With a constant influx of international visitors, a relatively affluent local population, and a sophisticated cosmopolitan vibe, it’s no surprise that Sucre has many fine eateries to offer. There’s plenty of variety to choose from in the White City, whether it be simple but tasty Bolivian snacks or exquisite international gastronomic experiences. Read on to learn about the best places to satisfy your hunger in this enchanting colonial city.
Undoubtedly Sucre’s best French restaurant, if not the best of the lot. La Taverne offers excellent French and European cuisine in an elegant yet unpretentious atmosphere. The steaks are the specialty here, succulent and tender, with creative garnishing and a delicious selection of accompanying sauces. This intimate candlelit venue is pricier than other eateries in town, but it’s worth every Boliviano.
The culinary arm of a well-respected NGO, Condor Café offers delectable vegetarian fare right in the heart of the city. The menu has numerous inviting vegetarian options which are popular with travelers and locals alike. The friendly staff are always happy to chat about Condor Trekkers, a non-profit tourism enterprise that invest all their takings right back into the local community. Try their tucumanas which are served with a generous side portion of salad.
More popular for the view than for the food itself, Café Mirador offers a superb panorama of the white-washed buildings and terracotta roofs that are a hallmark of this marvelous city. Situated alongside Plaza Recoleta just a short walk uphill from the city center, Café Mirador serves up a decent selection of pizzas, pastas and sandwiches with some nice coffee to boot. More importantly, it’s the best place in town for a relaxing sunset drink.
It can be a little tough to find this place, as the only evidence of a restaurant is a tiny sign on the door of an otherwise nondescript residential home. But this hidden little corner of Italy is well worth the effort for its first-rate cuisine and genuine Italian hospitality. In fact, the cozy dining area is literally part of the proprietor’s home. The friendly Italian owner and chef whips up all the usual favorites which are as authentic as they come. Reservations are essential on weekends.
A Sucre institution, Abis Cafe is famous for its scrumptious selection of coffees, cakes and main meals. Right on the central plaza, it’s pretty hard to miss this place which always seems to be full of both tourists and locals, who come for the high quality food at reasonable prices. Most dishes are fairly hearty, with offerings such as hamburgers, chicken wings, spareribs and meatballs being particularly popular. Abis is also a great place to chill out for a few hours, as the WiFi actually works and there is a friendly Belgian owner to chat to.
This charming colonial patio is famous for serving the best Salteñas in Sucre, if not the country. It’s so popular that lines can start forming early in the morning and not begin to dissipate until it completely sells out after midday. Those with the patience to wait for this delightful morning treat will not be disappointed. With a bit of luck, there might even be a spare seat in the leafy central courtyard.
Joyride is really more of a tourist hangout and bar than a restaurant. However, get here early enough to discover an extensive menu of international favorites such as burgers, tacos, pastas and deserts. Not just for gringos, as the slogan says, a few classic Bolivian dishes are on offer too. Joyride tries to serve as somewhat of a cultural space by bringing locals and tourists together through movie nights and other activities.
The people of Sucre are proud of their chorizos (sausages), adamantly proclaiming them as the best in the country. This particular Choripan (sausage sandwich) eatery is renowned for dishing up the best in the city. At 27BOB (US$3.50) with accompanying salad, it might seem a bit pricey by local standards, but bear in mind these really are the best of the best.
This Dutch run resto-pub is a hit with Spanish students and backpackers alike. It cooks up a wide variety of international favorites such as curries, pasta, burgers and Mexican food alongside the usual Bolivian dishes. Plenty of people stick around for its fast WiFi and quality coffee, while in the evenings it turns into a lively bar. As an added bonus, the owner Ted sells his own craft beer on tap, which happens to be among the best in Bolivia.
A cozy little place right on the corner of the main plaza. Cosmo offers a great selection of international dishes with some local Bolivian favorites as well. Boasting great views over the central plaza through its large sunny windows, Cosmo is also the perfect place to indulge in a full English breakfast – a rare delicacy in South America. With an excellent selection of wines, juices, cakes, coffee and beer, accompanied by a stable WiFi connection, Cosmo has everything you need to while away the afternoon.