Best Restaurants in Cartagena for 2025 - Where Locals Are Really Eating Now

Restaurante Sambal, bistro caribeño - Cozy neighborhood star

Restaurante Sambal, bistro caribeño is the quiet overachiever of Cartagena right now. With a 4.8 rating and more than 1,300 reviews, it is trending because locals keep returning and recent visitors are pushing its growth score higher.

Tucked away from the most touristy corners, Sambal feels like a modern neighborhood living room: warm lighting, wood tables, and a soundtrack low enough for real conversation. The kitchen leans into Caribbean flavors with bistro technique, so plates arrive looking polished but still feel like comfort food.

Why it is trending now

• Strong review momentum despite not being brand new
• Word of mouth among Cartagena food lovers and hospitality workers
• A sweet spot between date-night special and casual dinner with friends

What to order

• Fresh catch of the day with coconut rice and plantain
• Any octopus or shrimp dish if you see it as a special
• House cocktails built around local fruits like corozo or tamarind

Good to know

• Book ahead for weekend evenings, it is small and fills up fast.
• Ask staff for pairing suggestions, they are proud of the menu and rarely miss.

Celele - Destination dining in Getsemaní

Celele is the restaurant people plan their entire Cartagena trip around. With over 2,500 reviews and a strong growth score, it stays trending because it keeps evolving rather than coasting on its fame.

Located in hip Getsemaní, Celele is all about Caribbean biodiversity. The team works with small producers across Colombia’s Caribbean coast, turning little known ingredients into tasting menu stars. The room feels relaxed, not stiff, which makes the high level cooking feel surprisingly approachable.

Why it is trending now

• Continues to appear on regional best restaurant lists
• Social media buzz around its colorful, photogenic plates
• A go-to recommendation from chefs and food industry insiders

What to order

• Tasting menu if you want the full story of Caribbean flavors
• Signature seafood dishes built around lionfish or local prawns
• Desserts with tropical fruits like mamoncillo or guanábana

Good to know

• Reservations are essential, especially for prime time evenings.
• Tell them about dietary needs when you book, they can often adapt.

Ana Restaurante Bar - Creative plates and cocktail energy

Ana Restaurante Bar hits that sweet spot between restaurant and night-out destination. With more than 1,000 reviews and a rising growth score, it is trending as the go-to for groups who want good food plus a lively bar vibe.

The menu is modern Colombian with global touches: think well plated seafood, playful small bites, and pastas or meats with local twists. The bar program is a big draw, with colorful cocktails that lean on Caribbean fruits and house infusions.

Why it is trending now

• Strong reputation for both food and drinks
• Popular with young Cartageneros for pre-party dinners
• Instagram friendly presentation that keeps it circulating on social feeds

What to order

• Shared starters like ceviches or empanadas to snack with drinks
• Signature house cocktail or a gin based drink with tropical fruit
• Any daily seafood special, which tends to be fresher and more seasonal

Good to know

• Expect a louder, more social atmosphere later in the evening.
• Ideal for birthdays, group dinners, or a date that turns into a night out.

La Mulata - Beloved classic with serious local love

La Mulata is not new, but it is more popular than ever. With more than 6,000 reviews and a strong growth score, it is trending because visitors finally caught up to what locals have known for years: this is one of the best value lunches in Cartagena.

Inside, it feels like a colorful Caribbean canteen, with art on the walls and a steady flow of both residents and travelers. The menu focuses on classic costeño comfort food, generous portions, and fresh juices that taste like the beach.

Why it is trending now

• Huge volume of positive reviews and constant word of mouth
• Reliable, consistent cooking at friendly prices
• Often recommended by tour guides and hotel staff as a real local spot

What to order

• Daily lunch specials with fish, coconut rice, and patacones
• Sancocho or other traditional soups if you want something very local
• Fresh fruit juices, either natural or mixed with a bit of rum

Good to know

• Go early for lunch to avoid lines, especially in high season.
• Portions are big, so consider sharing starters.

Restaurante La Casa de Socorro - Iconic costeño kitchen

Restaurante La Casa de Socorro is an institution for Cartagena style home cooking. With nearly 5,000 reviews and steady growth, it is trending as more food focused travelers seek out classic flavors instead of only fine dining.

The space feels like a busy family dining room, with big tables, quick moving servers, and the comforting smell of stews and fried fish. The menu reads like a greatest hits list of Caribbean Colombian dishes.

Why it is trending now

• Longtime favorite highlighted in more food blogs and TV features
• Known among locals as a place to take visiting family
• Visitors looking for authentic, non flashy meals keep it packed

What to order

• Fried mojarra or pargo with coconut rice and salad
• Cazuela de mariscos, a rich seafood stew in coconut milk
• Arepa de huevo or carimañolas if you want traditional snacks

Good to know

• Service is fast and efficient rather than slow and romantic.
• Ideal for hungry groups who want to try many classic dishes.

How to eat like a local in Cartagena in 2025

• Plan ahead for hot spots. Celele and Restaurante Sambal, bistro caribeño book out quickly, so reserve before you land if you can.
• Mix high and low. Pair a tasting menu night with a casual lunch at La Mulata or Restaurante La Casa de Socorro.
• Chase the catch. Cartagena shines with seafood, so ask what came in fresh that day.
• Stay curious. Many of the best dishes use ingredients you may not recognize. Ask your server to guide you.

Cartagena’s restaurant scene is changing fast, and MapsBuddy helps you spot the places that are heating up right now, not just the ones that were famous years ago. Use this guide as your starting list, then keep exploring nearby streets to find the next trending spot before it becomes mainstream.