RESTAURANTS

Cartagena, being a touristic city, is a gastronomical melting pot. You can find an abundance of traditional dishes from the Colombian coast such as coconut rice, fried fish, and patacones. However, you can also find a varying range of flavors like Asian, Italian, Lebanese, Spanish, and everything in between. Due to its privileged location on the Caribbean coast, you can also expect some of the best (and freshest!) seafood of your life. It’s possible to eat at a different restaurant for lunch and dinner for every night during your trip to Cartagena, and still not even scratch the surface of the incredible restaurants that are on offer.

Along with the enormous variety of cuisines, Cartagena also has a huge variety of prices. From haute cuisine fine dining experiences at Alma or Carmen, to casual courtyard dining at La Cevichería, to $2 street pizza at Zazzy’s, there is something for everyone on the Cartagena restaurant scene. Some finer restaurants do have a dress code, so keep this in mind and save your flip-flops for the poolside, and get your long pants pressed! In Cartagena, high season is almost all year round, so make sure to make reservations in advance.

Also, don't miss some of these bars!

Some restaurants to try

Mar-Y-Zielo

CUISINES
Caribbean, Latin, Seafood, International
SPECIAL DIETS
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
MEALS
Lunch, Dinner, After-hours, Drinks

Lucena rooftop

CUISINES
Caribbean, Fast food, Fusion, Gastropub, Colombian, Bar
MEALS
Dinner, After-hours, Drinks, Lunch
FEATURES
Reservations, Seating, Table Service

Lobo de mar

Food and ambience
Local cuisine, Caribbean, Colombian, Fusion, Vegetarian Friendly
“... were the chicharron pulps tacos, camarones tacos, art attack special (sas...”
“Get the octopus, Milfredo is the best service ever, also the langostino tacos...”
Special Occasion Dining, Romantic, Bar Scene, Business meetings
“Fresh seafood and great cocktails”
“Lobo de Mar has an excellent bar with its high ceiling set up and of course,...”

Inkanto Prime

PRICE RANGE
AU$20 - AU$59
CUISINES
Peruvian, Seafood, International, Contemporary, Dining bars
SPECIAL DIETS
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options

Don Diablo Cartagena

Don Diablo is inspired by Colombian meat, which is dry-aged in an exclusive cellar to bring to your table an unparalleled experience of flavor and texture. In a cozy and elegant atmosphere, Don Diablo is a proposal that seeks to vindicate the national beef innovation with modern culinary techniques and grill. Its menu offers a proposal of 100% Colombian meat dry-aged at home and grilled on a grill of our own design with local firewood. Vegetarian and seafood options are also offered along with a handcrafted cocktail proposal and a premium wine list.

Price: $$$
Dress code: Smart/Casual
Reservations needed?: Yes

Casa Cruxada

PRICE RANGE
AU$15 - AU$46
CUISINES
International, Healthy, Colombian, Bar, Contemporary, Pub
SPECIAL DIETS
Vegan Options

Cuzco Cocina Peruana

Feel free to cancel your upcoming flight to Peru, because Cuzco Cartagena has everything you need. Cuzco has really put itself on the map as one of the best restaurants in Cartagena. However, it is so much more than just good food. The entire experience offered at Cuzco Cocina Peruana makes for a fantastic night out. Enjoy live music by the glowing pool, some of the best ceviche in the city (and that’s saying something!), and romantic moments below the Colonial arches. Make sure to try chicha morada, a traditional Peruvian drink, but stay for the lobster risotto, a Two Travel favorite. The three varieties of sangria are enough to give you a merry start to your night.

If you’re looking for a lively restaurant with a youthful feel, you can also go next door to Baruco by Cuzco. There, you’re also sure to find awesome food and great cocktails to boot.

Price: $$
Dress code: Smart chic
Reservations needed?: Book a couple days in advance

Carmen

In an intimate, exclusive and elegant space located in a traditional colonial home in Cartagena's historic downtown, Carmen offers contemporary cuisine inspired by Colombia's biodiversity and rich culinary culture with a special focus on the flavors and ingredients of the Colombian Caribbean. In any of our 3 welcoming ambiances and with our even more welcoming staff, Carmen guarantees a unique experience in Cartagena's walled city, accompanied by an original and locally inspired craft cocktail program featuring tropical and refreshing creations.

Alma

Situated in the super stylish boutique hotel Casa San Agustín, Alma is fast-becoming known as one of the unmissable culinary experiences in Cartagena. Its gastronomic concept pays homage to Caribbean Colombian cuisine and its traditional flavors, with a high-class and contemporary twist. We love going on weekends to enjoy the live Cuban son music, and the atmosphere is always warm and inviting. It’s the perfect spot for a romantic meal. Although fresh fish and seafood are the stars of the menu, Alma also offers vegan options and premium cuts of meat.

Price: $$$
Dress code: Smart. Long pants and closed shoes for men are a must.
Reservations needed?: Yes. Reservations are tricky so book ahead.

Cande

If Cartagena were a restaurant, she would be Candé. A lot of the culture of a city may come from its gastronomy, but we mustn’t forget about the rest. Music, dance, and traditional dress are all things that Candé incorporates into its dining experience to ensure that its diners are fully immersed in the Cartagenero experience. Enjoy the live musical show at both lunchtime and dinner time, and watch professionals dance the Mapalé and Cumbia, traditional Colombian dances. Stimulate your senses whilst you tuck into some incredible food. Make sure you leave room for dessert, however, as their menu features local delicacies you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Culture, music, and tradition all come together at Candé to provide an unforgettable experience for families, groups, and couples alike.

Price: $$$
Dress code: Dress smart!
Reservations needed?: Yes. Make sure to request a table where you can see the show

7 Cielos Rooftop

Rooftop bar and restaurant

Agua de Leon

Agua de Leon is also a local designer brand for adults and (extremely stylish) kids. Their restaurant is on the same vibe as their clothes. Visually stunning, perfectionist by nature, and great to show off on a Friday night. Their Colombian dishes are a sentimental ode to traditional local flavors, but with a contemporary twist. The fried costeño cheese with truffle is the perfect example of this; mixing the familiar, salty flavors of any Colombian childhood with the sultry umami of truffle. The restaurant itself is an architectural beauty, reminiscent of some of our favorite restaurants in Provenza, Medellin. Understated yet elegant are the words to describe the experience at Agua de Leon, an unmissable experience on your trip to Cartagena.

Price: $$$
Dress code: Dress to impress
Reservations needed?: Yes