The Best Restaurants in Cartagena, Colombia

Looking for where to eat in Cartagena, Colombia? Discover the best restaurants in Cartagena Colombia, for tasty, Michelin-worthy dining, top coffee spots, Colombian classics, and more in the famous Caribbean city.

Updated: fully for 2025

Cartagena de Indias is a delightful, charming city on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. It’s the perfect mix of beach and historical city destination with a fusion of Afro-Caribbean and Colombian culture.

Cartagena also has some pretty amazing places to eat and drink. Restaurants in Cartagena cater for every budget and taste, and if you’re really craving something new, you’ll fall in love with the food scene here.

From sunset drinks at a casual bar on the old city wall to luxury restaurants to street food, Cartagena has something for everyone.

After three visits to Cartagena, keep reading for my guide to the best restaurants in Cartagena, which focuses on high-quality, local, and international dining. I’ve also included some of my favorite spots for coffee and casual dining too, perfect for when exploring the city.

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Best Restaurants in Cartagena, Colombia

1. Celele

Tucked into Cartagena’s bohemian Getsemaní neighborhood, Celele is a culinary standout that reimagines Caribbean Colombian cuisine with bold creativity. Helmed by Chef Jaime Rodríguez, the restaurant sources over 90% of its ingredients locally—many wild-harvested—crafting dishes like flower salads and fish salpicón that are as beautiful as they are rooted in tradition.

With its relaxed, stylish setting and boundary-pushing flavors, Celele has earned its spot among Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, offering a fine dining experience that feels anything but formal.

It’s my top picks for an upscale dinner in Cartagena, easily one of the best restaurants in the Caribbean city. Make sure to book a table well in advance.

2. Buena Vida Marisquería

Lively, colorful, and effortlessly fun, Buena Vida Marisquería is one of Cartagena’s most beloved seafood spots, dishing up creative Caribbean fare in a vibrant, three-story space inside the walled city.

Downstairs, expect playful takes on coastal classics—think octopus toast, shrimp-stuffed arepas, and zingy ceviches—while upstairs, the rooftop terrace steals the show with sunset views, live DJs or saxophones, and cocktails that lean tropical with a twist.

It’s buzzy without being chaotic, stylish without being pretentious, and the kind of place where the service feels as warm as the breeze rolling in from the sea.

3. Candé

Located in a restored colonial building now set inside La Serrezuela in Cartagena’s Old City, Candé Restaurante is less a meal and more a full‑sensory dive into Cartagenian culture.

With every detail—from its vibrant tropical décor and live music to the energetic dancers—Candé serves food that bursts with local soul: ceviches in coconut milk, whole fried snapper, rabbit in coconut milk, hearty crab soups and seafood stews, all made from fresh, regional ingredients.

I really loved its upbeat vibe and authenticity, the food was great but at time service felt a bit rushed. The wine list is impressive—so much so that Candé received recognition from Wine Spectator—and signature cocktails like tamarind drinks add flair to the mix.

It’s the perfect place to go for a festive night out when you want Cartagena’s culinary heritage with extra sparkle.

4. La Vitrola

La Vitrola is one of Cartagena’s most historic and popular restaurants. The whole place evokes 1950s Havana with all the vibes and live Cuban music. It was once a place frequented by politicians, socialities and tastemakers from bygone eras. The atmosphere here is unlike anywhere else in town.

The food here is very varied and they serve seafood, fish, and meat dishes as well as pasta and salads.

Reservations here are really hard to get in high season, so make sure to book this one as soon as your trip is confirmed.

5. Carmen

Carmen Restaurante Cartagena offers a refined yet approachable fine‑dining experience that celebrates Colombia’s biodiversity. With a design that blends lush greenery, soft lighting, and a breezy courtyard, the space feels luxurious without pretension.

The menu—often a multi‑course tasting adventure—features standout dishes like Pez Negro (fish of the day with truffle‑stuffed ravioli) and the rich Cerdo 2 Veces, pork belly glazed in tamarind and palm sugar.

Service here is attentive and knowledgeable staff tailor pairings and guide your meal. While it sits at the upper end of dining prices, Carmen delivers every penny with stunning flavors, artful presentation, and a dining experience meant for savored celebration. This is easily one of my favorite spots on my last trip to Cartagena.

6. Ana Restaurant

Tucked into Getsemaní, Ana Restaurante Bar is Cartagena’s trailblazer of Caribbean‑Asian fusion, blending tropical Colombian ingredients with sushi, ramen, gyosas, and wok‑fried rice in a setting that’s polished yet warmly inviting.

I tucked into a feast of spicy tuna rolls with crunch and heat, Vietnamese‑style rice dishes, smoky costillas ahumadas (pork ribs), and delicate ceviches with coconut undertones—each dish a clever mashup of ocean flavors and spice.

There’s a definite flair for presentation and bold, light yet satisfying flavors. The energy is enriched by live music—often acoustic or Latin-inflected—while service is friendly and English‑speaking, enhancing the chic, celebratory atmosphere.

Ideal for date night or a stylish group dinner, this is one of Cartagena’s most imaginative and scene‑setting dining spots.

7. Pezetarian

Probably one of the best options for fresh, healthy, and plant-based food in Cartagena, Pezetarian offers delicious, Asian- focused food. Their colourful menu contains only fish, seafood and vegan dishes.

Come here for a range of vibrant rice bowls, salads, noodle dishes, sushi and more. This place is perfect for both lunch and dinner, and for those looking for a vibrant, healthy meal for all diets.

There is something here for everyone. 

Drinks include a wide range of alcoholic cocktails and beers as well as non-alcoholic infusions, juices and lemonades.

Where: Carrera 7 # 36-19 | Calle Segunda de Badillo, Cartagena

8. Cancha Restaurante

For fresh, flavor-packed Peruvian flair with a focus on ceviche and sushi, this spot is a must. The menu leans heavily into seafood, with several styles of ceviche—from classic lime-cured white fish to more tropical takes—and beautifully plated sushi rolls that fuse Japanese technique with Latin ingredients.

Don’t miss their limonada de coco, a Colombian classic: thick, creamy, and the perfect balance of sweet and tart. While there are a few plant-based dishes on offer, it’s really the seafood that shines here.

Address: Carrera 7, #36-50, Cartagena

9. La Cevicheria

This is Cartagena’s best ceviche is a simple and no-frills eatery. Even Anthony Bourdain came here in one of his episodes. Whatever you order on the menu you can assure it to be tasty, zesty and super fresh.

The lobster ceviche in particular, is a hit with most customers and one of their most popular options. If you like ceviche, you won’t regret coming here.

Best Cafes and Casual Bites in Cartagena

10. Epoca Cafe Bar

For those looking for an excellent place for breakfast or brunch, head straight to Epoca.

Attached to the luxurious Hotel Casa del Arzobispado, Epoca serves some of the best coffee in Cartagena.

You can choose from machine-espresso coffee or speciality coffee which includes preparation in options like Chemex, French Press, Aeropress and siphon, among others.

The decor perfectly embodies Cartagena’s history and glory in a split-level cafe that is conducive to both relaxation and work.

You’ll find all the brunch and breakfast classics here such as avocado toast, waffles, pancakes, eggs in all styles and typical Colombian breakfasts.

Where: Carrera 5 #34-52, Centro Historico, Cartagena

Read more: The 10 Best Things to Do in Cartagena, Colombia

11. El Bololó: Bowls Del Caribe

If you’re staying or exploring the vibrant neighbourhood of Getsemani this is the place you’ll want to eat at.

For a simple meal packed full of Caribbean flavour, head to El Bololó, a simple eatery right next to Plaza de la Trinidad in Getsemani.

Here there are just two options: a Caribbean bowl with an animal choice of protein and a veggie bowl that contains legume cakes, rice, beans, grilled veggies, fried plantain and fresh salad.

Portions are small, but perfect for this climate. They also have kombucha and freshly made juices. Take a seat by the window, order a veggie bowl and watch Getsemani go by.

El Bololó is also great for a casual or budget lunch in Getsemani.

Where: Calle San Antonio #25-185, Getsemani, Cartagena

12. Cafe De La Mañana

Quite easily my favourite place for breakfast in Cartagena, Cafe de la Mañana is a small and chic little cafe serving breakfast, brunches and lunches.

With great coffee and hot drinks in general you can choose from eggs any way you like, pancakes, American and English breakfasts as well as, for plant-based eaters, falafel and avocado salad.

Each breakfast also comes with a side of fresh fruit and a hot drink.

Cafe de la Mañana is great value and a delicious way to start the day. It’s also a great place for a mid-morning coffee and a spot of laptop work if you need to get things done when in Cartagena.

Hours: 8am-4pm
Where: Calle Estanco del Aguardiente #05-80, Cartagena, Colombia

13. Quero Arepa

You simply can’t leave Colombia without trying an arepa, a typical dish from Colombia and Venezuela consisting of a corn-based dough that’s grilled and filled with a variety of different fillings or toppings- it’s a lot like a pitta.

One of the best places to eat arepas in Cartagena is Quero Arepa, which specialises in a number of veggie-friendly fillings from black beans and cheese to grilled vegetables and cheese.

They have an entire vegetarian page on their menu that includes arepas, burgers, other Caribbean- inspired bowls and main dishes. Many of the options listed can easily be made vegan too.

Make sure to order a fresh juice here too, they are some of the best we had in Cartagena.

Address: Calle Quero/Calle 37 #9130, Cartagena, Colombia

Best Bars in Cartagena, Colombia

14. Alquímico

For one of the most unforgettable drinking experiences in Colombia, Alquímico is non-negotiable. Set inside a restored colonial mansion in Cartagena’s historic center, this three-story cocktail temple takes mixology to theatrical heights.

Each level offers a different vibe—from the moody, apothecary-style bar downstairs to the rooftop garden lounge where the energy is electric and the DJ keeps the night alive.

The cocktails are inventive, precise, and bursting with Colombian ingredients like corozo berry, tamarind, and Amazonian botanicals. It’s not just a bar—it’s a full-blown sensory experience.

10/10 for vibes, atmosphere, service, and the kind of night you’ll keep talking about long after the hangover fades.

15. El Barón

After Alquímico, El Barón comes a close second—and for good reason. Tucked into a picturesque corner of Plaza San Pedro Claver, this intimate cocktail bar is pure class in a glass. The vibe leans more low-key and romantic than rowdy, with dim lighting, old-world charm, and bartenders who treat mixology like an art form.

Expect flawless classics alongside signature creations infused with Colombian flavors—think aguardiente twists, tropical fruit infusions, and meticulously balanced sips that somehow taste like Cartagena itself. It’s the kind of place where you sit down for one drink and end up staying all night, mesmerized by the craft and conversation.

16. Movich Hotel Rooftop Bar

Perched atop the Movich Hotel, this rooftop bar offers one of the best panoramic views in all of Cartagena—think sweeping cityscapes, ocean glimmers, and church domes glowing at golden hour.

While the drinks are fairly standard, the setting more than makes up for it. If you’re after sundowners with a view (and a great photo op), this is the place to be.

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Do you have any questions about the best restaurants in Cartagena? Which ones do you plan to visit? Comment below and let me know.

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