Tremé, A Night of New Orleans Spirit in Bogotá

There are restaurants you visit for dinner, and then there are places you choose because you want a whole experience. Tremé, in Bogotá, belongs to the second category. From the moment we stepped inside, we felt the rhythm take over. The dim glow of the room, the saxophone warming up in the corner, and the subtle scent of smoked spices drifting from the kitchen told us this was not going to be just another night out. Tremé is inspired by the New Orleans neighborhood where music, food, and life intertwine, and here in Bogotá, that spirit translates into Cajun flavors, Colombian seafood, inventive cocktails, and live music that ties everything together.

First Impressions & Ambiences

As you walk in, the first thing you notice is the mood. The ambiance resembles a homely modern patio: with its pastel colors, decorated ceiling borders and patterned tiles. You’ll enter into an elegant dinner house that hosts a warm and comfortable experience matching the live soul music.

The décor avoids clichés. Instead of overdone Mardi Gras imagery, Tremé opts for subtle brass accents, warm wood, and a design that allows sound to flow without overwhelming conversation. The result is an atmosphere where you can talk, laugh, and still feel carried along by the rhythm of the band.

What impressed us most at the start was how seamlessly the music integrated into the dining experience. Some venues treat live music as background noise, but here it shapes the evening. A jazz trio plays with precision, blues standards slip in between sets, and you feel as if the meal itself is keeping time with the instruments.

Service is attentive without hovering, the staff guided us through the menu with confidence and they are even prepared to give context on what soul food is, and in general on what new orleans cuisine consists of. Their approach was thoughtful, never rushed, and it set the tone for the meal ahead.

Starters & First Tastes

The appetizers gave us a glimpse of how Tremé blends Cajun soul with Colombian ingredients. The Grilled Octopus arrived first, plated with portobellos, Creole potatoes, and smoked pepper sauce. Tender, slightly charred, and layered with smoky heat, it was a dish that demanded your attention. Paired with a glass of  white wine, to welcome the evening-and incoming dishes-with poise.

Next came the Cajun Elote, and here the kitchen leaned playful. Corn on the cob was charred just right, then drenched in Jambalaya cheese sauce, chipotle, and crisp corn. It was sweet, spicy, creamy, and smoky all at once. We recommend pairing it with a cold Pola del Pub IPA — the bitterness of the beer balances the richness of the cheese and the spice of the chipotle perfectly.

The Andouille Meatballs were another highlight. Stuffed with dates, wrapped in bacon, and served with almond romesco, they combined sweet, smoky, and nutty flavors in every bite. It was the kind of dish you could easily share, but you might not want to.

For something lighter, the Fish Cakes offered balance. Golden and crisp on the outside, tender within, they came with radish salad and spicy mayo. We paired them with the cocktail The Jazz Viper — rum, Aperol, pineapple syrup, and lemon — a bright, tropical counterpoint to the richness of the fish.

By the end of the appetizers, it was clear that Tremé’s kitchen understood how to layer flavor, but also how to surprise without overwhelming.

Main Dishes & Seafood

Choosing mains at Tremé feels like deciding between tradition and improvisation since some dishes are combined with local ingredients, so it may feel like you’re not going for the safest bet, but always trust that you’re in for an outstanding dish. The Jambalaya was the standout. A rich bowl of rice cooked with shrimp, the catch of the day, Andouille sausage, and Cajun Holy Trinity vegetables, carried a smoky depth without losing balance. Finished with roasted garlic aioli and cilantro, it delivered spice that built slowly, rewarding each bite. This is the dish you can’t miss if you want to understand Tremé.

The Po’boy Roastbeef offered a different kind of pleasure. Cajun-crusted roast beef layered with mushroom-onion gravy and melted provolone, all tucked into bread and served with French fries. It was messy in the best way, hearty and indulgent, the kind of food you’d imagine eating in a jazz club late at night. Order a beer with it — the IPA works again here — or even the alcohol-free Apple Mint Fizz if you prefer something light but refreshing.

For seafood lovers, Tremé has plenty to explore. The Glazed Salmon, marinated in Cajun spices and honey, came with creamy mashed potatoes, charred asparagus, and red pepper sauce. The balance of sweet and smoky worked beautifully, and it showcased Colombia’s seafood with a Louisiana accent.

The Louisiana Style Beef Short Ribs were another strong choice, braised slowly in red wine with Cajun vegetables and served with creamy polenta. The ribs melted apart, rich but never heavy, and the polenta was the perfect partner — smooth, comforting, and grounding the dish.

Vegetarians have good options too. The Pumpkin Risotto surprised us with its rich flavour. Roasted pumpkin in garlic butter combined with Cajun shrimp and bacon crumble, offering a dish that blurred the line between comfort food and high dining. If you prefer to skip the shrimp, it holds up beautifully on its own.

Not everything was flawless. The Pepper Steak & Frites, though flavorful, raised questions about portion size. At 400 grams, it sounds generous, but depending on how it’s cooked, it can look modest. It’s still a solid dish, but clarity on cuts and weights would help align expectations.

Family Treme

Sweet Endings: Cheesecake, Chocolate, and Playful Twists

If you think you won’t have room for dessert, Tremé will tempt you otherwise.

The Devil’s Food Cake was a study in contrasts: the dense, almost velvet crumb of the cake itself gave way to the silkiness of ganache, while the pine ice cream anglaise added a cool, aromatic lift. And add dulce de leche ice cream if you want to fully dive into a sweet treat. Share it if you want, but don’t be surprised if you keep it to yourself.

For something lighter, the Fruit Cup offered a playful finale. Red berry jelly with dulce de leche, vanilla cream, and meringue kisses felt nostalgic, sweet without being cloying. It was the perfect palate cleanser after bold mains.

Desserts

Cocktails, Beers & Pairings

The bar at Tremé is as central as the kitchen. Divided into “chapters,” the cocktail list honors New Orleans while experimenting with local ingredients.

The State of Jazz, with rum, sherry, and banana, was smooth and slightly sweet, pairing beautifully with smoky dishes like the Grilled Octopus. The Jazz Viper, citrusy and bright, matched seafood perfectly. The Superstition, with rum, coconut, and pineapple, was tropical and fun, ideal alongside the Cajun Elote or the Po’boy.

Classic cocktails also shine here. The Negroni, the Old Fashioned, and the Boulevardier are executed with precision, while twists like the Hibiscus Sour or Dixie Gin bring freshness and creativity.

Beer drinkers won’t feel left out. The Pola del Pub (selection of local artisanal beers) is an easy match for fried starters or cheesy mains, while lighter options like sodas or alcohol-free spritzes keep the experience accessible for all tastes.

Drinks Treme

The Overall Experience

Tremé isn’t just about food. It’s about immersion. The music shapes the night as much as the dishes do. The cocktails elevate the meal instead of sitting on the side. Even the imperfections — dim lighting or portion quirks — don’t overshadow the experience. Instead, they become small notes in a larger composition.

This is a place to share with friends, where laughter flows as easily as the drinks. It’s perfect for a date, where the live jazz sets the mood without you having to try. And if you’re visiting Bogotá, it’s one of the few places that lets you taste Cajun tradition while celebrating Colombian seafood.

Band Treme

A Slice of New Orleans in Bogotá

Tremé captures the essence of New Orleans and translates it into Bogotá with confidence and flair. The food is bold, soulful, and rooted in both Cajun spice and Colombian freshness. The cocktails rival the best bars in the city, and the live music ties everything together. While a few details could be refined — brighter lighting, clearer menu notes — the experience remains vibrant and memorable.

When you leave, you don’t just carry the taste of jambalaya or pumpkin cheesecake. You carry the hum of saxophones, the warmth of rum, and the sense that you’ve spent the night somewhere that turned dinner into an event. Tremé isn’t simply a restaurant; it’s a rhythm you’ll want to return to again and again.