Cartagena does not lack in good places to eat & drink with a variety of diverse offerings! Below is a sampling of recommended places with a variety of price ranges, mainly in the Old City plus the Cabrero area. Although it is by far a complete list, you will definitely not go hungry or thirsty! Be sure to check out lunch specials which often include soup, main course, juice &/or dessert for a fixed (low) price. And while this article is based on Bogotá, it explains the difference between a ‘corrientazo’, ‘menu ejecutivo’ and ‘menu del día’ which is similar in Cartagena.
In addition to established restaurants, there are also of course street vendors; while not everyone may want to dare to eat off the street, you will see a lot of Cartageneros & visitors doing so! Most of the options are fried foods, but there is other fare as well.
And you MUST try the tropical fruit & juices! You can get jugos naturales at most restaurants as well as some street locations. Great, & very local, juice places are at the Parque de las Flores in the Old City (near Scotiabank on Avenida Venezuela). 5000 pesos for a freshly blended fruit drink big enough to share (& they will put in two separate cups if asked; save the turtles — no straw is “sin pitillo”!!). “Maracuyá en agua” and “níspero en leche” (the latter more of a milky smoothie) are two favorites on a hot day.
IN CABRERO, near Casa Barbara
Charlie’s House Two food trucks selling hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza & drinks. Next to the Rafael Nuñez House on Calle Real.
El Chiringuito on Avda Santander is a minimarket slash ‘gastrobar’; go for a local dining experience!
La Ermita Hotel offers a couple of different dining options, including a rooftop bar; enter via Avda Santander.
Nakha-Arabe y Pizzeria, a popular neighborhood eatery, is part of the small store on Calle Real. It offers Lebanese & fast food options.
Taco Taco Comida Mexicana on Calle Real, right next to the Zafiro building; noon to 10 pm. Anything with the pollo adobado comes especially recommended!
My Sushi Delivery On the ground floor of the Milano building on Calle Real.
Milano Cafe Cartagena Coffee, sandwiches, desserts/baked goods. On the ground floor of the Milano building on Calle Real.
Tacos Wey Sports Bar Mexican food & drinks, often with specials, plus sports! Menu here. Open daily for lunch, drinks & dinner with indoor & outdoor dining. You’ll hear English spoken here! Located 1/2 kilometer from Casa Barbara (going towards the airport) on Calle 46, just off Avda Santander.
Red Ruf–Rooftop Lounge, upstairs from Tacos Wey, for views & drink specials!
ON/NEAR PARQUE FERNANDEZ DE MADRID (Old City)
Pezetarian Sushi, Ceviche, Salads, more! Calle Segunda de Badillo 36-19
Town House Check out their roof top for drinks & tapas (& plunge pool!) “Boozy Brunch” on Sundays. Calle Segunda de Badillo 36-88
Mistura Great plates for sharing! Calle Segunda de Badillo, right on the park.
Montmartre Vive la France and French food! Calle del Santísimo 8-08, just around the corner from the park.
IN/NEAR PLAZA SAN DIEGO (Old City)
Restaurante Juan del Mar Three eating options by the same restaurant, all in the plaza: Juan del Mar Pizzería Gourmet (Pizza & Pasta), Juan del Mar Restaurante (fish & seafood), & Juan del Mar Mesa Peruana (Peruvian cuisine)
El Santísimo Plaza A definite favorite! Imaginative, creative & varied menu; right on the square.
Hotel Sofitel Santa Clara offers a number of bars & restaurants within the walls of this historical convent turned luxury hotel. Worth strolling through at the very least!
OTHERS IN SAN DIEGO SECTION (Old City)
La Mulata Delicious & varied menu including fried fish, grilled chicken and steak. The best lemonade and coco lemonade in all of Cartagena! Lunch & dinner; closed Mondays. Calle Quero 9-58
La Vieja Guardia Fish & Beer Per a Casa Barbara regular: “Great outdoor dining and every dish is named after a Colombian writer, we learn a little history every time we eat there….the fish – you won’t find anything better.” Daily noon-10 pm, near Exito San Diego at Calle Portobello #10-15.
Restaurante Candé Great Colombian food & a dance show to boot! Next to the Serrezuela mall, Calle de la Serrezuela #39-02
Tentadero de la Serrezuela The top floor of the new mall La Serrezuela has a high end ‘food court’ open noon to 10 pm. Your group will definitely find something they like here! Near the wall (& near Exito San Diego) with entrances at on Calle La Serrezuela and Calle del Jardín.
Andres Carne de Res A definite experience not to be missed for meat lovers & more!! In the Serrezuela mall.
CENTRO AREA (Old City)
San Valentin A favorite of many: “great food, great mojitos”! Open daily. Calle Vicente Garcia 6-33.
La Brioche Well known for breakfast/brunch (the Benedictos Costeños come recommended), their gourmet burgers are also good! Calle San Agustin near the corner of Calle del Porvenir.
Buena Vida Marisquería will serve you some great seafood & more! Check out the rooftop seating to enjoy the view. At the corner of Calle del Porvenir & Calle de la Soledad,
Espiritu Santo Excellent local food–large portions at good prices. Lunch only; Spanish very helpful. Cash only. Closed Sundays. Calle del Porvenir (also on Calle Larga in Getsemaní).
Crepes and Waffles Popular chain restaurant: good meals and great ice cream! Only salad bar I’ve seen in Colombia. Open daily. Calle del Landrinal, one block from San Pedro Claver Church. Go in the evening to dine on the rooftop for a view of the church dome lit up.
Epoca Cafe Great coffee & all day breakfasts. Calle de Arzopispado 34-52
Gelateria Paradiso Amazing ice cream, including many local tropical fruit flavors. (Featured in the NY Times “36 Hours in Cartagena” video at the bottom of this page.) Carrera 5 #33-50 (Calle Cochera del Gobernador) and in Bocagrande.
Quebracho Fancy a good steak? This Argentinian restaurant will not disappoint. Calle Baloco 2-69.
Mardeleyva Great Colombian food! Specialty is sea food; live music some evenings. Beautiful courtyard within the Marques Boutique Hotel, Calle Nuestra Señora del Carmen 33-41, off Santo Domingo Plaza.
Cuzco Cocina Peruana Delicious food with live music most nights in a renovated colonial mansion. Across from the Marques Boutique Hotel on Calle Nuestra Señora del Carmen 33-48, off Santo Domingo Plaza.
Restaurante la Catedral Good Colombian coastal food, many of the meals are served on wooden platters adorned with banana leaves. Open daily. On the same street as the Cathedral: Calle de la Iglesia 35-76
La Santa Guadelupe Good Mexican food & fun drinks! Their Centro Histórico location near the former Cafe del Mar has a great terrace with a sunset view. Also at the Serrezuela Mall.
Alquímico The place to go for a huge selection of late night drinks! Calle del Colegio 34-24.
Movich Hotel Rooftop Terrace Fabulous place for sunset & nighttime drinks with a view, just a block from Parque Bolivar. Calle de Vélez Danies 4–39.
GETSEMANÍ:
El Arsenal: The Rum Box A two story restaurant with a fun bar & tables on the first floor, dining only on the quieter second floor. Delicious meals include complimentary rum samples & chocolates! Across from the Convention Center at Calle Del Arsenal 8B-19
Terraza Municipal Just south of the Convention Center on the water is a small collection of food trucks with outdoor seating for evening drinks &/or dinner; pizza, sushi & more. Get there for the sunset, it’s the best view in town!
Espiritu Santo Excellent local food–large portions at good prices. Lunch only; Spanish very helpful. Cash only. Closed Sundays. Calle Larga (also on Calle del Porvenir in Centro)
Selina Calle Larga #8B-148. A hostel with co-working space & a roof top restaurant/bar.
Cocina de Pepina Fabulous traditional plates & staff speaks great English. Only 6 tables & reservations not possible. Callejon Vargas 9A-06 (Featured in the NY Times “36 Hours in Cartagena” video at the bottom of this page.)
Di Silvio Restaurante They have two buildings on Calle de la Sierpe near Plaza de la Trinidad; you can dine ‘al fresco’ on the patio or the roofless section — it’s really quite cool! Italian, live music often on weekends.
Getsemani Pizza Watch the activity on the Plaza while dining on amazing crispy, thin crust pizza & other Italian offerings. Calle de la Sierpe, right on Plaza de la Trinidad.
Caffe Lunático Yum! Great place for coffee or a meal with a fabulous San Felipe Fort view. Fun cooking classes also! Av. Pedregal #29-225, second floor (above the “Tres Guerreras” mural)
Celele Restaurant is a delicious place for a true dining experience; the cuisine features regional recipes, ingredients and cooking techniques in a cozy colonial space at Calle del Espíritu Santo, #29-200. Dinner only & reservations essential; well worth a visit!
Doña Lola Fabulous Caribbean food in a luxury colonial mansion setting. Calle del Guerrero #29-108, just up from Plaza de la Trinidad.
Cafe del Mural Coffee connoisseurs will love the opportunity to choose from among a variety of types of bean as well as different ways to have their café prepared. Callé San Juan 25-60, usually Mon-Sat 3-8 pm.
WALL BARS
Nearly anywhere you can buy a beer for ~$3000 pesos from a vendor on the wall and enjoy!
Cafe del Mar Baluarte de Santo Domingo, 4:30 pm til late. Many people like to watch the sunset here, but note that you pay for the location. There is often music & a strong breeze! Reservations suggested, especially at sunset hour.
Baluarte San Francisco Javier Near the Hotel Charleston Cartagena, evenings til late. Live music. Closed Mondays & occasionally for private events.
Casa de la Cerveza Getsemaní, at the Puente Román, the bridge that connects Getsemaní with Manga. Nice place for views, drinks, and a bite.
Craft beer lovers should check out this guide to finding craft beer in Cartagena.
BEYOND THE OLD CITY
Club de Pesca is just across the Puente Román from Getsemaní in the San Sebastián de Pastelillo Fort (Manga), with a nice bay view.
See Cartagena Explorer for suggestions for romantic dinners and great places for sunset drinks.