Arguably, Bogota’s best attribute is its expansive selection of unexpectedly enchanting dining establishments.  Others may argue that other characteristics deserve that title … its charming people, its wide variety of delicious subtropical fruits, its coffee shops, the prominent mountains that form a distant wall around the city … but in my humble opinion, the restaurants are the hands down winner.

Below are a few options in Colombia’s capital city waiting to delight your senses.

BREAKFAST

To start the day off on the right foot, visit Abasto in Usaquén district for an amazing weekend brunch.  (Preferably on a Sunday; Saturdays are usually quite packed, as this place is not exactly a well-kept secret.)  You’ll be charmed the moment you walk in the door, by the cozy Colombian country-style décor, the tempting baked goods placed strategically near the entrance to keep starvation at bay should a table not be immediately available, and the decadent scents wafting from the kitchen, which can immediately be glimpsed through a large open window by the entry.  You may see bakers preparing the thickest pancakes you’ve ever seen in your life, or arepas crowned with any number of toppings, or waiters may be bringing out trays of freshly squeezed juice or steaming coffee.

Abasto is furnished with an eclectic mix of wooden tables – as far as I could tell, no two are the same.  My favorite is the big wooden table in the back room, where you’ll be surrounded by baskets of fruits and vegetables and shelves of wine, journals, salt and pepper shakers, jars of dates and other such items available for purchase.  Once you’re seated, you’ll be faced with the difficult decision of what to order.  You can’t go wrong with anything, really – all of Abasto’s dishes are prepared with fresh, natural, locally sourced ingredients and are without exception mouthwateringly delicious – but my personal recommendation is a glass of granadilla juice, fruit salad, huevos rancheros, and if you’re really hungry, accompany all of that with a cheese-topped arepa or one of the raspberry crumbles sitting enticingly on the counter.  Then, wash it all down with locally-sourced coffee, or a beautiful aromatica (similar to a tea, but prepared with dried fruits rather than tea leaves.)

To walk off some of those calories, take a stroll afterward through the neighborhood before heading off to your next destination.

LUNCH

If your appetite returns in time for lunch, head to Restaurante Casa at Carrera 13 # 85-24 for a fresh and delicious Mediterrean meal.  This is a very pretty part of town, on a street lined with other restaurants and a few classy bars.  If it’s a nice day, you can eat outside in the small back courtyard, under leafy oak trees.  If it’s not a nice day, and you’re lucky, you’ll get the table inside next to the fireplace.

The juices here are too good to miss, and as beautifully presented as any cocktail.  Try the maracuya con menta (passionfruit with mint.)  Unusual combination, but it works.  If you like seafood, the grouper and avocado appetizer doubles very well as a light meal, or if you’re hungrier, the sea bass with quinoa will delight your tastebuds and fill your belly.  If that’s not enough, the French fries here are also sublime.  And you should save room for at least a bite of the apple crumble with vanilla ice cream – although I bet you won’t be able to have just one bite.

Another lunch option, if you are really hungry and in the mood for traditional Colombian dishes, is Club Colombia.  Like Casa, it was formerly a house, and this restaurant still exudes the serene feeling of a stately older home, with its polished wooden floors, wide staircase and fireplaces.  The impeccably dressed waiters seem to have stepped out of a time gone past.

Portions here are generous: a cup of ajiaco or sancocho with a side of empanadas is likely to fill you up.

DINNER

For dinner, if you happen to be craving sushi or seafood, take a cab to Sushi Gozen.  They have the best seaweed salad I’ve had in a long time, consistently fresh, well-prepared sushi and a magnificent seafood and rice platter.

For a unique beverage, try the Umeshu, a Japanese liquor with an unusual taste: complex and slightly sweet.  The wine list offers plenty of options to please the palate, or choose a perfectly shaken caipirinha.

You can also find a very nice wine list and exquisite seafood – or meat – or vegetarian options – at Matiz, the perfect choice for a quiet, elegant meal.  It could be romantic, but it doesn’t have to be.

THE AFTER PARTY

Finish the night by dancing off some of those calories at Andres. (Conveniently located downtown, it’s a smaller version of the original Andres in Chia … smaller, but just as much fun!)  Along with live music and a fun-loving crowd, Andres has an enormous menu of scrumptious beers, cocktails, appetizers and full meals.  The lulada is an irresistible concoction including aguardiente and lulo juice, guaranteed to put you in the mood to dance the night away! 

Colombia is a tourist’s paradise… a diverse, tropical country of charming, good-natured people,  an abundant array of exotic, delectable fruits and savory dishes, natural beauty, exhilarating music… and the unfortunate reputation of a violence-torn jungle nation of trigger-happy drug cartels. If you’re considering a visit to Colombia, don’t let its reputation stop you.

As long as you take reasonable precautions and do your research about what areas you should avoid, you’ll be as safe as you are anywhere else on the planet.

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to spend a week in the capital city of Bogotá; a mountainous, cosmopolitan city of about 7 million, filled with fabulous restaurants, enticing shopping malls and hopping night clubs.

Bogotá also has many visit-worthy museums including the Botero Museum (see photo), which features nearly 120 drawings, paintings, and sculptures from Colombia’s most revered artist, Fernando Botero, as well as the Gold Museum and the National Museum of Colombia.

Top Must-See in the Bogotá vicinity

La Catedral de Sal (the Salt Cathedral), considered “the first wonder of Colombia,” is only an hour drive north, in the town of Zipaquirá.

Man and nature worked together to create this marvelous underground cathedral, built inside one of the world’s largest salt mines. About 250,000 tons of salt were extracted during its construction.

Inside the mine, visitors are guided through a long, winding underground salt-walled tunnel which leads to the cathedral.

This tunnel is punctuated by 14 small chapels representing different stages of the life of Jesus Christ and is said to symbolize a pilgrim’s journey from the physical to the spiritual world.

To further enhance the experience, the use of soft lighting throughout the tunnels and in the cathedral itself provide for an ethereal atmosphere.

Once inside the cathedral you are allowed – even encouraged – to taste the walls and see for yourself that they are in fact, salty.  I can personally assure you that they are.

Colombian coffee stop

If you are visiting the Cathedral by car, a good place to stop and eat on the way back to the city is El Humero, a steakhouse in the suburb of Chia.

You’ll eat old schoolhouse cafeteria-style at wooden tables and benches.

El Humero serves fantastic coffee (I recommend the Cafe de los Nevados) and gigantic portions, including the largest patacones (fried mashed plantains) I’ve ever seen (see photo). Yum!

If you want to experience lively Colombian dancing where hips don’t lie, the restaurant transforms into a rumba dancehall on the weekends.

Nightlife in Bogotá

Bogotá is known for its great nightlife, and the Zona Rosa is just the place to find it. You’ll have your pick of great bars and restaurants. The vibe here is happy, fun-loving, and people will dance with you without any sleaziness.

If you’re looking for a traditional Colombian good time, Andrés Carne de Res is a well-known landmark a short 40 minute drive outside the city. It’s not a bad idea to starve yourself for at least a few hours before visiting this one-of-a-kind steakhouse.

To experience Andrés in true Colombian style, you should hire a party bus, purchase a bottle of aguardiente along with some disposable plastic shot glasses, and get the party started as soon as you get in the vehicle.

The shot glasses are about ¼ the size of a typical 2 oz shot glass. Aguardiente is to Colombia what tequila is to Mexico and what ouzo is to Greece. In fact, its black licorice flavor is very similar to ouzo’s.  Some may consider it an acquired taste – I personally acquired it very quickly.  Just remember – it’s strong!

Panoramic view of Bogota

After the 40 minute drive to Andrés, you’ll be warmed up and ready for the festive crowd and sumptuous menu waiting for you.

Even if you’re a vegetarian, Andrés‘ extensive menu has plenty of options for you – and the drink menu is just as lengthy as the food menu.

Be forewarned that this is not the place for a quiet, relaxing meal – this establishment can fit over 3,000 people, and it’s usually filled to capacity on the weekends.

My advice: Don’t eat so much thick, mouthwatering steak or cheese-filled arepas that you can’t dance afterwards… the dance floor is packed all night long with locals and tourists alike shaking their hips to rumba, merengue, salsa, and a few other dance styles.

Valuable tip: When you leave Andrés, be sure to stop at the stands in the parking lot where empanadas and hot stew are served. These delicious empanadas are meant to prevent hangovers, and they’re very effective.

Chill-ombian style…

If you’d like to venture out of the city for a quieter, non-touristic town and warmer weather, the city of Melgar is 3 hours south of Bogotá by car. Many residents of Bogotá keep summer and weekend homes in Melgar.

If you decide to make the trip, I would recommend going with a local friend or hiring a driver.

You’ll be surprised at how quickly the vegetation changes to tropical and you’ll be mesmerized by the spectacular scenery along the winding roads.

These are just a few of the experiences Bogotá, Colombia has to offer!

Have a Colombian experience of your own to share?  Comment here!

* Photos courtesy of Sonya Stoa; Botero Museum photo courtesy of Ricardo Plancarte