Colombia is home to celebrated cuisines that infuse European, Indigenous, and Afro-Caribbean influences. So, if you’re planning to visit the country’s capital, prepare to eat well.
Because you will. This metropolis’s flavors don’t miss, and there’s something for everyone: hard-core carnivores, farm-to-table foodies, street stall aficionados, and folks ticking their way through the World’s 50 Best List.
Here’s our guide to the city’s top spots: from innovative enclaves beloved by locals to restaurants that’ve gained world renown.
1. Tremé
Tremé infuses the spirit of New Orleans and Colombian culinary cues into creative dishes, like prawns on coconut rice or a Cajun take on elotes. The restaurant’s raw menu also allows you to explore Colombia’s renowned seafood tradition. As if the food weren’t enough of a draw, Tremé boasts live music and top-notch mixology.
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Price range: $$$$
Must-try: Smoked Nola baby back ribs with succotash
2. Leo
If there’s one word to describe Leo, it’s “minimalist,” with its refined but impactful decor and incredibly complex flavors distilled into delicately plated bites. In a celebration of the country’s biodiversity, this award-winning restaurant runs on a unique ethos known as CICLOBIOMA that aims to connect humans and nature through sustainable dishes that support local economies.
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Price range: $$$$
Must-try: A tasting menu
3. Universal de Hamburguesas
The best burger in Bogotá? Many believe it comes from this food stall in a shipping container. Don’t let the size of the spot fool you; the menu isn’t limited at all, with over a dozen creative beef, chicken, and vegetarian options and indulgent sides to match.
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Price range: $
Must-try: The “Engalladas:” French fries smothered in nacho cheese and spicy mayo
4. Café Bar Universal
Enjoy the best of European flavors in this chic hotspot that uses only the freshest ingredients from local providers. Café Bar Universal is known for its innovative bistro menu, which includes elegant standouts like tagliatelle caccio y pepe and steak frites. Accompany your meal with an expertly crafted cocktail, like a mezcal Negroni.
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Price range: $$
Must-try: The hummus
5. El Chato
Foodies can’t miss this high-ranking restaurant that the World’s 50 Best List describes as “magic.” El Chato dreams up surprising arrangements with seasonal ingredients. The restaurant’s dimly lit, upscale mystique belies its true spirit: a welcoming, friendly vibe that comes from the hearts of a chef and staff who believe in respecting suppliers and the land.
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Price range: $$$$
Must-try: A tasting menu
6. Restaurante Cecilia
When you think of Colombian cuisine, your mind likely goes to arepas, not pasta, but Italian food is one of the strongest aspects of the city’s gastronomic range. And Restaurante Cecilia is at the top of the game. The modern, vibrant space is matched with contemporary, exciting flavors that put a spin on the classics, like pasta with BBQ pulled pork and truffles.
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Price range: $$$
Must-try: The pizza with vodka sauce and stracciatella
7. Los Galenos Restaurante
Take in old-school European charm with a view. This fine-dining spot, located on the eighth floor of a tower, looks out onto the lush Bogotá hills. Los Galenos Restaurante is perfect for a romantic night out or when you’re craving a traditional but perfectly rendered meal, like a tender steak, lamb meatballs, or Peruvian ceviche.
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Price range: $$$$
Must-try: The octopus in chimichurri
8. Cacio & Pepe
This Italian tavern on a sprawling terrace is an inviting stop-off for fresh pasta and stone-fired pizza. But don’t miss out on the menu’s other stars, like fish crudos doused in lemon juice or the slow-cooked pork belly. And if you prefer a night in, you can order Cacio & Pepe’s pasta straight to your door in zero-waste packaging.
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Price range: $$$$
Must-try: The linguini arrabiata
9. Bubu Burgers
Burgers that are also clean eats? Bubu Burger’s has got you covered with sandwiches made with freshly-baked buns, free-range meat, and conservative-free cheese. Enjoy premium Wagyu or a Korean-inspired burger topped with kimchi. And even an avid carnivore will love the shiitake burger smothered in babaganoush. Go for the burgers and stay for the ambience, which is just as innovative and inviting as the grub.
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Price range: $$
Must-try: The original Bubu burger
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Various locations
10. Pajares Salinas
At this elegant Spanish restaurant, visitors will find recipes inspired by family traditions, decades in the making. Journey through Spain’s culinary heritage via Pajares Salinas’s tapas menu, which has all the classics: serrano ham, patatas bravas, and tortilla española. And be sure to try one of the restaurant’s meaty specialties, like kidney cooked in sherry or oxtail.
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Price range: $$$$
Must-try: The house paella
11. Plaza de Mercado La Perseverancia
One of the best ways to understand a region’s gastronomy is to visit its markets. Even if you don’t grab a bite, you’ll “eat” with your eyes: familiarizing yourself with local produce, sweets, and delicacies. At Plaza de Mercado La Perseverancia, adventurous foodies can check out typical plates, from the country’s most emblematic dish (bandeja paisa) to seafood-forward coastal classics.
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Price range: $
Must-try: Bandeja paisa, a mega plate featuring beans, rice, different types of meat, fried egg, avocado, and plantain—all served up with arepas.
12. El Galápago Campestre
This off-the-beaten-path, country-style restaurant is worth the drive. Meat-forward and rustic, El Galápago Campestre serves up juicy hamburgers and ample beef cuts in the traditional parrilla (grill) style, accompanied by yucca patties, potatoes, or cheesy bell peppers. El Galápago Campestre’s plates invite sharing, so this is a must for groups.
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Price range: $$$
Must-try: Chunchullo (fried intestine)
13. Fortezza
Having a five-star pizza night in the comfort of your home has never been easier. If you’re craving a great slice, head to Fortezza, known for its “real Italian pizza” and a unique way of serving it: frozen. Reheat an authentic bite of Italy in your oven and impress your friends with flavors like margarita, Italian sausage, and mortadella. And while the pizzas may follow traditional Italian cues, the dough is 100% Colombian, made from local wheat and enhanced with superfood chia and flax seeds.
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Price range: $$
Must-try: The mortadella and pistachio pizza
14. Pizzardi Artigianale
Another contender for Botogá’s best pizza is Pizzardi Artigianale, a sit-down spot housed in a bright red shipping container. And the accolades prove it: Pizzardi Artigianale has won Best Pizza in Colombia and ranks highly in Latin America. It even has a certification from the True Neapolitan Pizza Association. Diners won’t just find delicious pies topped with fresh herbs, vegetables, and Italian cold cuts but a range of salads and delectable appetizers, like fried burrata in panko served with pesto sauce.
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Price range: $$$$
Must-try: The diavola pie or the fried pizza with chocolate and strawberries
15. La Puerta Falsa
One of Botogá’s oldest restaurants, La Puerta Falsa, located in the historic La Candelaría District is famed for its ajiaco (chicken, cream, potato, and capers in broth) and tamales. You’ll also find a local delicacy that tastes better than it sounds: hot chocolate with melted cheese. Thanks to this spot’s long-standing renown, you can prepare to wait in line, but the time investment is well worth it—even Anthony Bourdain thought so.
Price range: $
Must-try: The ajiaco
16. Les Amis Bizcocheria
Satiate your sweet tooth at Les Amis Bizcocheria, a renowned pastry shop with an artisanal menu packed with creative baked goods like guava or pistachio tarts and classics like carrot cake. This bakery also serves up salty delights, like toasty empanadas stuffed with vegetables, cheese, or meat, and sandwiches on traditional Argentinian media lunas, fresh out of the oven. If you want a taste of everything, hit up their brunch.
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Price range: $$
Must-try: The almond croissant
Plan your gastronomic journey to Bogotá
Eager to eat your way through the options on this list? We don’t blame you. And Bogotá has countless other unique gastronomic offerings to share—so many, you could plan a trip around discovering the city’s flavors.
Let the experts at Cielo Travel help you plan a perfect stay in Colombia’s capital. We leverage our insider, local knowledge to recommend only the best hotels and experiences.
The Team at Cielo.Travel
We’re creators, marketers, and explorers — united by our love for Colombia and passion for storytelling. From content creators and strategists to social media experts and tour managers, we bring your journey — or your brand — to life.