Where to Eat Traditional Colombian Food in Cartagena

You didn’t come all the way to Cartagena just to eat the same ol’ food you eat at home! To experience the culture of Colombia’s Caribbean coast, you must try the food, but not all traditional Colombian meals are made equal. You want the best of the best, and that’s where we’d be happy to help. 

Here are just a few of our favorite Cartagena restaurants serving up the most flavorful and gourmet versions of traditional Colombian dishes. 

Cande

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or looking for an excuse to get dressed up for a nice dinner, Cande is the place to go. Serving traditional Colombian food made to perfection accompanied by folkloric dance performances that go on throughout the evening, there’s a reason why this place is a crowd pleaser. Cande is chic with elegant service to match. The maze of dining rooms, each with its own detailed decor, also adds a nice touch to this restaurant. Cande is perfect for private events and large group dining as well.

Celele

At Celele, guests learn that Caribbean Colombian food is more than just fried fish and coconut rice (even though you could never go wrong with those options!). The menu at Celele reflects the mixture of cultures—Spanish, Lebanese, African, and Indigenous—that makes Cartagena so unique. Add in a stylish and laid back atmosphere, and this restaurant has all the ingredients for a great meal. 

Mar de las Antillas

For a traditional meal that’ll make you feel like you stepped into the home of a welcoming Colombian grandma, be sure to check out Mar de las Antillas. With seating inside of a colonial-style patio, the setting of this restaurant  is purely old school Cartagenero and the menu is too. Expect fresh and flavorful seafood that you can wash down with a strong cocktail!

These restaurants are just the start of all the wonderful culinary offerings you can find in Cartagena. Be sure to check out our other guides for family friendly restaurants, fine dining options, and the street food treats you absolutely cannot miss.

If you need help making a reservation at any restaurant in Cartagena, we can help with that! Just click here to get started.