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El Chato

Bogotá

• The Best Restaurant in Colombia 2024

Colombian fare highlighting the rhythms of the land

On the Pass

Álvaro Clavijo

Pastry Chef

Mayra Acosta

About the restaurant: The contemporary Colombian bistro, led by chef Álvaro Clavijo, pays homage to the producers it works with and applies global techniques to highlight local ingredients. Expect a friendly and welcoming atmosphere in line with Cavijo’s goal to offer diners a relaxed and approachable dining experience.  

Who’s in the kitchen?  Clavijo was born and raised in Colombia, but it was in Paris he discovered his passion for the kitchen, starting out as a dishwasher and working his way up to become the recognised chef he is today. During the time away, Clavijo explored Europe and the US, working at renowned restaurants such as Per Se, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon and Noma. He returned to Bogotá and used his savings to open El Chato in 2017.

What’s on the menu? Committed to redefining local flavours, Clavijo routinely explores his country looking for new produce to include on El Chato’s a la carte and tasting menus. Keeping seasonality front of mind, he creates delightful courses that enhance Colombian ingredients, such as chicken hearts with candied native potato and suero costeño, a fermented-milk-based condiment; mussels with coconut rice and arracacha, a root vegetable; or lobster with tamarind and ants. Native products are also prominent in the varied cocktail menu, with sweet and sour options like the Sour Uchuvas, made with gin, egg white, orange peel and physalis. 

Magic in the ingredients: Inspired by the flavours of his country, Clavijo has been working with small producers since the outset. The relationships he has built are so strong that he not only adapts the menu according to what they harvest, but he has also introduced them to new ingredients they now grow.

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