Must-see restaurants in Boyacá, Santander & Norte de Santander

  • Gringo Mike's

    San Gil

    What isn't good here? In a moody, candlelit courtyard you'll find this US-UK operation thrilling homesick travelers with a surplus of American-portioned…

  • Mercado Municipal

    Villa de Leyva

    On its way to becoming Boyacá's most interesting dining experience, this chef-driven restaurant in the gardens of a colonial house (1740) has resurrected…

  • Mercagán

    Bucaramanga

    Often touted as serving the best steak in the whole of Colombia, this traditional parrilla (grilled-meat restaurant) run by a team of brothers is all it's…

  • Penelope Casa Gastronómica

    Bucaramanga

    A diverse selection of gourmet plates from faraway lands awaits at this small but seriously hip restaurant run by talented young chefs. Among the options…

  • El Maná

    San Gil

    This popular, word-of-mouth favorite is the best Colombian restaurant in town. You can taste the extra love in the fantastic set meals – seven or so to…

  • Ristorante Al Cuoco

    Barichara

    This fairly elegant one-man Italian show is run out of the home of an amicable Roman chef. Though the menu is limited (some raviolis, cannelloni, gnocchi,…

  • Piero's

    Boyacá, Santander & Norte de Santander

    Who knows how an actual Italian ended up here, but he did, and now there is good Italian food to show for it. Oddly, though, the classics are missing …

  • Restaurante Savia

    Villa de Leyva

    The delightful Savia specializes in inventive vegetarian, vegan and organic fare and local eco-artisanal products of the same ilk. Carnivores aren't left…

  • Carambolo

    Barichara

    Barichara's finest dining option is an elegant open-air affair with phenomenal views over the canyon of Río Suárez. The gregarious Spanish owner prepares…

  • Pastelería Francesa

    Villa de Leyva

    You can smell the sweet scent of baked goodness a block away from this authentic French bakery with croissants (oh, those almond ones!), baguettes, tarts,…

  • Piqueteadero Doña Eustaquia

    San Gil

    Located in the village of Valle de San José on the way to the Juan Curi falls, this place is famous for its chorizo sausage cooked in guarapo (fermented…

  • Entre Panes

    Villa de Leyva

    A couple of blocks from the plaza you'll find this appealing outdoor cafe serving up some of the best sandwiches in Colombia. Take your pick from French…

  • 7 Tigres

    Barichara

    Colombians love their crispy thin-crust 'pita' pizzas, and the pies at this semi-alfresco place with its open kitchen and exclamation marks of artsy decor…

  • Shambalá

    Barichara

    An extremely popular and consciously retro cafe doing made-to-order, mostly vegetarian dishes. Choose from wraps, rice and pasta in Mediterranean, Indian…

  • El Salon de Onces El Hojaldre

    Boyacá

    Break sweet bread among nuns, housewives, politicians, and movers and shakers at this classic coffee and snack stop. Go for the galletas de arequipe (milk…

  • Mercagán

    Bucaramanga

    A branch of Bucaramanga's famous steakhouse.

  • Restaurante Las Cruces

    Barichara

    Encased in one of Barichara’s larger colonial mansions, this venerable cooking school offers its student-prepared food in a spacious garden patio with…

  • Cabrón

    Bucaramanga

    For an upmarket take on typical Santanderean flavors, head to this hip corner restaurant with a fresh semi-open dining area and streetside terrace. The…

  • miCocina

    Villa de Leyva

    This colorful restaurant/culinary school prides itself on being 100% Colombian and is indeed the best place to sample Colombian gastronomy at levels…

  • Proyecto Pizza

    San Gil

    You wouldn't expect to find the best pizza in town at a gas station on the highway, but this bright new place delivers with a variety of delicious…

  • El Compa

    Barichara

    The best local restaurant – unpretentious and not pandering to tourists; indeed, not pandering to anyone much. No matter. The key here is the food: 15 or…

  • Plaza de Mercado

    San Gil

    The curious and brave should elbow their way through the narrow aisles of this scrappy covered market, where you can grab comida corriente (daily set…

  • Mia Nonna

    Bucaramanga

    An upmarket Italian place serving big portions at reasonable prices. You'll find good pasta dishes, including excellent lasagna, as well as quality pizzas…

  • Tavolo Hamburguesería

    Villa de Leyva

    A newborn gourmet-burger joint on the main square, the Tavolo enables diners to enjoy their innovatively adorned patties (served on mini bread boards)…

  • Cure Cuisine

    Bucaramanga

    Lebanese-descended Colombians do a commendable job at this clean-cut Middle Eastern spot that's just a step above fast food. Felafel, shawarma, kibe,…

  • La Cevicheria

    Bucaramanga

    Colorful, cute and happening, this build-your-own ceviche and salad spot is a great escape from meat, rice and yuca. There are six predetermined choices,…

  • Aminta

    Boyacá

    Head down the narrow corridor off the plaza to emerge in this bright, modern atrium cafe that's a popular local meeting spot. A series of long lamps hangs…

  • Coffee House

    San Gil

    Fairly new, the simply named Coffee House has elevated itself into one of San Gil's best places for breakfast (available all day), with everything from…

  • London Coffee

    Boyacá, Santander & Norte de Santander

    The town's best cafe, a small and trendy little number with good espresso, cocktails and imported beers, alongside sweet and savory waffles, tapas and a…

  • Filomena

    Barichara

    In a large courtyard decorated with bric-a-brac, this reliable cafe serves decent paninis, burgers and salads with solid tunes on in the background. Grab…

  • Don Salvador

    Villa de Leyva

    Don Salvador does the best mute (puffed-corn soup, served with a side of cow foot or chicken thigh) and carne asada (grilled steak) at Villa's bustling…

  • SazonArt

    Bucaramanga

    One of the better set-meal spots you'll come across in Santander, this very popular, very clean corner restaurant dishes out a few choices daily,…

  • Restaurante Coreano

    Villa de Leyva

    It's not the most imaginatively named place in town, but this Korean-run restaurant is worth a visit for authentic Asian cuisine. There are only eight…

  • Restaurante Chinantoca

    Santander

    The most reliable restaurant in town, Chinantoca serves up very good roast goat and other typical dishes in the fresh internal courtyard of an old…

  • El Portal

    Boyacá, Santander & Norte de Santander

    The best restaurant in town prepares both fast food and more-filling typical Colombian plates in an open-air dining room under a big thatched roof. It's a…

  • Pizza Cabubara

    Boyacá

    An extremely friendly family-run shop that serves surprisingly good pizza by the slice, alongside lasagna and burgers. One of the few places you can get a…

  • Las Acacias

    Boyacá

    The most reliable restaurant in town, Las Acacias serves typical Colombian plates as well as good set meals and filling breakfasts.

  • Restaurante La Casona

    Santander

    A fine restaurant that serves big plates of typical hearty food in colonial-style surroundings.

  • Restaurante Carbon

    Villa de Leyva

    Busy with locals, this good unpretentious grill restaurant out on the Via Circunvalar serves up six cuts of beef, ribs and lamb alongside well…