ECONOMICAL RESTAURANTS BUCARAMANGA
Santander, a mountainous department located in north-central Colombia, whose capital Bucaramanga is a great meeting place for travellers as it is roughly the mid-point between Bogotá and Cartagena.
Some say Bucaramanga offers Colombia’s best cuisine, featuring some of the country’s most extraordinary cuisine, hormigas culonas – large, roasted ants. A little less adventurous but also very typical is cabro, roasted or fried goat, marinated in garlic, cumin and other herbs and spices.
Other traditional dishes include mute santandereano, tamales santandereanos, carne oreada, pepitoria, chorizo del Valle de San José and arepas santandereanas. Must-try desserts include obleas de Floridablanca with arequipo and bocadillo Veleño.
The entire area is celebrated for its rich gastronomy, particularly around Barichara, a small adorable colonial pueblo of whitewashed houses, red roofs, pretty balconies and sun-drenched cobbled streets. It is so picturesque that it was declared a national monument in the 1973 by the Colombian government.
Also too, San Gil, southeast of Barichara, is a popular destination for those seeking adventurous outdoor activities.
Bucaramanga, a large, fast-growing city known for its prevalence of pretty parks.
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Some good value restaurants in Bucaramanga worth a try include these ones:
Mercagan
One of the better all-around steakhouses in Santander, Mercagan has few airs and graces, just good cuts of beef grilled to order.
Lomo fino is the prize cut, though there are also excellent regional options such as the sundried oreada and morilla from the Cebu cow. Goat, fish, and burgers are also recommended from the well balanced menu.
The first location opened in 1999, and there are several locations in Bucaramanga including most of the shopping centres in town.
https://restaurantemercagan.com/
Mia Nonna
Carrera 35 #52 – 97, Cabecera del llano, Bucaramanga
There are many Italian restaurants in Bucaramanga to choose from, but Mia Nonna stands head and shoulders above the rest. It is more chic and classy than your typical Bucaramanga restaurant, with exposed bricks, subway tiles and hanging Edison lightbulbs.
The menu goes well beyond the classic Italian dishes, with a tremendous variety of thin crust pizzas and house made pastas. Grilled octopus is especially touted.
The wine list is well above average for the city, with charming Italian whites and robust reds, while house curated cocktails are the real libation here.
Mosto Bistro Bucaramanga
Carrera 29 #41- 25, Sotomayor, Bucaramanga
This is an exceptional establishment with an elegant ambiance, attentive and well trained staff with delectable cuisine. Their pizzas are among the finest in Bucaramanga and their risotto and pasta dishes are both outstanding, served in generous portions.
This restaurant guarantees a remarkable experience. The food is well above average and extraordinary value for money. Mosto Bistro Bga is suitable for a variety of occasions and family friendly.
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Con ají
Calle 41 #34-36, Bucaramanga
A fabulous eatery in Bucaramanga, well known for its sensational Colombian empanadas and delicious burgers. The empanadas are always freshly made and served piping hot. A good variety of fillings are super tasty.
Con ají is highly recommended for both dine-in and take-out options, with very reasonable prices, neither too expensive nor too cheap. Con ají is a must-visit restaurant if you find yourself in the area and have the desire for some delectable traditional Colombian fare.
Restaurante El Viejo Chiflas
Carrera 33 #34-10, Mejoras Públicas, Bucaramanga
This is a culinary gem that has been delighting locals and visitors alike since 1957.
This iconic restaurant was born out of the necessity to provide meals to the hardworking individuals who were constructing the Bucaramanga – Bogotá highway.
Today, it stands as a testament to the rich culinary heritage of Santander and offers a truly authentic dining experience.
One of the highlights of El Viejo Chiflas is its extensive menu of traditional Santanderean dishes. From hearty soups like mute and pepitoria to tantalizing grilled meats and traditional breakfasts, this restaurant is a haven for food enthusiasts seeking to explore the flavours of the region.
The menu features a wide variety of options, including burgers and barbecue, as well as Spanish-inspired dishes with flavourful sauces and spices.
Beyond its culinary offerings, El Viejo Chiflas holds historical significance in Bucaramanga.
It stands as a testament to the city’s growth and development over the years. As you step into the restaurant, you cannot help but feel a sense of nostalgia for the days when it first opened its doors to the hungry workers paving the road.
Restaurante El Viejo Chiflas is more than just a place to enjoy a delicious meal. It is a culinary institution that showcases the rich flavours and history of Santander.
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Exhilarating Nightlife in Bucaramanga
For those who enjoy partying through the early hours, Bucaramanga has one of Colombia’s great nightlife scenes. Some of the establishments rival those of the larger cities, including Bogotá and Medellín.
For craft beer, there is the pub and sports bar La Birrería 1516, Carrera 36 # 43–42, which stays open until 3 am on the weekends. There are numerous different selections of beer, both draught and bottled available. Good bar food is also served to guests, all at competitive prices.
Other popular late night venues include Vintrash Bar, Municipal Club and Penelope Bar, which is renowned for its bar food and bread. These again are very reasonably priced.
Mercado Campesino is a traditional farmers market in the Provenza barrio of Bucaramanga. It is a fantastic place to try local street food and enjoy the amazing colours of the fresh vegetables and fruit.
Another food market worth visiting is the Mercado Central at Plaza Central in the centre of Bucaramanga. The market is amazingly clean and well organized. There are dozens of different varieties of native fruits on display, while up on the fourth floor is a food court with inexpensive menu del día and regional delicacies.
Here are a number of traditional foods that you should try while in Santander
Hormigas Culonas
Very different from anything else you may come across while in Colombia, a plate that you will find in Santander is hormigas culonas, literally salted and roasted big ants.
A type of leaf cutter ant, hormigas culonas have been cultivated and eaten since pre-Columbian times and continue to be a special, traditional treat in Santander.
Carne Oreada
This is a delicious meat dish from the region that consists of dry cured beef which is aged with lime, salt and beer. Once cured, the meat is then put out to dry under the hot Santander sun for as much as several days until it reaches perfection.
It is then served with traditional sides like arepas santandereanas, yucca and potatoes.
Cabra
Although not a dish in and of itself, cabra (goat) is very popular in Santander and is cooked in different ways and served with complimentary sides. One traditional dish that uses cabra is called pepitoria.
Here the goat meat is well-seasoned and cooked with egg, rice, cheese and breadcrumbs. Served with a good portion of yucca, potatoes and an arepa.
Mute
A tasty soup that is made from white corn, beef, pork, yucca, garbanzos (chickpeas) and tomato, along with a host of delicious herbs.
The most traditional version of this soup is brewed over a wood fire for many hours to give it a tremendous flavour. Mute is often served with a portion of white rice and arepa santandereana.
Arepa Santandereana
As like most regions of Colombia, Santander also has its own traditional arepa. The traditional arepas in Santander are made from yellow corn meal and have a secret touch of yucca and pork belly. These arepas are grilled and can be eaten as a snack or along with other traditional foods in the area such as mute and pepitoria.
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Tamal Santandereano
Santander also has its own version of tamal that is slightly different from the tamal boyacense or tolimense that are local to other parts of Colombia.
While conserving the traditional base of cornmeal, the tamales you will find in Santander are wrapped in a plantain leaf and cooked in a rectangular form and include such ingredients as garbanzos, onions, garlic, capers, chicken, pork, peppers, coriander and parsley.
Bocadillo Veleño
Bocadillo, a sweet paste made from guava, can be found all over Colombia. What makes the bocadillo veleño that is found in Santander different is that the guava paste has two parts.
One utilizes white guavas and the other red guavas. This unique combination of guava pastes is sandwiched between two unrefined cane sugar slices. Bocadillo veleño is a scrumptious sweet for any occasion.
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