For those who’re heading to Cartagena to eat (and let’s be actual, why wouldn’t you be?), think about this your bucket checklist of town’s most unforgettable eating experiences. I’ve personally tried each single one in all these Cartagena eating places, so belief me—these are the true deal.
From high-end eating to laid-back rooftop eateries, these are the spots that may utterly change the way in which you consider Colombian delicacies.
Brief on time? Take a look at my One Day Itinerary in Cartagena (For First-Timers). And while you’re bored with consuming see my picks for the 42 High Issues to Do in Caragena 😉
My High Picks for Locations to Eat in Cartagena
Carmen
Tucked inside a superbly restored colonial home, Carmen is the place modern Colombian delicacies meets impeccable method. The setting is intimate—suppose candlelit courtyard and hushed conversations—however the meals speaks volumes. Right here, substances sourced from native farmers and fishermen are remodeled into one thing each cutting-edge and deeply rooted in custom.
What to order: The ceviche is non-negotiable. Observe it with the tacos al pastor, made with pressed ossobuco, pineapple, pickled onions, purple corn tortilla, and aioli. And don’t miss the empanadas with crab, shrimp, lobster, soursop relish, and Colombian vanilla bean aioli.
Calle 38 # 8-19, Calle del Santísimo
Celele
That is the form of place that makes you rethink what Caribbean meals could be. Chef Jaime Rodríguez spent years exploring Colombia’s coastal communities, gathering forgotten substances and methods, and the result’s a menu that’s as academic as it’s scrumptious.
Rated one of many World’s Greatest High 50 Eating places and it’s straightforward to see why. Each dish is a bit of artwork. It’s one of many costlier eating places on this checklist, however completely price it.
What to order: The Caribbean flower salad with pickled cashew fruit, Emperor’s cane flower, and gulupa dressing was one of many prettiest issues I’ve ever eaten—and tasted simply nearly as good because it regarded.
Tip: Reservations are important (FYI: I booked mine two weeks prematurely).
Calle del Espíritu Santo, Cra. 10c #29-200, Getsemaní
Buena Vida Marisqueria
Buena Vida is a three-story seafood paradise that gives every little thing from a trendy restaurant on the primary two flooring to a rooftop with a killer sundown view of the Walled Metropolis. The menu is a love letter to the Caribbean, mixing coastal flavors from throughout the area with a deep respect for Cartagena’s personal culinary traditions. It’s additionally a hotspot for a girls’ brunch!
What to order: The AJÍ-COCO ceviche with fish, shrimp, citrus sauce, coconut milk, ginger, pickled onions, and pork cracklings. It’s creamy, tangy, and completely balanced. Additionally, the seafood tacos are a should.
Centro histórico, Cl. del Porvenir #Esquina
For those who like tasting the native delicacies, try this Road Meals Tour that may have you ever attempting 10 several types of dishes!
Donjuán Cartagena
Basic but effortlessly cool, Donjuán is the place town’s meals lovers and business insiders collect. The menu is an ode to Cartagena’s seafood, with a European contact that elevates each dish. Chef Juan Felipe Camacho is thought for his mastery of straightforward substances—contemporary fish, native greens, completely executed sauces.
What to order: The grilled octopus or any of the contemporary seafood platters.
Av Carlos Escallon 34-01, Centro histórico
El Burlador Gastro Pub
The time period “gastrobar” doesn’t fairly do that place justice—it is a restaurant that takes meals as critically because it does its wine checklist. Situated within the coronary heart of the Walled Metropolis, El Burlador blends Mediterranean flavors with Cartagena’s most interesting substances. I cherished this place a lot, I had to return on my final evening within the metropolis for my remaining meal.
What to order: The truffle eggplant chips and beef carpaccio. Simply belief me.
Calle Santo Domingo, Cra. 3 #33-88, El Centro
Gran Inka Gastrobar
Once I was touring by way of Cusco I fell in love with Peruvian flavors, so it was a deal with to search out Gran Inka. From the second you step inside, the colourful decor and heat hospitality set the tone for a meal that’s as a lot about expertise as it’s about taste. The menu includes a fashionable tackle Peruvian classics, every plated like a masterpiece.
What to order: The ceviche tres ajíes or chicharrón de calamar—each are contemporary and daring. I additionally extremely advocate the Beef Tenderloin with zucchini, Creole potato, cherry tomato, and chimichurri.
Carrera 5 #33-55 Portal de Los Dulces
Lobo de Mar
A seafood lover’s dream, Lobo de Mar celebrates Cartagena’s connection to the ocean with a menu that lets the substances shine. Contemporary, regionally sourced, and stuffed with taste, that is the place to indulge within the metropolis’s finest ceviche.
What to order: Something seafood-based, however the grilled complete fish is especially memorable. My high decide? The shrimp taco with corn tortilla, avocado, rocotto aioli, and coriander.
Centro, Calle del Santísimo #8-15
Mar y Zielo
Mar y Zielo is a restaurant that bridges the previous and current, fusing conventional Colombian recipes with fashionable methods. The kitchen crew has traveled throughout the nation, gathering data from market distributors and residential cooks, and the result’s a menu that feels deeply genuine but wildly artistic.
What to order: The Titote Mar Y Tierra, a superbly composed dish that includes octopus, shrimp, langoustine, and pork stomach in a tamarind sauce. It’s an explosion of taste.
Cra. 5 #34-63, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias
Montesacro
With its prime location overlooking Plaza Bolívar, Montesacro is as a lot concerning the ambiance as it’s concerning the meals. The menu leans closely on seafood, however the cocktails and wine choice are simply as spectacular. Sit on the balcony with a drink in hand, and let Cartagena work its magic.
What to order: The seafood cazuela—a wealthy, soul-warming stew filled with the day’s freshest catch.
Pezetarian
An excellent spot for lunch or a fast, informal dinner, Pezetarian is the go-to place for sushi, ceviche, and vibrant plant-based dishes. The menu is totally pescatarian and vegetarian, making it an excellent possibility for these on the lookout for one thing mild but satisfying.
What to order: The dish that was so good I went again twice? The Sushi Kausa—a tower of sushi rice, salmon, and tuna tartare, crispy shrimp with panko, and avocado, completed with teriyaki sauce, Pezetarian sauce, and crispy beetroot. Yummy!
Centro Histórico, Calle San Agustín #6-80, El Centro
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Guide Some Enjoyable Excursions!
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