PizzaTov and Beyond: Kosher Dining in Bogotá, Colombia’s KosherTOV Restaurant
- Mark Vogel
- Aug 22
- 5 min read
Kosher Restaurant in Bogotá, Colombia ✈
When I travel, one of the first things I look for is kosher food. In Bogotá, Colombia, I found PizzaTov, a restaurant that has become a reliable kosher address in the city. Located at Calle 84 # 24-43 in the Barrios Unidos neighborhood, near the Polo Club area, PizzaTov is part of a broader project called KosherTOV. Tov is the Hebrew word for Good. The restaurant sits in a quiet part of town, away from the most tourist-heavy districts, which makes it practical for locals and visitors who are looking for an authentic kosher meal.
KosherTOV operates as an umbrella brand that includes PizzaTov, SushiTov, and KikiriTov. PizzaTov is focused on dairy food and pizza. SushiTov extends the menu to Japanese dishes, while KikiriTov handles roasted chicken and meat meals. Together they make up a system where you can find kosher pizza, sushi, or meat without having to search all over Bogotá. The branding is consistent, and the name “TOV” carries across each part of the restaurant.
“Having PizzaTov, SushiTov, and KikiriTov under one banner makes Bogotá more practical for kosher travelers.”
The entrance to PizzaTov is not flashy, but it is clear and inviting. From the street, you see a gated entrance with a sign above the door that says “Plaza Tov.” The PizzaTov banner on the gate highlights gnocchi, lasagna, pasta, panzerotti, pizza, and salads. The certification is displayed proudly on the signage, with the Vaad HaKashrut de Colombia logo right next to the entrance. This makes it clear before you even step inside that this is a place that takes kosher rules seriously.
Inside, the atmosphere is functional and simple. One section has indoor seating, but I chose to eat outdoors in the enclosed patio. The patio has black tables and chairs arranged neatly along the wall, with tall plants providing greenery and separation from the street. Sunlight filters through, giving the area a calm feel without being noisy or crowded. On each table, napkins are set in holders that feature a decorative medallion with a menorah and the word “Jerusalem,” a subtle reminder of the restaurant’s kosher identity and connection to Jewish tradition. The seating is comfortable enough for a meal with family or friends, but it also works for a quick solo lunch, which is how I experienced it.
PizzaTov is not only about pizza. The menu includes appetizers such as empanadas, tequeños, pandeyuca, and arepas with cheese. They also serve lasagna, gnocchi, panzerotti, and salads like Capresse. The sushi side, SushiTov, has rolls and Japanese-style plates, while KikiriTov focuses on roasted chicken. In one location, you can find dairy, sushi, and meat, each separated by concept and name.
For my meal, I ordered the margherita pizza. The crust was thin and crisp, the sauce had a balanced flavor, and the cheese was fresh. The basil gave it a clean finish. It was simple, but in a way that made sense: no heavy toppings, just a basic pizza that worked. Alongside the pizza, I had empanadas, both cheese-filled and potato-filled. When they were served, they came on a rectangular white plate with a side of green dipping sauce that had the consistency of an avocado or cilantro-based crema. The empanadas were fried golden brown, slightly crisp on the outside and warm inside. The cheese empanadas had a rich dairy taste, while the potato ones were softer, almost creamy in texture. I paired the meal with a bottle of Coca-Cola.
What makes PizzaTov interesting is the mix of brands under one roof. The PizzaTov name suggests pizza and dairy, but on the same site you will also find SushiTov for sushi and KikiriTov for meat meals. It may sound like three separate places, but in practice, they function together as KosherTOV. This allows the community and visiting travelers to access a variety of kosher food without confusion. It is not just about one dish but about building a system that covers the major food types people usually want: dairy, sushi, and meat.
To understand why a place like PizzaTov matters in Bogotá, it helps to know more about the Jewish community in Colombia. The country’s Jewish population is relatively small compared to larger communities in Latin America such as Argentina, Brazil, or Mexico. Estimates place the Colombian Jewish community at around 5,000 to 6,000 people, most of them in Bogotá. The community is active, with synagogues, schools, and institutions that support religious and cultural life. Kosher food, however, has always been more difficult to maintain in smaller communities. Unlike larger cities where multiple kosher restaurants compete with one another, Bogotá has only a few, and they play an important role in daily community life.
In that sense, PizzaTov is not just a restaurant. It is part of the infrastructure that allows observant Jews in Bogotá to live according to their dietary standards. The certification by Vaad HaKashrut de Colombia shows the level of organization that the community has built to provide kosher supervision in the country. For visiting travelers, especially those from places where kosher food is more common, it is reassuring to know that they can come to Bogotá and find pizza, empanadas, sushi, or chicken meals that meet strict kosher guidelines.
This fits into a broader pattern of Jewish life in Colombia. The community has been present in Bogotá since the early 20th century, with waves of immigration from Europe and the Middle East. Over the years, institutions were built to preserve Jewish education, religious practice, and kosher observance. Today, the existence of a place like KosherTOV shows how those efforts continue. It is more than a business; it reflects a community maintaining its traditions in a country where kosher food requires extra work to establish and sustain.
Dining at PizzaTov gave me a reliable kosher experience in a city where kosher options are not as wide as in some other capitals. I left with the impression that this restaurant is more than just a pizza shop. It is part of a structure built to serve the community and visitors with multiple types of kosher food. Having PizzaTov, SushiTov, and KikiriTov under one banner makes Bogotá more practical for kosher travelers.
When I travel, I look for places that let me eat without compromise. PizzaTov did that. I had a pizza that worked. I had empanadas that were simple but satisfying. I ate in a place where the certification was clear and the supervision was strong. And I learned that KosherTOV is more than one name—it is a system built to give kosher food in Bogotá across different cuisines. That matters when you are far from the usual kosher centers.
For me, this meal was not about discovering something new or unusual. It was about finding a place where kosher food is prepared carefully and reliably. PizzaTov delivered that. Next time I am in Bogotá, I would return, and I would likely try more of what the SushiTov and KikiriTov parts of the restaurant have to offer. And when I do, I will be looking not just at the food but at how the restaurant continues to reflect the ongoing story of the Jewish community in Colombia.
