11 Best Restaurants in Central Bolivia, Bolivia

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.

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.

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 is a favorite local spot for a calm, candlelit evening of fresh Italian fare. The pastas are made daily—go for the spaghetti Cantonata or the lasagna. The atmosphere caters well to both couples on date night and special occasions.

Big and always busy, this restaurant is one of the best places to eat regional dishes. If variety is your spice, go straight for the buffet típico with a selection of 4 traditional dishes. Other popular selections include picante de gallina (spicy chicken) or chicharrón (boiled pork ribs seasoned with garlic, oregano, and lemon). Most plates are big enough for two. The kitchen and service are excellent. If you happen to stop by on a weekend, you'll be treated to live music. There are several branches, but the original is still the best.

Set in a centenarian, colonial-style building with a lovely interior patio, this German-style restaurant with local touches offers delicious food and a welcoming atmosphere. The menu is wide ranging, and besides the well-done German offerings, the fish is good (try the surubí) and the daily lunch specials are tasty, mostly international-style home cooking. For a treat, try the nudo de cerdo al horno (roasted pork knuckle, from the German dish Schweinshaxe).

This upmarket restaurant specializes in Bolivian fare, prepared and served with a little more finesse than you might find elsewhere. The steaks are excellent, a good example of Bolivian beef well prepared, and although they also offer Argentine meat, the price difference isn't really worth it. There's a good list of local wines, and the opportunity to sample them shouldn't be missed. If you're having steak, pair it with La Concepcion Cabernet Sauvignon or the Tannat from Anajuez.

Barbecue beef is the order of the day at Los Hierros, and it's all made of the finest cuts. Other mouthwatering options include pork loin, shrimp kebab, salmon with capers, or catfish filet. Add one of their delicious salads to your plate, and if you're brave, an antipasto first. The grilled provolone is a great way to start your meal, and the wine list is huge. Request a table on the second-floor terrace.

Thanks to its solid menu, excellent service, and fair prices, Paprika is vying fiercely for the top spot in the city offering a classy evening out. There is nothing revolutionary happening in the kitchen, but the trout in a creamy fennel sauce and surubí (similar to a catfish) in a spicy, nutty sauce are highly recommended. Their interpretation of the traditional pique macho (a monstrous plate dominated by chunks of beef and sausage, piled up with fries, boiled eggs, and a spicy chili sauce) is a treat. The service is excellent, and the prices are surprisingly fair. Reservations are recommended on the weekend.

Even though the decor is a little off the mark, and the furniture isn't as comfortable as it should be, Vinotek is a haven for wine lovers. The offerings include an excellent list of local wines and a fair number of imports from France and Argentina. The food menu—listed daily on a chalkboard—consists mostly of appetizers such as cheese platters (the tabla del campo is a winner), bruschetta, and pâté (try the titikaka trout pâté). They also stock one of Bolivia's best craft beers, Saya. Open Thursday through Saturday only.

A new face on the Cruzeño dining scene, Zanella is hitting all the right notes with refined Spanish/Italian cuisine by a talented young chef. From the highbrow slow-cooked egg and tagliatelle with black truffle pâté, all the way to the most traditional Spanish omelet, the kitchen gets it right. Don't miss the black rice and shrimp paella, served for two. The interior is simple, though a touch brightly lighted, but the atmosphere is still good.