Top Things to Eat in Cartagena

Book Your Cruise Journey

Cartagena is a popular tourist destination and is known as the "Jewel of the Indies" because this city has historical significance, magnificent architecture, breath-taking sea beaches and delicious Caribbean food.

This little piece of paradise is the perfect destination to unwind and relax, while enjoying the perfect Caribbean beach vacation. If you are visiting Cartagena for the first time, the culinary variety will surely amaze you and you will be spoiled for choices. After strolling around the beautiful beaches, you are sure to feel hungry. So take a look at the top things to eat in Cartagena.

List of Top 5 Things to Eat in Cartagena

While in Cartagena, you will get to choose from various dishes, be it street food or food in restaurants.

1. Mondongo Soup

You can find Mondongo soup in almost all traditional restaurants in Cartagena. Especially in places which specialise in preparing meat and steaks. To prepare this thick, hardy stew, chefs use the stomach of a cow or pig which is slow cooked and left to simmer with vegetables such as onions, carrots, bell peppers, celery, cabbage, garlic and cilantro. Colombians generally serve this hearty meal with banana or avocado by the side.

2. Ceviche

If you are visiting Cartagena, you must try having ‘Ceviche’, a Colombian seafood sold along the Caribbean beach. It is usually made with boiled shrimp. Chefs usually mix the raw fish with fresh lime or lemon juice and spice it with chilli peppers, aji, and salt. Other seasonings include coriander and julienned red onions. This is one of the best things to eat in Cartagena. It is a no-cook food and you need to eat the dish raw. Colombian restaurants usually serve it as a starter and if they serve it as a main course dish, lettuce, maize, sweet potato, etc., accompany it. Additionally, one can also ask the chef to serve Ceviche with sauces that they have.

3. Colombian Empanadas

Colombian empanadas are a staple food of people across Colombia, and one can find it everywhere in Cartagena, both in bakeries and as street food. This dish is one of the top foods to relish in Cartagena. To make this dish, savoury yellow corn dough wrapped around vegetables and seasoned pork or beef is used. Then the dough is deep fried until it turns crisp and hot. This yummy delicacy is best served with lime wedges and aji picante. It is a popular dish, and people serve it during celebrations, social gatherings and family parties. You can enjoy this tasty treat as a late night snack or as an in-between meal.

4. Colombian Fried Whole Mojarra

Mojarra or tilapia is the most commonly consumed fish in Colombia. People prefer to eat it as a delicious lunch or dinner. People usually serve mojarra as a whole fish and it is flaky, light and full of flavours. Major restaurants in the historic city of Cartagena offer this fried dish with rice, flattened plantains and salad. Locals consume every part of the fried whole mojarra fish until just the bones are left.

5. Tres Leches Cake

If you are craving something sweet, Cartagena has the best sweet treat to offer. You will find Tres Leches Cake in almost all the bakeries of this city. To make Tres Leches Cake, also known as pan tres leches, bakers use three different kinds of milk- heavy cream, sweetened, condensed and evaporated. If one does not add butter to this cake, it remains a very light cake and has many air bubbles. Despite soaking it in a mixture of three different kinds of milk, the distinct texture of this cake prevents it from having a soggy consistency.

A few other dishes you can try out in this city are Arroz con Coco, Arepas de Queso and Pan de Bono.

Cartagena- The Coffee King

Cartagena in Colombia is popular for producing some of the best coffee on this planet. The enriched aroma of dark coffee beans fills the streets of Cartagena and can offer you some of the best espresso shots. You can check out popular gourmet cafes or try black filtered coffee from street vendors.

Key Takeaway

When it comes to the top things to eat in Cartagena, this city has more to offer than the list mentioned above. Apart from the picturesque beauty of this place, the amazing food variety is another reason to visit this beautiful city. You can watch a romantic sunset at the beach while lazing on a lounger, enjoy some local shopping, visit the historical places and satiate your hunger with an authentic meal. The city also has amazing street art everywhere to catch your attention.