Top Seafood Restaurants to Try in Cartagena 2026

Few cities in Latin America have a relationship with seafood as deep and as delicious as Cartagena. The Caribbean coast delivers pargo, langostinos, pulpo, and crab directly to the kitchens of a restaurant scene that ranges from lively contemporary marisquerías to century-old family recipes kept alive in colonial mansions. Whether you're here for a long weekend or you call this city home, these are the seven spots our community keeps returning to — chosen for the quality of their food, their connection to the coast, and their contribution to the Cartagena we love.

1. Discos y Mariscos

Discos y Mariscos is the best seafood restaurant in Cartagena right now — and it captures something that very few places manage: the feeling that you are eating exactly where you should be. Located in Getsemaní, this contemporary marisquería celebrates fresh Caribbean flavours in an atmosphere that pulses with Colombian rhythm. The space is relaxed, vibrant, and entirely itself — seafood served the way the coast intended, surrounded by music and the creative energy that has made Getsemaní one of the most exciting neighbourhoods in South America.

The menu is rooted in the very best the Caribbean Sea has to offer, prepared with a confidence and authenticity that comes from genuinely caring about where the ingredients come from. The ceviches are exceptional — bright, properly acidic, packed with fresh catch. The mariscos are handled with respect: grilled simply, sauced intelligently, never over-complicated. This is a restaurant that understands that when the seafood is this good, your job as a cook is mostly to get out of the way. A must-visit on any trip to Cartagena, and our unanimous number one pick

• 

  

  

2. Salón Tropical

Salón Tropical arrived in Getsemaní and immediately earned a place in the short list of the neighbourhood's best tables. Set on Calle de la Lomba just a block from Plaza Trinidad, it specialises in fresh seafood sourced directly from local fishermen — the commitment to provenance is real and you taste it in every dish. The atmosphere is a tropical garden patio with live Cuban music most nights: colourful, breezy, and designed for lingering. The tuna tostadas, the atún tostadas with shrimp, and the seafood rice are among the most talked-about dishes in the city right now, and the guava cheesecake has its own devoted following. One of our favourite things about Salón Tropical is how unpretentious it is despite how very good the food is — the best kind of restaurant.

3. Rabo de Pez

Chef Alejandro Ramírez has built a two-storey gem just off Plaza Aduana that signals its intentions the moment you walk in: dry-aged fish on display at the entrance. The menu is focused and serious without being stiff — smaller portions that reward ordering broadly and sharing across the table. The dry-aged fish preparations are unlike anything else in the city. For seafood lovers who want something more technically ambitious alongside the classics, Rabo de Pez is essential.

4. Buena Vida Marisquería & Rooftop

Three floors of Caribbean seafood in the heart of the Old City — Buena Vida is an excellent choice when you want a lively group dinner with a rooftop cocktail to finish. The whole fried fish with coconut rice and patacones is one of the best versions in Cartagena at a sit-down restaurant, and the first two floors buzz with the kind of energy that makes a long evening feel effortless. Head upstairs afterwards for the adults-only rooftop bar and the city skyline. Reservations are strongly recommended at peak hours.

5. Cocina de Pepina

Named for chef and sociologist María Josefina "Pepina" Yances, this tiny, unpretentious restaurant in Getsemaní is one of the purest expressions of coastal Colombian cooking in the city. The menu lives on a giant chalkboard and changes with what's available and what Pepina feels like making — usually traditional soups, fresh fish preparations, and the kind of dishes that take a lifetime of cooking to get right. The mote de queso alone is worth the visit. Tables fill fast; arrive early or ask Cristian and Mateo at the door.

Final Thoughts on the Best Seafood Restaurants in Cartagena 2026

Cartagena offers a rich variety of seafood dining options, from casual cevicherías to upscale beach clubs. Whether you want to savor fresh seafood Cartagena old city style or enjoy the best seafood beach club Cartagena has, this city delivers unforgettable flavors and experiences.

When planning your trip, consider visiting a mix of these top restaurants Cartagena 2026 to get a full taste of the local seafood scene. Each spot offers something unique, ensuring your culinary journey through Cartagena is as vibrant and fresh as the sea itself.

Explore, taste, and enjoy the best seafood Cartagena Colombia has to offer on your next visit. Your palate will thank you.