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Cartagena food guide
Signature dishes, best food neighborhoods, and the dining etiquette that actually matters — all specific to Cartagena.
Photo by Ricky Beron on Unsplash
What to eat in Cartagena
6 signature dishes, 4 food-forward neighborhoods, and the etiquette you actually need to know.
Must-try dishes
Ceviche de Camarón
$8–$15
Fresh shrimp marinated in lime juice with onions, cilantro, and a touch of chili, often served with crackers. The bright acidity cuts through the tropical heat.
Where to try: La Cevicheria (Getsemani)
Arroz de Coco
$6–$12
Rice cooked in coconut milk, often served as a side dish with seafood. Its subtle sweetness and creamy texture are a perfect complement to savory mains.
Where to try: Restaurante Donjuán (Centro Histórico)
Posta Negra Cartagenera
$25–$40
Slow-cooked beef in a rich, dark, sweet sauce made from panela (unrefined cane sugar), prunes, and spices. It's a decadent and deeply flavorful dish.
Where to try: Restaurante Club de Pesca (Bocagrande)
Arepa de Huevo
$1.5–$3
A deep-fried cornmeal patty stuffed with a whole egg and seasoned meat. It's a popular street food, crispy on the outside and savory within.
Where to try: Street vendors in Getsemani
Sopa de Pescado
$7–$14
A hearty fish soup, typically made with a whole fish and vegetables like plantain and yucca, seasoned with local herbs. It's a comforting taste of the Caribbean coast.
Where to try: Mercado de Bazurto (for an authentic experience) or various beachfront palenques
Patacones con Hogao
$4–$8
Fried green plantain discs, often smashed and refried, served with 'hogao' (a tomato and onion sauce). A simple yet satisfying appetizer or side.
Where to try: Any local 'fritanga' stand
Where locals eat — best neighborhoods
Getsemani
Bohemian and vibrant, known for its street art, lively plazas, and a fantastic mix of street food and local eateries.
Street FoodLocal EateriesNightlife
Centro Histórico (Old Town)
Charming and colonial, offering a range of upscale restaurants tucked into historic buildings alongside more casual spots.
Fine DiningHistoric AmbianceRomantic Dinners
Bocagrande
Modern and upscale, with a strip of contemporary restaurants, seafood spots, and international cuisine overlooking the sea.
SeafoodContemporary CuisineOcean Views
Punta Arena
Rustic beachside experience, featuring simple palapas serving fresh seafood and local dishes with your feet in the sand.
Beachfront DiningFresh SeafoodCasual Lunch
Dietary notes
Cartagena's cuisine is heavily based on seafood, rice, and plantains, with many dishes featuring meat. While fresh fruits are abundant and vegetarian options like patacones and arepas (without meat filling) are available, truly vegan or gluten-free meals can require careful communication and may be limited outside of specialized restaurants.
Local etiquette
- •Tipping is usually around 10% for good service, and it's often included as a service charge on the bill ('servicio'). Check your receipt.
- •While credit cards are accepted in many tourist establishments, it's wise to carry cash, especially for street food and smaller vendors.
- •Reservations are recommended for popular restaurants in the Centro Histórico, especially on weekend evenings.
- •Lunch is typically the largest meal of the day, often eaten between 1 PM and 3 PM. Dinner is usually lighter and eaten later, around 8 PM or 9 PM.
- •Don't be afraid to try street food; it's a quintessential Cartagena experience. Look for vendors with long lines of locals.
Plan the rest of your Cartagena trip
Food guides elsewhere