Nicolas’s guidebook to Bogotá
My favorite restaurants
These are all within walking distance. For a general list, check out my other list as well as TripAdvisor or FourSquare. (Yelp doesn't work in Bogotá yet)
French Cuisine. Call for reservation for Fridays and weekends. Ask for seating in the garden ("Jardín"). Walking Distance.
35 locals recommend
La Brasserie
85-35 Cra. 13French Cuisine. Call for reservation for Fridays and weekends. Ask for seating in the garden ("Jardín"). Walking Distance.
Call days ahead for reservations or arrive early. Cool place with live music in the evenings.
65 locals recommend
El Bandido Bistro
7-12 Cl. 79bCall days ahead for reservations or arrive early. Cool place with live music in the evenings.
If you don't have time to go to the one in Chía (about an hour's drive but the place is worth it), check this one out. Great ambiance for dining and dancing in a fun setting. Walking Distance.
73 locals recommend
ANDRES DC
12 -21 Cl. 82If you don't have time to go to the one in Chía (about an hour's drive but the place is worth it), check this one out. Great ambiance for dining and dancing in a fun setting. Walking Distance.
This is a good nearby place for plant-based cuisine. Carrera 9 No 81-18. 10 minute walk - 750 meters.
Makeout Colombia
This is a good nearby place for plant-based cuisine. Carrera 9 No 81-18. 10 minute walk - 750 meters.
This place is almost at the corner, next to the Volvo car dealership. This one in particular is where this restaurant chain began decades ago, before expanding internationally. You'll find it in many places in Bogotá, including the "Zona T", "Parque 93" and the airport close to the gates for national flights, on the second floor.
42 locals recommend
Crepes & Waffles
39-21 Ak. 7This place is almost at the corner, next to the Volvo car dealership. This one in particular is where this restaurant chain began decades ago, before expanding internationally. You'll find it in many places in Bogotá, including the "Zona T", "Parque 93" and the airport close to the gates for national flights, on the second floor.
This place is on the Carrera 11 and 85th. That is, head to the corner of the car dealerships, cross the street and turn right.
They sirve pizza, pasta or salads, all with the toppings you select.
6 locals recommend
DAMICI
# 85 - 22 Cra. 11This place is on the Carrera 11 and 85th. That is, head to the corner of the car dealerships, cross the street and turn right.
They sirve pizza, pasta or salads, all with the toppings you select.
Recommended Museums
Gold Museum (Museo del Oro)
15-88 Cra. 6Museo Botero
4-41 Cl. 11Nearby supermarkets
These places are where you can buy groceries close-by.
This is the most convenient supermarket in terms of size and distance (5 minute walk - 350 meters away). The people that help bag your groceries will even accompany you with a cart to bring them to the apartment for a tip. You'll need the address for them to confirm it is close enough. Tips could be $5 thousand Colombian pesos. Address is Calle 85 No. 9 - 67. Phone is +57 (1) 7448998
17 locals recommend
Carulla El Retiro
9-67 Ac. 85This is the most convenient supermarket in terms of size and distance (5 minute walk - 350 meters away). The people that help bag your groceries will even accompany you with a cart to bring them to the apartment for a tip. You'll need the address for them to confirm it is close enough. Tips could be $5 thousand Colombian pesos. Address is Calle 85 No. 9 - 67. Phone is +57 (1) 7448998
This Supermarket of the "Carulla" chain is significantly larger and a bit farther away yet walking distance (8 minutes - 750 meters). Address is Calle 86 No 11-29. Phone +57(1)7481444
68 locals recommend
Carulla Country
15-23 Ac. 85This Supermarket of the "Carulla" chain is significantly larger and a bit farther away yet walking distance (8 minutes - 750 meters). Address is Calle 86 No 11-29. Phone +57(1)7481444
Food scene
These places are worth trip, although many are walking distance.
Restaurante Black Bear
11a10 Cl. 89Cool and trendy place
The original one is in Chia (about an hour's drive but the place is worth it!). Great ambiance for dining and partying/dancing in a fun setting. They have another place, Andrés DC, in walking distance yet it is not as good as the one in Chia. Ideally make reservations or arrive early. Plan to leave late! Or, should you be going with children, go at lunch time.
255 locals recommend
Andrés Carne de Res
N° 11A - 56 Calle 3The original one is in Chia (about an hour's drive but the place is worth it!). Great ambiance for dining and partying/dancing in a fun setting. They have another place, Andrés DC, in walking distance yet it is not as good as the one in Chia. Ideally make reservations or arrive early. Plan to leave late! Or, should you be going with children, go at lunch time.
Delicious, can be a bit loud for conversation. Call ahead for reservations. Walking distance. This is also one of my current favorite restaurants.
Cuarto Frio Gastrobar
##86a-12 Cra. 14Delicious, can be a bit loud for conversation. Call ahead for reservations. Walking distance. This is also one of my current favorite restaurants.
For locals it may seem a bit expensive given that it is "simple local cuisine" but you'll enjoy well-prepared Colombian food in a nice setting within walking distance.
73 locals recommend
RESTAURANTE DI LUCCA
# 85-32 Cra. 13For locals it may seem a bit expensive given that it is "simple local cuisine" but you'll enjoy well-prepared Colombian food in a nice setting within walking distance.
Sightseeing
From what I understand, this is the second of only two cathedrals built inside a salt mine (the other is in Poland). This one is in Zipaquira, north of Bogotá
307 locals recommend
Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral
Parque De La SalFrom what I understand, this is the second of only two cathedrals built inside a salt mine (the other is in Poland). This one is in Zipaquira, north of Bogotá
From here you get a lovely view of the city. I suggest taking the cablecar to reach the top.
1000 locals recommend
Monserrate
From here you get a lovely view of the city. I suggest taking the cablecar to reach the top.
La Candelaria is the original city center and is full of older buildings and close to the government's main buildings.
584 locals recommend
Greann Candelaria
6-58 Cl. 12bLa Candelaria is the original city center and is full of older buildings and close to the government's main buildings.
This is our main square, surrounded by our cathedral, the mayor's office, congress, and supreme court. The city's oldest restaurant "La puerta falsa" is adjacent to the Cathedral
363 locals recommend
Bolivar Square
11-10 Cra. 7This is our main square, surrounded by our cathedral, the mayor's office, congress, and supreme court. The city's oldest restaurant "La puerta falsa" is adjacent to the Cathedral
Zona T is walking distance and is a pediastrian area mainly with bars and restaurants. It is adjacent to the shoping center "Centro Comercial Andino" and close to other such centers ("El Retiro" and "Atlantis").
311 locals recommend
Zona T
Calle 83Zona T is walking distance and is a pediastrian area mainly with bars and restaurants. It is adjacent to the shoping center "Centro Comercial Andino" and close to other such centers ("El Retiro" and "Atlantis").