Bolivar Department, Colombia Food Guide: 10 Spanish food Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Cartagena

August 12, 2020 Matilde Konrad

Find out what Spanish restaurants to try in Cartagena. Cartagena, a gorgeous fishing village on Colombia's Caribbean coast, has excellent beaches, a historic old town (that's entirely walkable) and beautiful colonial architecture. It's also one of the safest places in the country, so it's no wonder it's a popular port of call for cruise ships. Need a break from exploring the cobblestone streets? Stop at an outdoor cafe for excellent pastries and people-watching.
Things to do in Cartagena

10. La Vieja Guardia Fish&Beer

Calle Portobello , Edificio Los Balcones , San Diego Estamos contigüos al Exito San Diego, Cartagena Colombia Caribbean, Latin, Bar, Seafood, Spanish, Pub, Colombian Lunch, Dinner, Late Night, Drinks Outdoor Seating, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Takeout, Reservations, Parking Available, Street Parking, Wine and Beer, Digital Payments [email protected] +57 301 5603610
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5 based on 168 reviews

La Vieja Guardia Fish&Beer

La Vieja Guardia Fish&Beer has its doors open in the Old City of Cartagena with the best of Caribbean Cuisine, the coolest beer, la Salsa más Brava! Come, enjoy a cold beer and complementary tapa!

Reviewed By 226jonnys

Had a fantastic dinner here, far removed from many of the generic, unremarkable tourist-pleasing restaurants in other parts of the old town. The atmosphere was great, and the whole restaurant had plenty of personality. The staff gave great service, were fun and were able to give good advice about the menu. The menu was full of exciting, authentic local options. I had a corvina ceviche that was absolutely delicious. The cocktails were also excellent. Don't stop in Cartagena without eating at this place!

9. Mardeleva Restaurante Cartagena

Calle de los puntales 37-16, Cartagena Colombia Caribbean, Colombian, Latin, Seafood, Spanish Lunch, Dinner, Late Night, Drinks Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Wine and Beer, Live Music [email protected] +57 320 2468870 https://www.facebook.com/mardelevarest/
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5 based on 71 reviews

Mardeleva Restaurante Cartagena

Restaurante de cocina colombiana inspirado en las Costas Pacífica y Caribe. Ambiente tropical y sofisticado.

Reviewed By Suzymobile47

Although Mardeleva appears to be relatively new to Cartagena, it promises to rise to the top of its restaurants. The decor, in a traditional Historic Center home with an interior courtyard and high ceilings, is stunning. Even the menus are bound in tapestry and colorfully illustrated. A full band entertained there at Saturday lunch. Before the meal, we received a lightly sweet corn cake dotted with sea salt. Then our skillful server cleared the table to make a setting for our orders. I finally had a chance to try carimanolas, traditional deep-fried yucca pockets, in this case stuffed with swordfish mixture and served in a boat alongside three sauces--tomato-garlic, sour cream, and a spiced sour cream--in little red cast-iron pots like a toy kitchen's. All the right touches are there! I was able to eat only one of these little goodies, but our server graciously packaged the rest for us to eat for breakfast the next day.Bill had a generous piece of cornflake-encrusted sea bass on a bed of mashed yucca, with its own sauces: a tartar and a red sauce.It just amazes me that one can walk into a place like this, on a weekend, without a reservation, and be treated to one of the best meals of a vacation. Once word gets out that it's here, that might not continue to be so easy.

8. 923 Tapas & Vinos

Calle de la Magdalena #9-27 Getsemani, Cartagena Colombia Latin, Mediterranean, Spanish, Wine Bar Lunch, Dinner, Drinks Seating, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Free Wifi [email protected] +57 5 6439814 http://www.facebook.com/923vinosytapas/
Food
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4 based on 209 reviews

923 Tapas & Vinos

Reviewed By Jill B

This little hidden gem is fantastico. Diego is amazing as is his staff with presentation of the food and knowledge. We were welcomed so kindly and was introduced to many different wines along with the history and paring to the dishes offered. The music choice by Diego is also fantastic. So, Diego's olives are no less than Amazing!!! I am still craving them. We brought some friends we met in Cartagena who also enjoyed the atmosphere very much. The highlight is how humble Diego is and how much care he respresents of this amazing establishment. Thank you Diego & staff for a beautiful experience in fine wines and beautiful food with great pricing. I will be back!!!!

Best International food near Cartagena, Bolivar Department, Colombia

7. Caffe Lunatico

Calle Espiritu Santo 29-184, Cartagena 130001 Colombia Seafood, Spanish, Fusion, Gastropub Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks, Late Night Delivery, Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Television, Highchairs Available, Reservations, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service [email protected] +57 320 3830419 http://www.facebook.com/Caff%C3%A9-Lun%C3%A1tico-305506369561776/
Food
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4 based on 796 reviews

Caffe Lunatico

Reviewed By gotravelgirl

Just off the busy main strip of Getsemani is the lovely locally owned cafe/restaurant. We were only in Cartagena for 3 night but ate here twice in the time it was so good. Excellent sangria and tapas at a very reasonable price. Highly recommended.Thanks for your review and we hope you come back.. Welcome anytime

Most Popular Fast Food food in Cartagena, Bolivar Department, Colombia

6. Hamachi

Calle 8 2 36 Bocagrande, Cartagena 130001 Colombia Japanese, Peruvian, Sushi, Asian, Latin, Spanish Lunch, Dinner, Late Night, Drinks Reservations, Seating, Highchairs Available, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Takeout, Validated Parking, Serves Alcohol [email protected] +57 301 7391510 https://www.facebook.com/restaurantehamachicartagena/
Food
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Value
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4 based on 132 reviews

Hamachi

Reviewed By NDV209

The crunchy tacos and the tataki salad were good. The passion fruit sauce on the salmon tiradito was a touch too sweet. A small cup of sushi rice cost 15,000 pesos, which seemed a bit pricey. We did not get the sushi—it seemed to veer either towards ceviche sauce or be swimming in mayo.

Most Popular Seafood food in Cartagena, Bolivar Department, Colombia

5. El Burlador Gastrobar

Carrera 3 # 33-88 Calle Santo Domingo, Cartagena 130001 Colombia Seafood, Mediterranean, Spanish, Gastropub Drinks, Lunch, Dinner, Late Night Delivery, Television, Highchairs Available, Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music [email protected] +57 310 4532436 http://elburladordesevilla.com/
Food
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4 based on 1481 reviews

El Burlador Gastrobar

In EL BURLADOR DE SEVILLA you will find the best of the spanish gastronomy, fresh local seafood and the only FLAMENCO SHOW performing everynight in the city. We invite you to try our delicious food and to enjoy our show that has all the magic and charm of

Reviewed By searching4sasquatch

El Burlador is an intimate tapas gastrobar, perfect for romance or a feel-good evening outing with friends. The menu is authentic to its Iberian roots and you can find a variety of plates from jamón serrano to paella ideal for sharing with a jarra of sangría. Live music does not conform to american trends— you won’t find reggaetón here! The music makes you feel like you’re passing the evening in Malaga or Sevilla instead. Highly recommend this place if you appreciate authenticity done well!Thank you very much for sharing your experience on TripAdvisor.We appreciate all your comments and thoughts from our restaurant. We are very happy to know that the whole experience was great, our food is delicious and the ambiance and service make it even better.We hope to see you again soon!Best regards

Best Peruvian food near Cartagena, Bolivar Department, Colombia

4. Celele By Proyecto Caribe Lab

Carrera 10c 29 200 Calle del Espiritu Santo, barrio Getsemani, Cartagena 130001 Colombia Caribbean, Colombian, Latin, Spanish, Contemporary Lunch, Dinner, Late Night, Drinks Reservations, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Street Parking, Wine and Beer [email protected] +57 301 7420389 http://www.celelerestaurante.com
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4 based on 177 reviews

Celele By Proyecto Caribe Lab

Contemporary cuisine based on the gastronomic culture and biodiversity of the Colombian Caribbean territory

Reviewed By PhileasFoggontour

We were excited to go here. The reviews are excellent and it was close to our Airbnb. We used the automated booking system on their web page, selected a time and waited for the confirmation. None came so we eventually contacted them on WhatsApp and got the confirmation. This seems to be an increasing problem in Colombia with restaurants that have automated booking, that they want you to use but they don’t complete their part of the transaction.Getsemani is a fast improving area and it currently looks like a building site. The restaurant is on a pleasant but fairly dark street. Like many restaurants they don’t open the doors until seven o’clock so time your arrival well.We weren’t the first in the queue and when we reached the hostess there was much pulling of faces. The room itself was nearly empty but clearly our reservation, which did exist, was creating a problem. We were led out of the main room into what I presume was the bar, a rather claustrophobic room.We weren’t happy with this and there’s no language issue here as my wife is Colombian. Much shrugging so we decided to leave and as we passed what I presume to be one of the managers he just ignored us.Now, no matter how good your food is a little customer interaction - even an apology that this was the only table available - might have helped. If there was an overbooking issue - although this was 7 p.m. and 90% of the tables in the main room were empty we could have agreed to have returned on another day. One got the idea that our booking was something of an inconvenience and our departure would resolve a problem for them.There are a lot of good restaurants in Cartagena these days and this looks as if might become a very valuable addition. One does hope that in this case success isn’t bringing an ‘attitude’

Top 10 Latin food in Cartagena, Bolivar Department, Colombia

3. DONA LOLA caribbean food

Calle del Guerrero 29-118 Getsemani, Cartagena 130001 Colombia Caribbean, Spanish, Colombian Lunch, Dinner, Late Night, Drinks Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Seating, Wine and Beer [email protected] +57 314 4412245 https://www.facebook.com/Do%C3%B1a-Lola-Cartagena-457114458367434/
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5 based on 148 reviews

DONA LOLA caribbean food

Antique's gallery in a colonial romantic palace that recovers its splendor serving cartagena's traditionals and Caribbean inspired dishes by local chef Gerson Guardo. We also have some of the best spain's tapas due to spanish designer and owner.

Reviewed By TatianaArdizio

The staff is very kind and nice. They speak English.The food is very delicious, all of it. Fish, meat and and dessert. It's not the cheapest restaurant in cartagena, especially if you love wine, but it is absolutely worth the visit. The location itself is very different and cool. RecommendedDear Tatianayour comment is a great feedback. It`s a joy having such nice clients with us.Regards,

Where to eat Gastropub food in Cartagena: The Best Restaurants and Bars

2. La Taperia

Calle el vicario de Santa Teresa carrera 2 # 31-46, Cartagena 130001 Colombia Seafood, Mediterranean, European, Spanish, Catalan, Gastropub Lunch, Dinner, Late Night, Drinks Seating, Serves Alcohol, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Street Parking, Wine and Beer [email protected] +57 312 8015590 http://www.facebook.com/lataperiacol
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5 based on 769 reviews

La Taperia

Spanish tapas. Best spanish food in town. Enjoy our popular paella, sangría, and amazing tapas Galician styile.

Reviewed By PhoenixSaoPaulo

Very small, charming "Taperia" close to the wall and Hotel Charleston. The family run place uses homemade ingredients, daily made fresh. I believe, people that travel, should understand the concept of a Taperia, which are several smaller apetizers, in this palce, usually on a bread. As alternative, they serve real other typical spanish plate, which is Seafood Paella. During my stay in Cartagena, I went 5 times and all tapas were delicious and very reasonably priced, as quality can not be super cheap. Very sympathetic athmosphere created by the owners. I will be back for sure.

Where to eat Pizza food in Cartagena: The Best Restaurants and Bars

1. Gran Inka Gastrobar

Carrera 6 32 62 Calle del Candilejo, Cartagena 130001 Colombia Peruvian, Latin, Seafood, International, Spanish, Healthy Lunch, Dinner Reservations, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music [email protected] +57 318 4987259 https://www.facebook.com/graninkacartagena/
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5 based on 560 reviews

Gran Inka Gastrobar

Reviewed By jannettet2013

Extremely friendly staff. Food was very good as well as our drinks. Our waiter, Jose, was supper attentive and very nice. They have a sommelier tending to wine aficionados, which I found supper nice. I truly recommend this restaurant if you are in the mood for Peruvian food.HelloThank you for taking your time to share your experience at Gran Inka Gastrobar. We think service is the key to be a good restaurant that's why our staff is always up to give the best to each one of our customers. Hope you can come back when you're back in town.

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