Restaurante Carmen Cartagena

We absolutely loved our meal at Carmen and it was a really special way to end our time in Cartagena. We went for the 9 course tasting menu with the drinks pairing - we are used to being full after a big tasting menu; but even with 10 or 11 courses, we’ve not received this much food. The portion sizes are generous! We left very happy but absolutely stuffed. Service is impeccable - a huge shoutout to Beethoven in particular, who was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the food, telling us a lot about the dishes, recommending the best way to eat it, and switching between Spanish and English seamlessly. He made the tasting menu experience, an experience. The rest of the team were great too; we were moved to a better table in the courtyard because it was our honeymoon, the drinks pairings were explained really well, Juan who took over service at the end rounded the meal off well. The food is on point - local flavours done really well. It’s not experimental fine dining, but we didn’t want that. We wanted elevated, perfectly cooked dishes with the flavours of Colombia and that’s what we had. No misses. Finally, we absolutely LOVED the drinks pairing and you should definitely choose it if you’re having the tasting menu - great wines, some surprising cocktails, and we loved the bold call of an ice cold beer. 100% recommend if you’re looking to do something special.

Hands down the best restaurant we’ve been to so far on our trip to Cartagena. Yes, the prices are on the higher side compared to other places here, but every single dish made it completely worth it. From start to finish, everything was exceptional. The ceviche is an absolute must—easily the best I’ve had while in Colombia. I also tried the chicharrón, which was perfectly cooked and packed with flavor, and do not skip dessert—it was the perfect ending to an already amazing meal. Beyond the food, the ambience is incredible. The restaurant itself is stunning and feels like an experience on its own—elegant, tropical, and incredibly well designed. It’s easily one of the most beautiful restaurants we’ve seen in Cartagena. If you’re looking for a memorable dining experience with top-tier food, service, and atmosphere, this place is a must-visit. Highly recommended. 🌿🍽️✨

Carmen is a great restaurant. Our waiter (Arden?) was so sweet, kind. His Spenglish was also great. The best service we had in Cartagena. The place is amazing. We got the 7 courses with wine pairing for about $200US/person. Definitely recommend the wine pairing. Even thought half the drinks came from Italy, they bring you custom-made drinks to match your food on a few occasions as well. The food was all good, local, etc. But Carmen is not reinventing the wheel. Everything is pretty classic. Slightly disappointing but overall good.

Carmen Restaurant in Cartagena delivered an incredible dining experience from start to finish. The service was exceptional — the staff took time to explain each dish as it was served, adding a personal and educational touch that really elevated the evening. They also surprised us with several small dishes on the house, which made the meal feel even more special. We sat outside near the tree, and it was the perfect setting — romantic, peaceful, and beautifully designed with lush greenery all around. The weather was ideal, and there were no issues with bugs thanks to fans providing a gentle, cool breeze. The food was outstanding. We started with the tostadas (beautifully presented and flavorful) and seafood empanadas (crispy, perfectly seasoned, and filled with a delicious mix of seafood). For our mains, the solomito steak was perfectly cooked and full of flavor, and the grilled fish was equally impressive — tender and bursting with taste. They even finished the meal with a complimentary small dessert. Their cocktails were also a highlight — balanced, creative, and beautifully presented. The restaurant offers both 7- and 9-course tasting menus, which we’d love to try next time. Between the exceptional service, amazing food, and beautiful atmosphere, Carmen is a must-visit in Cartagena.

This restaurant specializes in cured/smoked meats. They have a great ambience with a courtyard and plants and even options to sit inside in the airconditioning. We had really friendly waiting staff. We ordered 2 of the specialties. We enjoyed the taste of the meat, they were served with some greens and potato wedges. The portions and side dishes were quite small for the prices we paid. However, the ambience and live music in this restaurant was very enjoyable.

Great restaurant doing exciting things with Colombian ingredients! Came highly recommended, and my meal started great with both a very friendly and informative server as well as a cool cocktail program. I got a whiskey sour with lulo (local fruit) and loved it. Moved on to blue crab ceviche and then an unbelievable crusted bass served with coffee filled ravioli. Delicious meal, great service, would recommend.

This place is the absolute MUST for dining in Cartagena. Each ingredient was perfectly balanced throughout the dish. I would come back to taste their entire menu. Service-wise Key did an outstanding job at recommending and immersing us in every single dish! Wow wow wow

I want to start, by highlighting the service that we received. The employees in this establishment are professional, welcoming, knowledgeable and provided us with one of the best nights we had in Cartagena. People need to understand that these establishments are located in prime real estate, where prices must be high to support operating expenses and maintaining quality. Come prepared to spend some money, but be ready to leave with an incredible culinary experience. Options were recommended and explained thoroughly, and although we were skeptical as we heard the combination of ingredients, the moment we took our first bite we realized the kitchen knew what it was doing. Every plate that came out thereafter was a great combination of local flavours that left us satisfied. Drinks, appetizers, mains and deserts were all presented and garnished so nicely. I recommend you try the empanadas, and the Pez Palma, or the Posta which were recommended to us, but we had originally decided on before the staff recommended it to us and this just solidified our decision. Overall, a well rounded experience that I honestly have nothing to complain about. Thank you Carmen, until we are back in Cartagena