4 Best Restaurants in Tarija, Southern Bolivia

If you're craving Argentina, this is the place to go. They serve all the traditional Argentine cuts, the preparation is spot-on, it's good value for the money for high-quality beef—and the salad bar is nothing to sniff at either. The service is efficient, and the wine list covers all the best local wines. Get a bife angosto (strip loin) and a bottle of Aranjuez Tannat, and you'll go home grinning. It's a little out of the way, so it's best to take a taxi.

Conveniently located on the plaza, El Marqués is the classiest spot a which to grab a bite in Tarija. The food, largely standard international fare but with the odd local flavor coming through, is well made and presented, but the real reason to eat here is the magnificent building that makes for a most impressive backdrop to your meal. Built in 1867 by a local marqués, the building and its interior are opulent and regal; after your meal, ask to have a look around, particularly at the second-floor rooms.

The most popular of the restaurants on the main plaza, Gattopardo always has a lively buzz. If you can get a table on the sidewalk in between Tarija's trendy and well-to-do, it makes for a perfect place to people-watch, particularly in the evenings, with a glass of local wine. The food doesn't test the imagination much, with pretty standard international fare, but it's well done, and not overpriced for the location. Don't stray much beyond salads, pastas, or burgers.

For those who are hesitant to eat at the market but want to try local food, Plaza Mayor offers a full range of traditional Tarijeño dishes in a cool and comfortable environment. Just a block from the main plaza, it is a pleasant, family-style restaurant with a few nice touches in the decor. The service, although not lightning fast, is friendly, and the food is delicious. There are enough interesting dishes to warrant more than one visit. There is also a good selection of local wines and cheeses.