
La Puerta Falsa Restaurant
Bogotá's oldest restaurant since 1816, offering a taste of tradition with iconic dishes like tamales and ajiaco in a cozy, historic setting.

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La Puerta Falsa Restaurant

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Bogotá's oldest restaurant since 1816, offering a taste of tradition with iconic dishes like tamales and ajiaco in a cozy, historic setting.
Arrive Early or Off-Peak
Visit earlier in the day or during off-peak hours to avoid long waits and ensure your desired dishes are available.
Ask for Picante Sauce
Enhance your meal's flavors by requesting picante sauce to add an extra kick.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Colombian
Price
Budget/Mid-range
Phone
+57 12865091
Address
Cl. 11 #6-50, Bogotá, Colombia
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Bogotá's Oldest Culinary Gem
Experience centuries of Colombian tradition at La Puerta Falsa, a historic eatery serving iconic dishes.

Authentic Ajiaco Stew
Savor a rich and flavorful chicken soup with potatoes and corn, a true taste of Bogotano home cooking.

Iconic Tamales
Indulge in hearty tamales, filled with flavorful meat and vegetables, wrapped in a banana leaf.

Chocolate Santafereño
Enjoy a unique hot chocolate experience with cheese and bread for dipping.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Arrive Early or Off-Peak
Visit earlier in the day or during off-peak hours to avoid long waits and ensure your desired dishes are available.
Ask for Picante Sauce
Enhance your meal's flavors by requesting picante sauce to add an extra kick.
Consider Splitting Tables
For faster seating, groups can split into smaller parties to fit into available seats more quickly.
Embrace the Cozy Atmosphere
The restaurant is small; be prepared for close seating and a bustling environment, which is part of its charm.
Tips
from all over the internet
Arrive Early or Off-Peak
Visit earlier in the day or during off-peak hours to avoid long waits and ensure your desired dishes are available.
Ask for Picante Sauce
Enhance your meal's flavors by requesting picante sauce to add an extra kick.
Consider Splitting Tables
For faster seating, groups can split into smaller parties to fit into available seats more quickly.
Embrace the Cozy Atmosphere
The restaurant is small; be prepared for close seating and a bustling environment, which is part of its charm.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
La Puerta Falsa is celebrated for its authentic Colombian cuisine and rich history, with many praising the tamales and ajiaco as truly memorable. While the food is often described as delicious and reminiscent of home cooking, some visitors find it to be average and not quite living up to the hype, especially considering the wait times. The cozy, historic atmosphere is a definite draw, though the small space means seating can be a challenge.
"It is the most famous place to have Sancochos and Tomales for a reason. It is claimed to be the oldest restaurant in Bogota to serve these culturally iconic dishes and it does not betray the expectations. Worth the wait and you will probably have to wait up to 30 minutes before you get in but I still highly recommend it. The staff is friendly and the place is cosy."
Simo Calandra
"Had a lot of hopes on this one. The place is super small so waited in line for 45 mins and then was asked if we would like to share the table with a young and lovely couple waiting ahead of us, we agreed and that made our experience better. The food was average. Nothing worth the hype to wait more than an hour. The coffee was okay. Not the best i had, the best thing from this experience was sharing a coffee with the local couple with whom we had a wonderful conversation."
kavya reddy
"What can I say… it was worth the wait!
The food was delicious and the service was great, even though some people seemed to have their doubts :(
The place is small, so a little patience is needed — but totally worth it. Great flavor!!!
Highly recommended!"
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What People Like
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Frequently Asked Questions
La Puerta Falsa is renowned for its traditional Colombian dishes, particularly its tamales and ajiaco soup, and for being Bogotá's oldest restaurant.
Yes, due to its popularity and small size, there is often a significant wait. Arriving early or during off-peak hours is recommended.
Must-try dishes include the tamales, ajiaco soup, and the chocolate completo (hot chocolate with cheese).
It's a traditional hot chocolate made with water, often served with cheese and bread for dipping, a unique Bogotano treat.
Yes, it offers an authentic local experience that can be enjoyable for families looking to try traditional Colombian food.
The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch, and it's advisable to check their current hours as they can be busy.
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Celebrating its bicentennial in 2016, this traditional Bogotá restaurant in the heart of La Candelaria serves what locals would call "a taste of their grandmother’s kitchen." For breakfast, order the tamal (a classic jungle dish of spiced rice and chicken cooked in a banana leaf) or a hot chocolate Santafereño (chocolate from Santa Fe) with bread and cheese for dipping. At lunch, the traditional ajiaco stew is a sure bet. If you're dining in, grab a seat at the counter opposite the kitchen or head upstairs to one of the tiny wooden tables for a little more elbow room.
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—Most restaurants have it on their menus, but the best of the best is surely the oldest restaurant in the city: La Puerta Falsa in La Candelaria. Dating back to 1816, this tiny, narrow little restaurant can’t look much different to how it did back in the day, and itstill serves a menu made up of Bogotá classics including tamales, hot chocolate, and cheese. It has become something of a tourist tradition to eat an ajiaco at lunchtime here, and as La Puerta Falsa has so few seats, it can take while before you can be seated—it is 100% worth the wait, though.
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Up a side street, the 200-year-old cafe La Puerta Falsa merits a visit, if only to try their famous tamales (corn dough filled with meat, potatoes and vegetables all wrapped in a banana leaf).
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This 200 year-old institution, located just one block from the Plaza de Bolivar, keeps everything simple – but hungry visitors just can’t stay away. La Puerta Falsa (The False Door) offers humble Bogotano home-cooked meals in a cosy little café that’s been a reliable haunt for well-known writers, actors and ex-presidents during its tenure. On the small menu, you’ll find local classics like Ajiaco and Chocolate Completo (who knew chocolate and cheese went so well together?) but its biggest draw are the tamales, a doughy mix of chicken, pork belly, eggs and vegetables all wrapped in a plantain leaf and steamed for hours.
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Tucked into the historic La Candelaria neighborhood a block from the Plaza Bolívar, this tiny hole-in-the-wall is one of the city’s oldest restaurants, dating to 1816. Based in a colonial home across the street from a false door of the Cathedral (ergo its name), La Puerta Falsa hasn’t changed much over the years. It still serves Bogotá classics including coconut sweets, traditional Colombian hot chocolate with cheese and bread, and of course, steaming bowls of ajiaco.
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This iconic restaurant in the heart of the Candelaria district has been serving traditional Colombian fare since 1816, making it one of the city’s oldest establishments. It’s a must-visit to experience authentic local flavors. Known for its delicious ‘tamal’—a cornmeal dough filled with meat, vegetables, and spices— as well as the ajiaco soup –a chicken soup with a cobb of corn in it–La Puerta Falsa offers a warm, welcoming environment that’s great for families.
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The fake door, the wrong door, the inauspicious door, La Puerta Falsa has been here since 1816 - that's what the sign outside the restaurant says, and who are we to differ. For whatever amount of time that the restaurant has been here, la Puerta Falsa is still a pull for those visiting Bogotá for the first time. It helps enormously that the cafe is just a half block from the Plaza Simón Bolivar, the geographical center of the city.
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Try some classic local cuisine while you’re in Bogotá, starting with ajiaco – a chicken stew with potatoes and corn, accompanied by toppings of capers, avocado, and cream – at La Puerta Falsa. Established in 1816, La Puerta Falsa is a famous old restaurant near Plaza Bolívar that serves up traditional dishes. Also order the the chocolate completo – hot chocolate, cheese, and fresh bread – a typical mid-morning snack in Colombia.
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Located just a few doors down from El Mejor Ajiaco del Mundo, La Puerta Falsa may be the most famous restaurant on this list. This Bogota institution has been open for over 200 years and was featured on the Colombia episode of Parts Unknown with the late great Anthony Bourdain. La Puerta Falsa offers a few typical Colombian dishes on their menu but they’re best known for three things – ajiaco, tamales, and chocolate santafreño.
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Located just steps from Bogota’s Plaza de Bolívar, in the historic La Candelaria District is La Puerta Falsa, which translates to the False Door, is a small, no-frills restaurant that occupies an old colonial-era home. The restaurant has two levels of seating – the entirety of seating on the first floor consists of shared countertops while upstairs are a few small tables and some more shared dining space.
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La Puerta Falsa is an iconic restaurant in Bogotá, renowned for its long history and authentic Colombian cuisine. Since its opening in 1816, this establishment has been a must-visit for those who love traditional city gastronomy. Located in the historic center of Bogotá, at Calle 11 # 6-50, next to the Primatial Cathedral of Colombia, La Puerta Falsa has maintained its essence over the years.
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On Calle 11, just around the corner of the Cathedral, you will find a few traditional restaurants in a row. The oldest restaurant, dating back to 1816 is called La Puerta Falsa, known for its ajiaco soup, a hearty chicken and potato soup, tamales and their freshly made chocolate con queso. Yes, you are reading this correct, cheese and chocolate, a famous dish in Bogota Colombia.
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The “False Door”, as the name of this restaurant translates, is the oldest eating establishment in Bogotá, open for over 200 years. They serve traditional Colombian food from their 20-person restaurant, located in a colonial home off of the Plaza de Bolivar. Opened in 1816, some menu items have been served since before patrons were born, like the tamales and ajiaco soup.
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La Puerta Falsa may be small in size, but it is immense in reputation and history. This Bogota institution has been serving traditional Colombian snacks and sweets since 1816. Famous for its tamales, hot chocolate, and ajiaco (a hearty chicken and potato soup that’s a local staple), the eatery provides a taste of Bogota’s culinary heritage in every bite.
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**Opening in 1816, La Puerta Falsa is one of the oldest restaurants in Bogotá. Located in an old colonial home just a block away from Plaza de Bolivar, “The False Door” is one of the most popular restaurants in the La Candelaria area. When we arrived around lunch time on a Monday, there was a small line but it moves quickly as the service is very fast.
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La Puerta Falsa: esta cafetería tradicional colombiana, es famosa por su variedad en platillos típicos santafereños. Se dice que en este lugar se pueden encontrar varios típicos que son un verdadero placer para los amantes de los sabores auténticos. Además, cuenta con un ambiente acogedor y tradicional que lo transportará a la Bogotá histórica.
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There’s no better place to try signature Colombian dishes than La Puerta Falsa (The False Door). This historic, cubby-hole restaurant, just steps away from Plaza de Bolivár, is a favorite of locals. Have your kids try the ajiaco—a thick soup of chicken, potatoes, corn, and a side of avocado with white rice and a scrumptious Colombian tamale.
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La Puerta Falsa is one of Bogotá’s oldest restaurants, in business since 1816. Heroes of Colombian independence—won between 1810 and 1819—dined and gorged on the delicious sweets here. Owner Carlos Sabogal, who represents the seventh generation of his family to manage the restaurant, is more than willing to tell you about the history.
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La Puerta Falsa is Bogota’s oldest restaurant in the historical centre of the Candelaria, founded in 1816. It is also the perfect place to warm up with a hot chocolate and a chunk of cheese on a rainy day. Many people drop the cheese into a mug of steaming hot chocolate and then scoop out the melted cheese with a teaspoon.
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A Bogota institution, La Puerta Falsa has been dishing up hearty highland classics for decades. Locals flock here for good reason: their no-nonsense, filling Colombian food that guards against the cool climate and to which even Anthony Bourdain gave a nod of approval on his visit to Bogota. View this post on Instagram
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This little shop has been serving locals for over 200 years!. La Puerta Falsa (The False Door) is a small restaurant with room for fewer than 20 people, yet the tamales and ajiaco soup have been community staples for generations. If you’re looking to try traditional Colombian food, this is the place to go!
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One of the oldest known eateries in Bogota is La Puerta Falsa. Open for over 200 years, La Puerta Falsa takes pride in serving Colombian staples to both locals and tourists alike. This tiny hole in the wall resembles more of a pit stop than an actual restaurant; a place to refuel between lunch and dinner.
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La Puerta Falsa – (La Candelaria) La Puerta Falsa is a famous restaurant that has been serving food for 200 years. It is very inexpensive and offers authentic Colombian dishes. It is open from 7am to 10pm, but go at an off-peak time if possible to ensure you can get a table without waiting in a long line.
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La Puerta Falsa is an Anthony Bourdain approved traditional spot that has not changed in decades. The menu has also remained largely unchanged since the restaurant was founded in 1816. Try their amazingly authentic ajiaco chicken soup, the hearty Changua breakfast broth and excellent tamales.
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La Puerta Falsa holds court in its original building, a tight two-story space that barely seats twenty. The narrow entrance allows a single person at a time to squeeze between a small restroom on the right and work counter on the left. Inside, a bar-like table is set against a mirrored wall.
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Try the oldest restaurant in town (dating back to 1816): La Puerta Falsa. Get the hearty Ajiaco soup (chicken, cream, capers and 3 types of potatoes with rice and avocado on the side), a Tamal (some say they serve the best in Bogotá), and their breakfast dish of hot chocolate and queso.
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It may be unassuming, but La Puerta Falsa is as authentic as it gets in Bogotá. The quaint two-story eatery is housed in a 400-year-old building and is the best place to enjoy an old-fashioned Santa Fe tamale. Other popular choices are salchichas (sausages), eggs with bread, agua…
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Located just off Plaza Simon Bolivar, La Puerta Falsa has long been the breakfast spot for hungry bogotanos. The menu may be small, but all the dishes have been developed to perfection. This is undoubtedly the perfect place to bring your visitors for a truly Colombian experience.
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La Puerta Falsa is a culinary institution in Bogotá, famous for its authentic ajiaco. This comforting soup, made with chicken, potatoes, and corn, is a staple of Bogotá’s traditional cuisine. The eatery itself has a rustic charm, having been in the same family for generations.
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For breakfast, I visited a very popular café in La Candelaria called La Puerta Falsa, also on “Ajiaco Street”. I had the chocolate completo (hot chocolate, cheese, bread with butter) and arroz con leche (rice pudding with raisins and cinnamon). It was all excellent.
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La Puerta Falsa: Although primarily known for its famous Colombian snacks like empanadas, La Puerta Falsa also offers a variety of freshly baked bread and traditional pastries. Don't miss their Colombian hot chocolate and cheese-filled bread, known as "almojábana".
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La Puerta Falsa: Located in the heart of Candaleria, this is a bakery and restaurant that opened in 1816. It is a tiny, crowded restaurant with the best seating upstairs. Make sure to order the traditional chicken and corn tamals cooked inside a banana leaf.
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Start your day with a traditional Colombian breakfast at the iconic La Puerta Falsa, the oldest restaurant in Bogotá. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll through the historic La Candelaria neighborhood, admiring the colonial architecture and street art.
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Known as one of the oldest and most iconic spots in Bogotá, La Puerta Falsa serves up classic Colombian breakfasts such as ajiaco (chicken and potato soup) and tamales. If you're in the mood for a cozy and authentic experience, this is the place to go.
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I have to admit I first heard of this place through Anthony Bourdain and to be fair it’s very touristy but also very good. You should try the tamals, the arepas, the ajiaco and a rich cup of hot chocolate served with a piece of cheese melted inside.
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La Puerta Falsa is a historic restaurant that has been making the best tamales in town since 1816. It’s a beloved Bogota institution and hasn’t changed all that much since then, which is precisely what makes it so great!
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La puerta falsa is the oldest restaurant in the Colombia, with over 200 years of history. They serve the most authentic and delicious traditional food in town. It is iconic for Bogotanos and sought-after by foreigners.
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In the center of Bogotá, near Plaza Bolívar, is Restaurant Puerta Falsa. It’s more than just a restaurant; it’s been a part of Bogotá’s food story for over 200 years. This place is famous for real Colombian food.
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La Puerta Falsa: known as the oldest restaurant in town, La Puerta Falsa is the best place to try Bogota’s classics such as coffee and cheese or tamal at a reasonable price. Be sure to be early to catch a seat!
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Colombian’s are super excited about their potato soup called Ajiaco and La Puerto Falsa is a great place to try it. Ajiaco is made with a bunch of different types of potatoes, chicken and corn.
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Of course, I grabbed some traditional Colombian fare at La Puerta Falsa. I definitely recommend ajiaco— a savory and creamy soup with potato, avocado, capers, cream and corn on the cob!
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit