Manhattan Delicatessen in Bogotá: Why I Flew from NYC to Colombia for a Pastrami Sandwich
- Mark Vogel
- Aug 27
- 6 min read
Kosher Deli Restaurant in Bogotá, Colombia ✈
When I travel, I like to find places that connect me to home while also showing me something different about the world. On this trip, I came from New York City to Bogotá, Colombia, with a very specific goal: to sit down and have a pastrami sandwich at Manhattan Delicatessen. There are plenty of reasons to visit Bogotá, but as someone who writes about travel and food, I wanted to see what it was like to enjoy a classic deli experience thousands of miles away from where it all began.
Manhattan Delicatessen is located at Av Cl 80 # 12 - 67, right in the Chapinero neighborhood of Bogotá. It sits on the corner of a busy street, easy to spot with its red awning that runs along two sides of the building. The word “Manhattan” stretches across the awning in large letters, so there’s no mistaking where you are headed. From the outside, the restaurant looks like it could be in any city. You walk past cars parked along the curb and the entrance leads you directly into the deli space.
“I came here for the pastrami, but I left with an appreciation of how far food traditions can travel. Manhattan Delicatessen in Bogotá is not just about eating—it’s about connecting places, people, and history in a way that only a deli sandwich can.”
The history of Manhattan Delicatessen ties into Bogotá’s Jewish community, which has long supported kosher establishments in the city. For years, kosher restaurants in Bogotá were limited in number, and Manhattan Delicatessen helped fill the gap by bringing the New York-style deli concept south. It isn’t just a restaurant but also a butcher shop and a place where people can buy kosher meat products to take home. Over time, it became a spot that locals and visitors alike could count on for sandwiches, hot meals, and fresh cuts of kosher meat.
To understand why a place like Manhattan Delicatessen resonates, it helps to look at the history of kosher delicatessens in general. The roots go back to Jewish immigrants from Central and Eastern Europe who arrived in New York in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of these immigrants brought with them food traditions centered around cured meats, sausages, rye bread, and pickled vegetables. The kosher delicatessen grew out of these traditions, adapting Old World recipes to the ingredients available in America. By the early 20th century, kosher delis had become fixtures in New York neighborhoods, particularly on the Lower East Side. Over time, they spread to other parts of the city and beyond, turning pastrami, corned beef, knishes, and matzo ball soup into cultural icons. The deli was never just about food; it was also a gathering place, where communities came together, and where Jewish identity was expressed and shared through what was served on the plate. That legacy continues today, and it explains why sitting down with a pastrami sandwich in Bogotá felt like participating in a story that stretches across continents and generations.
Walking inside, I noticed the setup immediately. The deli has a counter area with glass displays that hold all kinds of packaged kosher products, including sausages, hot dogs, and cured meats. Another refrigerated section is packed with cuts of beef, wrapped and ready for purchase. This isn’t just a sit-down restaurant; it’s a full-service kosher butcher and delicatessen. The meat section reminded me of places in Brooklyn or Queens where you can both eat at the deli and stock up on what you need to prepare meals at home.
The seating area is simple with a covered outdoor space that gives the place a relaxed, open-air feeling. The roof is a clear material that allows natural light to come in while still protecting diners from Bogotá’s frequent rain. The lighting fixtures are woven basket-style lamps, adding some warmth to the atmosphere. Tables are basic wooden ones, paired with metal chairs, and the walls are lined with plants that bring a touch of greenery to the space. It’s not overly decorated, but it’s comfortable, and it feels like the kind of place where people linger over lunch.
I sat down and ordered what I came for: a pastrami sandwich. The plate arrived with the sandwich cut neatly in half, served on deli paper with the Manhattan Delicatessen logo printed on it. The pastrami was piled high between slices of bread. On the side came a portion of fries dusted with seasoning, a pickle spear, and small cups of mustard and ketchup. Looking at the tray, it felt like a classic deli meal, the type I would expect back home in New York. Taking a bite confirmed that it delivered on what I was hoping for. The pastrami had the right balance of seasoning and smokiness, the mustard added richness, and the bread held everything together without falling apart.
Along with the sandwich, I had a bottle of Sprite, which seemed fitting for a casual deli lunch. The fries were fresh and crisp, and the pickle had that sharp crunch that every deli experience needs. Eating it all while sitting in Bogotá made me realize just how global the deli tradition has become. Here I was, in Colombia, having an experience that connected me directly back to the neighborhoods of New York where this food has been a staple for generations.
The menu at Manhattan Delicatessen goes beyond pastrami sandwiches. They serve corned beef, roast beef, hot dogs, and other deli classics, and there are also prepared plates for people who want more of a full meal. Since it is a kosher establishment, everything follows Jewish dietary laws. The butcher section sells chicken, beef, and a variety of sausages, all clearly labeled and packaged. Looking at the cases, I could see that locals come here not only to eat but also to take home the same meats they might be served at the tables.
One interesting detail is what’s right next door. Manhattan Delicatessen shares the block with Babbka Bar, a kosher bakery. After finishing a meal at the deli, it’s easy to step into the bakery for takeout. Babbka Bar specializes in babka, the sweet braided bread that has become popular well beyond Jewish bakeries. Having a kosher deli and a kosher bakery side by side creates a natural connection, giving people in Bogotá a place to enjoy the kind of dining experience that mirrors what you might find in New York or Jerusalem.
The atmosphere of Manhattan Delicatessen felt busy but not rushed. People came in for quick lunches, while others stayed longer, enjoying conversation at the tables. I noticed a mix of customers—some who looked like they were on their lunch break, others who seemed to be families or groups of friends. The covered patio allowed for an open feel while still keeping everyone comfortable, which matters in a city where the weather can shift quickly. Bogotá is known for frequent showers, and the roof provided just enough shelter to make sure the meal wasn’t interrupted.
As I ate, I thought about the role this deli plays in Bogotá. For someone like me, coming from New York, it was a way to connect my travel experience back to home. For locals, especially those in the Jewish community, it provides access to kosher food in both prepared meals and butchered meat. And for the general public, it’s a chance to try something associated with another part of the world without leaving Colombia.
The sandwich itself was enough to justify the trip across the city. I came specifically for that pastrami, and it didn’t disappoint. Eating it reminded me of why pastrami is so closely linked with the deli tradition. It’s the kind of food that carries history with it, and having it in Bogotá made that history feel all the more present.
After finishing the meal, I walked through the butcher section again, looking at the variety of meats available. The packages of sausages, franks, and cold cuts were stacked neatly in rows, each with the Manhattan Delicatessen label. The beef section displayed different cuts, including steaks and roasts, vacuum-sealed for freshness. It was clear that the place wasn’t just designed for dining but also for stocking up on food for home cooking. That dual purpose gave it a practical side beyond just being a restaurant.
Looking around, I noticed how the deli fit into the street corner where it sits. Bogotá is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own mix of restaurants, shops, and bakeries, and this deli blends into that structure. The exterior signage made it recognizable, but once inside, it was clear that it served a very specific role: bringing the New York-style kosher deli experience to Colombia.
For anyone visiting Bogotá who keeps kosher, Manhattan Delicatessen is an essential stop. But even for those who don’t follow kosher dietary rules, it’s worth visiting to see how this piece of New York culture has taken root in Colombia. Pairing it with a visit to Babbka Bar next door makes the experience complete. Together, they form a small corner of Chapinero that connects two cities and two cultures through food.
I came here for the pastrami, but I left with an appreciation of how far food traditions can travel. Manhattan Delicatessen in Bogotá is not just about eating—it’s about connecting places, people, and history in a way that only a deli sandwich can.
