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Eat & Drink

The country that produces some of the most appreciated coffee beans in the world is also home to delicious food that has Spanish and Caribbean influences, and still takes advantage of interesting native ingredients. Try some of the typical Latin American cebiches, or the fried pargo fish with coconut rice, Colombian mini corn bread filled with spiced eggs called arepas de huevos, or some cazuela seafood stew. An afternoon visit to a café will become more special with a taste of the mouth-watering tres leches vanilla sponge cake. Throughout the day, feast your eyes and palate by enjoying the rich array of tropical fresh fruit options available, such as passion fruit, granadilla, guava, chirimoya, uchuvas and so many others.

Carmen is a unique experience of sensations and flavors, a culinary mix that uses native ingredients, carefully selected from all corners of Colombia and prepared with a delicate Asian touch. Everything on the menu is great, but the spicy shrimp Tacos Caribe and the succulent No Me Llames Cazuela seafood soup are the highlights of the house. Do not miss the local fruit cocktails, Andino… Read more »

A charming family run small restaurant , La Cocina de Pepina, with only eight tables and a notable portrait of Gabriel García Márquez paying homage to his longstanding custom. María Josefina Yances Guerra, one of the great Colombian chefs, believed in keeping traditional cuisine alive and expressing the soul of its people in her food, a mission faithfully followed nowadays by her nephew. Caribbean soups,… Read more »

The unpretentious atmosphere does not hint at the outstanding quality of the food served in this charming cebicheria. An excellent choice to savor exquisite fresh cebiches, as well as the traditional arepas as starters. There are plenty of other dishes as well, including marvelous seafood combined with tropical fruits. We simply loved the spicy tamarind cebiche and the grilled king prawns with local butifarra sausage and quail… Read more »

The most famous and recognized restaurant in Cartagena repeatedly sparks lively debates about whether La Vitrola’s food really is the best in town. We liked it, but it cannot be denied there are other equally excellent options in Cartagena. Frequented by A-Listers in all fields, politicians and all sorts of celebrities, the ambiance is reminiscent of a 50s Havana, with delightful live Cuban music and… Read more »

This enchanting old style neighborhood bookstore is a perfect respite from the bustling streets. The charming brick walls, wooden shelves and large rectangular tables welcome visitors to browse, sit and sip what is considered the best coffee in the world: Colombian coffee. We suggest you try the delicious cheesecake or banana cake to accompany your coffee and sweeten your day! There is a wonderful selection… Read more »

This place is super relaxed and easygoing, nothing special in terms of decor, yet serves the best meat in town. It is actually an Argentine restaurant, the South American country reputed as having the best meats in the region. Rib eye, tendereloin and various other cuts perfectly cooked in the parrilla (grill) are on offer. We recommend our favorites, the vacio and the bife de chorizo,… Read more »

This small coffee house is our choice if you would like to sample the farandula, a typical Colombian soup, or just have an afternoon coffee. Mila also has some of the most famous pastries in Cartagena and we highly recommend the Porteña chocolate cake with truffles or the coconut vanilla and dulce de leche dessert, both mouthwatering and worth every calorie!