Where to Eat
Long before our wedding brought everyone here, Cartagena was already part of Ale’s life. She spent many childhood holidays in the city, and the tradition continues today, whenever she visits family in Cali, she always sneaks away for a few days to Cartagena.
Coming back also means returning to favourite meals, familiar tables, and the restaurants she refuses to miss. Below are some of the places we love most. If you’re unsure where to go, start with any of these, you won’t regret it.
Celele
One of Colombia’s top restaurants, known for creative, beautifully presented dishes, definitely worth reserving in advance.
Address: Calle del Espíritu Santo, Cra. 10c #29-200, Getsemaní, Cartagena de Indias$$$$
Restaurante Carmen Cartagena
An elegant fine dining spot showcasing creative Colombian cuisine with beautifully presented tasting menus.
Address: Calle del Santísimo, Cl. 38 #8-19, San Diego, Cartagena de Indias$$$$
Restaurante Mistura Cartagena
A long-standing Cartagena favourite serving creative fusion dishes that blend tradition with modern flavours, perfect for sharing.
Address: Calle Segunda de Badillo, frente al parque Fernández de Madrid, Cartagena de Indias$$$
Baruco by Cuzco
Fantastic food, great cocktails, and live music — the kind of place where dinner easily turns into a full night out.
Address: Cra. 3 #33-66, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias$$$
Restaurante Cande
A traditional Caribbean restaurant with live music and dancing, as much a cultural experience as a dinner.
Address: San Diego, Cra 10, Cl. de la Serrezuela #No 39-02, Cartagena de Indias$$
Niku Cocina Nikkei
A fantastic Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant with amazing food, great cocktails and a fun atmosphere.
Address: Centro Histórico, C31, Cl. de San Juan de Dios #3 39, Cartagena de Indias$$$
Salon Tropical Cartagena
A vibrant dinner spot with Caribbean flavours, cocktails and music, dinner here often turns into a fun night out.
Address: Cra 10c, Cl. de la Lomba #28-36, Getsemaní, Cartagena de Indias,$$$
Rabo de Pez
A relaxed seafood spot with fresh Caribbean flavours, great cocktails and a fun, laid-back atmosphere.
Address: Edificio Andian, Cl. 32 #5 - 09 Local 3, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias$$$
La Cevicheria Cartagena
Famous for its ceviches and vibrant atmosphere, mixing Caribbean ingredients with Mediterranean flair.
Address:Calle Stuart por el hotel Santa Clara Calle 39 #7 14, Cartagena de Indias$$
Roman Restaurante
A fun spot for a long dinner with friends, offering Mediterranean flavours and plenty of plates to order and share.
Address: Plaza Fernández de Madrid, Centro Histórico, Cl. 37 #7 - 12, San Diego, Cartagena de Indias$$$
Lobo de Mar
A relaxed Caribbean-style restaurant with fresh seafood, tacos and casual sharing plates, great for an easy dinner with friends.
Address: Centro, Calle del Santísimo #8-15, Cartagena de Indias$$$
Buena Vida Marisquería Cartagena
A relaxed seafood restaurant serving fresh Caribbean dishes and ceviches, great for an easy lunch or casual dinner.
Address:Centro histórico, Cl. del Porvenir #Esquina, Cartagena de Indias$$
Colombitalia Arepas
A relaxed and much-loved spot in Getsemaní neighbourhood, serving freshly made Colombian arepas with creative fillings, perfect for a casual bite or late-night snack.Address: Cra. 10 #30-1 30-101 a, Getsemaní, Cartagena de Indias$
Bar Alquimico
One of Cartagena’s most iconic cocktail bars, set in a colourful colonial townhouse in the old city and ranked among the World’s 50 Best Bars. A vibrant spot known for creative cocktails, great music and a lively late-night atmosphere.
Address: Cl. del Colegio #34-24, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias
El Barón
A beautiful open-air cocktail bar set in Plaza San Pedro Claver, perfect for early evening drinks with expertly made classic cocktails and a relaxed Cartagena atmosphere.
Address: Carrera 4, Cl. San Pedro Claver #31-7, Cartagena de Indias
Café Havana
One of Cartagena’s most famous nightlife spots in Getsemaní, known for live salsa music, dancing and a lively late-night Cuban-Caribbean vibe.
Address: Cra. 10 #ESQUINA, Getsemaní, Cartagena de Indias
El Arsenal: The Rum Box
A cosy rum bar specialising in Colombian and Caribbean rums, ideal for a more intimate night out and tasting something local.
Address: Calle Arsenal #8b-19, Cartagena de Indias
Mirador Gastro Bar
A popular rooftop bar overlooking the clock tower, great for sunset drinks, city views and a fun, energetic atmosphere.
Address: Cra. 7 #32-77, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias
1811 Rooftop & Cocktail Bar
A stylish rooftop in the old city offering cocktails, music and panoramic views — a great place to start or end the night.
Address: Centro Histórico, calle primera de Badillo, Cra. 7, Cartagena de Indias
Mondo Cocktail Bar
A modern cocktail bar known for creative drinks and a trendy crowd, perfect if you enjoy craft cocktails and a lively setting.
Address: Centro, Cl. del Colegio #34-66, Cartagena de Indias
Address: Centro, Cl. del Colegio #34-66, Cartagena de Indias
La Movida
A lively open-air party venue in the old city where locals and visitors mix, offering DJs, dancing and a festive late-night atmosphere without feeling like a typical nightclub.
Address: Cl. 31 #3-37, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias
Bazurto Social Club
A colourful, high-energy party spot inspired by Cartagena’s Bazurto market, known for champeta music, dancing and a very local, fun vibe.
Address: Carrera 9 no. 30–42 in Cartagena de Indias
Eivissa Cartagena
A popular rooftop party spot for dancing and music, great for groups wanting a fun night out with views and a more upbeat atmosphere. Address: Calle Portocarrero #7- 33 Piso 4, El Centro, Cartagena de Indias