Location: Santa Marta
Top Restaurants in Santa Marta
Santa Marta Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Santa Marta
The oldest city in Colombia, romantic Santa Marta is fringed by beautiful beaches and the stunning mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta range. Ancient ruins take cover in the lush mangrove forests of Tayrona National Park, the perfect spot for a day hike. Snorkel along vibrant reefs, then make your way to a café for a multicultural meal that incorporates the flavors of Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe. When the sun goes down, the nightlife kicks up its heels in the bars and discos of the Parque de Los Novios.
Things to do in Santa Marta
1. Lulo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Natural and Fresh Cafe + Juice Bar specializing in Arepa Gourmet, Wraps, Panini, Pitas, Salads, Ceviches, Fresh Smoothies and Juices, Organic Coffee, Mojitos and Margaritas. We also have breakfast till 12pm and Happy Hour 7-9pm. Free wifi
Reviewed By Mark P - Greece
What can I say that hasn't already been said? The previous reviewers didn't lie or exaggerate; this small restaurant is 'da bomb'. I sat at the bar so I had a view of the bartender making drinks, the cooks in the kitchen and the sweet wait staff keeping the customers happy. My first wish as I neared the end of my meal was that i had a stomach twice as large so that i could continue to eat.
2. Restaurante Lamart
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 630 reviews
Reviewed By ElderTrekkers - Ottawa, Canada
Centrally located, Lamart Restaurant served tasty food in a peaceful environment. My wife enjoyed a delicious eggplant dish while I had a very tasty Thai chicken curry. And both dishes were good value for the price charged. Our drinks were 2 micheladas, i.e. beer with lemon or lime juice and salt around the rim of the glass.
3. Ouzo Restaurante
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Restaurant and Bar Ouzo is a fresh, new Mediterranean restaurant located in the center of Santa Marta's Parque de los Novios. Opened by the owners of the established restaurant Agave Azul, Ouzo offers the best in Mediterranean cuisine with a fine mix of cocktails and wines. Everything from homemade pasta and fresh seafood to wood fired pizza can be thoroughly enjoyed.
Reviewed By Iryna_2201 - El Salvador
This place is a gem. They are usually booked for dinners so make sure you book in advance. Both El Balcon (restaurant upstairs) and Ouzo offer outstanding food for reasonable prices. While in Ouzo, go for any of their pizzas. They allow you to compose half-half pizza so you can try half of one pizza and half of a different pizza if you cannot make a decision which one to choose. You will not be disappointed!
4. La Canoa Cafe Cultural
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 173 reviews
Reviewed By IleStLouis - Paris
I stayed a month in Santa Marta and paid regular visits to La Canoa. French-inspired baking (great Opéra + croissants), delicious salads, burgers, seafood, and very friendly and gentle staff. Miguel and the young Venezuelan woman were sweet and attentive. Excellent mojitos too!
5. Rocoto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 258 reviews
Reviewed By LonNW3 - London
Having read the very positive reviews and wanting a really good meal to finish off a short stay in Santa Marta.
Whilst the decor may not immediately imply a first class restaurant, the service was definitely very welcoming and having arrived without a reservation early we were pleased to be seated at all - especially as it became very busy later on.
The menu looked far too good not to over indulge and so we opted for three starters (Octopus, Ceviche and the mixed seafood) which were all superb. If I was to suggest two of those, I would pick the Octopus and the mixed seafood as the Octopus was as good as I have ever tasted, having eaten in places across the globe, charging far more for a meal and decorated with awards, I would still say this is the best I have ever had.
For the mains my girlfriend had the pesto pasta with steak and I had the langoustine with squid ink rice, both were again superb.
The pisco sour was excellent as an accompaniment and throughout the meal the staff were excellent - attentive without being over bearing.
I appreciate the restaurant is expensive for Santa Marta standards, but across the globe you could easily pay 5x the level to receive food this well prepared and so it felt like a bargain and I would heartily recommend to anyone looking for a really enjoyable seafood meal.
6. DI VINO
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 737 reviews
We are not only en Italian restaurant, we are more. We are a concept, an Experience. Live your Mediterranean Taste, your Atmosphere and your healthy food. This is DI VINO
Reviewed By Mor S
Excellent pasta! Good music and nice ambiance! Good for a quiet long dinner, no wine selection and thats very disappointing!!
7. Isola Sarda
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 256 reviews
El mejor sitio para probar la verdadera cocina casera Italiana en un ambiente acogedor y tradicional. Nuestra carta incluye pastas, pastas caseras, pasta con mariscos ,pizzas, lasanas, cannelloni,raviolis y muchas mas especialidades Italianas.
Reviewed By Yvette D - Ottawa, Canada
We were two couples who ordered the ravioli, lasagna and seafood pasta. The food was worth waiting for—which is a good thing, since it took an inordinately long time for our freshly-made pasta dishes to be served. Chef Luca makes his guests feel very welcome, and even offered us an after-dinner limoncello. Service was good. Nice cosy atmosphere and the music isn’t too loud. Good value for the money.
8. Entre Cuates
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 289 reviews
The best Mexican restaurant in Colombia, Entre Cuates is the old Chavela Taqueria & Bar and we have made some improvements in the menus for you. Come and try the best food and the best ambience in this beautiful city!
Reviewed By Cora C
My first night in santa Marta was spent strolling the streets looking for somewhere to eat after lacking any inspiration to cook. We stumbled across entre cuates and it was exactly what we were looking for! The food was delicious and perfect if your travelling with a vegetarian friend but also eat meat! The service was impeccable and the ambiance divine! I would definitely recommend you visit this lovely restaurant! Thank you guys
9. Caribbean Wings
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 121 reviews
Reviewed By Alice S
Went for dinner and they had a 12 piece wing menu that was perfect for sharing. The wings were delicious (crispy, juicy and full of taste) and so were all the sauces. Good efficient service, nice athmosphere, great live music once ever 20 minutes or so and nice music on between. We had a few beers and enjoyed the food and the music and only had to depart of 41.000 pesos. If they keep this up they will end up on the very top of TripAdvisor in santa marta. I small advice would be wet wipes with the napkins and the plastic glove. Otherwise nothing to comment on. Very good.
10. A Deriva
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 267 reviews
Flavours of the world. A Deriva is inspired by local, French and international influences. Offering an original and creative menu which varies nightly depending on our chef's discoveries in the local market and the local fisherman's catch of the day. A Deriva Bistro downstairs with a French Brasserie feel. A Deriva Lounge upstairs with an all-day menu, outdoor Terrace and bar.
Reviewed By EmanneercsAllowed - Palo Alto, CA
We went to A Deriva for drinks only, as it was close to our hotel. It's a pretty, inviting space, and looks clean and modern compared to some of the establishments in Santa Marta. There were not enough vegetarian options to lure us back for a meal, but they had a good selection of beverages and we spent a half hour relaxing on the sofas.
