Chefs José Barbosa and Álvaro Clavijo are the driving forces behind one of Bogotá's standout restaurants that seamlessly blends Colombian products and creole flavors with avant-garde techniques. You may be welcomed with chicharron---the much-loved thick-cut fried bacon that's served with dehydrated cilantro, candied lime, and charcoaled chili---which sets the tone for a menu that features both meat-based and vegetarian dishes. Be sure to save space for the delicate and masterfully presented desserts.

A former sous chef at Bogotá’s feted contemporary bistro El Chato, Jaime’s first standalone venture is a Colombian take on an izakaya, an informal Japanese tavern serving drinks and snacks — although what I find seems to stretch that definition to its limits. Inside, it’s dark — death-metal dark at times. The walls, booths and waiters’ uniforms are all black, serving as a canvas for an occasional bold splash of colour — from graffiti and bathroom murals backlit by neon.

Alvaro Clavijo is part of the wave of talented young of chefs who have, after spending time working overseas (in his case, Le Bristol and L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Paris, Per Se and Atera in New York, and Noma in Copenhagen), come back to home to make magic. El Chato, which was the highest new entry at the 2018 Latin America’s Best Restaurants Awards at No. 21, features seasonal Colombian produce reincarnated into technique-driven plates like the delicate squid and mushroom tartare, the umami-laden crabmeat and squid ink rice chips, and the boundary-pushing Colombian pound cake made with the controversial coca flour, all served at a casual and relaxed space. Tatler tip: The upstairs is a bright and airy lounge peppered with greenery fronting the kitchen where Clavijo and his team are hard at work.

En la ceremonia de entrega de los “Worlds 50 Best Restaurants”, realizada ayer en la ciudad de Las Vegas, además de Don Julio hubo otros representantes de Latinoamérica alcanzando posiciones de privilegio: Maido, el restaurante limeño de Mitsuharu ‘Micha’ Tsumura (actual Nº 1 en los “50 Best Latam”), que ocupó el puesto 5; Kjolee, de la gran Pía León (ex jefa de cocina de Central), también en Lima (alcanzó el puesto 16); el bogotano El Chato (se ubicó en el puesto 25); A Casa do Porco, en San Pablo (se posicionó en el puesto 27); Boragó, en Santiago de Chile (ocupó el puesto 29); Oteque, el restaurante de Alberto Landgraf en Río de Janeiro, que regresó a la lista en el puesto 37); y Maita, también en Lima (se situó en el puesto 41).

If you’re going to eat at just one restaurant in Bogotá, make it this winner on Calle 65. Here, chef Alvaro Clavijo is creating dishes like sweet crab with squid ink crackers, tender and mild chicken hearts with grated egg yolk, sour cream, and thin sliced native potatoes, and a grilled hearts of palm salad that we could eat every single day made with tender celery leaves, avocado, and a zingy citrus dressing. The dining room is moody and comfortable, the sommelier is passionate, and plate presentation is gorgeous but never gimmicky.

El Chato: One of South America’s very best Another award winner, El Chato debuted amazingly high on the list of “Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants” by working local ingredients into an array of unique dishes. The menu is definitely local farm-to-table national dishes, but made with an international twist. These smoked, fermented, pickled, and dehydrated selections include everything from chicken hearts with sour cream t0 sweet crab with squid ink crackers; or what about a lulo dessert with powdered milk and guanábana?.

Throughout Bogota, tiny corner restaurants serve amazing Colombian food with every local frequenting their favorites. For newcomers to the city, I highly recommend checking out some of the best Colombian restaurants in Bogota, but if you want to dive a little deeper, visiting El Chato is an absolute must. On Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, El Chato climbed to its highest ranking at No. 5 and received the esteemed title of the best restaurant in Colombia in 2022.

Álvaro Clavijo had stints at Per Se and Noma before opening this progressive Colombian bistro in Chapinero Alto. The restaurant, the highest new entry in the 2018 edition of the Latin America’s 50 Best list, serves creative yet accessible fare inspired by local ingredients and works to minimize waste. Dishes are original and tasty, like grilled squid stuffed with mushroom tartar and thinly sliced beef tongue with a sauce made from hormigas culonas.

Other Bogota musts include hipster eatery and bar El Chato where chef Alvaro Clavijo deals in well-dressed Colombian comfort food such as lamb, quinoa and chickpeas, while Juan Manuel Barrientos’s sensorial experience at El Cielo awakens taste as well as touch and smell. What’s more, his foundation trains both former FARC guerrillas and demobilised army soldiers in the kitchen – then hires them to work together.

Una publicación compartida de Restaurante El Chato (@elchato_rest). Álvaro Clavijo no deja de sorprender a los comensales locales y extranjeros con su cocina fresca, novedosa y brillante. Su prolífica carrera lo ha llevado a ocupar el puesto 25 de la lista y ha enganchado a los comensales con su propuesta gastronómica basada en técnicas europeas con ingredientes producidos por campesinos de Cundinamarca.

El Chato, which was the highest new entry at the 2018 Latin America’s Best Restaurants Awards at No. 21, features seasonal Colombian produce reincarnated into technique-driven plates like the delicate squid and mushroom tartare, the umami-laden crabmeat and squid ink rice chips, and the boundary-pushing Colombian pound cake made with the controversial coca flour, all served at a casual and relaxed space.

El Chato is a restaurant that has quickly risen to fame in Bogota’s culinary scene. Chef Álvaro Clavijo has created a menu that revolves around Colombian ingredients prepared with contemporary techniques, resulting in dishes that are delectable and visually stunning. This establishment has made its way onto the list of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, a testament to its quality and innovation.

Muy lento el servicio, llevo una hora esperando un pollo, y cuando vengo a preguntar el pollo estaba drio ya en una caja y el encargado no se habia dado cuenta que habia escrito mal el pedido y me habia cobrado de mas, pedi un platano con el pollo, y no lo habian preparado. Compre medio pollo en otro lado y ya esta frio de lo que llevo esperando. La verdad no volvería

For an introduction to Colombia’s cuisine, I head to its capital, Bogotá. Situated some 2600 metres above sea level, it’s the nation’s political, economic, cultural and gastronomic heart with a thriving dining scene. I’ve barely checked into the plush Four Seasons Casa Medina when it’s time to head out for dinner at El Chato, less than 10 minutes’ walk from the hotel.

Another well-regarded upscale restaurant in Bogota, El Chato is a sociable choice for innovative, locally-sourced, traditional Colombian cuisine run by the renowned young chef, Alvaro Clavijo. It also offers cooking courses in its open kitchen area. Dishes are creatively presented; indeed, this is one of the most instagrammable restaurants you can hope to find.

Their menu is just a single page, but packed with local ingredients and techniques (think sweetbreads with coconut yogurt!) and delicious cocktails. The chef uses Colombian ingredients, but brings in exciting flavors from around the world, with dishes like oysters with tamarind broth. Great ambiance, and a foodie’s delight!

Discover culinary innovation at El Chato, a gem in Bogotá ranked 33rd in the World’s 50 Best. With a commitment to experimental cuisine, El Chato seamlessly blends traditional Colombian flavors with cutting-edge techniques. Their menu is a celebration of locally-sourced ingredients, showcasing the diversity of the region.

This modern bistro in Chapinero Alto, with Álvaro Clavijo at the helm, brings together international techniques and local ingredients. But those local ingredients are the ones that Colombia forgot about, the unusual products that some people gave up on. Now El Chato is helping bring those back to the dining scene.

The restaurant was sleek and chic, and our waiter was so lovely; he shared complimentary wine after wine after wine with us, well after our meal had ended. But, when I think about some of the 50-Best-List experiences I’ve had in Lima or Mexico City, the food fell short. Especially the vegetarian dishes.

This one is #7 of The 50 Best Restaurants in Latin America in 2019. I had the opportunity to go with my boyfriend’s family so we shared different appetizers; the octopus was fantastic and also the corn with butter and a little bit of chilli. I also had the crunchy pork and OMG that was exquisite.

Dinner is particularly great at his restaurant, El Chato, which relocated to a larger space in Chapinero Alto last year. It has a one-page menu full of local products and great technique. Everything from the sweetbreads with coconut yogurt to the lamb ribs with Feta cheese is thoughtfully plated.

This is swanky, with excellent service and BEAUTIFUL food, though the price tags are higher than the rest of the places to eat in Bogota that we’ve listed above. Its exclusive vibe makes it popular with VIPs in Bogotá. You may need to make a reservation to get a table during service times.

Gastronomic proposal located in zone G, is in the list of 50 best places in Latin America, with a collection of cymbals that are considered one of the best fusions, where Colombian knowledge and flavors merge. Direction:Street 65 #3b-76. Schedule: Monday – Saturday: 12:00pm – 11:00pm

Upstairs at El Chato, the walls hold the essence of the menu itself, lined with glowing jars of ferments, spices, and pickles — an edible library of Colombian biodiversity. These jars aren’t just decoration. They’re the flavor archive, the building blocks behind nearly every dish.

… por su sofisticado aire, por sus hermosos platos y por la enorme experiencia que allí viví!. He descubierto un restaurante por el que cruzaría el mundo entero ¿por qué?. , en sus mesas hallé mi perdición… y no está en Madrid, ni en New York, ni en París… está en Bogotá.

Book Now El Chato is a contemporary Colombian bistro that pays tribute to the producers. The kitchen, led by chef Álvaro Clavijo, applies global techniques to highlight local ingredients. What about the name?

Pork terrine with pickled eryngii mushrooms and grilled napa cabbage. The term ‘El Chato’ is one that elders in Bogota use to refer to their friends. It’s also the name of one of Colombia’s top restaurants.

Chapinero Alto is home to contemporary bistro El Chato, where chef Álvaro Clavijo uses techniques gleaned in Barcelona, Paris, New York and Copenhagen

El Chato: if you wish to play it fancier, head for El Chato, where you can experiment Colombian contemporary food in a unique way!