Namaste, La Paz, Bolivia
We found Namás Té (aka Namaste) on our second last day in La Paz, Bolivia. We were so impressed with their four course lunch menu, we couldn’t resist eating there two days in a row. It’s a beautiful restaurant, with friendly staff, great food and walls full of cool, local art.
As soon as we sat down, the server brought over a plate of fresh bread and spicy salsa.
Bread and Spicy Dip
There was a set four course menu but only the soup and dessert were vegan. To substitute my main course, I ordered a large vegan empanada, which was actually listed on the menu as being a “vegan empanada”. So cool! It was made fresh, and packed with all kind of veggies, including broccoli, red peppers, onions and carrots. There was also some chewy and well seasoned textured vegetable protein (TVP) inside, South America’s answer to mock meat. This crispy delight was only $5.00 Bolivian Bolivianos ($0.71 USD).
Vegan Empanada
The soup of the day was Chairo, a traditional Bolivian soup made from popular Andean ingredients, including pealed wheat, white corn, chuño (dried potato), whole potato, beans, tomato, onion, garlic, salt, and spices. Our version was made with barley and topped with fresh mint. It was hearty and filling, like any great soup. Chairo is often made with lama meat but, of course, this version was veg-friendly.
Vegetable and Barley Soup
Dessert was a neat surprise: a pear and fig compote, a stewed fruit dessert. The fruit and sauce were warm, making for a very sensual dessert. Figs are sexy.
Fig Dessert
The next day, we returned to Namaste for lunch. This time, three out of the four courses on the lunch menu were vegan. We started with a Chinese salad, which consisted of small soba noodles and greens mixed with TVP. Before eating at Namaste, I didn’t know I liked TVP. They got the seasoning just right.
Chinese Salad Salad
The soup of the day was a vegetable blend with a flavourful broth. I prefer thick, hearty soups but light soups with lots of broth and seasonal vegetables are very common in Bolivia.
Vegetable Soup
The main was a black bean and sweet potato burrito. As simple as it sounds and looks, it tasted amazing.
Black Bean and Sweet Potato Burrito
The dessert of the day was a banana pancake that couldn’t be veganized. Instead, they served us a small dish of peeled apples. Fruit isn’t my favourite dessert but we were pretty full and satisfied at this point so we didn’t mind the light alternative.
Apples for Dessert
John was extra impressed with Namaste because they had soy milk on hand and he we able to order a coffee. They served it in an interesting way, presenting him with a full cup of warm soy milk and a small shot of coffee to add in.
Soy Milk Coffee
I can’t recommend Namaste enough. It was a beautiful oasis with amazing food and free, fast internet. We hung out there for hours on our last day. I really didn’t want to leave.
Namaste, La Paz, Bolivia
The owner of Namaste rents rooms in the building. If you’re planning to be in La Paz for awhile, this would be an amazing place to stay.
Namaste, La Paz, Bolivia
There lunch menu changes daily, as well as weekly, so you’ll never get bored of the amazing food. The price is set at $15.00 Bolivianos ($2.14 USD). They also clearly indicate all of the vegan options with a *. How nice!
Namaste Lunch Menu, La Paz, Bolivia
Namaste
Zoila Flores 1334 (at Colombia and Almirante Grau)
La Paz, Bolivia
4 Comments »
wasn´t the vegan empanada listed as a tucuman or something like that? and what about the coca candies!!
Wow, what a great place you found! That wonderfully crusty bread looks great, and the empanada and Chairo soup look really hearty and tasty! (The empanada reminds me a bit of a calzone. I don’t think I’ve ever had one).
I must eat black bean burritos a lot, and sweet potatoes a lot, now I must remember to combine them! (Never would have occurred to me!)
I love the mug the warm soy milk came in! And the building looks really pretty, what a fun place to stay (and eat) that would be! I’m amazed at all the vegan fare you found on your trip (and not just “accidently” vegan, but marked vegan on the menu! That’s so great!)
This past friday i had the pleasure of eating a Vegan Picana (the meat version has meat from 4 different animals) a traditional fare in LaPaz, Bolivia for xmas. I had eaten here before and it was a super experience but this time was warned that reservations were necessary for the special xmas meal. By the time i got there around noon; there were no more reservations and many disappointed people. Not me; i was so lucky because i’ve never eaten something so delicious!! Just imagine a yummy broth with few veggies, potatoes, grayish type of potatoe, cloves, cinammon, soy meat, wheat gluten, raisens and other ingredients and spices that made for an exquisite and filling meal.
NamasTe, in the heart of the city, is a family owned eatery where special imported teas are served as well. The owners – all who speak fluent English – and their staff are very friendly and accommodating. You will also love the enchanting space and garden. I understand they also rent out furnished apartments and rooms.
[...] Nature’s rights. Jill and John enjoyed such gourmet treats as a four-course vegan lunch at Namaste in La Paz, involving vegan empanadas made with textured vegetable protein, barley soup, bread and spicy dip [...]
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