatto. Clavijo calls these the perfect snack, ideal for any time of day. You’ll find locations scattered throughout Bogotá, and each one offers a delicious array of fillings, including cheese and shredded beef.

Meanwhile, Las Margaritas, a historic establishment since 1902, is a must-visit in Chapinero. The restaurant serves handmade empanadas stuffed with rice and shredded beef in crispy maize flour dough. Though the menu features other traditional Colombian dishes, Clavijo argues that the empanadas are the standout dish. Empanaditas de Pipián and Las Margaritas are two places you should stop by when exploring Bogotá’s street food scene.

Best for Regional Food That Surprises Even Colombians: Açaí
If you want to experience surprising regional flavors from Colombia’s remote Amazon region, Açaí is the restaurant for you. Clavijo believes this is the best place in Bogotá to sample Amazonian ingredients. The restaurant’s chef, Andrews Arieta, brings the flavors of the Amazon rainforest to the capital, offering dishes like piranha fillet with big-headed ants and mojojoy (Amazonian beetle larvae), a staple of indigenous communities in the Amazon.

The star ingredient at Açaí is pirarucú, one of the world’s largest freshwater fish species, known for its tenderness and delicate flavor. If you’re ready to venture beyond the typical Colombian fare, Açaí is the place to discover new and exciting flavors from one of the country’s most remote regions.

Conclusion:
Bogotá has rapidly evolved into one of the top culinary destinations in South America. Whether you’re indulging in traditional Colombian dishes at Tolú, savoring modern takes on classics at Mini-Mal, or enjoying an exclusive fine-dining experience at Prudencia, Bogotá offers an abundance of travel adventures that are sure to satisfy your culinary cravings. With trending food spots popping up all over the city and culinary experiences that showcase the diverse flavors of Colombia, Bogotá’s food scene is something you won’t want to miss. Food lovers from around the world are flocking to Bogotá for a reason – it’s where travel passions and gastronomic innovation collide.