
Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
1. Salteña
A traditional Bolivian pastry filled with meat, olives, and hard-boiled eggs. Try it at Mercado Campesino.
- Authentic Experience: Savor the original taste of Salteñas in a bustling local market.
- Affordable: Enjoy delicious street food without breaking your budget.
- Variety: Experience different flavors from various vendors at Mercado Campesino.
2. Chicharrón de Pollo
Crispy fried chicken skin served with a tangy salsa. Visit El Churrasco for the best chicharrón de pollo.
- Local Specialty: Taste a popular dish that is unique to Santa Cruz.
- Quick Bite: Ideal for a quick snack between activities.
- Finger Food: Easily enjoy this dish as an appetizer or on-the-go.
3. Masa de yuca con salmorejo
A mashed cassava dish served with a cold tomato soup. Visit Parque Simón Bolívar for this hearty meal.
- Traditional Ingredients: Savor the flavors of locally sourced cassava and fresh tomatoes.
- Relaxing Environment: Enjoy your meal in a peaceful park setting.
- Hearty Meal: Fulfill your hunger with this filling and delicious dish.
4. Tucumanas de maní
A traditional Bolivian pastry filled with peanut butter. Try them at Mercado Campesino.
- Unique Taste: Experience the sweet and nutty flavor of tucumanas de maní.
- Affordable: Enjoy delicious street food without breaking your budget.
- Variety: Experience different flavors from various vendors at Mercado Campesino.
5. Chuzos de harina tostada
Thick fried bread with a variety of fillings. Try it at El Churrasco.
- Local Specialty: Taste a popular dish that is unique to Santa Cruz.
- Flexible Fillings: Customize your chuzos with a variety of delicious fillings.
- Quick Bite: Ideal for a quick snack between activities.
6. Chancho en piedra
A dish where meat is cooked on hot stones. Visit Parrilla La Piedra to try this unique dish.
- Cultural Experience: Experience the traditional cooking method of chancho en piedra.
- Savor Flavors: Taste the well-seasoned and tender meat cooked on hot stones.
- Shared Experience: Enjoy this communal dish with family or friends.
7. Charque con papas
Dried and salted beef served with potatoes. Try it at Casa Real.
- Authentic Experience: Savor the original taste of charque con papas in a traditional setting.
- Hearty Meal: Fulfill your hunger with this filling and delicious dish.
- Cultural Significance: Understand the importance of charque as a traditional food source in Bolivia.
8. Bebida de maíz
A refreshing corn drink. Try it at the local markets or roadside stands.
- Unique Taste: Experience the sweet and earthy flavor of bebida de maíz.
- Refreshing: Cool off with this refreshing drink on a hot day.
- Local Specialty: Taste a popular drink that is unique to Santa Cruz.
9. Pique macho
A hearty plate of fried potatoes, sausages, steak, and eggs. Try it at El Refugio.
- Hearty Meal: Fulfill your hunger with this filling and delicious dish.
- Local Specialty: Taste a popular dish that is unique to Santa Cruz.
- Flexible Ingredients: Customize your pique macho with a variety of ingredients.
10. Mazamorra
A sweet corn porridge served with milk. Try it at Casa Real.
- Unique Taste: Experience the sweet and creamy flavor of mazamorra.
- Traditional Ingredients: Savor the flavors of locally sourced corn and milk.
- Hearty Meal: Fulfill your hunger with this filling and delicious dish.
11. Papas con queso frito
Boiled potatoes served with melted cheese. Try them at El Churrasco.
- Local Specialty: Taste a popular dish that is unique to Santa Cruz.
- Quick Bite: Ideal for a quick snack between activities.
- Finger Food: Easily enjoy this dish as an appetizer or on-the-go.
12. Tapado de carne
A stew made with meat, corn, and squash. Try it at Parrilla La Piedra.
- Cultural Experience: Experience the traditional cooking method of tapado de carne.
- Hearty Meal: Fulfill your hunger with this filling and delicious dish.
- Shared Experience: Enjoy this communal dish with family or friends.
13. Cocido de pollo
A chicken stew made with potatoes, corn, and vegetables. Try it at Casa Real.
- Hearty Meal: Fulfill your hunger with this filling and delicious dish.
- Traditional Ingredients: Savor the flavors of locally sourced chicken, potatoes, corn, and vegetables.
- Cultural Significance: Understand the importance of chicken stew as a traditional dish in Bolivia.
14. Manjar blanco con queso
A dessert made with sweet corn pudding and cheese. Try it at El Refugio.
- Unique Taste: Experience the sweet and creamy flavor of manjar blanco con queso.
- Dessert: Satisfy your sweet tooth with this delicious dessert.
- Local Specialty: Taste a popular dessert that is unique to Santa Cruz.
15. Licuado de frutas
A fruit smoothie made with milk. Try it at the local markets or roadside stands.
- Refreshing: Cool off with this refreshing drink on a hot day.
- Unique Taste: Experience the sweet and fruity flavor of licuado de frutas.
- Local Specialty: Taste a popular drink that is unique to Santa Cruz.