Cafe Consulado is a really special place. It's a restaurant and bed and breakfast just down the steps from El Prado behind the Plaza Hotel, and a world away from the noise and big city hustle-bustle of central La Paz. It occupies the stately former Panamanian Consulate and residence. The restaurant, along with a big conference room and an exceptionally fine Bolivian handicrafts store are on the main floor, with steps down to a solarium and lovely outdoor garden. Up the grand staircase are five spacious bedrooms.

Cafe Consulado is run by a charming Danish couple. They offer gracious hospitality to all their guests and diners. The local cook and wait staff are trained to expand their understanding of food--cooking and serving market fresh seasonal ingredients in new and creative ways. The food is a fantastic fusion of Latin, Asian, and European cuisines--imaginative, fresh, and delicious. Everything is made from scratch. There are a couple of daily lunch specials. The wine list features local wines. Prices are reasonable.

The best meals we ate in La Paz we ate at Cafe Consulado.