Quick answers — eating in Cartagena
- Best restaurant overall
- Celele Restaurante
- Best value
- Candé (COP 100,000 - 220,000 / USD 25 - 55 (à la carte))
- Strongest cuisines
- Mexican & Latin, Seafood, Spanish
- Dishes to try
- Arepa de Huevo, Ceviche Cartagenero, Pescado Frito con Arroz con Coco, Sancocho
- Booking window
- For top fine-dining restaurants like Celele or Alma, reservations are crucial. Plan to book at least 2-4 weeks in advance, especially for weekend evenings or peak season, to secure your preferred time.
Bookings are essential, especially for dinner and at higher-end establishments, often weeks in advance. Dress codes typically range from smart casual to elegant, reflecting the restaurant's ambiance. Tipping is customary, usually 10-15% for good service. Dinner hours generally begin around 7:00 PM, with peak times from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Mexican & Latin
Best Mexican and Latin American restaurants in Cartagena
Latin American kitchens have some of the fastest-moving cooking anywhere: masa ground in house, ceviche cured to order, and Nikkei menus mixing Peruvian and Japanese technique.
Celele Restaurante
Acclaimed local fine diningContemporary Colombian · Getsemaní · COP 250,000 - 450,000 / USD 65 - 115 (tasting menu)
Jaime Rodríguez & Sebastián Pinzón
Celele is a cornerstone of Cartagena's culinary identity, championing Caribbean biodiverse ingredients and ancestral techniques. Chefs Rodríguez and Pinzón craft an evolving tasting menu that tells a story of the region's rich pantry and cultural heritage, presenting dishes with visual artistry and profound flavor. It's a journey into uncharted Colombian gastronomy.
Order: Caribbean Tasting Menu, cured fish with coconut and ají dulce
Alma
Acclaimed local fine diningContemporary Colombian · Old City · COP 180,000 - 350,000 / USD 45 - 90 (à la carte)
Heidy Salas
Housed within the stunning Hotel Casa San Agustín, Alma provides a luxurious dining experience with a focus on elevated Colombian cuisine. Chef Salas expertly blends traditional flavors with contemporary techniques, resulting in vibrant, beautifully presented dishes. The elegant courtyard setting, often with live music, creates an unforgettable ambiance for sophisticated palates.
Order: Pescado en Croûte, Cartagena-style lobster
El Santísimo
Acclaimed local fine diningInternational / Colombian · Old City · COP 120,000 - 250,000 / USD 30 - 65 (à la carte)
Located in a beautifully restored colonial house, El Santísimo offers a unique 'sacred' dining experience, drawing inspiration from religious art and history. The menu features a refined fusion of international and Colombian dishes, characterized by rich flavors and elegant presentation. The ambiance is one of sophisticated charm, making it a timeless Cartagena institution for a memorable meal.
Order: El Pez Bendito (Blessed Fish), steak with café de Paris sauce
Seafood
Best seafood restaurants in Cartagena
Seafood restaurants live or die on the day's catch — the shortest menus are usually the best sign, because the kitchen is cooking what actually came in.
Club de Pesca
Acclaimed local fine diningSeafood · Manga · COP 150,000 - 300,000 / USD 40 - 75 (à la carte)
Situated within an old fort overlooking the bay, Club de Pesca offers an idyllic setting for its acclaimed seafood. The restaurant focuses on fresh, locally sourced catches prepared with a sophisticated yet approachable hand. Diners enjoy classic preparations alongside innovative dishes, all complemented by stunning waterfront views and a refined atmosphere perfect for a special occasion.
Order: Grilled whole fish, lobster thermidor
Marea By Rausch
Acclaimed local fine diningSeafood with International influence · Centro Histórico (Convention Center) · COP 150,000 - 300,000 / USD 40 - 75 (à la carte)
Jorge & Mark Rausch
Overlooking Cartagena Bay and the historic walled city, Marea, by the celebrated Rausch brothers, specializes in exquisite seafood. The menu features fresh catches transformed with international techniques and bold flavors. The sleek, contemporary interior provides an elegant backdrop for dining, while the outdoor terrace offers spectacular views, making it ideal for a sophisticated meal with a view.
Order: Ceviche Marea, Black Cod with miso
Spanish
Best Spanish restaurants in Cartagena
Spanish dining runs late and sociable: tapas standing at the bar, then a proper sit-down at 9pm or later. Basque kitchens in particular sit among the best in Europe.
Erre de Ramón Freixa
Acclaimed local fine diningMediterranean with Spanish influence · Bocagrande · COP 200,000 - 400,000 / USD 50 - 100 (tasting menu)
Ramón Freixa
Helmed by acclaimed Spanish chef Ramón Freixa, Erre brings a touch of Iberian gastronomic flair to Cartagena's Bocagrande district. Located atop the Hotel Las Américas, it offers breathtaking ocean views to complement its innovative Mediterranean cuisine. Expect artfully plated dishes that play with textures and temperatures, showcasing Freixa's signature creative approach to fine dining in a sleek, modern setting.
Order: Foie Gras with caramelized apple, arroz caldoso with seafood
Budget
Where to eat cheaply in Cartagena
La Cevicheria
A vibrant, casual spot famous for its fresh, creative ceviches and seafood cocktails. Expect queues but delicious, flavorful dishes starting from around COP 40,000 / USD 10.
Bazurto Social Club
More than just food, it's a lively cultural experience with delicious Caribbean street food elevated. Try the empanadas, arepas con huevo, and strong cocktails. Mains around COP 35,000 - 50,000 / USD 9 - 13.
Café del Mar
While drinks can be pricey, the sunset views from atop the city walls are unparalleled. Grab a casual snack or a simple grilled item to enjoy with a cocktail. Snacks start around COP 25,000 / USD 6.
Arepas y Empanadas at Plaza de la Trinidad
The bustling heart of Getsemaní offers numerous street vendors with authentic and affordable eats. Arepas, empanadas, and kibe are excellent. Prices typically COP 5,000 - 15,000 / USD 1.50 - 4 per item.
Street Food at Parque Bolívar
Around Parque Bolívar, especially near the Gold Museum, find vendors selling traditional snacks like buñuelos, carimañolas, and fresh fruit. Great for a quick, cheap bite, usually under COP 10,000 / USD 2.50.
Local dishes
What to eat in Cartagena
Arepa de Huevo
A classic Colombian street food, this deep-fried cornmeal patty is stuffed with an egg and sometimes ground beef. The exterior is crispy, while the inside is soft and savory. Find the best ones from street vendors, particularly in Getsemaní's Plaza de la Santísima Trinidad, for an authentic, delicious snack or light meal.
Ceviche Cartagenero
While ceviche is popular across Latin America, Cartagena's version often features fresh white fish or shrimp marinated in lime juice, red onion, and often a creamy, slightly sweet sauce with a hint of coconut milk. It's a refreshing and vibrant dish, perfect for the Caribbean heat. La Cevicheria is a renowned spot for this specialty.
Pescado Frito con Arroz con Coco
A quintessential coastal dish, featuring a whole fried fish (often mojarra or pargo), crispy on the outside and tender within. It's traditionally served with fluffy coconut rice, patacones (fried plantain slices), and a simple salad. This meal is a must-try, especially when visiting the Rosario Islands or beachfront restaurants.
Sancocho
A hearty and comforting soup, sancocho can vary by region but in Cartagena often includes fish (sancocho de pescado), root vegetables like yuca and plantain, corn, and cilantro, cooked in a rich broth. It's a staple in Colombian cuisine, often served as a substantial lunch. Look for it at local, traditional eateries.
Posta Negra Cartagenera
This is a rich, slow-cooked beef dish, often a tender cut of beef braised in a dark, sweet sauce made from panela (unrefined cane sugar), onions, garlic, and spices. The meat becomes incredibly tender and flavorful, usually served with coconut rice. It's a traditional Cartagenan specialty, found in many upscale and traditional restaurants.
Patacones
Thick slices of green plantain, twice-fried until golden and crispy, then flattened. They are a common side dish, often served with main courses like fried fish or as an appetizer with hogao (a Creole sauce) or cheese. Their savory, slightly starchy flavor complements almost any Caribbean meal.
Lulada
A refreshing, tangy drink made from lulo, a tropical fruit native to Colombia. It's prepared with fresh lulo pulp, water, sugar, and often lime juice, creating a vibrant green, slightly acidic, and incredibly thirst-quenching beverage. Perfect for cooling down after a warm day of exploring Cartagena's streets.
Coco Helado
A delightful street dessert, coco helado is essentially frozen coconut water or milk, often served directly in a hollowed-out coconut shell. It's a natural, sweet, and incredibly refreshing treat, perfect for beating the tropical heat. You'll find vendors selling it along the city walls and in various plazas.
How to book a table in Cartagena
- · For top fine-dining restaurants like Celele or Alma, reservations are crucial. Plan to book at least 2-4 weeks in advance, especially for weekend evenings or peak season, to secure your preferred time.
- · Some high-demand restaurants, particularly those with tasting menus, may require a credit card guarantee or a non-refundable deposit to confirm your booking, so be prepared for this possibility.
- · Consider booking for lunch at fine-dining establishments, which often offer a more relaxed atmosphere and sometimes slightly lower prices for a similar quality culinary experience. Lunch sittings are generally easier to secure.
- · Always reconfirm your reservation 24-48 hours prior to your dining time. Cartagena restaurants can have strict no-show policies, and a timely cancellation allows others to enjoy the experience.
FAQ
Cartagena restaurant questions travellers ask
What is the best restaurant in Cartagena?
Celele Restaurante in Getsemaní is the benchmark table — Contemporary Colombian, led by Jaime Rodríguez & Sebastián Pinzón, acclaimed local fine dining, around COP 250,000 - 450,000 / USD 65 - 115 (tasting menu) per person. Order the Caribbean Tasting Menu, cured fish with coconut and ají dulce
Where is the best Mexican and Latin American restaurant in Cartagena?
Celele Restaurante in Getsemaní is the Mexican and Latin American table to book in Cartagena (COP 250,000 - 450,000 / USD 65 - 115 (tasting menu) per person). Other strong options: Alma, El Santísimo.
Where is the best seafood restaurant in Cartagena?
Club de Pesca in Manga is the seafood table to book in Cartagena (COP 150,000 - 300,000 / USD 40 - 75 (à la carte) per person). Other strong options: Marea By Rausch.
Where is the best Spanish restaurant in Cartagena?
Erre de Ramón Freixa in Bocagrande is the Spanish table to book in Cartagena (COP 200,000 - 400,000 / USD 50 - 100 (tasting menu) per person).
Where can I eat well in Cartagena without spending a fortune?
Candé is the best-value table on this list at roughly COP 100,000 - 220,000 / USD 25 - 55 (à la carte) per person. Beyond fine dining, locals point to La Cevicheria, Bazurto Social Club, Café del Mar.
How far in advance should I book restaurants in Cartagena?
For top fine-dining restaurants like Celele or Alma, reservations are crucial. Plan to book at least 2-4 weeks in advance, especially for weekend evenings or peak season, to secure your preferred time. Some high-demand restaurants, particularly those with tasting menus, may require a credit card guarantee or a non-refundable deposit to confirm your booking, so be prepared for this possibility.
What food is Cartagena famous for?
Arepa de Huevo, Ceviche Cartagenero, Pescado Frito con Arroz con Coco, Sancocho, Posta Negra Cartagenera — the dishes most worth eating where they come from. A classic Colombian street food, this deep-fried cornmeal patty is stuffed with an egg and sometimes ground beef. The exterior is crispy, while the inside is soft and savory. Find the best ones from street vendors, particularly in Getsemaní's Plaza de la Santísima Trinidad, for an authentic, delicious snack or light meal.
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