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Restaurants in Bogotá

Bogotá’s food scene has recently garnered much-deserved column inches. Apart from novel takes on traditional Colombian cuisine (best eaten in the city’s cheap and cheerful ‘menu’ restaurants), there are now excellent Japanese, Italian and US-style options.

The Bogotá restaurants below have been hand-picked by our guide author and are grouped into three pricing categories:
Expensive (over COP50,000)
Moderate (COP20,000 to 50,000)
Cheap (up to 20,000)

These Bogotá restaurant prices are for a three-course meal for one, including half a bottle of house wine or equivalent, tax and service. Tipping is only expected in the more expensive restaurants, where it’s common to see a 10% service charge added to the bill.

Expensive

Casa Medina

Cuisine: French, international

This restaurant, in one Bogotá's most atmospheric hotels, offers excellent international, French-leaning cuisine in beautiful surroundings. Expect fine dining at its best, with an excellent range of wines and a perfect setting in the colonial glory of Hotel Casa Medina, with wood-carved furniture and walls, and timber-beam ceilings.

Address: , Carrera 7 No.69a-22, Bogotá,
Telephone: +571 325 7900.
Website: http://www.hotelcharlestoncasamedina.com

Harry Sasson

Cuisine: Asian, Colombian

One of the hottest nightspots in town is Harry Sasson's eponymous restaurant, where the chef has been wowing patrons since 2011. The spectacularly restored, 1930s mansion is only outdone by the food, which is a glorious mixture of the Asian dishes that typified Sasson's original restaurant, plus Colombian influences and ingredients. Reservations are essential.

Address: , Carrera 9 No. 75-70, Bogotá,
Telephone: +57 3477 155.
Website: http://www.harrysasson.com

Rafael

Cuisine: Peruvian

In recent years, Peruvian cuisine has spread across the globe to London, New York and beyond, but the wave has also reached places closer to the source, with Bogotá a case in point. Rafael Osterling is one of the leading lights of Peru's food scene and his stylish restaurant in the Colombian capital serves as exquisite meals as you'll find anywhere in South America. His innovative ceviche (raw fish dressed with citrus and chilli) is unforgettable, as is the grilled octopus.

Address: Los Rosales, Calle 70 No.4-63, Bogotá,
Telephone: +571 255 4138.
Website: http://www.rafaelosterling.pe

Moderate

Andrés Carnes de Res

Cuisine: Columbian

It's not exactly Bogotá (it's in Chia, situated north of the city, but is accessible by TransMilenio from Portal del Norte and continuing by bus to Chia, or in a cab), but this place is well worth the trip. With madcap décor cobbled together from recycled materials, huge meaty dishes and an unstoppable party atmosphere, it's a true Colombian institution. A smaller version of the mighty Bogotá establishment can now be found in the city centre, called Andrés DC.

Address: , Calle 3 No. 11a-56, Chia,
Telephone: +57 1 8637 880.
Website: http://www.andrescarnederes.com

El Patio

Cuisine: Italian

This trendy Italian restaurant, located in the bohemian, city centre neighbourhood of La Macarena, offers fantastic food and a lively atmosphere, and is frequented by Bogotá's elite. Despite having all the tumbledown tropes of a trattoria, including hundreds of framed pictures on the walls, cramped tables and mismatched cutlery, El Patio manages to conjure up a bit of class too. The terrific food is accompanied by wonderful and welcoming service.

Address: , Carrera 4a No 27-86, Bogotá,
Telephone: +571 2826 121.

Gordo

Cuisine: American

Currently one of the most fashionable eatery choices in Bogotá, Gordo is a Brooklyn-inspired bar and restaurant. Luckily, it's a far cry from the American-style diners proliferating in Zona T. A glance at the burgers, fried chicken and onion rings on the menu may make you wonder what all the fuss is about, but don't be fooled: this is cooking at its best.

Address: Los Rosales, Carrera 4a, No. 66-84, Bogotá,
Telephone: +571 345 5769.
Website: http://www.gordobar.com

Cheap

El Tambor

Cuisine: Colombian

If you have the means of driving out to La Calera for lunch, there are a number of restaurants on the country road offering beautiful views and classic Colombian cuisine. El Tambor is the best of the bunch, with fine grilled meats, traditional pastries and huge portions.

Address: La Calera, KM 12, Bogotá,
Telephone: +57 3187 072 054.
Website: http://www.eltambor.com

La Esquina

Cuisine: Colombian

For superb ceviche (raw fish dressed with citrus and chilli), as well as empanadas (savoury stuff pastry) and arepas (a classic Colombian flatbread), this small restaurant is worth a visit. With fast service and a friendly atmosphere, you'll feel at home while dining on local favourites.

Address: La Candelaria, Carrera 4 No.26a, Bogotá,
Telephone: +57 5612 726.

Restaurante Fulanitos

Cuisine: Colombian

This informal eatery is found in an ageing building in La Candelaria. It serves good but inexpensive dishes inspired by the cuisine of the Valle del Cauca in southern Colombia. The fantastic views from the terrace overlook the city's rooftops, but the opening hours can be a little erratic, so phone ahead.

Address: , Carrera 3 No. 8-61, Bogotá,
Telephone: +571 3520173.
A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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Casa Medina

Atmospheric and full of character, this Bogotá hotel offers modern facilities with an Old World atmosphere. Located in a restored historic building, it feels more like a home than a hotel with roaring fires, thick rugs, timber-framed ceilings and leather armchairs. The king-size beds are enough to lose a weekend in, while its La Casa Restaurant offers fine dining in a country cottage setting.

Hotel de la Opera

Situated in two buildings next the Teatro Colon, the Hotel de la Opera is probably the best accommodation in La Candelaria. Housed in a wonderfully restored historic building, it has class, charm and character, and its rooftop restaurant offers great views over the old part of town. The hotel has 42 rooms, each decorated with Italian furniture, but the best have views over Plaza de Bolivar. Booking ahead is essential.

Hotel Augusta

Don't be put off by the aquarium feel of the lobby; Hotel Augusta is a smart, cosy little hotel in the La Candelaria area of the city. The sleeping quarters are light and open, and lead onto a contained living room. Equipped with modern amenities like flatscreen TVs, Wi-Fi and desks, the hotel is ideal for tourists or business travellers as well as backpackers with a little more in their pocket.

Hotel Abitare 56

While bedrooms give off a student dormitory vibe, the sleeping quarters at this budget choice are spotless. Rooms are bright and each of the 28 on offer comes with Wi-Fi, satellite TV and a private bathroom. Tucked away from the nearby bars and restaurants, this hotel also offers a little sanctuary from the buzz of central Bogotá.

Celebrities Suites

With contemporary touches and a modern palate of creams, whites and flashes of red, the Celebrities Suites could be modelled on a famous personality's own pad – if it weren't for the huge murals of superstars sitting above each bed. Each individually designed apartment comes themed around a superstar (think Brad Pitt or Beyonce) and is fully equipped with a kitchen, generous lounge area and beautiful bedroom. A flatscreen TV and Wi-Fi come as standard, while breakfast in bed with Brad is available on request.

Wyndham Hotel Bogota

While it may not look like a work of genius from the outside, behind the doors Wyndham Hotel Bogota flexes its creative muscles. Its 261 rooms are well-appointed and spacious with huge windows letting in plenty of light, but it's the blossoming of primary colours, mesmerising carpets and patterned wallpaper that make it such a pleasure to stay in. The steaks from the restaurant are more hearty than arty.