Casa San Isidro

Casa San Isidro is a restaurant beside the Monserrate funicular station on Paseo Bolívar, on Cerro de Monserrate above Bogotá, Colombia. It offers live piano music and panoramic views over the city, and it is reached by the Monserrate cable car or funicular, so the journey up the mountain is part of the experience. The restaurant sits at roughly 3,100 metres above sea level, and the views over the capital's sprawl and the Andean plateau are the main reason visitors choose it. The menu mixes Colombian and international a la carte mains, and desserts include preparations with Colombian cacao. Tables with panoramic views carry an extra charge and should be requested when booking, and reservations can bundle transport, a fast pass and a welcome drink, which helps avoid the queue for the funicular or cable car. The dining room is elegant and calm, with piano music at a low volume, and the setting suits romantic dinners, celebrations and visitors who want a scenic meal. Dress is smart casual, and a jacket is useful because temperatures on the mountain fall quickly after dark. Prices are at the upper end, roughly COP 120,000-260,000 per person (about $38-82), with the view supplement extra. Hours are Monday to Saturday 12PM-10PM, with last entry at 9PM, and the restaurant is closed on Sundays. Reservations are recommended, and can be made by phone on +57 1 745 4630 or +57 1 281 9270, or through the restaurant's website. Visitors should check that the cable car and funicular are operating on the day, since maintenance closures and weather can affect service. Altitude can cause mild breathlessness for visitors new to Bogotá's height, so a slow pace is advisable. Sunset bookings are popular and go first.