"Jaime Torregrosa's fire-and-smoke izakaya in Chapinero turns Amazonian fish into a 17-course omakase — worth a detour for an adventurous first date."
About Humo Negro
The name came from the grill. When Jaime Torregrosa first lit the fire while building his restaurant in Bogotá's Chapinero district, the smoke billowed thick and black — humo negro — and the name stuck. He opened it after years as head chef at El Chato, and in 2025 Humo Negro landed at No. 41 on Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants.
The concept is a Japanese izakaya read through Colombian produce and Nordic restraint: a fire-driven counter where almost everything passes over coals or smoke before it reaches you.
The Kitchen
Torregrosa trained at the Basque Culinary Center and cooked at Fäviken in Sweden and Ca Sento in Japan before El Chato, and all three influences show. The menu is a 17-course omakase built on sustainable Colombian sourcing: the pirarucu belly — a giant Amazonian river fish — is served with camu camu fruit and tucupi, the ostras a la parrilla (grilled Colombian oysters) open the fire courses, and a roasted-coconut ice cream with cocoa nibs and quinoa closes it.
The omakase runs around COP 200,000 per person, which is striking value for a 50 Best room. Sourcing the pirarucu responsibly from Amazon fishing communities is part of the point — this is fire cooking with a conscience rather than spectacle for its own sake.
The Room
The room is small and counter-led, centred on the open fire so the cooking is the entertainment. Lighting is low and warm, sound sits at an easy hum, and a seat at the counter puts you close enough to watch every course char and plate. Dress is smart-casual; Chapinero is relaxed. It seats only a few dozen, which keeps the omakase intimate and the pace personal.
Best for First Date
Book Humo Negro for an adventurous first date because the fire counter gives you something to watch and talk about between courses, the omakase removes any ordering pressure, and the room is warm, low-lit and intimate. A counter seat turns the meal into a shared experience rather than a face-off across a table. See the wider Bogotá dining guide or more first-date rooms.
Not for
Not for fussy or fixed-menu-averse eaters — it is a long fire-driven omakase heavy on Amazonian fish and smoke, with no à la carte and little room to opt out of courses.
Frequently Asked
Is Humo Negro worth it?
Yes, and it is unusually good value. A 17-course omakase from a kitchen ranked No. 41 on Latin America's 50 Best 2025, for around COP 200,000, is rare. Jaime Torregrosa's fire cooking and Amazonian sourcing make it one of Bogotá's most distinctive meals, well worth a detour for adventurous diners.
How hard is it to book Humo Negro?
Since the 50 Best recognition in 2025, the small counter books up well ahead, especially weekends. Reserve online or call +57 320 9013434 a week or more out, and ask for counter seats to watch the fire. Weeknight early seatings are the easiest to land.
What is the dress code at Humo Negro?
Smart-casual. Chapinero is a relaxed, creative district and the room follows suit — a good shirt or a simple dress is plenty, and no jacket is needed. The focus is the fire counter and the food, not formality, so comfortable but tidy is the right call.
How much does the tasting menu cost at Humo Negro?
The 17-course omakase runs around COP 200,000 per person, roughly US$45 to $50, with drink pairings extra. For the number of courses and the 50 Best pedigree, that is strong value by international standards. Prices shift with sourcing, so confirm the current menu when you book.
What should I order at Humo Negro?
It is a set omakase, so the kitchen decides — but the highlights are the pirarucu belly with camu camu and tucupi, the grilled Colombian oysters that open the fire courses, and the roasted-coconut ice cream finish. Add the drink pairing to follow Torregrosa's smoke-led progression.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Humo Negro
Reserve via humonegrobog.com or call +57 320 9013434. Small counter — book a week ahead.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
AddressCarrera 5 #56-06, Chapinero, Bogotá
NeighbourhoodChapinero
CuisineJapanese-Colombian
Price~COP 200,000 (17-course omakase)
Dress CodeSmart-casual
SeatingCounter-led, a few dozen seats
ReservationDirect / phone · ~1 week ahead
