Discover 5 gastronomic experiences: Bogotá

The destination that best embodies the charm of gastronomic experiences: Bogotá

Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, boasts a great culinary diversity due to its blend of many cultures from across the country. Here, you can find fascinating flavors from all over Colombia and enjoy most of the ingredients that enrich this gastronomy. For this reason, it is a charming destination that will amaze you and allow you to gain new experiences that both locals and visitors seek.

5 Gastronomic Experiences in Bogotá

1. Paloquemao: more than a market

In the Paloquemao market, the largest in the capital, you can take one of the most diverse culinary tours. Inside, it's possible to taste tropical fruits, drink homemade oatmeal, and savor all kinds of baked goods. Here, the arepas, pandebonos, and buñuelos are unmissable delights for travelers who come to explore a destination filled with the best gastronomic experiences.

The Paloquemao market is also ideal for a traditional Colombian breakfast, where you can enjoy everything from meat and fish broths to eggs cooked to your liking, stuffed arepas, tamales, lechona, and freshly cut fruit salads, with portions that will leave you more than delighted and enchanted.

It opens at three in the morning, and there you'll find all kinds of ingredients like fish, meats, dairy products, fresh fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs, and flowers, making it a memorable spot in the capital for its fascinating uniqueness.

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2. Open your senses and try the most awarded Colombian coffee

Colombia has positioned its coffee as one of the best in the world and is a reference of our country's culture. Café San Alberto, the most awarded in Colombia, with six recognitions granted by the International Institute of Quality and Taste of Brussels, has developed various experiences that teach participants to identify high-quality Colombian coffee through their olfactory and gustatory senses.

The tasting that takes place in the capital starts with a brief description of the coffee species cultivated on the San Alberto Quindio estate, from the selection and harvesting of the beans, to the roasting process. Then, it continues with identifying the flavors that should be found in good quality coffee, along with the aromas that identify it.

The experts at Café San Alberto emphasize the method of preparing coffee, as every detail can alter the flavor and highlight or mask different nuances of the same bean. An experience that also fascinates due to the molecular coffee tasting for enthusiasts who love to savor while receiving information about the drink. Without a doubt, an enjoyable experience for foodies around the world.

 

3. The Santaferian 'onces' are part of the gastronomic experiences: Bogotá

Half a block from Plaza de Bolívar, on 6th street with 11th, you will find La Puerta Falsa, the oldest restaurant in Bogotá. Founded in 1816, it has delighted for over 200 years with tamales, ajiacos, desserts, and of course, Santafereño hot chocolate. This chocolate, designed to accompany the cold capital afternoons, is served very hot so you can enjoy it right away. While you wait for it to cool a bit, feel free to try it as locals do, known as "rolos," who leave pieces of cream cheese at the bottom of the chocolate cup and dip buttered bread and almojábana into it.

Today, it is one of the most emblematic and traditional restaurants in La Candelaria, becoming a must-visit if you want to discover the charm of the gastronomy of the land of beauty.

 

4. Andrés Carne de Res, an experience you can't imagine

On the outskirts of the capital, you can find an iconic restaurant of Colombia and Latin America. This is Andrés Carne de Res, a place that has taken native food and traditional Colombian juices, to blend them with joyful decor and entertainers who bring smiles to all those who decide to enjoy a pleasant gourmet meal. The best Colombian and Latin American soundtrack comes together in this experience to create a festive atmosphere full of flavor.

At 11 PM, the restaurant turns into a big dance floor, where tropical fruits like mandarin and lulo are the base of the most popular cocktails of the place. The success of this spot has been such that they opened a location in the heart of the capital, as well as several plazas where they offer everything from their best shrimp ceviche and chócolo arepas, to their incredible beef loins. They say that if a foreigner travels to the capital and doesn't go to Andrés Carne de Res, they won't discover the charm of Colombian gastronomy.

5. Attend one of the restaurants that has been among the best in Latin America

The Colombian capital is home to some of the best restaurants in Latin America, such as Harry Sasson, Leo, and Villanos en Bermudas, which have been rated among the best in Latin America according to the 50 Best Latam 2017.

The restaurant Leo, by Colombian chef Leonor Espinosa, chosen as the best Latin American chef and the best in the world, and also awarded the Basque Culinary World Prize, created the restaurant Leo in the heart of Bogotá.

Located very close to La Macarena, this restaurant features a menu inspired by the biodiversity and thermal floors of Colombia. Similarly, the pairing done by her daughter Laura Hernández, sommelier and partner of Leo, is a tribute to the country's traditional beverages. Corozo ferment, Coca, Coffee, or Guava Wine are some of the drinks included in the pairing of one of the best restaurants in the country. An incredible showcase of the charm waiting to be discovered in Bogotá.

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On the other hand, Harry Sasson, whose restaurant ranked as the best in Colombia on the same list in 2017, offers a menu where the product is most important. Villanos en Bermudas, ranked number 40 on the list, offers a creative and different menu each day. Inspired by local ingredients, its two chef creators: Sergio Meza from Mexico and Nicolás López from Argentina, come together to offer unexpected combinations characterized by flavors that you won't find anywhere else in the world, like the langoustines, spicy plantain broth, and aged goat cheese.

Clandestine Dinners in Bogotá

As a bonus, closed-door or clandestine dinners have become one of the most sought-after gastronomic experiences by locals and tourists in Bogotá. From dinners in the iconic Chapinero neighborhood to itinerant dinners where you change locations each time.

Here you will feel like a local as you interact with strangers and get to know each other over a good meal. It’s an opportunity to interact with locals and be surprised by each chef's offerings.

Some of the most popular dinners are: Castro Cocina, by Colombian chef Jorge Iván Castro; Salón Oculto located in San Felipe neighborhood, the new arts district of Bogotá is another of the best-kept secrets of chef David Orozco, Casa de Extraños by chef Leon Galkiewicz, and La Joya Jardín Comedor, are some of the must-try clandestine experiences. It is important to reserve your spot in advance.

These are just a few of the many experiences you can enjoy if you dare to discover what lies behind the gastronomic charms of Colombia.

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