Best Cafes in Cartagena You Need To Try Before Everyone Else Finds Them

Mirador Gastro Bar - Coffee with a view

Mirador Gastro Bar is a long-time favorite that suddenly feels new again. Perched with sweeping views of Cartagena’s historic skyline, it is trending thanks to a recent wave of social posts showing off golden-hour cocktails and specialty coffee against pastel sunsets.

Inside, the vibe is relaxed but polished: open-air terraces, hanging plants, and a playlist that leans chill rather than clubby. Come for a slow morning latte, stay for brunch, then watch the city light up at dusk.

Why it is trending now

• High rating (4.6) with thousands of reviews and still growing
• Instagram and TikTok attention for its panoramic views
• Locals using it as a hybrid spot for remote work by day and drinks by night

Best for: Sunset coffee or espresso martinis with a skyline backdrop, date nights, and first-timers wanting a wow-factor view without a stuffy dress code.

Pro tip: Aim for late afternoon. It is easier to get a good table and you can roll right into golden hour without moving.

Casa Bohême - Artsy hideaway for slow coffee

Casa Bohême feels like a creative friend’s townhouse: mismatched chairs, local art, and leafy corners made for long, lazy conversations. It is not new, but it is trending again as more digital nomads and remote workers search for quieter, character-filled spaces away from the busiest streets of the walled city.

The coffee menu leans specialty, with pour-overs, cold brew, and well-executed espresso drinks. There is usually mellow background music and just enough buzz to feel social without being loud.

Why it is trending now

• Strong rating (4.7) and steady review growth
• Word-of-mouth in remote worker circles for its calm, creative vibe
• Increasingly popular for casual meetings and laptop sessions

Best for: Reading, journaling, working a few hours, or catching up with friends in a space that feels intimate and bohemian.

Pro tip: Ask staff for their current favorite beans. They often feature interesting regional roasts that are not on the main board.

Manna Breakfast & Lunch - Brunch that actually lives up to the hype

Manna Breakfast & Lunch has quickly become Cartagena’s go-to brunch cafe, with a near-perfect rating and lines that prove it. This spot is trending because it nails the balance between comfort food and lighter, modern plates that photograph beautifully.

Think fluffy pancakes, arepas loaded with fresh toppings, avocado toast with a Caribbean twist, and excellent cappuccinos. The bright, airy interior and friendly service make it feel like a neighborhood favorite even if you are just in town for a few days.

Why it is trending now

• Outstanding rating (4.9) and strong growth in reviews
• Brunch culture in Cartagena is booming and Manna sits at the center of it
• Highly shareable dishes that keep popping up on foodie feeds

Best for: Late breakfast after a night out, fueling up before exploring the Old City, and groups who want both sweet and savory options.

Pro tip: Go early on weekends or closer to weekday opening times to avoid the longest waits. If you care about photos, grab a table by the window for natural light.

Café San Alberto Cartagena - Plaza Santo Domingo - Coffee geek paradise in a classic plaza

Right on Plaza Santo Domingo, Café San Alberto blends serious coffee credentials with prime people-watching. The brand is known across Colombia for award-winning beans, and this Cartagena outpost lets you taste those coffees just steps from some of the city’s most iconic architecture.

It is trending among both locals and travelers who want to go deeper into Colombian coffee without leaving the historic center. You can try different brewing methods, compare flavor profiles, and still feel like you are in the middle of the action.

Why it is trending now

• Solid rating (4.5) and steady review growth
• Specialty coffee experiences in a touristy plaza that usually focuses on cocktails
• Coffee tastings and flights that attract curious visitors and coffee fans

Best for: Coffee lovers who want to learn, people-watching from the plaza, and a quality caffeine break between sightseeing stops.

Pro tip: Ask about guided tastings if you have 30 to 45 minutes. It is one of the easiest ways to understand Colombian coffee regions without leaving the city.

Época Café Bar - Day-to-night cafe energy

Época Café Bar is where Cartagena’s cafe and bar cultures meet. In the morning, it is all about serious coffee and hearty breakfasts. By late afternoon, it shifts into a buzzy cocktail spot with a stylish crowd and a soundtrack that slowly turns up.

It is trending because it fits almost any kind of day: remote work session, brunch meetup, pre-dinner drinks, or a last espresso before heading out. Travelers love it for its flexibility and locals appreciate that it feels both modern and rooted in Colombian coffee traditions.

Why it is trending now

• High rating (4.6) with a large and growing review base
• Popular with both locals and visitors, so it never feels like a tourist trap
• Strong presence in travel blogs and social media for its dual identity as cafe and bar

Best for: Groups with mixed priorities, from coffee purists to cocktail fans, and anyone wanting a single spot that works from morning through late evening.

Pro tip: If you like coffee cocktails, this is the place to experiment. Their bartenders know their beans and can suggest creative twists beyond the classic espresso martini.

How to explore Cartagena’s cafe scene like a local

• Time it right: Mornings are ideal for quiet work or reading. Late afternoons are best if you want more buzz and golden light for photos.
• Rotate neighborhoods: Pair a cafe in the Old City with one in Getsemaní or nearby areas to see different sides of Cartagena.
• Ask about local beans: Many spots highlight Colombian regions like Huila, Nariño, and Sierra Nevada. Tasting different origins is part of the experience.
• Mix cafe and bar hours: Several of these places transform after dark, so you can start with specialty coffee and end with craft cocktails.

Cartagena’s cafe scene is evolving fast, and these spots are leading the way. Use MapsBuddy to keep an eye on what is trending next so you can experience the city’s best cafes before they go fully mainstream.