Where To Eat In Colombia – Bogotá and Cundinamarca

These restaurants have been actually visited by Finance Colombia editors, and are recommended to the business traveler.The list is updated on a continual basis, and  contains a mix of the rustic to the fancy, so bookmark it and check back often.  To nominate a restaurant or to have your restaurant included, contact us via the form at the bottom of the page. A positive rating or review does not equal an endorsement.

Feel free to add your comments, opinions, suggestions at the end of the article!

International Travelers’ notes:

In Colombia it is common for restaurants to include a 10% tip in the check. Look and see: It is voluntary, and if you are dissatisfied, by law they must remove it. If you wish to leave extra, you may, but it is not expected. A few restaurants don’t include the tip automatically, so check and see to be sure.

Above photo: Plaza de Andres in the Hacienda de Santa Barbara shopping center (Usaquén) offers several fast casual dining concepts in one venue.

In Colombia, like many other Latin American Countries, the waiter will not bring you the check until you ask for it, even if you sit there a long time. They are not being lazy; the locals would consider it rude if they brought you the check before you asked for it—It would be as if they were asking you to leave, or rushing you out the door.

Very inexpensive restaurants will charge you a small fee to use the bathroom, if you are not otherwise patronizing the establishment. This is normal, don’t be offended.

Price Guide:

• $-Under $10 USD per entrée/main course per person
• $$- $10-$20
• $$$-$20-$40
• $$$$-$40+    
• Not including appetizers or alcohol

Bogotá

La Brasserie – Carrera 13 No. 85-35 – Zona T

Elegant French Restaurant, with a high capacity and both inside and al fresco dining. Widely regarded as one of the best restaurants of the city. Their wine selection has won several awards. https://instagram.com/p/2AM8FgK_57/

• Price    $$$$
  

  Le Brasserie Seafood Risotto

• Cuisine:  Continental, French, Colombian
• ♦ Reservations Recommended
• ♦ WiFi
• ♦ Romantic Meals
• ♦ Business Meals
• ♦ More Formal Dining
• ♦ Celebrations
• X Jeans & T-Shirt
• X Social Gathering Spot
• X Breakfast
• X Franchise/Corp. Owned

Daniel Dine & Wine – Calle 73 No. 9-70 – Quinta Camacho

International cuisine in a converted mansión. Something for everyone, from barbecued pork to raw ceviche and sushi rolls. Near Bogotá’s financial district. Very good seafood. Fun to explore, as each room has its own theme and ambiance. Churchill’s Library, The Gorilla Lounge, The I♥NY Bar and several other dining options to choose from in the same restaurant. https://instagram.com/p/xsDeCeK_49/  https://instagram.com/p/xpp915q_-2/

• Price    $$$
  

  Salmon carpaccio at Daniel Dine & Wine

• Cuisine:  International,
• ♦ Reservations Recommended (1) 249-3404 or (316) 462-1708
• ♦ WiFi
• ♦ Romantic Meals
• ♦ Business Meals
• X More Formal Dining
• ♦ Celebrations
• ♦ Jeans & T-Shirt OK
• ♦ Social Gathering Spot
• X Breakfast
• X Franchise/Corp. Owned

Ugly American Bar & Grill – Calle 81 No. 9-12 – El Retiro

Basement dining reminescent of an old steakhouse. Very friendly bartenders, and a popular gathering spot for foreigners. The menu looks as it comes straight from a Midwestern watering hole. One recommended departure is the Crimson Mojito, made with the very Colombian Tomate de árbol (Tamarillo fruit). Most, if not all of the staff seems to speak English. https://instagram.com/p/xsDIFqq_4Q/

• Price    $$$
  

  Inside Ugly American, it looks like you are in a typical American bar.

• Cuisine:  North American
• X Reservations Recommended
• ♦ WiFi
• X Romantic Meals
• X Business Meals
• X More Formal Dining
• ♦ Celebrations
• ♦ Jeans & T-Shirt OK
• ♦ Social Gathering Spot
• X Breakfast
• X Franchise/Corp. Owned

Gordo Brooklyn Bar & Restaurant – Carrera 4A, No 66-84 – Zona G

Gordo is an upscale martini bar and restaurant with a New York motif in Bogotá’s Zona G. Food prices are modest, but the quality is very good. Their specialty drinks are pricier, but truly premium, and expertly made. The ambience makes it a perfect spot to meet friends or colleagues after work. “A great place to meet for a first date,” says one editor. https://instagram.com/p/pxIC7mK_7D/

Gordo Brooklyn Bar Restaurante

• Price    $$
• Cuisine:  North American
• ♦Reservations Recommended (1) 345-5769 (1) 314-5517
• ?WiFi
• ♦Romantic Meals
• ♦Business Meals
• X More Formal Dining
• ♦Celebrations
• ♦Jeans & T-Shirt OK
• ♦Social Gathering Spot
• X Breakfast
• X Franchise/Corp. Owned

El Cielo – Bogotá: Calle 70 #4-47 – Zona G

Voted one of the 50 best restaurants in Latin America, El Cielo is truly a gastronomic experience, whether the larger Bogotá location, or the intimate (8 tables) Medellín location. The meal is a dazzling culinary adventure, both creative and delicious. The service matches the quality of the food, the servers are knowledgeable, but still friendly, and not at all snobby. The restaurant is known for its foundation, which employs victims of violence, and runs community nutrition and non-violence projects. Chef & Restauranteur Juan Manuel Barrientos has recently opened the third El Cielo in Miami’s Brickell. https://instagram.com/p/qFY6ZEK_wf/

• Price    $$$$
  

  El Cielo’s creative presentation of yucca bread

• Cuisine:  Molecular gastronomy
• ♦ Reservations Recommended Medellin (4) 268-3002 Bogotá (1) 703-5585
• ? WiFi
• ♦ Romantic Meals
• ♦ Business Meals
• ♦ More Formal Dining
• X Celebrations
• X Jeans & T-Shirt OK
• X Social Gathering Spot
• X Breakfast
• X Franchise/Corp. Owned