South American restaurants in Bolivia
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A
Nayjama
This appealing three-floor choice serves high-quality traditional Oruro food with a dash of innovation. The servings are huge so ask for half a portion of anything you order. Lamb is the specialty, as is cabeza, the sheep’s head served with salad and dehydrated potatoes. The English menu is slightly more expensive so ask for the Spanish one.
reviewed
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El Huerto
Set in a lovely secluded garden, this is a favorite spot for Sucre’s people in the know. It’s got the atmosphere of a classy lawn party, with sunshades and grass underfoot; there’s great service and stylishly presented traditional plates (especially the chorizo) that don’t come much better anywhere in the country.
reviewed
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B
Páprika
One of the ‘in’ spots, this is a block removed from the roar of Av Ballivián, and is a quiet leafy place popular for its food – both Bolivian and international, including tasty baked potatoes and fondues. After dark it becomes a trendy spot for a late drink and is also a good place to meet up with young Bolivians.
reviewed
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C
Tunari
With the distinction of being the oldest restaurant in the city, this local favorite specializes in the sort of things you either love or hate: grilled kidneys (a patent local hangover cure), tripe and tasty chorizo. But if innards aren’t your thing, there are other typical Cochabamba plates.
reviewed
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D
Mercado Central
At the northeast corner of the market, street vendors sell snacks and pastries unavailable in other parts of Bolivia, including delicious crêpe-like panqueques. Breakfast is served out the back, other cheap meals are upstairs, and you’ll find fresh juices are in the produce section. Don’t miss the huge bakery and sweets section off Bolívar.
reviewed
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Doña Eugenia
Potosí residents swear by this convivial local restaurant at the northern end of town. Head there early (around 10am is best) to make sure you get some of the legendary kala purca (thick maize soup with a hot rock in it). Other specialties include a hearty pork stew (fricasé) only served on Sunday.
reviewed
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E
Casa de Campo
A Cochabamba classic, this loud and cheerful partly open-air restaurant is a traditional spot to meet, eat, and play cacho (dice). There’s a big range of Bolivian dishes and grilled meats; the food is fine (and piled high on the plates), but the lively, unpretentious atmosphere is better.
reviewed
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F
Aray Restaurant
Aray Restaurant has long been Guayamerín's most popular restaurant, though it is certainly not the cleanest or most attractive option in town. The menu has the same standard meat, chicken and fish dishes found anywhere, but its large dining area can fill to overflowing at lunchtime.
reviewed
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G
La Escarcha
La Escarcha is a family-run eatery serving simple meals in a pleasant indoor dining area, and at wood tables set up on the sidewalk facing the plaza. Go light with a couple empanadas and a freshly blended fruit smoothie, or fill up on with grilled beef with rice, beans and salad.
reviewed
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H
Casablanca
Both restaurant and bar, this spot is popular with both locals and visitors and always has a busy buzz. As one might expect, there are dodgy Bogart murals on the walls. The place also offers a large range of international dishes, and drinks until late. Service is very poor.
reviewed
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La Posada Restaurant
This comfortable hotel also has one of Sucre's most appealing spots for a meal or a drink, offering elegant indoor and outdoor seating around its stone-flagged courtyard. There are tasty fish and meat dishes, pastas and salads, various set meals, and good-natured service.
reviewed
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I
Ángelo Colonial
This quirky, darkened colonial-style restaurant features a ramshackle collection of antiquities – pistols, swords and antique portraits, plus excellent soups, salads and luscious veggie lasagna. You don’t want to be in a hurry – service is slow.
reviewed
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J
El Fogón
This spacious, brightly lit central restaurant is popular with travelers for its range of international and Bolivian food, including llama steaks. In truth, it’s not what it was – portions aren’t huge, and the service leaves much to be desired.
reviewed
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Churrasquería Cumaná
A Sucre secret, this carnivore’s delight is in the Barrio Petrolero, a cab ride from the center. The full portions of exquisitely grilled meat can comfortably feed two; the courtyard is also a pleasant place to drink wine or cocktails.
reviewed
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K
La Vaca Loca
Sister cow to the Samaipata mad cow ('Vaca Loca' means 'Mad Cow'), this is a more stylish version with cow-skin chairs, pleasant low lighting and good food. Go for the juicy chicken sandwiches and superb salads, and finish with an ice cream.
reviewed
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L
Wiphala Pub
Named after the multicolored Aymará flag, this place has a welcoming feel with its wooden tables, earthy vibe and board games. It serves tasty Bolivian dishes, specializing in llama meat and quinoa, and has quinoa beer.
reviewed
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M
Restaurant Vienna
Arguably La Paz’s best continental restaurant, classy (in an old-fashioned kind of way) Vienna serves traditional, Central European cuisine and unique takes on Bolivian criollo classics. Also has live piano music.
reviewed
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N
Kactus
In an upstairs location along Arce, this is a no-fuss restaurant popular with locals for its affordable food choices. The service can be spotty and the menu isn’t particularly exciting, but the food is decent.
reviewed
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O
Savarín
This popular, well-established barn on Ballivián has a wide streetside terrace where people congregate at lunchime for filling almuerzos (set lunches) and, in the evening, for a beer or three.
reviewed
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P
Coroico in Sur
A great place to join the locals for typical Bolivian lunch dishes of plato paceño (a dish of fried cheese, corn, beans and potato) and set lunches in a tranquil garden setting.
reviewed
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Q
Le Pot Colonial
An ambitious menu here features traditional Bolivian dishes that don't always meet their mark and are served at armadillo pace. Pros include an inviting setting above the Coca Museum.
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R
Restaurant Marvi
This decent family-run place offers one of the best typical almuerzos (set lunches) around. At dinnertime, solid plates of comida criolla (criollo food) are served.
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S
Sucremanta
A chain of restaurantes típicos where you can sample dependable local dishes, including mondongo (pork ribs) and menudito (pork, chicken and beef stew).
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Paprika
Comparatively formal by Oruro standards, this upstairs restaurant, frequented for business lunches, has good service and decent, if unspectacular, food.
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U
Restaurant Pagador
The cheapest set-lunch specials are around the train station and Mercado Campero. Recommended is Restaurant Pagador, deservedly popular with locals.
reviewed
