I want more of these guys
If ever there was a person that connected more with food…
These were my top picks. I will add the disclaimer that I am a total food snob, but in the sense of flavour not price.
I prefer food trucks, street food and greasy spoon diners over a pretentious ritzy ritz restaurant.
Pretty much every one of these suggestions were places that I just stumbled across. Any of the places that I found using online sources such as google or trip advisor I left feeling disappointed, that is if those places were even still there. So, it is likely that you won’t find these amazing establishments being discussed on any online forums, but I promise that they should be talked about and shared with the world. Tell The World!
Sometimes you get what you pay for…but sometimes the best discoveries are the most unexpected findings.
Happy Eating and Drinking!!!
Jackelyn Approved 
Best Fast Food Delivery
La Cuadra 
The truth is that I don’t even know how to explain what kind of food this is but I can say with conviction it is the best fast food I have ever had. It was grilled meats (there are veggy options too) with grilled veggies with some crispy things, fresh lettuce all on a bed of potato type patties and smothered in some kind of god like sauce.
Location: I only ever ordered delivery using Whatsapp
Insta: @lacuadra_ctg
FB: @La-Cuadra-Cartagena
Best Mexican Restaurant
Rosa Mezcal
This place was a total fluke that I stumbled across it early on in my trip and I went back many times. It was super reasonably priced and delicious. The kitchen is wide open and the space is quaint. I highly recommend this place if you are craving Mexican food. I ate the Chicken Flautas…a lot of them!
Location: Barrio Centro
Web: rosa-mezcal.cluvi.co/rosa-mezcal
Insta: @rosamezcalcartagena
FB: @RosaTaqueria
Best Bakery
La Petite Gourmande
I found this bakery in my first week here. Score!! I have eaten pretty much everything they make at least 3 times each. LOL. I even walked back there after I moved out of the neighbourhood for their fresh Mil Hojas with Caramel. That should be served in heaven daily. You can also order delivery using Rappi App (see my note at the end of the post) and you can order using WhatsApp as well. I don’t see the Mil Hojas available for ordering using the app.
Location: Barrio Manga
Insta: @lapetitegourmandecol
FB: @lapetitegourmandecol
Best Breakfast and Croissants
La Brioche
My favourite breakfast is Eggs Benny and I have tried it at a few places and left disappointed until I ate it here. They nailed it for the hollandaise. I also enjoyed a Strawberry mimosa for my Sunday breakfast and a Chai Frappe…and I took home a few Croissants with Almond and Chocolate. OMG! They were just incredible. You can find them on the Rappi App as well for delivery and I believe they have a few locations.
Location: Barrio Centro
Web: labrioche.com.co
Insta: @LaBriocheColombia
FB: @LaBriocheColombia
Best 2 for 1 Happy Hour Cocktails
Amarla Boutique Hotel
Yes, this is a hotel but they have an INCREDIBLE multi level rooftop patio with a pool and they have the best deal for 2 for 1 cocktails for happy hour. I just happen to stumble across the 2 for 1 sign in the street one day and decided to go inside. It was one of the best margaritas I have had.
Location: Barrio Centro
Web: amarla.co
Insta: @amarla.cartagena
FB: @hotelamarla
Best Rooftop Restaurant
Buena Vida Marisquería
This place just happens to be on the same block as my apartment and I decided to go up to the patio one night for dinner and a drink. I have to say that this restaurant had the MOST mouthwatering and flavourful food to grace my palate of all the nice restaurants I ate at in Cartagena, plus their rooftop patio was stellar! They also have a very cool custom drink menu chockfull of their own creations. Their mixologist is a magician.
Location: Barrio Centro
Web: buenavidamarisqueria.com
Insta: @buenavidamarisqueria_ (that extra underscore is not a typo)
FB: @Buenavidamarisqueria
Best Pizza
Basilica Pizzería
I was craving pizza one night and so I ordered some pizza using the Rappi App based on the reviews. This Italian Pizza place was devine and the selection of pizza toppings was exactly what I love…blue cheese and other flavour combinations. I really really really wish I had more time to go to the restaurant and eat inside..if the pizza delivered was amazing I can only imagine how much better it would be fresh out of the oven.
Location: Barrio Getsemani
Insta: @basilicapizzeriacafe
FB: @basilicapizzeriacafe
Best Courtyard for Working
SOLOIO Cartagena
When I moved into my second apartment inside the walled city the apartment wasn’t honest about the internet and I had none. So while they were figuring that out I had to work from cafes and I stumbled across this beautiful and peaceful courtyard that was the perfect ambience to work from. Plus their non-alcohol mocktails were sooo delicious and very fitting. I felt like I was Ernest Hemingway working surrounded by lush greenery and calm vibes, sipping on a cocktail (without the adultness of course). Funnily enough…this is actually an extension of the Italian Men’s Clothing store so when you look at the social media don’t be alarmed…the links are correct. LOL
Location: Barrio Centro
Web: soloio.com.co/soloio-cafe
Insta: @SoloioColombia
FB: @SoloioColombia
Best Sports Bar for Games
The Clock Pub Cartagena
6 years ago when I first came to Cartagena on a cruise ship for 1 day only, my friend and I came to this pub for a beer. I had completely forgot about it until I walked past it on a walking tour when I first arrived and remembered I had been here before. Naturally I had to come back for a beer to be nostalgic and I discovered that they have some great house beer on tap so I kept coming back. They have big TVs everywhere and are also playing games or fights all day.
Location: Barrio Centro
Web: theclockpub.com
Insta: @theclockpubcartagena
FB: @clockpubctg
Best Beer Selection
Beer Lovers
When I was exploring Barrio Getsemani I saw the sign that reads “Beer Lovers” from a mile away. Being the beer snob that I am I was naturally drawn to this place as it was calling my name. They have an excellent selection of beer to choose from so if you are craving some beer that thinks outside of the box you should check this place out. They also have an app that you use to place your order from your table and also to call the server to close your tab. Brilliant!!!
Location: Barrio Getsemani
Insta: @beerloverscartagena
FB: @beerloverscolombia
Best Arepas
Colombitalia Arepas
This one was actually suggested to someone on an Expat Cartagena group. Someone asked where to get the best arepas and this place was suggested by this super rad girl from New York (Alyssa has been a massive help with advice and suggestions during my stay If you are reading this…a huge thank you) I went searching for this place and it was 100% worth it. The Arepas are so full of yummy ingredients and so filling for $5 CAD, it doesn’t get better than that price. I went back several times. You can also order by calling them and I think they are on the Rappi app too.
Location: Barrio Getsemani
Insta: @arepascolombitalia
FB: @arepascolombitalia
Best Pina Colada
TuCandela Bar
One day I was searching for a rooftop patio to have a cocktail from but the problem was it was too early in the day and nothing was opening up yet…except for this super funky bar and as I walked by they asked if I wanted to go inside (which all the restaurants do to entice you to come inside) and so I said yes and I went upstairs. They have a super intimate little patio that only has two tables for two people. So I sat outside and had a great view of the infamous clock and the Pegasus statues at Pier Los Pegasos. I ordered a Pina Colada and it was the best I had ever had. I did decide to go in search of the best one in Cartagena but these guys win! Best Pina Colada in all the land.
Location: Barrio Centro
Web: queresto.com/tucandelaGASTRO
Insta: @tucandelagastrobar
FB: @tucandelacgena
Now You Know!
If you heed my advice and give these places a try,
I truly hope they are there when you visit Cartagena.
I did struggle a little bit with Google Maps and other location sources because often what I found was that I would go searching for a specific place and it was nowhere to be found. Either the maps were tragically out dated or COVID was the cause of the restaurant causalities too.
ALSO…download the Rappi Food Delivery App. I have used it a million times for take out delivery and also groceries. You can buy pretty much anything on that app and have it delivered. Liquor, Department Store stuff, Groceries, Take Out…I did find that the website was a struggle but the APP works brilliantly.
Download the app, insert my code jackelynm13.
