While the hamburger isn’t exactly a traditional part of Colombian gastronomic culture, the sandwiches have certainly managed to make quite a mark on the capital city, with burger joints on almost every block in some neighborhoods. But as beef and bun connoisseurs know all too well, not all burgers are created equal. So if you’re in the mood for a juicy patty of pure carne de res, step away from McDonald’s and give these Bogotá burger giants a try.
Burger Market
This venue in the Zona Rosa and Usaquén is the product of hard work, street smarts and the culinary surprises of chef and gastro guru Daniel Kaplan. Having run several successful restaurants, Kaplan turned his attention to market-fresh burgers made with 100% Angus beef. His sleek Burger Market is a contemporary take on a New York diner and having lived many years stateside, Kaplan knows that burgers should be everything but an expensive. A 120 gr. Angus burger combo comes served for around $20,000 pesos. Choose your bread, relishes and sauce. Welcome Danny to the delightful world of burgers.
Carrera 14 No. 83-53
Calle 120 A No. 6A-16
La Plaza de Andrés
Whether in the mood for a burger on the run or just strolling through the El Retiro mall, La Plaza de Andrés – the latest addition to the legendary Andrés D.C. and Andrés Carne de Res trademark – is a food court that serves not only a daunting selection of Colombian dishes but international staples, including a mean hamburger. Head for the grill next to the sandwich bar and the chicken roaster and you’ll soon be digging your teeth into a wholesome burger made with the flair of Andrés’ kitchen and with his international reputation for great meat.
Centro Comercial El Retiro
Calle 81 No. 11-94
Bogotá Beer Company
Whatever the Bogotá Beer Company does, it does right. This microbrewery stands alone in the city for its attention to customer satisfaction, good times and as a place to meet and make friends. The BBC’s lunch menu is also a great option when out of the office, and their burger platters are extremely generous. While the hamburgers may not be remarkable in and of themselves, no other restaurant on this list offers the chance to wash down a meal with such a tempting selection of artisan beers on tap. Accompanied by fries and extra perks such as a free soft drink of choice (if cerveza isn’t in the cards for the afternoon) the BBC keeps the insatiable demand for good burgers alive in this city.
Various locations
Sierra Nevada
Bogotá offers no shortage of good hamburgers, but over the last couple of years, the trend in burger prices has been similar to the city’s real estate. It always goes up! Sierra Nevada Shakes and Burgers bucks this trend and is definitely a “barrio burger master.” Try the traditional Sierra Nevada Burger, a no-frills but delicious option which comes accompanied with a can of Coke and a box of fries.
The 100% pure beef patty weighs in at 175 grs and is cooked just right. As the restaurant’s name suggests, meals are often best enjoyed with a shake. The burgers scores very high on the graph, and Sierra Nevada is great value, but the shakes need some help.
Read The City Paper’s full review here: The ‘Sierra’ burger
Carrera 14 No. 90-03
Carrera 5 No. 71-12
El Corral
Love them or hate them, the truth is that El Corral has a big fan base, especially with foreigners who flock to their many establishments to enjoy a fast burger. One of the first to mass market a “quarter pounder” in the city, El Corral has build its reputation for reliability and a place where you can satisfy your burger appetite, especially on late nights when you’ve just finished a bar crawl or returned home on an empty stomach from a fancy cocktail.
With a list of variations on the traditional burger that puts the competition to shame, there’s something for everyone on the menu. Although pricey for fast food, El Corral’s reputation remains strong, especially around midnight, and the taste is far better than other fast food chains.
Various locations
La Bonga del Sinú
This steakhouse, which specializes in regional dishes from Cordobá and the Sinú valley, an area home to some of the country’s most extensive cattle farms, serves a fine burger with prime Montería beef.
Although most who pass through La Bonga del Sinú near the Parque 93 opt for their Punta de Anca or Bife de Chorizo meat cuts, La Bonga’s open grill makes for a tasty hamburger. Mid-range prices combine with the added value of friendly ambience and good service.
Carrera 14 No. 93A-88
Calle 116 No. 16-89
