In this guide
For a romantic dinner in Asunción this weekend, book now and plan by day: on Friday and Saturday almost every chef-driven restaurant is open, but on Sunday night most close. Pakuri, Tierra Colorada Gastró, Cocina Clandestina and Óga are four intimate tables for Saturday; for Sunday, think long lunch and a sunset drink with a view.
Where to have a date dinner on Friday or Saturday
Pakuri (Villa Morra). Built from recycled shipping containers at Eusebio Lillo 902, corner of Infante Rivarola, it serves new Paraguayan cooking by chef Sofía Pfannl, meats from a tatakua clay oven and a natural-wine list. 50 Best Discovery (opens in a new tab) lists dinner Tuesday to Saturday and lunch Saturday and Sunday, with an average of US$25 per person; The New York Times (opens in a new tab) picked it for its 36 hours in Asunción. Tip: book Saturday dinner early.
Tierra Colorada Gastró (Avenida Santísima Trinidad). Chef Rodolfo Angenscheidt cooks around cassava, beef and river fish such as surubí, with a South American wine list. It was the first Paraguayan restaurant on Latin America's 50 Best list, Infonegocios reports (opens in a new tab). 50 Best Discovery (opens in a new tab) lists dinner Monday to Saturday and an average of about US$41 per person: the anniversary pick.
Cocina Clandestina (Villa Aurelia). Hidden behind railings and a leafy garden at Capitán Pedro Villamayor 581, it has a small, softly lit dining room that feels like a secret supper club. Chef Sergio González turns home-style Paraguayan food into fine dining: sweetbreads, creamy roast cassava, surubí. 50 Best Discovery (opens in a new tab) lists dinner Tuesday to Saturday at about US$25 per person; it sits in a quiet neighborhood away from the busy dining strip (Infonegocios (opens in a new tab)).
Óga. A house with wooden beams, a patio and a fireplace for cold nights, few tables and low light in the evening (La Nación (opens in a new tab)). The menu changes often, but chipa guasu and cassava gnocchi are regulars; in 2024 The New York Times (opens in a new tab) put a three-course dinner for two at about 300,000 guaraníes. La Nación lists Tuesday to Saturday, 19:30 to 23:30, with bookings through the link on its Instagram (@oga.paraguay). Space is tight, so reserve.
Josephine de Talleyrand (Mariscal López). A restaurant-bar from the Talleyrand brand on Avenida Mariscal López at Mayor José Rivarola (Tripadvisor (opens in a new tab)). It reopened in 2022 in a more relaxed, French-inspired style, with the cocktail and wine bar at its centre (InfoNegocios, 2022 (opens in a new tab)). Check the hours and book through its social accounts.
A drink with a view before or after dinner
Rooftops are the classic sunset move. The hours below come from 2022 articles, so check their social accounts first.
- Negroni Downtown Skybar: floors 15 and 16 of the Unicentro building on 15 de Agosto between Palma and Estrella, downtown. The terrace looks over the bay, the Costanera and the Chaco at sunset. La Nación (opens in a new tab) listed it as open daily, with terrace access from 17:00; Infonegocios (opens in a new tab) also featured it.
- Napoleón: 16th floor of the Park Plaza building, at San Juan XXIII and Juan Max Boettner, with a terrace and a panoramic city view. La Nación listed Monday to Saturday, 12:00 to 01:00.
- Zulu: at the top of World Trade Center Tower 2 on Aviadores del Chaco, with a restaurant, lounge and terrace; Monday to Saturday, 18:00 to 01:00, per La Nación.
What if the date is on Sunday?
Sunday is the hard day: going by their published hours, Tierra Colorada, Cocina Clandestina and Óga are closed. Two ideas:
- Lunch at Pakuri, which 50 Best lists as open for Sunday lunch. Book and take your time.
- An afternoon downtown: Casa Clari, the café-bar in the Manzana de la Rivera (Ayolas 129), has a terrace behind the Palacio de los López and opened Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00, according to Última Hora (opens in a new tab); La Nación (opens in a new tab) calls it a gem of the historic center. Then catch the sunset at a downtown rooftop if you've confirmed it opens that day.
How to book without surprises
- State day, sitting and party size: "Saturday dinner, 21:00, table for two". Ask for patio or indoors in the same message.
- Wait for confirmation: an unanswered message is not a booking. If they ask for a deposit, ask about the cancellation window.
- Mention allergies or diets when you book, especially where the menu changes often.
- Keep a plan B in another neighborhood in case your first choice is full or booked for a private event.
Combining neighborhoods
Pakuri is in Villa Morra, Cocina Clandestina in Villa Aurelia, and Negroni Downtown and Casa Clari downtown. For a drink with a view and dinner on the same night, pick two places in the same area or allow time for a taxi or ride-hailing app between them so you don't miss your table.
FAQ
What is the best romantic restaurant in Asunción?
It depends on the plan: Tierra Colorada Gastró suits an anniversary, Cocina Clandestina and Óga are small and softly lit, and Pakuri pairs new Paraguayan cooking with weekend lunch.
Which restaurants open on Sunday?
50 Best Discovery lists Pakuri for Saturday and Sunday lunch. Tierra Colorada, Cocina Clandestina and Óga don't list Sunday service; check before you go.
Do I need a reservation?
Yes, especially on Friday and Saturday. Óga books through the link on its Instagram and has few tables; always wait for confirmation.
Where can couples get a drink with a view?
Negroni Downtown Skybar (Unicentro building), Napoleón (Park Plaza) and Zulu (World Trade Center) have high terraces. Their hours come from 2022 articles, so check their social accounts.
