Vegan eating in Bolivia

I updated this post in Feb 2025 since so many still read it. Some restaurants no longer exist, so I’ve noted that in the paragraph.

You may be in for a treat! Over the years, I’ve followed some of the restaurant owners, and it’s been a delight to see how they’ve developed their businesses and continuously improved.

During my two years in Latin America, I discovered my deep passion for food and cooking. The exchange with people who took the leap to start their own food businesses inspired me and gave me the courage to launch my own business Food by Debora in 2020. I am endlessly grateful for this journey!

For a more up-to-date vegan dining experience, join me on Instagram!

This post chronicles my culinary journey in Bolivia, exploring vegetarian and vegan options at various restaurants. It highlights specific dishes, prices, and recommendations from different cities, showing the rich diversity of Bolivian cuisine.

Bolivian cuisine is heavily based on meat and potatoes, and I was told that eating vegetarian would be difficult — especially with the lack of hostel kitchens in places like Copacabana and La Paz. But I was very happy and pleasantly surprised to find delicious restaurants with vegan options, some of which had only recently opened.

In Copacabana, I stayed at Hostal Joshua, a vegetarian/vegan hostel (permanently closed). In La Paz, I was lucky to have a Couchsurfing host passionate about a whole-food, plant-based diet — I even taught him how to make peanut butter and hummus!

In Cochabamba, I stayed with a wonderful family, where Aida, the mother, cooked delicious meals and always made a vegan option for me. My host in Sucre made me Papás a la Huancaína — a traditional Bolivian dish —and even adapted it for me to an almost vegan version (contained eggs). These small gestures made my experience even more special.

Meals at vegetarian/vegan restaurants in Bolivia range from 20 to 45 Bs, with Sucre being the most expensive and La Paz offering the cheapest options. A must-try is the famous peanut soup (sopa de maní) — just ask for it without meat if you want. It’s typically served with pasta and french fries.

I mostly bought food from small roadside shops and at big vegetable and fruit markets. Some prices to have an idea: 1 avocado (2-8 Bs.), 1 lb tomatoes (5 Bs.), 25 bananas (8 Bs.), 1 lb peanuts (10-40 Bs.), 1 lb quinoa (8-20 Bs.), 1 lb chia seeds (10 Bs.), 1 lb peanut butter (12 Bs. at Mercado Rodriguez in La Paz).

In street corners of big markets are often women with massive pots of cooked beans, vegetables, and rice, selling plates for just 5–10 Bs.

Bolivia’s most famous street food is Salteñas — baked empanadas, usually filled with meat, though some vegetarian options exist.

For specialty items, supermarkets like Hipermaxi offer Tahini (Pasta de Sésamo, 200 g, 25 Bs.) and coconut milk (15 Bs.).

La Paz

Namas Té (vegetarian with many vegan options)

Paul, the owner, let me help out in his restaurant in exchange for the menu del día — always vegan (29 Bs.). Each meal began with bread and a sauce. I had a lentil salad, vegetable fidelo soup, Sajta (a traditional Bolivian dish), and juice. Everything was absolutely delicious!

Dishes from the menu range from 29 and 35 Bs. I tried the Peanut-Thai (rice noodles, tofu, peanut sauce, veggies) and Barbara (boiled habas, carrot, soy meat, onion, potato). The Choco Loco smoothie with cacao, banana, coffee, and peanut butter was so delicious (21 Bs.), and the oat cookie was a dream!

Café Vida La Paz (100 % vegan)

The restaurant is run by the inspiring 22-year-old Ninneth, whose passion and dedication truly stand out. She warmly showed me the kitchen and took the time to explain everything. The cozy chill area, great music, and her sweet smile made the whole dining experience unforgettable.

Most of the vegetables come from a women-run organic farming organisation. The lunch offer (veggie bowl + soup of the day) is a great deal at 35 Bs., including unlimited cold tea. I enjoyed a beetroot soup with optional toppings like hummus, seeds, and bread. For mains, I had the Hippie Bowl (quinoa, hummus, tomato, sweet potato, avocado) and the Quinoa Burger (rye bread, avocado, hummus, salad, baked veggies). Dessert was a dreamy chai coconut ice cream. They also sell menstrual cups, nutritional yeast, and other unique products.

Lupito Cocina Vegana (100 % vegan)

On my first visit, I had an incredible Calzone with veggies and melted vegan cheese (20 Bs.) — I still remember the taste! The second time, I enjoyed a thick vegetable soup, bread with a spicy tomato sauce, and a main course of soy-based chicharrón with mote and Chuño (small dried potatoes). Dessert was a coconut flan with hibiscus caramel. The daily changing menu del día costs 23 Bs. Owners Paola and Lupita focus on reducing animal suffering and encourage bringing a reusable container for leftovers — wonderful people with a great mission!

MagicK (vegan options)

Permanently closed. The restaurant is a great place for a romantic date or another rendezvous. On some evenings they have stand-up comedy shows or concerts. We had a chickpea and aubergine curry with rice, fruit chutney, and chapatti (flatbread) (45 Bs.). And a traditional Bolivian dish with tunta (dried white potato), beans, and salad (42 Bs.). As desert we had a mousse au chocolate with seasonal fruits (26 Bs.). Everything was very delicious and the presentation beautiful. They do catering as well.

Go Green comida rápida (vegetarian with vegan options)

Gabriel, the owner, also runs an architecture office focused on environmental harmony. I enjoyed a delicious fruity Terranova salad with lettuce, quinoa, seasonal fruit, beans, morrón, cilantro sauce, and sesame (25 Bs.), as well as a Mexican Panini with beans, pico de gallo, and cilantro sauce (23 Bs.). All dishes can be made vegan.

Vinapho

A Vietnamese restaurant with tofu as vegan option. One of the only options without sugar is Kung Pao with roasted peanuts, lemon grass, garlic, chilies, and tofu. It comes together with white rice (58 Bs.). Unfortunately the tofu was very stale. But the sauce was nice.

Cochabamba

Karot (100 % vegan)

A new opened restaurant by such a sweet couple. All meals start with whole wheat bread and two delicious sauces. One spicy and the other with zucchini, cilantro, lime, and salt. The menu del dia changes daily (20 Bs.). I was lucky to be there when they served a typical Bolivian dish named Saice – rice with vegan meat, peas, vegetables and tomatoes with onions that are sprinkled with vegan cheese. The delicious soup consisted of potatoes, green leaves, and nutsl. The owner, Rodrigo, is very attentive and open-minded. His wife is behind the tasty dishes. Since the number of tables are limited and the restaurant is well-attended you share a table with somebody. I love that :) It is possible to buy homemade peanut butter, tahini, and other delicacies.

Menta Restobar (vegetarian with vegan options)

Famous for their huge variety of burgers (29 Bs.). All available as a vegan option. So fresh, filling, and delicious! The falafels are crispy outside and warm, soft, and creamy inside. My Couchsurfing host, an enthusiast meat eater, fell in love with the falafels. So did I.

Drinks include healthy juices (10 Bs.). I loved the one called Remo: beet, apple, celery, and ginger. The restaurant has tasteful decoration and wifi. Check out their Facebook page for the menu del dia which comes with a salad, soup, and main course (21 Bs.). It is not always vegan.

Paprika Restaurant

Leo, the supervisor of Paprika, welcomed me very warm, advised me well, and we shared lunch together. They do not have a vegan meal per se but it is possible to leave out the cheese in some dishes. We had the Mediterranean quinoa that comes together with olives and dried tomatoes (43 Bs.). And we tried the Spring fetuccine that comes with lots of vegetables and mushrooms (56 Bs.). I could even visit the kitchen and see how they prepare the food. It was such an interesting and delicious afternoon.

Sucre

El Germen (vegetarian with vegan options)

Dishes are big and delicious. The staff is lovely. All meals start with bread accompanied by a spicy ají sauce. The menu del dia which changes daily consists of a vegetable soup, two main dishes to choose from (one vegan), juice, and a desert (24 Bs.). One of my juices was with sesame seeds. Que rico :) From the menu I tried Falafel with rice, peanut sauce, and cooked vegetables (40 Bs.). Such crispy falafels and tasty peanut sauce. The curry with vegetables is another vegan option from the menu. I ate there three times during my stay in Sucre and hope to go back one day.

Koi Sushi Bar Sucre

Permanently closed. A new opened sushi place by such a warm hearted couple. I could feel that they devote all their love and time in their restaurant. The restaurant is not vegan per se but they do have a few vegan options and are very flexible. As an appetiser they made me crunchy vegetables tempura. The vegetarian spring rolls are vegan as well (4 pieces for 20 Bs.). I had Uramaki with avocado, sweet potatoes, and champignons (8 pieces for 45 Bs.) and Hotmaki especial con crema de palta. Such a delight!

Bienmesabe

An Arepas place. Not vegan but you can mix as you want. I had an arepa with avocado, beans, tomatoes, and fried plaintain (18 Bs.). Super delicious!

Prem Sucre (100 % vegan)

Prem Sucre at San Alberto 54 is a small, well-attended restaurant. I had the menu del dia (22 Bs.) which started with a salad, cornbread, a carrot soup, and a Melissa mate sweetened with stevia. Main course was rice and potatoes with fried, breaded eggplant. Desert was rice with soy milk and stevia.

Condor Café (vegetarian)

I went there a few times for their delicious Cappuccino with soy milk. The menu del dia is vegetarian (25 Bs.). The only vegan option is a salad. But it is possible to get their Falafel sandwich which is served with salad, hummus and tabouli without the bread (contains eggs) and the yoghurt sauce (25 Bs.). They have avocado to replace any dairy products. The beautiful ambiente and board games invite to stay for a few hours. All profit goes toward community projects around Sucre.