Must-see restaurants in Bolivia

  • Salteñas Especiales Marianita

    Bolivia

    Get these hot-from-the-oven chicken and beef salteñas (savory pies) to eat in or take away. They're some of Bolivia's best.

  • Pronto

    La Paz

    We don’t know where (or how) they get their fresh ingredients, but this candlelit underground restaurant has figured it out, offering up dish after dish…

  • La Espinita

    La Paz

    Get down to 'the bones' with a hearty Andean lunch of four favorite fried fish in a delicious home-made batter, all served with crispy ispi (little…

  • El Puente Night Market

    Tarija

    More than a dozen stalls with apron-clad women serving up local specialties like falso conejo (ground meat with vegetables, onions and rice), saice (spicy…

  • Los Qñapés

    La Paz

    Snack on Bolivian favorites like cuñapé (a cheesy yuca bread), humitas (a steamed corn pie) and masacos (plantains or yucca mashed with meat or cheese) at…

  • La Parilla del Gordo Aviles

    Tarija

    The owner of La Parilla took the leap from hosting asados at home to opening and running one of the city's best steakhouses. It's busy with locals downing…

  • Café Metro

    Sucre

    Deservedly popular with gringos on laptops and smartphones – as much for its prime location on the eastern corner of Plaza 25 de Mayo as for its strong wi…

  • Tropical

    Amazon Basin

    This is Riberalta’s most upscale restaurant, located near the airport, leading the residents to nickname it tropicarísimo (very expensive…). Gargantuan…

  • Carla's Garden Pub

    Bolivia

    A Dutch pub owner has combined her thatched-roof beer hall with an established German restaurant and moved it to the bottom of the plaza's steep stairs …

  • De K'ffe

    Cochabamba

    Homey and a little old-fashioned, at least as far as decor goes, this is nevertheless a convivial place, where regulars have been congregating for years…

  • Cabaña de Don Pedro

    Tarija

    This Tarija culinary institution serves local, regional and Bolivian specialties to families who have been gathering in its large, light-filled dining…

  • Mercado Lanza

    La Paz

    Between Plaza Pérez Velasco and Calle Figueroa is Mercado Lanza, one of La Paz's main food markets – the other major one is Mercado Camacho. It sells all…

  • Taberna Gattopardo

    Tarija

    Worthy of repeat visits if only for people-watching while sipping an espresso, this European-run tavern and cafe occupies one of the central plaza's…

  • Bienmesabe

    Sucre

    Venezuelan/Bolivian-owned casual place selling a variety of arepas (pancakes made with fresh corn) and cachapas (pancakes made with fresh corn, cornmeal…

  • Cafe Dinosaur

    Bolivia

    One of the village's more reliable options (in terms of opening hours and having food that's on the menu), this is a good spot to share stories with…

  • Coroico Star

    Bolivia

    A few steps down from the main plaza, this popular travelers' meeting point might serve the best pique a lo macho (sausages and french fries in sauce) you…

  • La Posada

    Sucre

    Situated in the handsome hotel of the same name, this is one of Sucre’s most appealing spots for a meal or drink, offering elegant indoor and outdoor…

  • Mercado Central

    Potosí

    Stalls in the comedor (dining hall) serve inexpensive breakfasts of bread, pastries and coffee. Downstairs there are some excellent juice stands. Cheese…

  • La Casona Restaurant

    La Paz

    The upscale executive almuerzo (set lunch) here comes with an extensive salad bar, soup and your choice of mains like chicken in wine sauce or delicately…

  • Cafe Almendra

    Bolivia

    One block uphill from Hotel Bella Vista, a lovely young couple makes wholesome meals and snacks including delish sonsos (pancakes filled with cheese and…

  • Suiza

    Cochabamba

    Formally attired waitstaff and an overall air of old-school traditional aloofness permeates Suiza. However, the almuerzo ejecutivo is a good deal at B$50,…

  • Imaynalla Restaurant

    Sucre

    In the hostel of the same name, Imaynalla's three-story inner courtyard is a great spot for a meal or a drink. Cool music and candlelit tables add to the…

  • Negro Café

    Sucre

    Mostly older women, friends of the owner, gather at this cozy cafe housed in the historic Casa Rodriguez building for a regular coffee catch-up. Join them…

  • Altai Oasis

    Bolivia

    The peaceful balcony restaurant at this lovely retreat 20 minutes’ walk from town serves coffee, drinks and a range of vegetarian dishes. There are T-bone…

  • María Bonita

    Cochabamba

    This charming and friendly spot decorated with bright colors and Mexican signifiers such as Frida Kahlo posters and football jerseys is run by the son of…

  • La Estancia

    Cochabamba

    One of a knot of spacious restaurants just across the river in Recoleta, this Argentine-style grill is a fine place. There are thick, juicy steaks (it’s…

  • Caffé Art

    Santa Cruz & Gran Chiquitania

    As well as serving coffee, juices, cakes, pies and snacks, this cafe doubles as a gallery for the work of artist Sandra Serrate, whose studio occupies…

  • Restaurant San Silvestre

    Amazon Basin

    It's a bit expensive and over the top, but San Silvestre, on the main road next to Las Palmas, remains unchallenged as the best restaurant in town. The…

  • Mercado Central

    Sucre

    Don’t miss the fresh juices (B$7) – the vendors and their blenders always come up with something indescribably delicious; try jugo de tumbo (unripe…

  • Alamo

    Bolivia

    A saloon-style spot where locals and tourists mingle in the fun two-story space with a Hollywood vibe and lots of knickknacks. The menu features mainly…

  • Sole Mio

    Cochabamba

    The best pizza in Cochabamba. The owners, encouragingly, are from Napoli and import the ingredients for their robust brick-oven, wood-fired pizzas – thin…

  • Etno Café Cultural

    La Paz

    This edgy scarlet cafe makes a great stop after visiting the museums of Calle Jaén or for an evening nightcap. Come for decent coffees, salads, pizzas or…

  • Cayenna

    Cochabamba

    On the ground floor of an upscale apartment building lining a narrow suburban park, Cayenna has a large, eclectic menu ranging from pita silpancho (sliced…

  • Terradentro Restaurant

    Lake Titicaca

    This hotel restaurant has excellent views of the lake, great service and well-prepared international dishes. While it is one of the more expensive in town…

  • Cremalin

    Bolivia

    Choose from 14 flavors of homemade ice cream as well as a lengthy menu of indulgent sundaes, including papaya splits and selva negra (four scoops of…

  • Villa Bonita

    Bolivia

    This peaceful garden cafe is just 600m from town but seems like a world away. The personable owners offer delicious homemade ice creams bursting with…

  • La Taverne

    Sucre

    With a quiet and cozy atmosphere, the restaurant of the Alliance Française makes for a nice night out. The short, select menu has a French touch and there…

  • Pescadería Don Pedrito

    Amazon Basin

    There's eight fish dishes on the menu, and they all cost B$60: fried, grilled, ceviche, whatever. Got it? Good. The local moto-taxi drivers will tell you…

  • La Huerta

    La Paz

    La Paz's best organic store with soaps, fresh-baked bread, organic snacks and quinoa-infused everything (juices, chocolates, cereal bars). An attached…

  • El Cafetal

    Bolivia

    This secluded hotel restaurant with unbeatable views has cane chairs and slate-topped tables where you can enjoy a range of dishes prepared with a French…

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