Hanging out with a Colombian who’s a chief has massive advantages. Mainly that they know about food. I am obsessed by food. This is a good combination.

The other day, I was starving. After lots of sun and a few beers, I was gasping for an empanada. I am obsessed by empanadas and they are the perfect complement to beer, sun, walking. Heck, anything really.

But never before have I eaten empanadas like these. These were out of this world amazing. Usually I stay clear of flour empanadas, as corn are fair away my favourite. Well, ‘shoot me now’ because I am wrong and am so happy I could die.

So where was this piece of heaven? Dominó. It doesn’t look like much from the outside. But it’s a little 1970’s gem. The décor is orange and black with a dominoes theme running throughout. In fact, if it weren’t for the trendy lights, it most likely hasn’t changed in the slightest since it opened.

Inside heaven.

Inside the Dominó

But, it has the most amazing, and freshest ingredients I’ve tasted.

OK, so in case you didn’t know, empanadas are a national favourite dish. They are a bit like Cornish pasties or samosas, as they are pasties filled with filling, which varies usually between chicken and beef. Here, you can have chicken, beef, shrimp, cheese and mushroom. You then tip your empanada into aji which is an onion and coriander dip. DELICIOUS. I opted for the chicken and mushroom. For the first time, I actually saw the ingredients and recognised the mushrooms…This was washed down by a fresh mango juice. Oh my god, my mouth is watering.

Serving the aji.

Empanadas with salsa and juice. Bliss.

I also tried the cheese and mushroom ones. They too were delicious. As my chief friend said, it’s amazing that a tasty restaurant exists with just a deep fat fryer.

As we were paying up to leave, the ladies were unloading a crate of fresh coriander. Seriously. My eyes boggled.

If you would like to go, Dominó is located by Las Aguas in downtown Bogota on Carrera 4 18-55. Of course there’s no website as these didn’t exist in the 70’s, but neither did processed ingredients and believe me, I haven’t eaten a fresher empanada in my life. Definitely recommend.