La Paz Journals

La Paz Bites

Best of IgoUgo

A November 2007 trip to La Paz by SeenThat

Quote: At the very heart of South America, La Paz offers to the visitor an exciting blend of indigenous food from the Andean Highlands - with more than 200 types of potatoes - and newcomers like rice, coffee and mango; here, there is something for everyone.

27 Photos

La Tranquera

Restaurant

Quote:

"It’s the best restaurant in the world," each one of the three Bolivias inviting me to a dinner at La Tranquera said. Later, while looking intently at the dishes, I discovered neither of them ever left La Paz and their initial statement got a better perspective.LocationLa Tranquera belongs to the Camino Real Apart Hotel and is located near downtown, a few blocks south of the UMSA University’s landmark building.The InteriorDecorated in a modern style, the restaurant provides a comfortable and attractive space; the soft light and unobtrusive furniture a...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 23, 2007

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Dumbo

Restaurant

Quote:

Open from the early morning, Dumbo is a good place for a nourishing breakfast in La Paz; judging by the servings’ sizes, Jumbo would be a better name. LocationReaching Dumbo at the 16 de Julio Avenue is easy. Despite officially changing names several times, El Prado is the common name for the wide avenue dividing La Paz; it can be reached just by walking from anywhere downward to the now covered Choqueyapu River. Dumbo is one block upwards the central "Plaza del Estudiante," and is part of a small chain of restaurants with branches in Bolivia’s main cities....Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on December 7, 2007

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Uma Restaurant

Restaurant

Quote:

At just above six dollars per person – not including drinks - The buffet lunch at the five stars Plaza Hotel is the most expensive set meal in La Paz.LocationThe Plaza Hotel is on the town’s main avenue – popularly known as El Prado. The Uma Restaurant is at the reception’s backside, offering just a street’s dull look through an opaque glass, instead of the gorgeous mountains’ views available from the hotel’s top floors.NameIn the Aymara language, Uma means "water."Setup...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on December 8, 2007

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Café Berlin and Al Manar Restaurant

Restaurant

Quote:

LocationCafé Berlin occupies a central location in downtown La Paz, near the San Francisco Plaza, the Murillo Plaza and other main attractions; it is thus the ideal place for a break while visiting downtown La Paz.Colonial InteriorThe café is located within a restored colonial building with beautiful high ceilings, which impart a sense of luxury. The effect is enhanced by the warm browns of the tastefully decorated interior. Around the walls are comfortable coaches, while the central area offers less comfortable chairs. The Al Manar...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on February 7, 2008

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Carolina

Restaurant

Quote:

The Andean Plateau Cuisine is exciting in an historical aspect; every dish contains layers spanning centuries. The original Aymara or Quechua dishes didn’t give up to the Spanish conquest and all the original ingredients are still there, but to them were added many ingredients brought from foreign lands – especially rice. CarolinaT’imp’u (the "t" and the "p" are strongly aspirated) is a popular dish on the Altiplano and is offered almo...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on February 16, 2008

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La Terraza

Restaurant

Quote:

La Terraza is a European café in an Asian-looking city oddly placed in South America. You can spend hours solving the world’s problems, writing your next book or just having a good cup of coffee there; in fact you can perform those three activities together for the same price while the crowds fight for a standing place on the nearby avenue. BranchesThe main branch of the classiest coffee-shop in ...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on February 16, 2008

La Terraza
Av. 16 de Julio
La Paz, Bolivia
2310701

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Bolivian Drinks: from Api to Sultana

Story/Tip

Quote:

Bolivians enjoy a wide variety of drinks, reflecting their rich diversity of cultures.Sultana and CoffeeSultana was among the first oddities I discovered in Bolivia. It is a drink served at the markets’ coffee stalls and regarded as coffee by the locals despite being brewed with coffee beans husks.Many years ago, Bolivian coffee producers began exporting and raised the coffee price for the local markets; shortly after the Sultana was born and it became an acceptable drink even at houses. The closest drink reminding its taste is a popular non-coffee pr...Read More