Musician-turned-chef Tomas Rueda's restaurant, Tábula, in Bogotá focuses on high-quality ingredients and carefully prepared, family style dishes.
Slow Roasted Beef Shank with Aji, Papas Criollas smoked in butter and Pastel del Choclo with panela
Slow Roasted Beef Shank
Tábula · Bogotá · Website · Directions
Paloquemao is the real deal when it comes to Colombian markets. It's loud, messy and has almost anything you can imagine. Go early in the morning to get the best picks of produce and catch a glimpse of the flower vendors unloading massive boquets before they're gone.
80 Sillas is a wonderful place for dinner in Usaquén. It's based on the well thought out concept of British chef, Andrew Blackbourn. He believes that 80 seats is the ideal number of seats to provide the best ambiance but also be super efficient in the kitchen. He's been in Colombia for over 20 years and puts his own gastronomic touch on Colombian comfort food, focusing on basics and quality ingredients.
80 Sillas · Bogotá · Website · Directions
La Puerta Falsa is one of Bogotá's oldest restaurants. It's very much a hole in the wall in La Candelaria that has been serving traditional home cooked dishes, like Ajiaco and Tamales, for over two centuries.
Originally, the small restaurant didn't have a name, so locals just started calling in La Puerta Falsa, meaning fake door, inspired by the church across the street that had fake doors as a defense system in colonial times, and the name stuck.
La Puerta Falsa a beloved local spot with a small menu and even smaller seating area, frequented by everyone from regular locals to ex-presidents, famous writers, actors and chefs (like Anthony Bourdain) or anyone else in search of legit Bogotano food and drink.
Chocolate Completo Colombian Hot Chocolate with cheese and buttery bread
Chocolate Completo y Tamales Photo by Sarepa
La Puerta Falsa · Bogotá · Directions
Museo Botero houses one of Latin America's most important international art collections. It opened in 2000 after Colombian artist Fernando Botero donated 208 pieces of art. He donated over 100 pieces of his own work and 85 pieces from other international artists. The collection is housed in a colonial mansion in a historic neighborhood, La Candelaria, in Bogotá that Botero himself worked on to transform into the Museum
Hours
Monday-Saturday: 9am - 7pm
Sundays and Holidays: 10am - 5pm
Admission
Free to the public
Museo Botero · Bogotá · Website · Directions
Colombia is one of the most geographically diverse countries in the world, rich with natural resources from various climates and landscapes. Mini Mal's menu aims to highlight not only Colombia's geographic diversity, but also it's cultural diversity that draws from a mix of indigenous, african and european roots.
On the menu you'll find surprising ingredients like tucupí, a traditional seasoning from the Amazon, mañoco and farofa, indigenous types of yucca flour, native fruits like lulo and feijoa, and bug or two.
Corbina with tucupi, farofa, yucca and hormigas culonas, aka big booty ants
Side of greens and calendula with tropical dressing and coconut rice served in a coconut
Tumaco, fried ripe plantain balls filled with crab meat, topped with coconut milk sauce and house made red curry
Sopa Cítrica
Soup inspired in the Cocuy lands. Mushrooms, spinach and tiger shrimp with crunchy cardamom infused rice balls and fresh cheese fried until golden brown, in a light, citrus lemongrass broth. The spice on the side, guaya, is from the Amazon and it's insanely hot.
After lunch, check out the cute shop in the front of the restaurant. The shop features goods from local designers and artisans.
Mini Mal · Bogotá · Website · Directions
Authentic, everyday Colombian food with a focus on local ingredients is what Misia is all about. A great spot for all day brunch in Chapinero. Like most traditional Colombian breakfasts, their combos start with a fruit plate followed by a hearty combo of arepas and eggs.
Make sure to ask about their house made ajis, a variety of pickled roots and veggies. You can buy a bottle of your favorite right there in the restaurant.
Misia · Bogotá · Website · Directions
