Palma (Calle de Curato #38-137, Cartagena) – this upscale restaurant serves both Italian food, as well as seafood dishes, such as ceviche of corvina (white-fleshed fish similar to sea bass – made with lime, hot peppers and corn).
Pan de Nobles Express (Carrera 9 #60-98, Bogota) – for South American standards, this is a uniquer take-out restaurant: it serves mainly burgers made of gluten, soy and lentils. That, along with falafel & quinoa, tufu, and turnovers. There’s also a vegan menú. In other words, food for those who have eaten at “Whole Foods” […]
Restaurante Don Juan (#34-60, Local 1, Carrera 6, Centro, Cartagena) – this classy restaurant in the historic section of Cartagena serves Spanish (as in Spain) cuisine – with a heavy Basque influence. Since this restaurant is a favorite with the President of Colombia (bringing foreign guests here whenever they’re passing through Cartagena), it regualrly attracts […]
Tapas Macarena (Carrera 4 #26-01, Bogota) – this cozy (meaning small) restaurant is known for its mussels in white wine sauce and olives. Regular patrons also recommend tapas ítems like the Serrano ham, patatas bravas, and olives that are served here.
Wilder’s Pizza (Carrera 4 #26, Bogota) – this is a popular pizza restaurant located in the “La Macarena” district of Bogotá (known for its foreign residents and artists who are attracted to the area – thanks to the area’s spectacular view of the city, as well as its hip restaurant & bar scene).
Wok (Carrera 13 #82-74, Bogota) – for those in the mood for Asian cuisine, this is perhaps the most highly-recommended Asian restaurant in Bogotá (it is actually a chain of several “Wok” restaurants in the Colombian capital). The influences range from Thai to Cantonese to Indonesian. There are also vegetarian and vegan options. Sushi lovers […]
A Seis Manos (Calle 22 #8-60, Bogotá) – as the décor suggests, this venue is popular with the local elite – attracting an artsy, hipster crowd with deep pockets. Opened by French investors, A Seis Manos runs events almost every day of the week, including film showings, indie gigs, salsa shows and more.
Armando Records (Calle 85 #14-46, Bogotá) – this multi-level nightspot, located in Bogotá’s Zona Rosa, best-known for playing electronic dance music for a younger crowd (especially its 2nd floor – known there as “La Cochera”). There’s also an outdoor area where Salsa, Reggaeton and local Colombian tunes can be heard.
Babar Bar Lounge (Centro, Plaza de Santa Teresa Esquina con Calle San Juan de Dios, 3-37, Cartagena) – this local lounge’s winning formula of multi-genre music and smart lounge areas to sample chat-up lines has been a hit for years — with tourists and locals alike rating this place as one of the top clubbing […]
Bazurto Social Club (Av del Centenario, Carrera 9 30-42, Getsimaní, Cartagena) — DJs and live bands keep Bazurto’s play-list fresher than most places with a healthy mix of Champeta, Terapia, Cumbia and Reggae that attracts a bohemian crowd bored by Cartagena’s ‘crossover’ dominated dance floors. Bazurto’s creative team decked the bar out with classic photos […]