Exploring Bolivia's Best Restaurants And Their Cuisine

Bolivian cuisine is a delicious fusion of indigenous Aymara and Inca traditions with later Spanish, German, Italian, French, and Arab influences. While Bolivia may not be internationally famous for its food, it is certainly making progress towards becoming a foodie destination, with an array of world-class restaurants popping up across the country. Here are some of the top Bolivian cuisine restaurants to tantalize your taste buds:

- Gustu in La Paz, serving locally-sourced ingredients with a creative twist on traditional Bolivian fare.

- El Fogón del Gringo in Tarija, offering juicy Argentine meat and a superb salad bar.

- Carla's Garden Pub in Coroico, a tourist hangout with a lush garden, hammocks, and stunning valley views, serving European and Bolivian dishes.

- Minuteman Revolutionary Pizza in Uyuni, a longstanding tourist-oriented pizzeria with creative toppings and gluten-free options.

- La Cocina in Samaipata, a casual eatery serving tasty snacks and amazing homemade bread.

- La Taverna in Sucre, offering exquisite French cuisine and an extensive wine list.

- Las Velas on Isla del Sol, an intimate restaurant run by an internationally trained Bolivian native, serving pizzas, pastas, and grilled trout.

- El Nomadico in Rurrenabaque, famous for their legendary fish curry and other Bolivian specialties.

- La Cantonata in Cochabamba, a longstanding institution known for its elegant atmosphere and delicious steak, seafood, and pasta.

- Sach'a Rest in Santa Cruz, a hip fusion restaurant drawing on Nikkei and Mediterranean influences, with a focus on seafood.

La Paz's Red Cap Tours

On the Red Cap food tour, you'll get to sample a variety of dishes, including some of the country's most beloved foods. Here's what you can expect:

A Hearty Start

The tour might kick off with a typical Bolivian breakfast, a simple yet hearty meal of "The Classic Bolivian Breakfast", consisting of a piece of bread (often a marraqueta) paired with butter and jam, and a black coffee. If you're feeling adventurous, you might try the Andean fruit tamarillo, commonly used for compotes and marmalades, or the Chorizo Chuquisaqueño, a mouth-watering Creole spiced pork sausage snack.

Street Food Delights

La Paz's street food is a highlight, and you'll get to try some of the best. Anticuchos, grilled skewered beef or chicken hearts, are a must-try. Prepared similarly to a Mediterranean kebab, they are served with potatoes and a peanut sauce. Salteñas, a juicy baked empanada filled with beef or chicken, olives, vegetables, and spices, are another popular choice. These street foods are best enjoyed early in the morning, as they tend to sell out fast!

Market Finds

A stroll through La Paz's markets will lead you to discover dehydrated potatoes, an iconic ingredient in Bolivian cuisine. These look like rocks and are either white or dark purple. They are often used in Fritanga de Cerdo, a well-cooked pork dish with a spicy red sauce, corn, and dehydrated potatoes.

Savoury Snacks

Pastel de queso, a Bolivian-style cheese empanada or cheesecake, is a popular snack. It's deep-fried and filled with gooey cheese, often dusted with powdered sugar. Pair it with a warm cup of api morado, a thick drink made from purple corn, cinnamon, cloves, and orange zest, to warm you up.

Iconic La Paz Dish

Fricasé is an iconic dish in La Paz. Pork is stewed with onion, spices, herbs, lemons, and chillies, and the resulting broth is thickened with breadcrumbs. It is served with chuño (freeze-dried potato), corn, and potatoes.

National Dish

Salteñas, the national dish of Bolivia, is a must-try. This baked empanada has a unique, juicy filling of beef or chicken, olives, potatoes, vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, raisins, and spices in a sweet and slightly spicy sauce.

Cochabamba Specialties

Cochabamba is known for its generous portions, and you'll get to try the Silpancho, a dish of pounded cutlet of breaded beef, served with white rice, boiled potatoes, tomatoes, onions, beets, parsley, and a fried egg. Another Cochabamba specialty is Pique a lo Macho, a massive plate of food with strips of beef, sausages, fries, onions, tomatoes, boiled eggs, and chillies. It's a dish meant to be shared and is perfect for hungry travellers.

Unique Desserts

For a sweet treat, try the Pasankalla, a type of sweetened Bolivian popcorn made with a large-grained corn called p'isanqella. It's often dyed in colours like pink, blue, and green, and is a delightful snack.

Cochabamba's Casa de Campo

Cochabambas Casa de Campo is one of the top restaurants in Bolivia to try the country's traditional cuisine. The restaurant is located in Cochabamba, a city in central Bolivia, and is known for serving the region's signature dishes. Here is a detailed overview of Cochabambas Casa de Campo:

Location and Specialties:

Cochabambas Casa de Campo is nestled in the heart of Cochabamba, a city renowned for its culinary delights. The restaurant's menu showcases the unique flavours and ingredients of the Cochabamba valley region.

Signature Dishes and Menu Options:

Cochabambas Casa de Campo specialises in traditional dishes that highlight the region's diverse ingredients and culinary techniques. Here are some of their signature offerings:

• Silpancho: This iconic dish consists of a thin, breaded cutlet of beef, accompanied by white rice, boiled potatoes, chopped tomatoes, onions, beets, and a fried egg. It is a generous portion, true to the Cochabamba tradition of hearty meals.
• Picante de Pollo: A spicy chicken stew native to Cochabamba. Chicken pieces are cooked in a broth with pureed aji amarillo chilli peppers, onions, garlic, and cumin, then served with rice, potatoes, chuño (freeze-dried potato), and salsa.
• Sopa de Mani: A traditional meat and vegetable soup thickened with ground peanuts, originating from Cochabamba. It is often served with French fries and crusty bread on the side.
• Chicharrón de Cerdo: A pork dish cooked in its own fat and chicha (an alcoholic beverage made from corn). It is a specialty in Cochabamba, often prepared by chefs in front of customers on weekends.
• Tamales: Sweet Bolivian humintas or tamales are a breakfast or snack specialty. They are made by mixing grated sweet corn with cinnamon, sugar, raisins, and sometimes cheese, then wrapped in corn leaves and steamed or grilled.
• Majadito: A dish from the eastern region of Bolivia, featuring toasted rice with dried meat, served with fried eggs and a salad of tomato and fried plantain.

Ambiance and Service:

Cochabambas Casa de Campo captures the warmth and hospitality of Cochabamba. The ambiance is inviting, reflecting the vibrant culture of the region. The service is known to be friendly and attentive, with staff eager to explain the dishes and ingredients to curious diners.

Awards and Recognition:

While specific awards were not mentioned, Cochabambas Casa de Campo is recognised as a go-to destination for authentic Cochabamba cuisine. It is a popular choice among locals and tourists seeking to savour the unique flavours of the region.

Cochabambas Casa de Campo is a culinary haven in Cochabamba, offering diners a chance to embark on a flavourful journey through traditional Bolivian cuisine. The restaurant showcases the region's diverse ingredients, from spicy chillies to hearty meats and unique preparations of potatoes and corn. A meal at Cochabambas Casa de Campo is an immersive experience, providing a deeper understanding of Bolivia's rich culinary heritage.

Cochabamba's Cayenna Bistro Café

Cochabambas Cayenna Bistro Café is one of the top restaurants in Bolivia to try the country's traditional silpancho dish. This typical Bolivian meal consists of a thin cutlet of breaded beef, accompanied by white rice, boiled potatoes, chopped tomatoes, onions, beets, and a fried egg.

Cayenna Bistro Café is located in Cochabamba, in the valley region of Bolivia, where the dish originates. The valley area is the most fertile region in the country, with the greatest variety of products, so the main feature of dishes prepared here is the number of ingredients and range of spices used.

Silpancho is a substantial meal and the portions served at Cayenna Bistro Café are huge. The dish is so emblematic of Cochabamba that it is often the only meal served at many restaurants in the city.

The name silpancho stems from the Quechua word sillp'anchu, meaning "thin and pounded", in reference to the breaded cutlet traditionally used in the dish.

For those who want to try silpancho but are not so keen on beef, there is a sandwich version of the dish called trancapecho. This is served in crusty rustic bread and is known as the "poor son of Silpancho".

Cochabamba is also famous for another overflowing plate of food called pique a lo macho. This dish is made with strips of beef, sausages or hot dogs, French fries, onions, tomatoes, locoto chilli peppers, and hard-boiled eggs. It is served with ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise, and there is also a giant, spicier version of the dish, often made with pimenton, called pique macho.

According to legend, pique a lo macho was created when a group of drunk workers arrived at a restaurant in Cochabamba just as they were closing. The owner put together a plate of whatever ingredients she had left, adding lots of chillies to help sober the workers up, and said: "Piquen si son machos", meaning "Eat it if you think you're man enough".

Sucre's Condor Café

As you step into Condor Café, the inviting aroma of freshly brewed coffee and savoury dishes fills the air. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with a cosy dining area that exudes a sense of community. The walls are adorned with vibrant artwork, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Bolivia. The staff, dressed in traditional attire, warmly welcome you, making you feel right at home.

The menu at Condor Café showcases the very best of Bolivian cuisine, featuring a variety of mouth-watering options that will satisfy any palate. One of their signature dishes is the Tucumanas, a traditional Bolivian delicacy. These fried pastries are stuffed with a generous filling of potatoes, carrots, olives, and peas, offering a vegetarian delight that even non-vegetarians will savour. For those craving a heartier meal, the Tucumanas can also be filled with beef, pork, or chicken, ensuring a satisfying dining experience.

Another standout dish on the menu is the Salteñas, Bolivia's national dish. These baked empanadas are filled with a juicy mix of sweet and savoury sauces, along with your choice of beef or chicken. The secret to their irresistible flavour lies in the addition of gelatin to the filling, ensuring the pastry remains crisp and flaky. Each bite of a Salteña is an explosion of flavours, making it the perfect snack to enjoy at any time of the day.

For those with a more adventurous palate, Condor Café also offers Anticuchos, a traditional Bolivian dish with roots dating back to the 16th century. These grilled skewers feature beef or chicken hearts, expertly prepared and served with a side of potatoes and a delectable peanut sauce. It is a dish that embodies the unique fusion of indigenous Andean cuisine with Spanish and Mediterranean influences.

Condor Café also takes pride in its beverage selection, offering a range of traditional Bolivian drinks to complement your meal. You can start your day with a classic Bolivian breakfast, pairing a freshly brewed black coffee with a Marraqueta, a piece of bread served with butter and jam. In the afternoon, indulge in a traditional tea break, sipping a cup of black tea alongside biscuits or traditional Humintas. As the sun sets, unwind with a glass of Singani Sour, Bolivia's version of the Pisco Sour, prepared with lemon juice and Singani, a local brandy made from distilled wine.

Santa Cruz's Riquisimo Grill

One of the must-try dishes at Riquisimo Grill is the "Yuca Frita". This dish is a unique take on the popular South American side dish, where thin slices of yuca, or cassava, are deep-fried to perfection. The crispy yuca fries are often served as a snack or paired with grilled meats, burgers, or barbecue. The version at Riquisimo Grill is particularly noteworthy, as the cassava roots are sourced locally, ensuring freshness and authentic flavour.

In addition to the Yuca Frita, Riquisimo Grill also excels in preparing traditional Bolivian dishes such as the "Cuñapé". Cuñapé is a type of bread made from a combination of white cheese, egg, salt, milk, and yam flour. It is a specialty in Santa Cruz and the northeastern regions of Bolivia. The version at Riquisimo Grill is baked to perfection, resulting in a delicious, savoury treat. Cuñapé is typically enjoyed with a hot cup of coffee or tea, making it an ideal choice for breakfast or an afternoon pick-me-up.

For those seeking a heartier meal, Riquisimo Grill offers the "Silpancho". This traditional dish, originating from the valleys of Cochabamba, consists of a thin, pounded piece of beef accompanied by white rice, boiled and sliced tomatoes, and a fried egg. At Riquisimo Grill, the beef is carefully prepared to ensure tenderness, and the dish is often served with additional sides such as onions, beets, and parsley.

Another standout dish at Riquisimo Grill is the "Sajta de Pollo". This traditional meal consists of a juicy chicken preparation served with a unique sauce made from sajta, a blend of tomatoes, and peanuts. The dish is typically garnished with fresh celery, garlic, and parsley, enhancing its flavourful profile. Sajta de Pollo is commonly served for lunch and is a favourite during special occasions such as Carnivals and All Saints' Day.

The restaurant also offers a variety of other traditional dishes, including "Empanadas Bolivianas", "Salteñas", and "Zonzo", a pancake-like snack grilled on a stick, which is another specialty of Santa Cruz.

Frequently asked questions