Where to Eat in Cartagena in 2025: 36 Restaurants & Bars
This past April, I had the incredible opportunity to work remotely in Cartagena for three weeks. While my days were spent grinding away under the glow of my laptop screen, my evenings and weekends were free to explore everything this amazing city has to offer…including answering the hot ticket question, where to eat in Cartagena.
I explored every rooftop bar, snacked on all the street food, and made it a point to dine at both the city’s top-rated and lesser-known restaurants, ensuring no culinary stone was left unturned.
Now, I’m sharing my picks for the top restaurants in Cartagena, plus some great street food, bars, and coffee options, so you can dive straight into the best of Cartagena’s food and drink scene without missing a beat.
Keep reading to discover exactly where (and what!) to eat in Cartagena.
CARTAGENA SOLO FEMALE TRAVEL RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cartagena is relatively affordable and safe—but there were fewer opportunities to meet other solo female travelers than I expected going into the trip.
Map of the Best Restaurants in Cartagena
Brunch Spots in Cartagena
Having honed my brunch-hopping skills in Canggu, I was eager to see how Cartagena’s brunch scene stacked up (like pancakes—hee hee). Unfortunately, I couldn’t visit all of the brunch restaurants in Cartagena 😭, but of the ones I did get to hit, these are my favorites for that quintessential “brunch” vibe.
1. Manna Café Bar
Tucked away down a quiet street filled with art in Getsemani, Manna Café Bar offers incredible food… and the super cute atmosphere is just a bonus.
I ordered a refreshing peppermint lemonade alongside my Benedictines, which consisted of sourdough toast, runny poached eggs, bacon, and hollandaise sauce—all of the above for 44,000 COP ($11).
Let me just say, delicious food aside, the air conditioning in this place is a lifesaver in that Colombian heat. I visited on my last morning in the city, and it was the perfect way to end my trip and fuel up for my long journey back to Chicago.
Price: $$
Hours: Tues. to Sat. 8:30 AM–3:30 PM, Sundays 8:30 AM–2:00 PM, Closed Mondays
Where to find it
2. Ely Café
If you’re on the look-out for great food and excellent coffee at a reasonable price, Ely Café in Bocagrande is a must-visit.
The café offers a cozy ambiance and is the perfect spot to enjoy a satisfying brunch without breaking the bank. Get caffeinated enough to hit the streets and soak up every minute of your Columbian vacay!
I ordered the arepas de la casa which consisted of avocado cream, fried egg, campesino cheese, and bacon with a tasty cappuccino on the side—all for 38,000 COP ($9.50).
Price: $$
Hours: 7:00 AM–10:00 PM
Where to find it
3. La Brioche Bocagrande
If you’re wondering where to eat in Bocagrande for a fantastic brunch, La Brioche offers both indoor and outdoor seating, vegan options, and a wide variety of delicious dishes to sink your teeth into.
This casual brunch spot will leave everyone in your travel squad feeling satisfied and ready to explore the city (or cured from their Cartagena-partying hangover).
Forever the eggs Benedict girlie, I ordered a heaping plate of the Benedictos Costeños—consisting of poached eggs, chipotle hollandaise sauce, avocado, peasant buffalo cheese, chives, and crispy bacon on top of ground corn arepitas for 44,900 COP ($11).
There is also a La Brioche Centro Historico if you’re staying in the city center.
Price: $$
Hours: 7:00 AM–5:30 PM
Where to find it
Where to Eat in Cartagena, Colombia
What’s better than a delicious dinner out in a new and exciting destination? It’s definitely one of my favorite things to do.
There are many ways to tackle Cartagena restaurants—you could go in blind, randomly picking places as soon as your stomach starts growling…or, you could plan just a teensy little bit and increase your chances of eating an incredible Colombian meal tenfold.
Personally, my travel meals are too important to leave up to chance, so I decided to do a little planning. Boy did it pay off.
If you’re looking for some seriously delicious food in Cartagena, look no further. Sit back, relax, and let me be your guru to the best restaurants in Cartagena, Colombia.
4. Uma Cantina Peruana
With its amazing food, top-notch service, and stunning atmosphere, Uma Cantina Peruana leaves absolutely nothing to be desired.
Seafood connoisseurs will be especially excited about the menu here, although there are plenty of other options as well. We landed on the Caldoso de Mariscos (a flavorful seafood broth that the waiter highly recommended) and the Lomo Saltado.
Both dishes were delicious, which made for our perfect first meal inside the historic city walls. Warm staff, inspired cuisine, and an impeccably-decorated dining area—it’s a 10 from me!
Price: $$$
Hours: 12:00 PM–11:00 PM
Where to find it
5. Mar de las Antillas
Forget about going to the beach—restaurant Mar de las Antillas brings the ocean to you! (Okay but I lied, still visit the beach.)
The decor here is all about marine life, from massive porcelain fish hanging from the ceiling to marine live murals painted on the wall, all the way to tropical drinks served in shark’s-head glassware. Unfortunately, a piña colada sounded better to me than the drinks served in the shark glasses, but maybe you’ll disagree.
This place is all about traditional cuisine, which is why I opted for the sawfish served with coconut rice and a house salad (although the Posta Cartagenera was a close second).
My one and only complaint was that the prices felt a little high for a place that’s supposed to be a local haunt, but when you compare it to most cities in the U.S.—it’s a steal.
Price: $$$
Hours: 11:00 AM–11:00 PM
Where to find it
6. Carmen
Known for its bougie atmosphere and inspired cuisine, Carmen offers a dining experience that blends local and international ingredients. The menu is widely praised for its creative dishes and elegant presentation, making it a top choice for a special night out for dinner in the walled city!
Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to visit Carmen during my 3-week trip to Cartagena. I almost dined here for lunch on my last full day in town, but I decided that my wallet had taken enough of a punch…this place is definitely a splurge. However, it’s easy to justify splurges on vacation—so eat your heart out!
Price: $$$
Hours: Monday & Tuesday 6:30 PM–10:00 PM, Wednesday to Friday noon–3:00 PM and 6:30 PM–10:00 PM, Saturday 12:30 PM–3:30 PM and 6:30 PM–10:30 PM, and Sunday 12:30 PM–3:30 PM and 6:30 PM–10:00 PM
Where to find it
7. La Vitrola Restaurante
Restaurante Bar La Vitrola offers a truly authentic Cartagena experience with its live local music and romantic ambiance.
The traditional food is delicious, though it can be a bit pricey. While I wasn’t a huge fan of the lobster and shrimp bisque (it seemed more shrimp than lobster), my friend was absolutely obsessed with her dish—the ropa vieja.
The restaurant is housed in a charming historical building with black and white photographs lining the walls of the dining room. The service was also top-notch—honestly the whole restaurant has a wonderful family-owned vibe!
Price: $$$
Hours: Noon–3:00 PM and 7:00 PM–midnight
Where to find it
8. Restaurante Candé
I LOVED this restaurant 👏🏼. Restaurante Candé was definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Cartagena, Colombia.
Not only do you get the type of top-notch cuisine associated with fine dining, but you also get a killer atmosphere, amazing service, and a cultural show! Looking at the lavish interior design and the high-end menu, you’d never guess how affordable the meal would end up being.
The traditional dance show, while more of a fashion show than actual dancing, added some fabulous entertainment to our Candé dining experience. It’s easy to see why this is one of the most well known places to eat in Cartagena.
Also, take my advice—go to the bathroom here. The entire restroom is covered in mirrors, it’s trippy as hell, but very cool to see. Be sure to take a look, even if you don’t have to “go.”
If you plan on visiting this popular spot, be sure to make a reservation in advance on their website—they’re very strict about reservations around showtime. Long story short, if you’re asking where to eat in Cartagena, the answer is Restaurante Candé.
Price: $$$
Hours: Monday through Wednesday 7:00 AM–11:00 PM, Thursday through Saturday 7:00 AM–11:30 PM, and Sunday 7:00 AM–10:00 PM
Where to find it
9. La Cevichería
La Cevichería is another spot that I unfortunately didn’t have the opportunity to dine at. Not for any particular reason—there’s just only so many restaurants a girl can fit in three weeks, especially when you factor in a 4-day trip to Santa Marta and Tayrona National Park.
However, this local seafood haunt comes highly recommended for where to eat in Cartagena among bloggers, travel experts, and locals alike.
Known for being one of the best places for fresh seafood in Cartagena, this little restaurant became world famous when Anthony Bourdain visited South America on his show “No Reservations.” Be sure to order the ceviche!
PS: I visited a few of Anthony Bourdain’s recommendations when I was searching for the tastiest local street food in Hanoi, Vietnam—he never disappoints!
Price: $$
Hours: 1:00 PM–10:30 PM
Where to find it
10. Morena Cartagena
Morena Cartagena is a stunning eatery (definitely one of the best restaurants in Bocagrande) with a beautiful setting, but be prepared for the heat! I’m not kidding, buy this portable fan on Amazon and bring it to Morena—lest you sweat off all your beautifully-applied makeup.
While some menu options are on the pricey side, especially the cocktails which range from $14 to $16 (the most expensive I’ve seen in Colombia), beer is reasonably priced and the food is fairly affordable. This restaurant has great live music and a decor-scheme reminiscent of Bali’s best breakfast cafes—with tons of wood, sculptures, and green plants.
Despite the higher price tag and the heat, Morena is always high on the list of where to eat in Cartagena, especially if you love an Instagram aesthetic.
Price: $$$
Hours: Monday through Thursday 11:30 AM–midnight, Friday through Sunday 11:30 AM–12:30 AM
Where to find it
11. Ana Restaurant
If you’re wondering where to eat in Cartagena, yet craving some Asian cuisine, Ana Restaurant is the perfect choice for you.
This is true Asian fusion like you’ve never experienced before. Ana is known for its inventive menu and memorable dishes, like the sushi roll topped with crushed Doritos. Although the food was delicious, the highlight of my visit to Ana was the live music. We were serenaded by a captivating performance of Dean Martin classics sung in Spanish.
Ana is a bit on the pricier end, but the high-end experience definitely justifies the price tag.
Price: $$$
Hours: Sunday through Wednesday noon–11:00 PM, Thursday through Saturday noon–11:30 PM
Where to find it
12. La Casa de Socorro
If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Getsemani Cartagena, La Casa de Socorro offers a tasty array of local dishes with a focus on seafood, steak, and pasta.
The bright orange and blue exterior brings patrons in the door, and the hardworking staff, delicious food, and strong AC keeps them coming back! It’s a great stop for lunch during your trip to Cartagena.
Pro tip: This place can get a bit busy at times, so I recommend visiting outside of peak hours.
Price: $$
Hours: 11:30 AM–11:50 PM
Where to find it
13. Restaurante Donjuan
Restaurante Donjuan is a must-visit for great food and charming decor, complemented by blissfully strong A/C—thank God!
I really enjoyed my seafood risotto, it was rich, flavorful, and satisfying after a long day of exploring. However, the steak tartare appetizer was the true standout—even if it was on the smaller side, the flavors were immaculate. The restaurant is known for its fresh fish and seafood, so I highly recommend trying some during your visit.
If you’re fixin’ for something stronger than a Club Colombia (beer), Donjuan’s margaritas are rumored to be some of the best in Latin America. Overall, Restaurante Donjuan certainly earned its place among my list of the best places to eat in Cartagena.
Price: $$$
Hours: Monday through Friday 12:30 PM–3:00 PM and 7:00 PM–11:00 PM, Saturday 7:00 PM–11:00 PM, Closed Sundays
Where to find it
14. La Mulata
Although I didn’t have the chance to dine at La Mulata myself, it comes highly recommended by, seemingly, everyone.
The ceviche in particular receives rave reviews for its freshness and flavor, as does the posta negra cartagenera—beef cooked in a dark, semi-sweet sauce. If you get the opportunity to dine here during your trip to Cartagena, drop a comment below and let me know what you thought!
Price: $$
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 11:30 AM–10:00 PM, Sunday 11:30 AM–6:00 PM, Closed Mondays
Where to find it
15. Café del Mar
If you’re looking for a fabulous sunset spot in Cartagena, look no further than Café del Mar on the city walls. This is hands-down the best restaurant in Cartagena with a view, since it overlooks the walled city on one side, Bocagrade on one side, and the Caribbean Sea on the other two sides.
You can come here for before-dinner drinks, after-dinner drinks, or a sit down dinner—since the restaurant offers a full menu of seafood dishes, ceviche, and local favorites for a reasonable price (considering the view).
If you’re dead-set on watching the sunset here, I highly recommend showing up at least an hour before to get a table.
Price: $$
Hours: Monday through Thursday 4:30 PM–12:30 AM, Friday through Sunday 4:00 PM–1:00 AM
Where to find it
16. Doña Lola Restaurant
After I deemed Carmen a bit too expensive for my last day in Cartagena, I mosied on over to Doña Lola Restaurant for a late lunch and some local beers.
I ordered the grilled octopus, and wow was it delicious. It was perfectly cooked and served on a bed of sliced potatoes drowned in a savory sauce made of tomatoes, onions, coconut milk, and herbs. Seriously—the only other place I’ve had octopus this good was in Portugal.
Thank God the food was phenomenal…because my waiter was less than ideal. If you’re a seasoned solo female traveler like me, then you’re familiar with the exchange. It goes a little like this—
“What is your name? You are so beautiful. Are you alone? Do you have WhatsApp? Do you have a boyfriend?” (My answers to those last ones? No and yes—both lies.)
He then proceeded to stand in the doorway and watch me eat my entire meal while softly singing to salsa music. The food, atmosphere, and the rest of the waitstaff were incredible—don’t miss Doña Lola during your trip to Cartagena.
However, if you’re a woman traveling alone, learn from my mistake and don’t each lunch at 3:00 PM when the restaurant is completely empty and your waiter has nothing to do but focus all his attention on you.
Price: $$$
Hours: Monday through Thursday noon–10:30 PM, Friday through Sunday noon–11:00 PM
Where to find it
17. Celele By Proyecto Caribe Lab
Celele is on every list offering advice on where to eat in Cartagena! This innovative restaurant was named one of the 50 best restaurants in 2020 and chefs Jaime Rodriguez and Sebastian Pinzón are well known for bringing back to life long-forgotten methods of cooking from the indigenous populations of Colombia.
Sadly, I wasn’t able to try their groundbreaking food myself, as Celele was closed for renovations during my stay in Cartagena.
Price: $$$
Hours: Monday, Wednesday through Saturday noon–11:00 PM, Tuesday noon–2:00 PM and 6:30 PM–11:00 PM, Closed Sunday
Where to find it
18. Benitto Pizzeria
After 4 days spent in Santa Marta trying the city’s best-rated local cuisine, I arrived back to Cartagena too late and too tired to drag myself out of bed for dinner. Thankfully, there’s a little app called Rappi that makes being vertical completely unnecessary!
I was craving some international cuisine (there’s only so much fried fish a girl can eat), and stumbled upon Benitto Pizzeria. Let me tell you—this pizza was every bit as good as pizza I’ve had in Italy. The crust was authentic Neapollitan, fluffy and crispy at the same time. I highly recommend the spicy salami with burrata.
Price: $$$
Hours: Sunday through Thursday 12:30 PM–10:00 PM, Friday & Saturday 12:30 PM–midnight
Where to find it
19. La Esquina del Pandebono
This little Colombian bakery specializes in pandebono—cheese bread made with butter, cheese, eggs, and cassava starch—that is seriously delicious. We discovered La Esquina del Pandebono during our street food tour of Cartagena (book this tour—you won’t regret it!).
The shop has been open in the center of the historic city for over 30 years and is a great place to stop for a quick snack while exploring. Be sure to try the lulo fruit juice too, it’s super refreshing during those humid days in Colombia!
Price: $
Hours: 6:00 AM–9:00 PM
Where to find it
The Best Street Food in Cartagena
Some of the best food in Cartagena cannot be found in a restaurant, but rather on the side of the street!
During our time in Cartagena, we decided to take a street food tour to learn about the best local eats in the walled city—from a local themselves. (Seriously, this tour was awesome—and only $42/person.)
Below are some of the most famous street food spots in Cartagena, I hope you enjoy them a much as we did.
👉🏼 Book your street food tour with Viator for your trip to Cartagena!
20. Coctelería y Cevichería Erika
If you’re looking for the best places to eat in Cartagena for a taste of local food, look no further than Coctelería y Cevichería Erika. This street food stand has been selling Colombian ceviche in Cartagena for 50 years.
The restaurant is named after the owner’s daughter who sadly died at only 10 years old. We also tried Kola Ramon here—a type of cherry soda that’s very popular in Cartagena.
Colombian ceviche is different from ceviche in the rest of the Caribbean. In other places, like Roatan, Honduras’ best restaurants, ceviche is usually made by mixing fresh fish or seafood, lime juice, cilantro, avocado, and fresh veggies like red onion, tomatoes, and peppers.
In Colombia, ceviche is made with ketchup, mayo, and lime juice. To be completely honest with you, it’s not my favorite, but I’m glad I got to try it and a lot of people on the tour seemed to enjoy it.
Price: $
Hours: 8:00 AM–midnight
Where to find it
21. Palito de Caucho
Paulito de Caucho has been serving caucho in Cartagena for over 80 years. The stand is located right outside the Plaza de los Coches and is distinguished by its green roof. In addition to serving great food, it’s served as a meeting point for locals since the 1950’s.
Caucho, consisting of flattened and fried plantains topped with soft, white cheese, is eaten as a side dish, for breakfast, or for a mid-afternoon snack in Cartagena.
Price: $
Hours: 8:00 AM–6:00 PM
Where to find it
22. Portal de los Dulces
Visiting the Portal de los Dulces is definitely one of the best things to do while visiting Cartagena. This is basically just an entire sidewalk covered in vendors selling different local sweets and desserts—so you can’t miss it!
We tried coconut sweets in a variety of flavors: dulce de leche, sugarcane, passionfruit, guava, and honey milk. Some of these candy recipes were brought to Cartagena as many as 400 years ago by African slaves.
Price: $
Hours: Roughly 10:00 AM–10:00 PM
Where to find it
23. Arepas Street Food Stand
Have you even visited Cartagena if you haven’t eaten arepas from a street vendor? After my first one, I was hooked. It’s been months and I’m still devastated you can’t find arepas like these in the states.
Arepas are made with white corn, cheese, butter, and hot sauce on top and are 100% my favorite Colombian food. There are tons of street food stands selling arepas in Cartagena so it doesn’t have to be this one, just be sure to try one during your visit.
Price: $
Find them in front of El Pasquin de Joaco within the city walls
24. Fritos la Mona
If you like the regular version of arepas, then you’ll also love this deep-fried version. Fritos la Mona has been selling deep-fried arepas stuffed with an egg for over 12 years in front of the Townhouse Boutique Hotel (one of the best rooftop bars in Cartagena).
This is the perfect budget-friendly meal in Cartagena, so don’t miss out!
Price: $
Hours: Monday through Friday 4:00 PM–midnight, Saturday & Sunday 4:00 PM–10:00 PM
Where to find it
25. Plaza de la Trinidad
If you’re wondering where to eat in Getsemani, head over to Trinidad Square for some street food with an awesome local vibe. There are a few carts in the plaza selling hot dogs, kebabs, loaded fries, and more for a great price.
I ordered a “Super” hot dog (which I learned is literally “perro caliente”). I paid only 11,000 COP ($2.70) for this monster of a hot dog with crispy potato strings, onions, melted cheese, and ketchup. It was delicious, but very hard to eat without making a huge mess.
Price: $
Where to find it
The Best Cartagena Rooftop Bars
I would live at a rooftop bar if I could. I’m not kidding.
Thankfully for me, Cartagena had no shortage of stunning rooftop bars with tasty drinks, amazing views, and much-needed breezes to bring relief from that Caribbean heat. Browse my favorites below!
26. 51 Sky Bar
51 Sky Bar, in the luxurious ESTELAR Cartagena de Indias Hotel, is one of the most famous rooftop bars in Cartagena for its views, craft cocktails, and live music. Cover costs 40,000 COP ($10), but it includes a welcome drink (a type of rose/gin shot). The drinks and food were reasonably priced considering the location.
However, as much as 51 Sky Bar is a great spot for a couple before-dinner drinks for a bougie girl’s night, I personally believe there are much better rooftop bars in Cartagena (that won’t charge you a cover).
The live music was fantastic, that is true, but the barriers around the bar are very high and not well cleaned, so it doesn’t offer the 360-degree views we were expecting. The music is also VERY loud, so it’s not a great place for conversation.
We ordered the chicken skewers, which were delicious, but my Aperol Spritz was just okay.
Price: $$$
Hours: Closed Monday through Wednesday, Thursdays & Sundays 4:00 PM–2:00 AM, Fridays & Saturdays 4:00 PM–3:00 AM
Where to find it
27. Alquímico
Take my advice—do NOT miss a visit to Alquímico on your trip to Cartagena Colombia. This 3-story bar was voted 9th best in the world by The World’s 50 Best in 2023 (and the best bar in South America for the last three years), and after you visit, it’s very clear why.
Alquímico has a great atmosphere, delicious and reasonably priced cocktails, and a hilarious staff that always bring the good vibes (peep our adorable bartender—below, right). She was so excited when we gave her free reign to whip us up something yummy! We couldn’t stay away, and ended up coming back to Alquímico three times during our trip.
Price: $$
Hours: Sunday through Wednesday 6:00 PM–2:00 AM, Thursday through Saturday 6:00 PM–3:00 AM
Where to find it
28. Townhouse Boutique Hotel & Rooftop
Townhouse is not only an adorable boutique hotel, but it’s also one of the cutest rooftop bars in old town Cartagena. It’s a great spot for before-dinner cocktails with a view, especially if you time it for sunset.
Our drinks were de-lish, but our only complaint was that they served them to us in fluorescent green YETI mugs 😂. Yes—they stayed cold, but they really ruined our IG aesthetic.
Price: $$
Hours: Noon–1:00 AM
Where to find it
29. Mirador Gastro Bar
Alongside Alquímico, Mirador Gastro Bar was one of our favorite bars in the city. Their enormous rooftop lounge is located in Plaza de los Coches, so you’re guaranteed iconic Cartagena views.
The vibes here are also immaculate with a friendly waitstaff, tasty cocktails, and a dance floor that gets poppin’ after 11:00 PM!
Price: $–$$
Hours:
Where to find it
30. Hotel Movich
As one of the most luxurious hotels in Cartagena, Hotel Movich has no shortage of views and vibes. The rooftop boasts my personal favorite view of Cartagena with the iconic yellow dome of the Santuario de San Pedro Claver in the foreground and the skyscrapers of Bocagrande in the background—all framed by the Caribbean Sea.
The rooftop also offers an infinity pool just for guests (cause it’s not truly a luxury hotel without one) in addition to the bar and restaurant. We didn’t eat here, but the drinks were surprisingly reasonable for a view this nice, especially considering rooms here go for upwards of $500/night. I highly recommend visiting Hotel Movich for sunset!
Price: $$
Hours: 4:00 PM–11:00 PM (not verified)
Where to find it
31-33. Non-Rooftop Bar Honorable Mentions
As much as I adore a rooftop view, even I have to admit that there are some bars in Cartagena worth a visit that don’t come with a 360-degree viewing platform.
Check out these hot spots below to get a taste of the local culture and dance the night away!
Café Havana
Café Havana has long held the title of the most well-known bar in Cartagena (although in recent years, Alquímico might be giving them a run for their money).
Unfortunately, their popularity must have gone to their head, since both drink prices and cover charges have seen a massive increase in recent years. In summer of 2024 (as this post is being written), the cover is 60,000 COP ($15).
We actually did not visit Café Havana during our trip to Cartagena…because your girl was too stubborn to pay the cover, but if you love to salsa dance and want to witness a piece of the city’s history, it might be money well spent.
Casa Palenque
Casa Palenque is a great local dance club in Getsemani located right next to the food carts in Plaza de la Trinidad. We visited their 2nd-floor dance floor on a pub crawl with the Selina Hostel and had a blast!
The drink prices were fair and the vibes were fantastic, my only complaint was the very dense, sweet-smelling smoke they pumped over the dance floor the entire night…but it’s probably just me being a cranky old lady at clubs.
Vueltabajero Salsa 100%
Vueltabajero Salsa Bar in Getsemani is where we stumbled into after I drunkely refused to pay the $15 cover at Café Havana—so you could call it serendipity.
This is a super fun bar where locals congregate to show off their mad salsa dancing skills on the weekends in Cartagena. The drinks were very affordable and the atmosphere was one of the best we came across in Cartagena’s nightlife scene. If you’re wondering where to drink in Cartagena, don’t skip Vueltabajero!
Where to Go For Coffee in Cartagena
If you’re planning a trip to Cartagena, chances are you’ve heard of the city’s legendary coffee culture. Colombia grows and exports some of the best coffee in the world—why do you think this is where Starbucks gets their beans? Portland simply can’t compete!
Try the coffee shops below for some seriously tasty bean water in Cartagena.
34. Cafe la Manchuria
Cafe la Manchuria was actually the last stop on our Colombian street food tour. Our guide stopped here so we could try limonada de cafe—a Colombian drink consisting of lemonade mixed with coffee. Yeah…we were also unsure about this one.
However, there’s no disputing the quality of the coffee at Cafe la Manchuria. Order the limonada de cafe if you dare, otherwise simply stop in for a tinto to start your morning in Cartagena the right way.
Price: $
Hours: 8:00 AM–9:00 PM
Where to find it
35. Café San Alberto
Stop by Café San Alberto‘s large location in the heart of the walled city to try some of the most awarded coffee in all of Colombia. All of their coffee comes from Hacienda San Alberto and they can trace their production all the way back to 1972 with the founder’s purchase of the finca (coffee plantation).
Stop by to try some seriously delicious coffee and browse trinkets in their gift shop. From experience, I can definitely say that coffee, along with hot sauce, is one of the best souvenirs to bring home from Latin America.
Price: $$
Hours: 9:00 AM–9:00 PM
Where to find it
36. Ábaco Libros y Café
I’m so sad we missed a visit to Ábaco Libros y Café during our trip! This coffee shop is located inside a little bookstore—so guests can browse their favorite reads while they sip their caffeine. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a lazy morning with a book and a few high-quality coffee drinks.
Price: $
Hours: Monday through Saturday 8:00 AM–9:00 PM, Sundays 9:00 AM–9:00 PM
Where to find it
Cartagena Restaurants FAQ:
What food is Cartagena, Colombia famous for?
Cartagena’s culinary scene mirrors it’s coastal location and blend of indigenous, African, and Spanish cultural influences. The cuisine features an array of seafood dishes, such as ceviche—fresh fish marinated in citrus juices—and arroz de coco (coconut rice), which often accompanies fried fish like pargo frito (fried red snapper).
The city is also famous for its arepas—either regular or de huevo (with egg) and empanadas. Additionally, tropical fruit and fruit juices, like mango, papaya, and guava are popular.
What time do people eat dinner in Cartagena?
In Cartagena, dinner tends to be a later affair (although not as late as it’s usually eaten in Spain). Most locals start to thinking about dinner around 8:00 PM, but it’s not uncommon for them to sit down to eat even later, around 9:00 PM or even 10:00 PM.
It’s all about taking the day at a leisurely pace, enjoying the cooler evening hours, and often, making dinner a social event that’s as much about catching up with family and friends as it is about the food.
What is the average cost of a meal in Cartagena, Colombia?
Honestly, Cartagena was nowhere near as cheap as I was expecting it to be. However, the cost does vary greatly depending on where you choose to eat.
If you’re hitting up street food stands, you can grab a filling meal for around $3-5. At modest eateries, you’re looking at around $8-12, but at most restaurants on this list you can expect a meal to be around $12-20 (not including a drink).
Don’t get me wrong, meals in Cartagena are still much more affordable than most restaurants in North America, but you’re not going to find any Thailand meal prices here.
Does Cartagena accept US dollars?
Although some very touristy establishments (and possibly taxis) will sometimes take USD, you’ll usually get a terrible exchange rate. You could bring USD and exchange it at the airport, but I’ve found these kiosks to have horrible rates as well. My advice is to bring a debit card and take out Colombian pesos at a local ATM once you arrive in Cartagena.
Final Thoughts
After three whirlwind weeks eating my way through Cartagena, I’m already missing the scents, the flavors, and the everyday way of life in Colombia.
Regardless of whether I was eating high-end cuisine at a fancy restaurant or getting my fingers greasy from an arepa I bought on the street—Wisconsin’s culinary scene just cannot compare.
Hopefully, as you reach the end of this post, where to eat in Cartagena should no longer be a question—but rather an exciting checklist to tackle. Whether you’re here for the street food, the fancy dinners, or just to sip a glass of prosecco at a rooftop bar, you’re in for a treat!
