72 Best Restaurants in Bolivia

Hanging out in Condor Café is a little like getting a big hug from a stranger: the vibe is chilled and smiley, and the food is delicious and abundant. Order a tucumana, a hand-size meat-and-vegetable-filled pastry that comes with a fresh, crispy green salad and some punchy salsas. The breakfast options are healthful, fresh, and homemade, and the lunch menu is one of Sucre’s best bargains. If you're vegetarian, you'll find yourself returning again and again. The café is part of Condor Tours, a 100% nonprofit tour organization that is the best option for exploring the city’s surrounding areas—while helping to support the communities you pass through.

This is simply the best place to go for a taste of local Cruzeño cuisine. The cozy, traditional-feeling dining room is housed in a late-19th-century home with plenty of restored furniture, and the food is top notch—just like Grandma would have done it. The sopa de maní (peanut-and-potato soup) is rich and creamy, and the majadito con pato (a traditional dish of rice, duck, and fried plantain, topped with an egg) is a must. The menu changes daily and if you don't speak Spanish, it can be a little confusing, but soldier on through and eat whatever they bring you. You won't regret it.

This tiny, hole-in-the-wall spot with a few mismatched blue tables promises only one thing: salteñas (Bolivian empanadas). And it delivers! Few will disagree that these are the best in town, and plenty may agree that they are among Bolivia's best. They come out in massive batches between 9 and noon, piping hot, spicy, juicy, and tomato rich. If there aren't any in sight, wait for the next batch—it's worth it. These salteñas may be the best thing to eat in Potosí. There is no name outside, so just ask around, or keep an eye out for a small wooden sign hanging by the door that simply says, "Hay Salteñas."

Not just a restaurant but an entire cultural experience, this is the one restaurant in La Paz you can’t miss. Run as a nonprofit initiative (as part of a project by Danish restaurateur Claus Meyer), Gustu is a training ground for underprivileged youths who want to enter the world of gastronomy. At the same time it serves a refined, modern, and 100% local tasting menu that fuses modern Scandinavian style with top-quality, responsibly sourced Bolivian ingredients. Sip tasty and inventive cocktails as you sit at the bar working your way through the superb snack menu. Knowledgeable, talented staff are on hand to guide you through a bewildering array of ingredients you've probably never heard of. Don’t hesitate to go for the full tasting menu. It will be a unique Bolivian experience and among the cheapest top-class, modern tasting menus you’ll find anywhere in the world.

This is exactly the kind of bar any wine lover would hope to find during their travels—friendly, cool, and with knowledgeable staff to get you into the best of Bolivian wine and craft beers. With daily two-for-one specials on select wines by the glass (weekdays from 5:30 to 7), great locally produced French- and Swiss-style cheeses, occasional live jazz, and even the odd quiz night, there really is no excuse not to stop by. The expanded tapas menu features modern Spanish/Bolivian flavors carefully chosen to pair with the local wines, which, if you’ve never tried any, are guaranteed to surprise you with their quality.

This small, trendy café is at the forefront of a budding coffee revolution in Bolivia. Baristas trained to high international standards are roasting, grinding, and brewing some of the country’s best beans and serving up cuppa after cuppa that would please even the most serious of coffee lovers. Go for the perfect espresso—no easy matter at 10,000 feet—but don't be surprised to find yourself lingering over the carrot cake or one of the simple but spectacular sourdough sandwiches. The bread is baked at the little in-house bakery, and a few loaves are always for sale—you just have to get there early enough to grab one.

This nighttime spot is one of the most recommended in town, and for good reason—it's well located and popular, and the food is pretty good, though it consists mainly of burgers, pizzas, and vaguely Mexican food. Among the better options are trout and silpancho (a breaded beef cutlet served on a bed of fries, topped with tomato, onion, chili salsa, and a fried egg), a Cochabambino classic. The prices are a bit higher than they should be, considering the at-times sloppy service, but all in all, it's a solid dinner option.

A more relaxed version of Abis Café on the plaza, this is the city’s go-to gourmet burger spot, with some fine home-brewed beers to boot. The extremely social and omnipresent owner doesn’t stop there though. He blows the socks off guests with his barbecue ribs and chocolate milk shakes. There is happiness for the whole family to be had here, and the bill at the end will be a pleasant surprise, considering the high-quality ingredients used throughout. The patio out back is the best place to while away a couple of hours with high-speed Wi-Fi and one of those beers.

From its location on the penthouse floor of the Radisson Plaza Hotel, this upscale, formal restaurant gives diners spectacular views of the city, best appreciated at sunset. The Bolivian and international dishes on the menu are excellent, though the presentation may seem overly elaborate.

At this Brazilian-style eatery, all the meat you can eat is carved at your table by waiters dressed as gauchos. The traditional Feijoada (bean stew with beef and pork) is considered the house specialty. There's also an excellent salad bar and a variety of pasta dishes. Reserve a table on Sunday; they are usually packed with diners enjoying great views of the city.

Set in a beautiful building right on the main plaza, this is the perfect spot to warm up after a day of visiting churches. Stop in for a glass of wine and a snack, or coffee and cake. The service is not great, but the food and drinks are above the rather low standard set in the city. Prices are in line with the very tourist central location.

More pub than restaurant, Florin is a good choice for a night out if you're looking for a fun crowd and atmosphere. The food is not the main draw, but generally delivers as long as you’re not expecting the very best. The menu is all over the place, jumping from moussaka to pad thai; be sure to try the house craft beers from Ted’s brewery. The service is sluggish at best, and as the evening goes on, you’ll find the place gets very smoky.

The best views in the city belong to this little café just below the Recoleta mirador. Stop in for a cold beer or sandwich to help you while away an hour or so while taking it all in. Surprisingly, the prices aren’t much higher than any other place in the city, but the Mirador doesn’t quite escape the curse of unfulfilled potential. The tables outside and the garden could use a little more TLC, and the service is not stellar. The menu is average, but the pastas and sandwiches are decent. Inside, there is Wi-Fi and a little counter by the window with board games, perfect for a bottle of wine and a sunset (closes at 7:30 pm).

This is Italian food exactly how you hope to find it: the hard-to-find family-home-turned-restaurant, the charming, effervescent owner, and the mother as master chef working her magic in the kitchen. Every dish is comfort-food bliss; the fresh pasta is simply perfect.

Started as a coffee cooperative in 2006, Munaipata now offers some of the best food in the area, in a beautiful, isolated setting a few miles out of town. If you go, it's advisable to begin with their informative tour of the coffee production facilities and the grounds. Both the restaurant and the tours need to be confirmed in advance and are cheaper if combined. Be sure to try the llama filet or the quinoa tabbouleh, or come for breakfast, assured you're getting the best coffee in town. It's about a 30-minute walk from town, along the road to Carmen Pampa. Taxis charge (Bs)20 and minibuses (Bs)5. Sometimes there is accommodation available in a large, beautiful house on-site; call to inquire.

This German-inspired garden pub is Coroico's best, with great views, decent food, and most important, a comfortable, welcoming ambience, largely thanks to owner Carla. She is nearly always around, chatting with and charming guests, and is always willing to share her impressive knowledge of the area. Try the filet a la pimienta (steak filet in a pepper sauce), or go with any of the well-replicated German dishes; a particular favorite is the käsespätzle (a cheese noodle casserole topped with caramelized onions). Make sure you stay for sunset.

This informal and lively local favorite serves traditional Bolivian dishes—grilled meats and a fiery picante mixto (grilled chicken and beef tongue). Servings are large enough for two, so come with an appetite if you order local favorites like Pollo Borracho (chicken cooked in alcohol), pork in orange sauce, or grilled conejo (guinea pig). The pique lobo soup is extremely flavorful. Food is served outdoors on a shaded patio.

Decent Wi-Fi and breakfast are pretty much all this little coffee shop has going for it, as service has slowed to a painful crawl over the years and the decor is almost completely without personality. If you go for breakfast, order the pancake stack or a healthy bowl of muesli. Some of the sweet cakes and desserts are tasty, so you might also stop in for a mid-morning snack and a cup of refreshing mate de coca (herbal tea).

The rather dashing llama with his curled French moustache on the sign above the door tells you just about everything you need to know about this whimsical but high-quality French restaurant that has quickly cemented its position as one of La Paz’s favorites. Visitors of all ages are seduced by the service and comfortable pricing, and the traditional French dishes are flawless—try the steak tartare or the filet with Roquefort. The whole friendly, tasty package is complemented by a great wine menu and desserts that leave patrons swooning. Particuarly loved are the crème brûlée and the chocolate mousse.

Nothing says Cochabamba like a giant plate of fried chicharron (deep-fried chunks of pork), and nobody does it like Doña Pola. From the depths of her enormous copper pans, she has been serving up these super-crispy portions of pig on weekends for more than 50 years, and it's no secret that she is simply the best in town—come early. Athough it seems expensive (prices have risen with fame), it's still not bad, considering that each portion will easily feed two or three people. Open only for lunch on weekends.

This chifa, or Chinese restaurant, has the kind of service usually found only in more expensive places. The food is tasty and the wines are reasonably priced. Start with the crispy spring rolls followed by one of their Ecuadoran shrimp dishes. Most selections, like sweet and sour chicken or pork, come with a side of rice or noodles.

Quiet and unassuming, this comfortable space is a very welcome addition to an otherwise uninspired coffee-shop scene in the city. Cowork cafe was created specifically with the out-of-office worker in mind, so it has nice areas to relax in and has great Wi-Fi. The coffee is delicious, and the "bagels" (perhaps not quite what you're used to) and quiches are decent.

Just a few minutes' stroll out of town (on the road to Carmen Pampa), El Cafetal is tacked onto the hillside and adds great views to arguably the best menu in town. Service is lackluster, and the rather worn-out French owner can be off-putting, but if you can take it in your stride, it's worth it. The food is a French/Bolivian mix; try the trout-and-Roquefort lasagna and the quinoa with curry, or the classic crepes.

If you're craving Argentina, this is the place to go. They serve all the traditional Argentine cuts, the preparation is spot-on, it's good value for the money for high-quality beef—and the salad bar is nothing to sniff at either. The service is efficient, and the wine list covers all the best local wines. Get a bife angosto (strip loin) and a bottle of Aranjuez Tannat, and you'll go home grinning. It's a little out of the way, so it's best to take a taxi.

At this restaurant near the municipal park, adventurous eaters should try some traditional Bolivian entrées such as picante de lengua (spicy tongue) or mondongo (pork ribs in a chili sauce). For something a bit more familiar, order filet mignon or one of the many pasta dishes like lasagna Bolognese. The chef's specialty is the Paella Andina prepared with quinoa and seafood. There's plenty on the menu for vegetarians, too. Prices are higher than average, but the outdoor patio has a beautiful garden, and is a pleasant place to linger over a long meal. Bring a sweater at night, as it gets a bit chilly.

Conveniently located on the plaza, El Marqués is the classiest spot a which to grab a bite in Tarija. The food, largely standard international fare but with the odd local flavor coming through, is well made and presented, but the real reason to eat here is the magnificent building that makes for a most impressive backdrop to your meal. Built in 1867 by a local marqués, the building and its interior are opulent and regal; after your meal, ask to have a look around, particularly at the second-floor rooms.

Offering reliably delicious and slightly refined Bolivian cuisine, El Vagon del Sur is worth the trip to Zona Sur if you’re tempted by local dishes but not quite ready to delve into the market or the little side-street restaurants. Excellent service in a beautiful old house makes the extra expense worthwhile. Frequented by wealthy locals and a growing number of tourists, it fills up at both lunch and dinner, and reservations are particularly recommended on weekends. The best-loved dishes are the pique mixto with stewed beef, chorizo, and tongue, or the picante mixto, a taste of four traditional dishes from around the country. It's best to come here after your appetite becomes used to the altitude.

The most popular of the restaurants on the main plaza, Gattopardo always has a lively buzz. If you can get a table on the sidewalk in between Tarija's trendy and well-to-do, it makes for a perfect place to people-watch, particularly in the evenings, with a glass of local wine. The food doesn't test the imagination much, with pretty standard international fare, but it's well done, and not overpriced for the location. Don't stray much beyond salads, pastas, or burgers.