Bolivar Colombian Restaurant Bar Lounge — Restaurant in Miami Beach

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Bolivar Restaurant Bar in South Beach Miami for vacation, and I must say, it was an extraordinary culinary experience that left me utterly impressed. This Colombian gem exceeded my expectations in every way, from the vibrant atmosphere to the tantalizing flavors that graced our palates.

Let's start with the drinks. Bolivar Restaurant Bar boasts an impressive selection of beverages, including their signature cocktails. The bartenders are true artisans, skillfully crafting refreshing concoctions that perfectly complemented our meal. Whether it was their fruity sangrias or their perfectly balanced mojitos, each sip was a burst of delightful flavors that transported us straight to the heart of Colombia.

Now, onto the empanadas. Oh, how these little pockets of heaven stole the show! Bolivar's empanadas are simply irresistible. The crispy golden shells gave way to a succulent filling bursting with authentic Colombian flavors. From the classic beef to the flavorful chicken and cheese, each empanada was a savory delight. Accompanied by vibrant and zesty dipping sauces, these empanadas were an absolute highlight of our meal.

Speaking of chicken, Bolivar Restaurant Bar truly knows how to prepare this staple of Colombian cuisine to perfection. The tender and juicy chicken dishes were a revelation. Whether it was the Pollo a la Plancha or the Pollo al Ajillo, every bite was packed with flavor and cooked to perfection. The chicken was seasoned beautifully, and the accompanying sides added an extra dimension to the dish. The combination of aromatic herbs, spices, and tender meat made each chicken dish an absolute delight.

The service at Bolivar Restaurant Bar was exemplary. The staff was friendly, attentive, and eager to share their knowledge of Colombian cuisine. They guided us through the menu, making recommendations that suited our preferences and ensured that our dining experience was nothing short of exceptional.

In conclusion, Bolivar Restaurant Bar is a hidden gem in South Beach that brings the vibrant flavors of Colombia to life. From the irresistible empanadas to the mouthwatering dishes, each bite is a celebration of Colombian cuisine. Coupled with the lively atmosphere and attentive service, Bolivar Restaurant Bar is a must-visit for anyone seeking an authentic Colombian dining experience. Prepare to be transported to the heart of Colombia and embark on a culinary journey...

If I could give 0 stars I would. I feel bad writing this review honestly because our waiter was so nice but I have to be honest.

I came to visit my parents that live here in Florida. My husband and I live in California so we do not have access to any Colombian food. We are a Colombian family and I really wanted us to enjoy a nice meal while being here on vacation.

First off, I made a reservation and when I got there they couldn’t find it but sat us anyway. I thought nothing of it and continued on. Our waiter was super friendly and attentive so I was excited for our meal. For our appetizers we ordered an arepa de choclo and patacones. The arepa de choclo was pretty good but the patacones were clearly old and refried. They did not offer free water which is weird and only serve them in water bottles.

After eating the appetizers we were never asked what we wanted to eat for our entrees so eventually my husband had to ask. It was 4 of us and we ordered 2 bandejas paisa, 1 churrasco, and 1 sancocho. FIVE minutes after ordering, the food was served. We wondered why it was so fast but I tried to be optimistic.

The bandejas paisa: The rice was old, the beans were definitely from a can with literally NO flavor at all, the egg was hard and cold, the chicharrones were old and refried, and the only thing that was mediocre was the steak that came with it.

The Sancocho: the flavor was okay, but the soup was watery with no texture, the plantains in it were hard and old, and everyone could tell everything was reheated. I’m Colombian American so I know good Colombian food and for people who are not Colombian, this restaurant knows to overprice their reheated old food because they know no one will notice the difference. I’m here to tell you it was absolutely disgusting and a waste of money. 4 meals and 2 appetizers was all $230 NOT including gratuity which they FORCE you to pay 18%.

STAY AWAY FROM THIS GARBAGE RESTAURANT. With all due respect though, our waiter was really sweet so I atleast do appreciate him and the restaurant itself has a beautiful appearance. I’m just strictly leaving this negative review because of the quality of the food for the expensive price and I want to help everyone reading all the “good” reviews. You shouldn’t have to be paying that price for...

Poor service. Poor customer service. Poor food quality and flavor. My wife is Columbian and obviously knows the authenticity of Columbian cuisine. This restaurant was lacking in multiple ways. First we checked to see if they had live music tonight. If you google Miami Restaurants with live music, they come up in the restaurant list with live music in Miami. We then called to double check and we're told they did indeed have live music. Needless to say they did not. Ok not a huge deal, but disappointing because that was my wife's request for wherever we chose to eat for our anniversary. Secondly, the service was really poor. Three waiters and a bartender for our table of two, a larger table of ten, and one guy sitting at the bar. No one else was in restaurant. We waited for the check for probably fifteen to twenty minutes after our waitress took are plates and asked if we were finished. Lastly, and most importantly, the food was subpar. My churrasco had decent flavor but was like chewing a piece of carpet. My jaws were literally sore from how much I had to chew just to get a small bite down. My wife's plate consisting of an "authentic Columbian" chicken dish was really poor. She had two bites and said she couldn't eat anymore. Because the service was so bad, by the time she was able to tell the waitress it was not good it had been twenty to thirty minutes. She is not one to complain. The waitress apologized and took the plate. When we finally received our bill, the waitress had taken twenty percent off of my wife's entree cost only which was about $5.00. When questioned she stated because my wife didn't tell her sooner she couldn't do anything else about and said you have to pay for it. She also added an automatic 18% gratuity. So she obviously didn't care about our reaction. We paid and left because we aren't going to cause a scene. Not worth it, but I am writing this review. Food is not good quality nor taste. Service is poor. Customer service poor. I'd save your $130 for a dinner...