Canchera: The Argentine pizzeria that fuses flavor and soccer in Bogotá

In the heart of Chapinero Alto, the smell of freshly baked dough and the soccer spirit of Canchera attract attention.

We're talking about the new culinary venture from Matías Bürgin—creator of Sur Vermutería—an Argentine chef who seeks to rediscover the authentic flavors of Buenos Aires pizza in Colombia.

In a country where it is common to find pizzas like Hawaiian, chicken or Mexican, Canchera makes its debut with flavors and traditions of Buenos Aires .

(Also read: Sur Vermutería: a porteño corner in Bogotá )

“This pizzeria's difference is fundamental. We're the first restaurant to serve pizza like it's served in Buenos Aires. We spent many months testing, and I traveled there for a month to really get my bearings. It stemmed primarily from my need to eat my pizza, which didn't exist here. And when I saw that need, I realized it wasn't just mine,” says Matías, who also explains that at Sur, they're trying to break away from the stereotypical Argentine restaurant, painted all in sky blue and white with photos of Messi or the Pope.

"On the other hand, at Canchera, we wanted to reinforce the stereotype that Argentinians are soccer fans. This is 100% an experience. People don't just come for the pizza, they come to experience what things are like there."

In Argentina, "canchero" is someone with experience or mastery in an activity, but "Canchera" doesn't take its name from that meaning: it comes from the soccer field, and that's evident in every corner of the place, where every detail counts.

The Canchera is decorated with soccer team pennants, photos, and memorabilia that evoke the South American passion for the sport. The screen shows matches from the Libertadores, the Champions League, and Argentine classics, perfect for sharing with friends or family.

“For us, sharing is fundamental. In Argentina, eating pizza is part of our culture. Restaurants there close at three in the morning because the most important meal of the day is dinner,” says Matías.

The bathroom of a Bogotá restaurant might not usually be the most striking feature, but at Canchera, entering is also part of the experience. You might bump into Diego Armando Maradona, Jorge Valdano, or Daniel Passarella, world champions with the Argentine national team in 1986. Also featured are the trio of Colombians who made history with Boca Juniors: Óscar Córdoba, Mauricio Serna, and Jorge Bermúdez.

The pizza at Canchera is thick, golden on the outside, and fluffy on the inside. It matures for 24 hours and is served from the pan, as is the Buenos Aires tradition.

The star of the menu is the fugazzeta, a typical Buenos Aires pizza filled with 500 grams of mozzarella, double-crust dough, and onion on top.

But fugazzeta isn't the only pizza option. There are eight types in total: mozzarella, fugazza, and fugazzeta, which manage to turn onion into a fascinating ingredient; Cancha, with tomato sauce, garlic, and parsley; ham and bell peppers, with sliced ​​ham and roasted bell peppers; Calabrese, with slices of sausage; anchovy, with the same base as cancha; and the ever-present Neapolitan.

Diners might think that the ingredients that make this pizza unique are imported from Argentina, but that's not the case. Matías clarifies that all the ingredients are Colombian, with the sole exception of the Calabrian chorizo, which is imported.

While Canchera's menu is pizza-centric, it also includes a few starters ideal for sharing : marinated olives, cottage cheese with roasted cherry tomatoes, garlic butter, smoked fish, and fainá engallada, an elevated version of the Buenos Aires classic with onion marmalade, arugula, Parmesan cheese, and olive dust on a crispy base.

To accompany these delicacies, you can't miss Malbec wines—available by the glass or bottle—the essential Fernet con coca, served in a cut glass, and vermouth, a wine-based drink flavored with herbs, sugar, wormwood, and a touch of alcohol like absinthe or aguardiente. "We serve it just like it's drunk in Buenos Aires," explains Matías.

As for prices, one striking fact stands out: a glass of house wine costs $17,500, something increasingly rare in Bogotá. And the pizzas have options for all budgets: slices start at $9,000, small pizzas start at $20,000, and large ones go up to $70,000. All include olives, as in Argentina, although if you're not a fan of them, you can easily omit them.

Before immersing himself in the kitchen, Matías worked in offices and for luxury brands in Buenos Aires. His life changed when he was hired by a renowned handbag company to manage its in-house dining room.

“Since we installed the kitchen, the company changed radically. It was the meeting point. When someone was happy or sad, they would come to the kitchen; that's where I discovered my calling,” he recalls.

It was at that moment that she realized that cooking was much more than just feeding. “Cooking is about caring. It's a very nice way to serve people. There's no other profession that's as fulfilling. This is a very demanding job and also poorly paid. But when a customer tells you, 'Thank you, that's delicious,' no other career can offer that.”

Bürgin created Canchera with his Colombian wife, Juliana Terán, who is in charge of communications and marketing for the restaurant. He created the pizza recipes and oversees both Sur and Canchera, carefully curating them to ensure the restaurant's unique experience is consistent.

Matías found in pizza a bridge between cultures and a way to build a home away from home. Canchera has managed to win over a diverse audience. “Everyone comes here. We were surprised on opening day because we didn't expect so many people. We were overwhelmed,” he says with a laugh.

Families, couples, young people, and sports enthusiasts meet here. The corner of 4-15 59th Street becomes a little Argentina that knows no class or age.

For three months now, Canchera hasn't just brought a different kind of pizza to Bogotá, it's also brought a whole new way of life: nightlife, soccer, warmth, and sharing. A Buenos Aires corner in the heart of the increasingly vibrant Chapinero Alto neighborhood that begs you to return.