Balanced Everyday Eating at BACU

There are places in Bogotá that go beyond being a restaurant or café. They carry with them a philosophy regarding feeding, and a sense of comfort that makes you feel as if you’re being invited into someone’s home. BACU is one of those places. Its motto, “buena comida para todos los días” (good food for every day), essentially, transmits tranquility and a mindful eating experience.

Here, everyday food is reimagined: familiar flavors -not just regular Colombian dishes-, comforting dishes coming from other cultures are translated into a menu that feels both global and local.

Walking into BACU, you immediately sense a calm, minimalist design that balances warmth with functionality. It’s not loud or overly decorated; instead, the space feels modern and inviting, the kind of place where you could just as easily meet a friend for a long catch-up as you could open your laptop and spend an afternoon working. It’s a restaurant that encourages slowing down and enjoying not just your plate, but the atmosphere that surrounds it.

Calentao Bacu

Their principles: Genuine, comforting and accessible.

BACU’s philosophy is simple but powerful: food should be genuine, comforting, and accessible every day. That doesn’t mean cutting corners—it means taking the time to do things right and offering plates that strike the balance between health, flavor, and creativity.

The staff reflects this philosophy in the way they present dishes, check in on your experience, and pay attention to the little things. Service feels unhurried, attentive, and welcoming without being overbearing. Every detail, from the presentation of a soup to the way a sandwich is plated with chips and salsa on the side, communicates the care that has gone into building BACU.

One of the things that makes this place special is how it brings together inspiration from home-style dishes across cultures. You’ll find a Mexican-influenced sopa azteca, Middle Eastern falafel, a Caprese salad straight from the Mediterranean spirit, and Colombian touches like the comforting calentao’ or the unmistakably familiar lentil soup. It’s like flipping through a culinary passport, but each plate is adapted to feel like it belongs here, in Bogotá.

Their principles: Genuine, comforting and accessible.

Sweet Beginnings – The Banana Cake

Let’s start with what might be BACU’s most unexpected triumph: their banana cake. We’re not exaggerating when we say it’s the best banana cake we’ve ever had. Moist, soft, and rich with the natural sweetness of ripe bananas, it avoids the heaviness that sometimes plagues this dessert. Each bite feels indulgent yet balanced, with flavors that linger and a texture that stays light without crumbling.

Banana cake might seem like a humble offering, but BACU transforms it into something memorable, something that leaves you planning your next visit just to taste it again. This dessert is not just worth recommending—it’s a must-order, whether you’re dining in or grabbing it to go with a coffee.

Of course, the banana cake isn’t the only sweet worth exploring. Their brownies are rich and fudgy, croissants buttery and flaky, waffles indulgent, and even their galletas de avena manage to feel like a hug in cookie form. But the banana cake is the one that sticks in your mind and makes you write home about it.

Banana Bread

Healthy Plates That Don’t Compromise Playfulness

One of the highlights of eating at BACU is discovering how they approach “healthy” food. Too often, healthy eating is equated with blandness or monotony. Here, it’s the opposite: BACU makes healthy food exciting, colorful, and satisfying.

Take the chicken with quinoa, cranberries, and red onion. It’s a dish that balances textures and flavors beautifully. The quinoa provides a nutty base, while the cranberries add a pop of sweetness and the red onion brings a sharpness that ties everything together. The lemony sauce elevates the whole plate, refreshing and tangy, giving it a lightness that makes every bite interesting. It’s a dish that proves you don’t have to choose between flavor and nourishment.

The menu allows for personalization with protein add-ons like tofu, falafel, trucha ahumada, jamón serrano, or chicken breast. This flexibility is part of BACU’s philosophy: you can build your meal the way you want it, while always trusting that the foundation will be solid and well-prepared.

It’s not just about being healthy—it’s about being creative, playful, and genuine with ingredients that are good for you.

Healthy Plates

Sandwiches & Reinterpreted Classics

Sandwiches at BACU are anything but ordinary. Each one feels like a carefully crafted combination of textures and flavors, served on bread that’s fresh and toasted to perfection.

The pulled pork sandwich, for example, is a standout. Served on ciabatta with tender pork in BBQ sauce, coleslaw, pickled vegetables, and mayo, it’s hearty without being greasy. The balance between sweet, smoky, and tangy notes makes it the kind of sandwich you want to savor slowly.

The sándwich de pollo brings a lighter touch with fresh flavors, while the sándwich serrano leans into richness with jamón serrano and cheese balanced by tomato and arugula. If you’re looking for something more unique, the smoked trout sandwich with guacamole is an elegant twist that feels refreshing and distinctly Colombian.

Each sandwich comes with house-made chips and salsa, which feels like a thoughtful, homey detail. It’s clear that sandwiches here are not afterthoughts—they’re central characters on the menu.

For sharing, the hummus & falafel platter, avocado toast, and Caprese salad offer options that feel generous and satisfying. The nachos with pulled pork are indulgent but fun, perfect for splitting with friends.

Warm Bowls of Comfort

Bogotá’s cool weather makes BACU’s soups a natural highlight. Few things are more comforting than a warm bowl of soup on a chilly afternoon, and here, they shine.

The Crema Felicidad is especially memorable. Made with ahuyama (squash), coconut milk, ginger, curry, and toasted almonds, it’s velvety and fragrant, with just the right balance of sweetness and spice. It feels both familiar and exotic, like a hug and an adventure at the same time.

The lentil soup, meanwhile, is a study in simplicity done well—earthy, nourishing, and seasoned with just enough cilantro to brighten each spoonful.

The sopa azteca brings a playful punch with tortilla strips, ancho chili, cheese, and cilantro. It’s robust and layered, reminding you that BACU’s inspiration comes from many kitchens around the world.

Warm Bowls of Comfort

Drinks: The Highs & Lows

BACU’s drink menu is extensive, and for the most part, it delivers. Their coffee is strong, aromatic, and well-prepared, a clear sign that they take it seriously. Whether you prefer a straight espresso, a creamy latte, or a cappuccino, you’ll find it satisfying.

The chocolate and chai are also good options for those seeking something cozy without caffeine.

Where the drinks stumble a little is with some of the infusions. The infusión primavera, for example, felt weak—like hot water with barely-there flavor. It’s not enough to sour the experience, but it’s worth knowing that if you want something flavorful and reliable, the coffee and juices are the safest bets.

Space & Atmosphere

BACU isn’t just about food—it’s about the space it creates for people. The atmosphere is relaxed, modern, and minimal, but never cold. It’s the kind of place where you feel comfortable pulling out a laptop and working for a couple of hours, or spending a slow morning with a book and a cappuccino.

Lighting is soft, music is subtle, and the layout invites both solo diners and groups. It’s a versatile space that adapts to your mood, whether you’re there to work, eat, or simply be.

Better Dine In Than Take Out

BACU does offer take-out, which is convenient if you’re craving their sandwiches or cakes at home. However, it’s worth noting that the experience isn’t quite the same outside the restaurant. Some customers have expressed frustration with fast or “turbo” delivery options, where dishes lose their texture or presentation in the rush.

If you plan to order for take-out, we recommend avoiding the fastest delivery options and instead opting for standard delivery or, better yet, picking up your order directly. Still, BACU is best enjoyed on site, where dishes arrive fresh, perfectly presented, and surrounded by the atmosphere that completes the experience.

Everyday Extraordinary

BACU has managed to build something special: a place where everyday food becomes extraordinary without losing its comforting essence. It’s not about being flashy or overly complex—it’s about doing the simple things really, really well.

From the unforgettable banana cake to the creative healthy plates, the hearty sandwiches, and the soul-warming soups, BACU delivers on its promise of “comida para todos los días.” It’s a place that feels versatile and reliable, the kind of spot you can return to over and over again, whether you’re meeting friends, working, or simply craving something wholesome.

For us, the highlights were clear: the banana cake, the chicken quinoa bowl, the pulled pork sandwich, and the Crema Felicidad soup. These are the dishes that capture the spirit of BACU—flavorful, comforting, and memorable.

In a city with so many dining options, BACU stands out not for extravagance, but for authenticity. It’s genuine food, prepared with care, served in a space that makes you want to linger. And that, to us, is the true mark of a place worth coming back to again and again.