Where To Eat In Colombia – Cartagena and Bolivar

These restaurants have been actually visited by Finance Colombia editors, and are recommended to the business traveler.The list is updated on a continual basis, and  contains a mix of the rustic to the fancy, so bookmark it and check back often.  To nominate a restaurant or to have your restaurant included, contact us via the form at the bottom of the page. A positive rating or review does not equal an endorsement.

Feel free to add your comments, opinions, suggestions at the end of the article!

International Travelers’ notes:

In Colombia it is common for restaurants to include a 10% tip in the check. Look and see: It is voluntary, and if you are dissatisfied, by law they must remove it. If you wish to leave extra, you may, but it is not expected. A few restaurants don’t include the tip automatically, so check and see to be sure.

Above photo: Seafood pasta at Isabella’s Coffee in Cartagena’s Bocagrande

In Colombia, like many other Latin American Countries, the waiter will not bring you the check until you ask for it, even if you sit there a long time. They are not being lazy; the locals would consider it rude if they brought you the check before you asked for it—It would be as if they were asking you to leave, or rushing you out the door.

Very inexpensive restaurants will charge you a small fee to use the bathroom, if you are not otherwise patronizing the establishment. This is normal, don’t be offended.

Price Guide:

• $-Under $10 USD per entrée/main course per person
• $$- $10-$20
• $$$-$20-$40
• $$$$-$40+    
• Not including appetizers or alcohol

Cartagena

Isabella’s Coffee – Avenida San Martín No. 6-162 Local 7– Bocagrande

By the name, you would think this is just a coffee shop, but this casual restaurant serves some of the best seafood that one Finance Colombia Editor has had in Colombia at any price, certainly in Cartagena. Despite the casual setting, the food is attractively plated, and prices are reasonable. In a district full of overpriced tourist traps, this is a refreshing exception. https://instagram.com/p/hWlbi-q_2q/  https://instagram.com/p/hWmUEAq_4R/

• Price    $$
  

  Isabella’s Coffee, Bocagrande, Cartagena

• Cuisine:  Colombian, Seafood
• X Reservations Recommended
• ♦ WiFi
• X Romantic Meals
• X Business Meals
• X More Formal Dining
• ♦ Celebrations
• ♦ Jeans & T-Shirt OK
• X Social Gathering Spot
• ♦ Breakfast
• X Franchise/Corp. Owned
• ♦Family friendly

Dany El Churrasco Argentino – Carrera 3 Esquina Calle 5 – Bocagrande

Dany Churrascaria Argentina

This Family Friendly Argentine Churrascaria is in Cartagena’s tourist district. The prices are reasonable and the restaurant has a fun, rustic atmosphere. It is interesting to watch the meat being cooked. Certainly for meat lovers, the restaurant also has an adjacent “express” version for carry out orders. https://instagram.com/p/hSGl_8q_xT/

• Price    $$
• Cuisine:  Argentine, Churrasco, Steakhouse
• X Reservations Recommended
• X WiFi
• X Romantic Meals
• X Business Meals
• X More Formal Dining
• ♦ Celebrations
• ♦ Jeans & T-Shirt OK
• X Social Gathering Spot
• ♦ Breakfast
• X Franchise/Corp. Owned
• ♦Family friendly

El Zaguan Old School Cuisine – Calle de la Cruz 9-84A- San Diego

A plain little restaurant located in the old part of Cartagena, the food is really good, and really inexpensive. It’s an escape from the tourist scams that abound in that part of the city. An authentic everyday coastal Colombian experience. https://instagram.com/p/hRA3C4K_-P/

• Price    $
  

  El Zaguan Ceviche

• Cuisine:  Coastal Colombian, Seafood
• X Reservations Recommended
• X WiFi
• X Romantic Meals
• X Business Meals
• X More Formal Dining
• ♦ Celebrations
• ♦ Jeans & T-Shirt OK
• X Social Gathering Spot
• ♦ Breakfast
• X Franchise/Corp. Owned
• ♦Family friendly