Cartagena is a vibrant city geared for tourism with a number of great places to eat, drink and enjoy. The main areas are the Walled City, Getsemani and Bocagrande. Here are some great restaurants, bars, salsa clubs, cafes, live music venues and a fun plaza to enjoy on your journey.
Walled City
This is the top tourist area full of cute streets teeming with shops, restaurants, bars and clubs with colonial architecture, churches and horse drawn carriages surrounded by the ancient walls of the city.
El Baluarte Tapas Bar
Beautiful outdoor patio on the walls of old city with lovely food and live music. Great place to relax with a nice breeze after a day of sightseeing. (Calle San Juan de Dios Balluarte San Francisco Javier Del Sol SAS Calle de la Tablada N0. 7-34)
Mulatos Gastromar
Excellent Creole Caribbean food in a relaxed atmosphere, usually with live music at good prices. (Calle San Augustin Y Segundo De Badillo 36 K6-55)
San Pedro Cafe- Mirador Restaurant
Between Plaza Aduana and Plaza San Pedro, right in front of the Church of San Pedro de Claver is the San Pedro Mirador Restaurant. With both indoor and outdoor seating this is the best place for having a fine dining meal in the center of the action under the eyes of beautiful San Pedro church. As the Museum of Modern Art and Museum of San Pedro Claver are also in the San Pedro Plaza it is a perfect place to take a break as you sightsee the old city and a great place to people watch. (Plaza De La Aduana 32-09)
Donde Fidel
A Cartagena classic. Popular, lively bar with loud music and Salsa. There are two rooms off the bar with tables for eating which turn into Salsa dance floors as the night progresses and outdoor seating along the wall for fresh air and great people watching. (Portal de Los Dulces Cra. 4)
The Clock Bar
Lively sports bar popular with travelers. Here is where you go to watch your American football or sports or European soccer. Friendly atmosphere and cheap beers with some outdoor seating.
Getsemani
The cool neighborhood is definitely Getsemani (pronounced with no G – so Estemani). Here is the great street art, the cool cafes, restaurants and bars. This is also where the famous Havana Cafe is. It less touristy than the Walled City and has a great vibe. Get there before everyone finds out.
Dona Lola
Beautiful restaurant with amazing food and good selection of dishes in a lovely romantic old colonial house. Great service with outdoor patio in the middle of the restaurant. May need reservations. Also a nice hotel if you want to stay there. (Calle del Guerrero 29-118)
La Trinidad Church
At night this tourist spot turned into a great street party. With cart vendors selling different food and cocktails along with music and street performers this area has a fun feel and energy and is a great place to meet up with people and stop for a few drinks or quick bite before heading on. (Cra. 10 #25)
Havana Cafe
The famous Havana Cafe is still bringing it, great live music, excellent cocktails, friendly atmosphere and Salsa dancing. (30,000 COP cover charge per person). An experience not to be missed.
Tertulia De Getsemani Club
Another great Salsa Bar in Getsemani, big place with live music and dancing and a large cocktail menu.
Caffe Lunatico
For a cute restaurant cafe with excellent, tasty food try Caffe Lunatico . Great to stop by for a bite while exploring Getsemani. Relaxed, nice atmosphere and great service. They also offer cooking classes, salsa classes, yoga and other activities so check their schedule. (Av. Pedregal #29-225, 2nd Floor).
Bocagrande
While not as lively as the Walled City or Getsemani, I normally stay in Bocagrande when in Cartagena because of the beach. It is great to have the beach at your doorstop to spend the day at or stop at the end of a day of sightseeing for a dip when it cools a little in the late afternoon. There are some nice restaurants here too.
San Marino
Excellent Mediterian and Caribbean restaurant with fresh fish and traditional Colombian dishes. Open air right off the beach, clean, casual and nice service. Well known for its ceviche, salmon, gourmet pizza and exotic lemonades.
Bocagrande Beach
You dont even have to leave the beach for great food. They have roped off spaces on the beach with chairs and tables and they will bring you anything you like. I had amazing fish, clams, lobster and shimp. Along with a wide variety of cocktails and cold beer.
Conclusion
I hope this cross section of places gives you amazing experiences as you enjoy Cartagena. To truly enjoy a city and its culture and experiences I like a variety of places not just the famous top end restaurants. Please let us know your opinions and about your experience and any cool, fun, delicious places you find. Salud (“Cheers”)!
