Sucre, Bolivia's Culinary Delights: A Foodie's Guide

Sucre, Bolivia's constitutional capital, is a foodie's paradise. The city's culinary scene is ever-expanding and caters to all kinds of diners, from casual fast-food joints to high-end, top-quality restaurants. Whether you're craving simple Bolivian snacks or exquisite international dishes, Sucre has something for everyone. Here's a sneak peek at some of the best places to eat in this enchanting colonial city.

Local specialities

Sucre, Bolivia's constitutional capital, is known for its unique colonial architecture and infrastructure, and its incredible food. The city has a lot to offer, from simple but tasty Bolivian snacks to exquisite international gastronomic experiences.

The people of Sucre are proud of their chorizos (sausages), claiming that they are the best in the country. Chorizos 7 Lunares is a Sucre classic, serving up the best chorizo sandwiches in the city. Salteñas are another local speciality. These are small turnovers stuffed with meat, and El Patio is the place to go to try them. This charming colonial patio is famous for serving the best Salteñas in Sucre, if not the whole of Bolivia. The salteñas are huge and a little more expensive than elsewhere, but they are definitely worth it. You can also try the salteñas Santa Clara, which are made with chicken and have a different shape.

If you're looking for a traditional breakfast, head to the Mercado Central and try the 'api con empanada'. Api is a thick purple corn drink, flavoured with sugar and cinnamon, and usually served with cheese empanadas.

For a taste of Bolivian chocolate, head to Para Ti. They have an amazing selection and great prices.

Sucre is also known for its ice cream. Heladería Sandra is a good option to try new flavours, as they use mostly traditional ingredients from the city.

Vegetarian options

Sucre, Bolivia's constitutional capital, has a modest selection of vegetarian-friendly restaurants, largely catering to the Spanish student, volunteer, and tourist crowds. Here are some of the best vegetarian options in Sucre:

Condor Café

Condor Café is a welcome addition to Sucre's vegetarian scene. The café is run by Condor Trekkers, a non-profit tour company that organises hikes in the surrounding areas. The café has a relaxed atmosphere and is a great place to mingle, share travel tips, and find information about activities in the local area. The food is delicious and affordable, with a daily changing menu featuring options like falafel, veggie pies, soups, empanadas, and sandwiches. Almost all the produce is locally sourced, and the café is part of a larger non-profit organisation that invests its surplus cash in the local community. Condor Café has two locations in Sucre: one on Plaza 25 de Mayo and another on Calle Perez.

El Germen

El Germen is a longstanding restaurant that has been serving high-quality vegetarian food for many years. While the restaurant also serves meat dishes, the menu has several pages dedicated to vegetarian options, including curries, falafel, goulash, and tofu. El Germen is known for its good quality food at fair prices, with the daily lunch special being particularly good value. It is located on Calle San Alberto.

Prem El Arte de Vivir

Prem El Arte de Vivir is a vegan and vegetarian restaurant offering dishes with a mild Asian influence. Popular options include gluten-free pesto and quinoa pasta, soya burgers, burritos, and salads. The lunch menu is excellent value, with a meal costing only 20 BOB (under US$3). They also offer a selection of gluten-free desserts.

Monterosso

Monterosso is an Italian restaurant run by an Italian man, Roberto, and his Bolivian wife. While not strictly a vegetarian restaurant, it is worth mentioning for its delicious vegetarian pizzas and pasta dishes, as well as meat-free side dishes like salads and bruschetta. Monterosso is located in a residential building, so look out for a small sign on the door. The restaurant is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Salteñeria Flores

Salteñeria Flores is the place to go if you're looking for a vegetarian version of the classic Bolivian breakfast pastry, the salteña. While most places offer salteñas with chicken or beef, Salteñeria Flores has an awesome meat-free option stuffed with potato, veggies, and a delicious sauce.

Cafes

Sucre, Bolivia's constitutional capital, is a city steeped in history, with grand white buildings and unique colonial architecture. The city also boasts a vibrant food scene, with a plethora of cafes offering a range of local and international cuisine. Here are some of the best cafes to visit during your stay in Sucre:

Café Mirador

Perched on the edge of Plaza Recoleta, Café Mirador offers a superb panorama of the whitewashed buildings and terracotta roofs that characterise the city. Located a short walk uphill from the city centre, this cafe serves a variety of pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, and coffee. While the food may be hit or miss, the view from the indoor and outdoor seating areas is well worth the visit.

Metro Café

Metro Café is a stylish and relaxed cafe located on the corner of Calvo y España, overlooking Plaza 25 de Mayo, the city's main square. They offer a wide range of specialty coffees, salads, snacks, hot meals, and desserts. The friendly staff and reliable wifi make it an ideal spot to work or relax while enjoying the beautiful surroundings.

Condor Café

Condor Café is a legendary vegetarian cafe with an integrated tour company, Condor Trekkers. The menu features a mix of local favourites and international dishes, with options like tucumanas, papas rellenas, and falafel sandwiches. The cafe is open all day, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as snacks in between. The building has a relaxed atmosphere with comfortable window booths and an outdoor patio for warmer days.

Abis Café

Abis Café is a well-known spot in Sucre, located on the central plaza. It offers a scrumptious selection of coffees, cakes, and main meals at reasonable prices. The menu includes hearty dishes such as hamburgers, chicken wings, spareribs, and meatballs. With its high-quality food and friendly Belgian owner, Abis Café is a great place to chill out and socialise while enjoying the lively atmosphere.

Café Florin

Café Florin is a Dutch-owned cafe-restaurant modelled after a traditional European pub. With flickering candles and cosy dim lighting, it provides an intimate atmosphere for diners. The menu features a variety of international dishes, including local specialties like Ensalada Titicaca and Pad Thai, as well as craft ales and other beverages. The outdoor courtyard adds to the charm, making it one of Sucre's most popular nighttime hangouts.

Cosmo Café

Cosmo Café is a popular spot located right on the corner of the main plaza. It offers a great selection of international dishes, including some local Bolivian favourites. With large sunny windows, it provides a perfect view of the central plaza while you indulge in their full English breakfast or other delights. The cafe also boasts an excellent selection of wines, juices, cakes, coffee, and beer, along with stable WiFi, making it an ideal spot to spend an afternoon.

Traditional restaurants

Sucre, Bolivia's constitutional capital, is known for its well-preserved historical centre and its food scene. From simple snacks to exquisite gastronomic experiences, there is a lot to explore in the city's restaurants.

EI Huerto Restaurant is one of the most famous places in Sucre for traditional food. The restaurant has a lovely garden and chorizos are the speciality.

Salteñería El Patio is a colonial-style house located on San Alberto Street, close to the Central Market. It is famous for its salteñas – small turnovers stuffed with meat. The salteñas here are huge and a little more expensive than elsewhere, but they are definitely worth it. You can also try the salteñas Santa Clara, which are made with chicken and have a different shape.

Churrasqueria Cumana is a carnivore's delight in the Barrio Petrolero. The portions are large and the meat is exquisitely grilled.

Churrasquería El Bagual is another great steakhouse option, with an impressive wine selection.

Restaurant Alexander is a local discovery, serving traditional Bolivian and Chuquisaca cuisine. It has excellent prices, quantity and quality.

Pizzeria Napolitana is a warm and inviting pizzeria in Plaza 25 De Mayo. It has been serving authentic, traditional Italian food for the last 30 years.

Café Restaurant Florin is a Dutch-run resto-pub that serves a mixture of typical Bolivian food and international dishes, including a full English breakfast. It is a popular spot for coffee and drinks at night, and has good WiFi.

Condor Café is a vegetarian café run by Condor Trekkers, a non-profit tour company that organises hikes in the surrounding areas. The café is a lovely, relaxed place to mingle, share travel tips and find information about activities in the local area. The food is delicious and cheap, and the café is one of the best spots in the city for a healthy, tasty and filling lunch.

La Taverne is Sucre's best French restaurant, offering excellent French and European cuisine in an elegant yet unpretentious atmosphere. The steaks are the speciality, with creative garnishes and a delicious selection of accompanying sauces.

El Santo Cachorro serves authentic Mexican food, including homemade corn tacos with juicy, meaty fillings, sprinkled with onion and cilantro, and smothered in guacamole and chilli sauce.

Metro Café has a stylish, relaxed atmosphere with large windows overlooking Plaza 25 de Mayo (Sucre’s main square). It offers a large selection of speciality coffees, as well as a good choice of salads, snacks, hot meals and desserts. The staff are friendly and helpful, and the WiFi works well.

International cuisine

Sucre, Bolivia's constitutional capital, is a foodie's delight, with a variety of international cuisine options. Here are some of the best places to try:

Cafe Florin

A Dutch-owned restaurant, Florin offers a cosy and intimate atmosphere with flickering candles on the tables. They serve a wide range of international dishes, including local Bolivian food, curries, pasta, burgers, and Mexican fare. The Pad Thai and Ensalada Titicaca are highly recommended, and you can wash it down with a craft ale or two. Florin is also known for its excellent coffee and fast WiFi, making it a popular spot for digital nomads.

Cosmo Cafe

Cosmo Cafe, located on the main plaza, offers a variety of international dishes with some Bolivian favourites. It is a great place to indulge in a full English breakfast, a rare treat in South America. With excellent wines, juices, cakes, coffee, and beer, along with stable WiFi, Cosmo is perfect for a leisurely afternoon.

La Taverne

Undoubtedly one of the best French restaurants in Sucre, La Taverne offers exquisite French and European cuisine in an elegant and intimate atmosphere. Their specialty is steaks, which are succulent and tender, creatively garnished and served with a delicious selection of sauces. While it is pricier than other eateries, the food and ambiance make it worth the splurge.

Monterosso

Monterosso is a hidden gem, a private restaurant serving authentic Italian cuisine. The tiny sign and doorbell make it easy to miss, but once inside, you'll feel like you're dining in a friend's home. The pizza and pasta are cooked to perfection, and the tiramisu is a must-try for those with a sweet tooth. Reservations are essential on weekends.

Kaiseki Sushi

Kaiseki Sushi stands out as one of the few places in landlocked Bolivia to offer genuinely good sushi. The menu features a wide variety of sushi options and other Japanese dishes like tonkatsu, noodle soups, and gyoza. The wine list and colourful cocktails complement the classy atmosphere, making it ideal for a sophisticated Japanese dining experience.

Frequently asked questions