Cartagenas Moderne Restaurantszene & Kreative Kolumbianische Küche
Cartagena's modern restaurant scene (the collection of creative restaurants in the walled city and Getsemaní that has made Cartagena one of the most exciting gastronomic destinations in South America in the 2010s-2020s — the restaurants serving the contemporary interpretations of the Colombian Caribbean coast cuisine alongside the international influences of the city's cosmopolitan tourism industry) has transformed the city into a culinary destination of international renown.
- 1
Restaurante El Boliche — Modern Colombian Tasting Menu
El Boliche (Manga Island, Chef Roberto Alcocer) serves a 7-course tasting menu built on Colombian Caribbean ingredients — ceviche of longoifish with corozo berry aguachile, sancocho de sábalo reconstructed as a foam and slow-cooked tuber, and cocadas (coconut sweets) reimagined with local vanilla; tasting menu 250,000 COP with wine pairing.
- 2
Interno Restaurant — Run by Prison Inmates in Rehabilitation
Interno (Cartagena Women's Prison, Barrio España) is a restaurant operated by inmates of the Cartagena Women's Prison as part of a rehabilitation and professional training program — reservations required; the three-course lunch (85,000 COP) includes Colombian Caribbean dishes prepared entirely by the inmates; 100% of revenue funds the program.
- 3
Ceviche Culture — Ceviche de Camarones at the Market
Cartagena's ceviche (unlike Peruvian leche de tigre versions) is dressed with Atlantic lime juice, white onion, tomato, and cilantro — the best is served from Saturday morning stalls at Bazurto Market next to the fishmongers, made with shrimp pulled from the boat that morning; a full portion costs 15,000–25,000 COP.
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Arepa de Huevo — Cartagena's Most Famous Street Breakfast
The arepa de huevo (maize dough fried with an egg inside) is Cartagena's signature street breakfast — made fresh at street stalls throughout the city from 6am, the process involves frying a corn disc, slicing it open, inserting a raw egg, then sealing and frying again; 5,000–8,000 COP each at informal stalls near Parque Centenario.
- 5
La Cevichería — Sean Price Parades Its Caribbean Ceviche
La Cevichería (Calle Stuart, Centro Histórico) became internationally known after Anthony Bourdain visited in 2012 — the menu focuses on 15 varieties of ceviche including the house special with octopus, calamari, and mixed seafood in a coconut milk-chipotle base; queues form from 12:30pm for the 40-seat dining room.
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Restaurante Candé — Afro-Colombian Cooking with Legacy
Candé (Getsemaní, run by Doña Candelaria's family for three generations) serves Afro-Colombian dishes rarely found in tourist restaurants — arroz de lisa (mullet rice), mote de queso (yam and cheese soup), and alegría (rice and coconut sweet) reflect the Zenu and Afro-Caribbean culinary heritage of Cartagena's working-class community.