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April 28, 2024
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Are you traveling to Colombia soon as a vegan traveler or moving there as an expat? Then you are probably wondering about the vegan food options that are available in the city. Bogota is the capital of Colombia and is one of the most vegan-friendly destinations in the country. You can find anything here, from vegan burgers and pizzas to traditional vegan Colombian food. In this post, I’ll mainly focus on vegan restaurants in Bogota that serve traditional Colombian fare. I love to immerse myself in the local culture when I’m traveling and one of the best ways to do this is through food. Here we go!
Bogota, Colombia
Bogota is the lovely high-altitude capital of Colombia and a fantastic place to start your journey through this diverse and culturally rich country. At an elevation of about 2640 meters (8660) feet, it sits high in the Andean mountains. It has a cool mountain climate and this influences everything, from fashion to food!
Typical traditional Colombian dishes that originate from Bogota are Changua, a Colombian egg and milk soup that is eaten for breakfast, and Ajiaco, a hearty chicken and potato soup.
These are not vegan at all of course, but luckily, there are plenty of restaurants in Bogota where you can try vegan versions of these traditional dishes.
Furthermore, these restaurants also serve cheap menu del dias for lunch (almuerzo in Spanish) that consists of soup, a main plate, a drink, and dessert.
A place that you should absolutely visit in Colombia as a vegan is the Paloquemao Market. This huge market sells an abundance of Colombian fruit and vegetables and you can even find locally brewed rice milk there called “masato”!
Streets in La Candelaria, Bogota, Colombia
Traditional Colombian cuisine relies heavily on meat, dairy, and eggs but, in recent years, Colombia has become increasingly vegan-friendly following the global trend towards plant-based diets.
Vegan restaurants have been popping out of the ground in the bigger cities like Medellin and Cartagena and even in smaller towns and cities like Minca and San Agustin, veganism is clearly on the rise.
You can also find things like plant-based milk, oatmeal, and tofu easily in supermarkets and even in small tiendas in more off-the-beaten-track locations.
The huge abundance of fruits and vegetables and also beans and lentils make it very easy to cook a delicious meal yourself if you have access to a kitchen.
Paloquemao fruit market, Bogota, Colombia
Bogota is becoming increasingly vegan-friendly with Happycow listing 52 fully vegan restaurants in the city and 41 vegetarian restaurants with decent vegan options.
While this is nowhere near the numbers of top cities in the world for vegans like Berlin and London in Europe, this reflects a growing awareness of veganism in Bogota.
In Bogota, as a vegan, you can enjoy a variety of choices, from traditional Colombian dishes made vegan to international vegan cuisine. In this post, I’ll mainly focus on vegan restaurants offering traditional Colombian fare but, for a more thorough overview, I’ve included more vegan restaurants in Bogota in the end that offer more diversity in their menus!
Without further ado, here we go!
Having personally visited Bogota as a conscious traveler who likes to immerse herself in the local culture, I’ve specifically sought out plant-based restaurants in Bogota that focus on vegan versions of traditional Colombian cuisine.
These restaurants are located in the areas of Bogota that are mostly frequented by tourists, La Candelaria and Chaperino, but also the area that lies in between around the National Museum of Colombia.
It’s a bit hard to draw an exact line where one area stops and the next one starts but I’ve split them up in La Candelaria and Chaperino to make it easy for you, although some restaurants might be a little out of these areas.
Here are the best vegan restaurants in Bogota that are located in the area of La Candelaria.
While La Candelaria is the most popular area of Bogota where most of the big attractions are located, I wouldn’t opt to stay here as it is the heart of the touristy center of Bogota.
I personally found Chaperino to be a more authentic neighborhood to stay at or alternatively, go off the beaten path and stay at Casas Rojas, a homestay catering to vegan travelers in Santa Fé, one of the most dangerous areas in Bogota according to local taxi drivers (I have stayed there. It’s pretty safe.)!
Here are my favorite places to eat in Bogota in La Candelaria:
Arroz Attolado at Maria Candela vegan restaurant
My favorite restaurant in Bogota was Maria Candela, a petite restaurant in the heart of La Candelaria close to the Botero Museum. Maria Candela has a very alternative and distinct vibe and with this distinguishes itself from other vegan restaurants in Bogota.
I tried the empanada and the Arroz Ottolado, which were both delicious. There are more adaptations of local dishes on the menu like Frijolada and Ajiaco and fast food items like salchipapa, mazorcada, and arepas!
Website: Maria Candela
Where: Directions
Restaurante Naturalmente Vegano main plate with rice and vegetable stew
Naturalmente Vegano is not exactly located in La Candelaria but you can find it behind the National Museum of Colombia. The museum is not worth visiting, it’s very expensive for foreign tourists and explanations of the exhibitions are barely translated into English but this restaurant close to it truly is!
They offer a magnificent menu del dia for 18.000 COP that is a little more refined than what you find at most places in Bogota and the a la carte menu offers amazing vegan adaptations of local classics like arroz otollado and a stew of roasted peach palms.
Website: Naturalmente
Where: Directions
If you are in search of the cheapest vegan menu del dia in Bogota, look no further than Sin Fronteras Vegetariano Express. This little restaurant serves up an amazing soup and main dish for only 12.000 COP (drink also included) and I cannot believe that not many people know about this place.
It truly deserves more attention as the owners were lovely and the food was fabulous, hearty, and filling. It was also perfectly balanced out, with beans and a stew made with an enjoyable meat substitute for extra protein.
Where: Directions
Loto Azul Vegano is another vegan restaurant located in the heart of La Candelaria. It is a very popular spot with locals and tends to fill up fast for lunch so get there in time before they run out of seats!
At the time of my visit, there were two options to choose from, a regular menu del dia and a menu ejecutivo (the latter being a little more sophisticated).
I particularly loved the soup here, as it was a local Colombian soup but with added seaweed for extra protein. They also operate a small shop inside the restaurant where you can find whole wheat bread and other vegan products.
Website: Loto Azul
Where: Directions
Govindas is a vegan chain restaurant in Bogota with branches also operating in Medellin. I suggest you try the branch in Bogota as I found the food here much better than the menu I had in Medellin.
As you enter Govindas in Bogota, you will see a big buffet on your left full of deliciousness. You can have your pick between two soups and multiple vegetables and proteins for only 14.000 COP (drink and dessert also included).
Note that Govindas in a vegetarian restaurant but at the time of my visit, everything on the buffet seemed to be vegan.
I really wanted to visit Mercy Vegan Food but unfortunately, it was closed on the day I wanted to try it out (Sunday…). Note that a lot of restaurants in Bogota are closed on Sunday (and in the evenings!) so check the hours before you go.
However, I wanted to include Marcy Vegan Food because it is located on the way to the Monseratte cable car and is the perfect place to enjoy lunch after/before climbing the mountain.
Their menu del dia looks fabulous and if you are not up for Colombian food, they also serve non-Colombian a la carte dishes like burgers and lasagna.
Website: Merci Vegan Food
Where: Directions
Pino Negro is actually not in La Candelaria but it is about a 15-minute walk from the National Museum of Colombia. I wanted to include it here because you can get here in 5 minutes with a taxi from La Candelaria and it’s really worth coming here.
Pino Negro is a very authentic local vegetarian restaurant in Bogota where you won’t find any other tourists. They serve their food as a buffet and you can pick out the dishes you want yourself.
I forgot the name but you should try out the filled bun you see on the photo. It is their signature dish!
Website: Pino Negro
Where: Directions
Chaperino is more laid-back than La Candelaria and I loved the vibe here more. Are you still looking for a place to stay in Bogota? In that case, I can highly recommend Casa Coliv-Bri, a lovely hospedaje in a quiet neighborhood not far from the action of Chaperino and the restaurants below.
Vegan Oculto is a small but cute vegan cafe in Chaperino. It serves up an amazing menu del dia but do note that the meals can sometimes lack a bit of protein. The true stars here however are the a la carte dishes and you should definitely try the Churrasco de Seita.
The owner is a real charmer and he will go out of his way to make you feel comfortable. Vegan Oculto is mainly a good place to have lunch. Even though the hours on Google Maps say it’s open until 7 P.M., It tends to close earlier, so be sure not to stand in front of closed doors.
Website: Vegan Oculto
Where: Directions
De Nobles is a small vegan eatery that is located inside a shopping mall in Chaperino on the ground floor. Look out for Edificio Galeria Esteljo on the Calle 60 and just walk in the galley until the end where the restaurant is located.
De Nobles is a great place for dinner as it stays open until 8-9 P.M. The dishes on offer range from street food like vegan empanadas and patacones to local dishes like mazorcada and tamales. The feel of the place is a bit like a Colombian fast food joint. They also serve burgers and are a vegan panaderia!
Website: De Nobles
Where: Directions
Another great place for lunch in Chaperino is Vegano la Revolucion de la Cuchara. It’s a funny name (Vegan Spoon Revolution?) and that is what attracted me at first but I can assure you that the vibe here is fun too!
The menu del dia here is incredible but, if you want to try something really special, I can highly suggest trying their ceviche made of palm hearts served in a crunchy basket of platanos.
Website: Revolucion de la Cuchara
Where: Directions
Here are the websites I use when I travel to Colombia:
Booking.com: For the best guesthouses, homestays, or small hotels
Hostelworld: To find the best hostels located in the cities
Homestay: For a unique immersive homestay experience in the big cities or the countryside
Busbud and Redbus: The best transport websites for long-distance buses in Colombia. Note that 12Go also works in Colombia but the tickets they will buy for you are open-seat tickets and don’t guarantee a seat on the bus you book online.
Uber: Uber is a convenient and cheap ride-hailing app that can be used in the bigger cities of Colombia. Other apps are Cabify or Didi.
Skyscanner: For affordable flights to Bogota and intercity flights in the country.
Viator and Get Your Guide: book all kinds of activities from the Ciudad Perdida trek to a guided private tour of Comuna 13 in Medellin.
Citizens of many countries, including the United States, Canada, the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand, do not require a visa for short tourist stays (typically up to 90 days). However, this can vary, so it’s always best to check iVisa for the specific requirements for your nationality.
If you’re looking for travel insurance, the one with the best benefits online is undoubtedly Heymondo! It’s very easy to ask for a quote on the website and, if you book with this link you’ll get 5% off!
Access mobile data immediately when entering the country with a Colombian E-sim or a Latamlink E-sim when traveling through multiple countries. If you are already in Colombia, the best local prepaid sim card is Claro.
La Concordia, Bogota, Colombia
While I mainly aim to visit restaurants in the countries I visit that serve vegan versions of local food and tend to have an authentic vibe that embodies the spirit of the country, there are of course much more incredible vegan restaurants in Bogota.
Here is a quick rundown of a few places I came across that also look fabulous!
Mestizo Vegano is one of the most popular vegan restaurants in Bogota. It serves various types of dishes, from vegan Colombian cuisine to burgers and pasta.
Website: Mestizo Vegano
Where: Directions
A popular vegan restaurant in Bogota due to its creativity and aesthetically pleasing dishes. On the menu, you can find dishes like hummus, pizza, and ramen.
Website: Tribu de Fuego
Where: Directions
Looking for a vegan upscale dining experience? Check out Pianta, a vegan Italian restaurant in Chaperino that serves dishes like watermelon tartare and gnocchi in smoked cauliflower sauce.
Website: Pianta
Where: Directions
Located outside of the popular tourist areas of Bogota, this colorful restaurant serves up tasty dishes like lasagna, burgers, and empanadas.
Website: Madre Selva
Where: Directions
De/Raiz is a bright, cozy, and modern restaurant in Chaperino focused on health and vegan food. On the menu, you can find creative dishes like macadamia ravioli and pumpkin pizza.
Website: De/Raiz
Where: Directions
Looking for a funky place to have a vegan dinner in Bogota? Elektra Punk & Food serves dishes like zucchini noodles and Mexican quesadillas while you listen to David Bowie and the B52’s!
Website: Elektra Punk & Food
where: Directions
Vegan restaurants with excellent reviews near Chaperino. Portions are big and the menu is extensive with options like tacos, pizza, and hummus to choose from.
Website: IOM
Where: Directions
A quaint little place in the heart of La Candelaria with lovely homey vibes. Go here if you want to try vegan tamales in a cozy atmosphere.
Website: Nativa
Where: Directions
A tiny little place outside of the touristy areas of Bogota. They are open for breakfast and you can go here to get vegan arepa with cheese, a Colombian staple dish.
Website: La Madriguera
Where: Directions
Incredible vegan restaurant and small tienda in Chaperino with a lovely outdoor seating area. On the menu, you can find Mexican food, falafel, burgers and pasta.
Website: Maha
Where: Directions
Are you in search of vegan pizza? Look no further than Vegga Pizza for the best plant-based pizza, pasta and helado in the city!
Website: Vegga Pizza
where: Directions
If you are craving Mexican food then Dalia plant-powered Mex is your best bet in the city. Chili, nachos, tacos, or enchiladas, you can find it all at Dalia.
Website: Dalia
where: Directions
Plaza Bolivar, Bogota, Colombia
There you go! As you can see, there are plenty of vegan options to choose from in Bogota, whether you are looking for local vegan restaurants in Bogota or rather Western-style dining options.
Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or drop me a message through my contact page.
Also, don’t forget to check out my resources page with my favorite booking platforms and tips to start planning your trip. Additionally, have a look at my favorite travel gear if you want to pack more consciously!
ENJOY!
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links. If you click on them, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
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