Cartagena: Where the Caribbean is Served with Mastery

By the editorial team at Fine Dining Table

Cartagena de Indias is not just a colonial jewel set against the Caribbean Sea. It is also the stage for a sophisticated culinary evolution, where the exuberance of the coast meets fine dining. Amidst centuries-old walls, houses with flower-adorned balconies, and beaches stretching to the horizon, a vibrant gastronomic scene emerges—rich in nuances, identity, and above all, flavor. Cartagena today seduces not only with its history but also with what is served at its tables.

Fine Dining with a Caribbean Twist

At the forefront of Cartagena’s gastronomic renaissance is Celele, the project of chef Jaime Rodríguez, which has redefined what Caribbean cuisine can be. Each dish is an in-depth exploration of the region: forgotten ingredients, vernacular techniques, and flawless execution have positioned it as one of the most influential restaurants in Latin America.

Next is Carmen, an author-driven experience with a contemporary approach. Its tasting menu is a technical and sensory journey that highlights local ingredients with a global perspective. Erre, by Spanish chef Ramón Freixa, elevates the experience to a cosmopolitan level: a sophisticated space that blends Mediterranean excellence with touches of Caribbean Colombian flavor, all from the top of an exclusive private club.

Cuisines with Soul and Homestyle Flavor

The essence of Cartagena can also be found in restaurants that celebrate tradition with love, technique, and pride. Cocina de Pepina is perhaps the best example: a heartfelt tribute to the deep flavors of the Caribbean, where every recipe tells a story of heritage and place.
Cande, with its focus on Cartagena’s Creole cuisine, offers a full sensory experience: live music, colonial design, and dishes that pay homage to coastal tradition.
Alma, nestled in a colonial house in the historic center, balances elegance and local flavor with a menu that reinterprets coastal classics with contemporary technique.

Don Juan, one of the pioneers in modernizing Cartagena’s cuisine, retains its spot as a reference thanks to its solid, well-executed menu and high-quality ingredients.

The Global Caribbean: Fusion and Sophistication

Cartagena also speaks other culinary languages. Uma Cantina Peruana introduces the best of Lima’s cuisine with freshness and boldness, while Niku focuses on a sophisticated Japanese-Peruvian (nikkei) fusion with premium cuts, sharp technique, and a minimalist, modern ambiance.
Animare, on the other hand, offers a menu where the Mediterranean and the Caribbean embrace: seafood, seasonal vegetables, and a minimalist, marine aesthetic define its proposal.

La Única, part of the Mexican restaurant group of the same name, presents a colorful menu that blends Northern Mexican cuisine with Colombian Caribbean ingredients, in a lively atmosphere perfect for long, rhythmic dinners.

Beach Clubs & Experiences by the Sea

Beyond the historic center, Cartagena extends its culinary experience to the sand and sea. Blue Apple Beach, located on Isla Tierra Bomba, is a sustainable paradise that combines high-quality gastronomy, natural wines, and a relaxed luxury spirit.
Makani Beach Club, more exclusive and sophisticated, offers a Mediterranean-inspired menu with local touches, ideal for long lunches and unforgettable sunsets.
Wala Beach Club, with its boho aesthetic and laid-back atmosphere, presents a versatile menu that blends world cuisines, signature cocktails, and fresh seafood.

Cartagena: The New Palate of the Caribbean

In Cartagena, cuisine has become a mirror of its cultural complexity and natural wealth. From ancestral flavors to contemporary fusion, from elegant tables in colonial homes to design-driven beach clubs, the city offers a gastronomic mosaic that fascinates, nourishes, and moves. In this new era, Cartagena not only tells its story through its walls—it narrates it, with elegance and flavor, in every dish.