6 Best Restaurants in Southern Bolivia, Bolivia

Hanging out in Condor Café is a little like getting a big hug from a stranger: the vibe is chilled and smiley, and the food is delicious and abundant. Order a tucumana, a hand-size meat-and-vegetable-filled pastry that comes with a fresh, crispy green salad and some punchy salsas. The breakfast options are healthful, fresh, and homemade, and the lunch menu is one of Sucre’s best bargains. If you're vegetarian, you'll find yourself returning again and again. The café is part of Condor Tours, a 100% nonprofit tour organization that is the best option for exploring the city’s surrounding areas—while helping to support the communities you pass through.

Set in a beautiful building right on the main plaza, this is the perfect spot to warm up after a day of visiting churches. Stop in for a glass of wine and a snack, or coffee and cake. The service is not great, but the food and drinks are above the rather low standard set in the city. Prices are in line with the very tourist central location.

The best views in the city belong to this little café just below the Recoleta mirador. Stop in for a cold beer or sandwich to help you while away an hour or so while taking it all in. Surprisingly, the prices aren’t much higher than any other place in the city, but the Mirador doesn’t quite escape the curse of unfulfilled potential. The tables outside and the garden could use a little more TLC, and the service is not stellar. The menu is average, but the pastas and sandwiches are decent. Inside, there is Wi-Fi and a little counter by the window with board games, perfect for a bottle of wine and a sunset (closes at 7:30 pm).

Decent Wi-Fi and breakfast are pretty much all this little coffee shop has going for it, as service has slowed to a painful crawl over the years and the decor is almost completely without personality. If you go for breakfast, order the pancake stack or a healthy bowl of muesli. Some of the sweet cakes and desserts are tasty, so you might also stop in for a mid-morning snack and a cup of refreshing mate de coca (herbal tea).

As the name suggests, this is a young, lively bar catering mostly to a student and backpacker crowd, making it one of the best choices for a sociable night out—probably involving shots—near the plaza. They also run mountain biking and hiking trips, which can be organized in the office next door. The food won't change your life, and it is a bit pricey, but the tapas do the job and they offer a great range of beers. Grab a seat on the patio or in the upstairs lounge where films are shown every evening.

If you need a coffee break after a long day visiting museums, this is the perfect spot. Sweet crepes or cakes are finely done by the French owner, and the coffee is well made. Best of all, it's just half a block from the central plaza.