
Restaurante Carmen Cartagena
A fashionable, upscale restaurant in Cartagena's historic walled city, celebrated for its creative Colombian fusion cuisine and enchanting garden ambi...

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Restaurante Carmen Cartagena

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A fashionable, upscale restaurant in Cartagena's historic walled city, celebrated for its creative Colombian fusion cuisine and enchanting garden ambiance.
"Carmen Cartagena offers an unforgettable fine-dining experience with innovative dishes and a magical courtyard."
Book Well in Advance
Reservations are essential due to high popularity. Consider lunch if dinner slots are full.
Opt for the Tasting Menu
Experience a diverse culinary journey with the chef's tasting menu for a truly unique meal.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Colombian Fusion
Price
$$$
Phone
+57 310 3949344
Address
Calle del Santísimo, Cl. 38 #8-19, San Diego, Cartagena de Indias, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Enchanting Courtyard Ambiance
Dine amidst a lush, jungle-like patio adorned with trees and fairy lights, offering a magical escape.

Innovative Colombian Flavors
Experience a modern take on traditional Colombian cuisine with sustainable, locally sourced ingredients.

Creative & Exquisite Cocktails
Savor expertly crafted cocktails that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Well in Advance
Reservations are essential due to high popularity. Consider lunch if dinner slots are full.
Opt for the Tasting Menu
Experience a diverse culinary journey with the chef's tasting menu for a truly unique meal.
Engage Your Server
Knowledgeable staff can offer excellent insights into dishes and pairings.
Explore Unique Flavors
Be adventurous! The chef combines unique flavors that may be surprising but are worth trying.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Well in Advance
Reservations are essential due to high popularity. Consider lunch if dinner slots are full.
Opt for the Tasting Menu
Experience a diverse culinary journey with the chef's tasting menu for a truly unique meal.
Engage Your Server
Knowledgeable staff can offer excellent insights into dishes and pairings.
Explore Unique Flavors
Be adventurous! The chef combines unique flavors that may be surprising but are worth trying.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Carmen Cartagena is lauded for its exquisite, innovative cuisine that beautifully showcases Colombian biodiversity, with many guests highly recommending the tasting menus. The restaurant's enchanting courtyard ambiance and attentive service create a memorable fine-dining experience. While some find the flavor combinations to be too exotic for their palate, the majority are impressed by the creativity and quality.
"Wow. What a meal. The chef’s tasting was a showstopper with incredible flavors and top-notch service. Some of the dishes were a revelation, containing ingredients I’ve never tried or never mixed. My palate truly sang after a combination of food and delicious cocktails. If you are looking for a great restaurant in the city, this is one to try."
Christopher Thomas
"After many trips to Cartagena, I decided to eat dinner at Carmen’s. This is an amazing restaurant that is sadly overshadowed by the more popular ones. The food was exquisite. We had the tasting menu, and I strongly recommend it. The service is exceptional, especially if you are lucky enough to get Bethoven as your server."
Monika Bartlett
"We found Carmen through guidebook recommendations, and wow, it absolutely lived up to the hype! The dishes were outstanding: flavorful, creative, and unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere.The cocktails were beautiful and expertly crafted, and the staff was friendly and attentive. We didn’t have a reservation, so we sat at the bar; and honestly, it was perfect! Watching the bartenders work their magic added to the whole vibe, and the music created a great atmosphere.The place is elegant and gets busy, so I highly recommend making a reservation. If you love delicious cuisine with a modern, unique twist, Carmen is a must-visit in Cartagena."
helya tavakoli
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, reservations are highly recommended due to the restaurant's popularity. It's advisable to book well in advance, especially for dinner.
Many guests recommend the chef's tasting menu (7 or 9 courses) for a comprehensive culinary journey.
The restaurant features a beautiful, lush courtyard with trees and fairy lights, creating a magical and enchanting atmosphere. There are also indoor dining options.
Yes, the cocktails are consistently praised for being creative, expertly crafted, and visually appealing.
The menu focuses on local biodiversity and sustainable dishes. While specific accommodations aren't detailed, the creative nature of the cuisine suggests possibilities. It's best to inquire directly with the restaurant.
Yes, Carmen is widely regarded as a high-end, fine-dining establishment offering an exquisite culinary experience.
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This smart restaurant promises and delivers a quality high-end dining experience with a tantalizing menu offering a modern take on superbly sourced local ingredients with well-integrated Asian touches. The dining room is divided into three distinct spaces: an internal salon dominated by an exposed brick wall and teardrop lamps; a courtyard soothed by the constant sound of running water; and a small rooftop terrace, perfect for drinking up the Cartagena sunset and a welcoming cool breeze. Following in the steps of the flagship Medellín original, service is sharp without being stuffy, and the drinks menu impresses with a suitably exotic list of cocktails.
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Carmen is one of Cartagena’s best restaurants, an elegant venue located within the Anandá Boutique Hotel. This Cartagena institution uses fresh local produce to create fusion dishes which have their roots in traditional Colombian cuisine. For breakfast, expect anything from yogurt and granola to freshly poached eggs – whatever you choose, you’re guaranteed to be starting your day off right.
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Don't miss popular mainstay restaurants like Celele, Alma, La Cevicheria, Carmen, and Donjuán Cartagena. In 2023, chef Heberto Eljach, the brains behind Alma, debuted Ánima in Casa Pestagua, focusing on the ancestral traditions of Colombian cuisine.
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In the same vein, we went to local seafood restaurant Carmen, which had a great scene with beautiful dishes, too. We shared the lobster and fried snapper.
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La diversidad de productos colombianos es el eje sobre el que se articula la carta del restaurante Carmen, del grupo Carmen -quienes cuentan en Medellín con el mismo concepto junto a su restaurante XO, en el que trabajan bajo la misma filosofía buscando elevar la cocina al siguiente nivel-. La gastronomía contemporánea con ingredientes locales es el centro de todas las miradas en Carmen, un espacio ubicado en una casona tradicional catagenera en la que se pone especial cuidado y mimo a dos cosas: por un lado, al producto y, por otro, a las personas que lo trabajan, como los horticultores, los pescadores y los agricultores que están detrás de cada una de sus materias primas. Y es que para Robert Pevitts y Carmen Ángel, quienes llevan trece años investigando el territorio colombiano, el origen de sus platos está en todos los rostros de las personas que están detrás de las materias primas que utilizan en sus restaurantes.
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Hidden behind a simple exterior, Carmen wraps around a tree-filled patio with fairy lights that transports diners to the middle of a magical jungle. Husband and wife owners Rob Pevitts and Carmen Angel use traditional Colombian ingredients like yucca, plantain and seafood, but their cooking is influenced by Asian, French and Caribbean cuisines. Both graduates of Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Academy in San Francisco, the team’s skill shows in dishes such as yucca croquettes with a liquid foie gras, black truffle center, poached prawns with black bisque and creamy cilantro rice and crab cakes with plantain and wasabi mayo.
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Don’t miss popular mainstay restaurants like Celele, Alma, La Cevicheria, Carmen, and Donjuán Cartagena. In 2023, chef Heberto Eljach, the brains behind Alma, debuted Ánima in Casa Pestagua, focusing on the ancestral traditions of Colombian cuisine. “Ánima’s relationship with Colombian cuisine is focused on ancient techniques of traditional cooking — this includes preservation methods (cured, salted, fermented, canned, smoked, pickled), the use of local products, artisanal fishing, organic products from the Montes de Maria, Amazon, and other regions of Colombia,” Eljach told T+L.
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Many restaurants in Cartagena are located in buildings originally designed as houses, according to Visnyei and Munoz, and Carmen – a contemporary spot dedicated to highlighting Colombia’s diversity through its dishes – uses that to its advantage. It has a beautiful courtyard, a warm and homey ambiance, nights for live music and all the makings for an excellent time. Visnyei still finds herself thinking about the strawberry shortcake with fresh jam, cream and a mango and passion fruit purée.
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Set in an elegant colonial building, this has a choice of three spaces: a courtyard with fountains and plants; a roof terrace with stunning views and a more formal (air-conditioned) dining room. Californian chef Rob Pevitts explores the diversity of local ingredients while throwing in a few Asian twists. Try the sea-bass fillet, smoked at your table with carbonised coconut, served on plantain 'sand' and accompanied by banana and rum risotto with the lightest lemon foam.
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Discover the epitome of Colombian fusion cuisine at Carmen Cartagena, housed within an elegant colonial house in downtown Cartagena. Here, each dish celebrates the vibrant flavors unique to Colombia, with freshly caught seafood taking center stage in creatively presented plates. From the meticulous attention to detail in service to the exceptional wine selection and innovative cocktails, every aspect of the dining experience at Carmen is designed to impress.
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Rob and Carmen, co-owners and co-chefs of Carmen take food seriously. They scour Colombia and the world for the best ingredients and techniques and inspiration, they study and update unendingly, are obsessed with molecular gastronomy and umami, they invest in their people and they strive to create what they'd consider Michellin-worthy food. Beautiful tree-filled patio looks magical at night (but in summer months you may prefer aircon dining room).
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Calle de Cuartel #36-77 Restaurant Carmen is part of a family of restaurants throughout Colombia, known for its exceptional food paired with top-tier service. Carmen is the restaurant that locals and travelers recommend to each other when they’re looking for a special dinner, be it an anniversary, a birthday, or a night out with friends. Despite being a fine dining establishment, the atmosphere at Restaurant Carmen is laid back and friendly.
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I’m still talking about it to this day – I swear it rivals the tasting menus we’ve had in Mexico City, and that’s saying something since those are in the Top 50 restaurants!. While the food was seriously to-die-for, the space is super chic and timeless, set in an intimate colonial house. We chose to sit indoors (the AC was calling our name), but if you can tolerate the heat better than we can, the outdoor terrace is absolutely gorgeous.
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En el segundo puesto tenemos a Carmen, ubicado en la Calle 38 # 8-19, Calle del Santísimo, es un restaurante cuya oferta gastronómica se basa en la cocina contemporánea resaltando los sabores colombianos. La carta que ofrece Carmen es denominada por ellos como “un viaje a través de Colombia que rinde homenaje a pequeños artesanos, pescadores y agricultores con las mejores propuestas de calidad y sabor”.
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Head chefs Carmen Angel and her husband both studied at Le Cordon Bleu, the most prestigious culinary institution in the world. Their experience and passion for local, fresh ingredients make Carmen Cartagena stand out above the rest. The restaurant is situated in an intimate and elegant colonial house downtown, and the menu is a celebration of local flavors, many of which are unique to Colombia.
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Known for its bougie atmosphere and inspired cuisine, Carmen offers a dining experience that blends local and international ingredients. The menu is widely praised for its creative dishes and elegant presentation, making it a top choice for a special night out for dinner in the walled city!. Unfortunately, I did not have the opportunity to visit Carmen during my 3-week trip to Cartagena.
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Carmen has two main branches, one in Cartagena Downtown and one in Medellin. In Cartagena, Carmen occupies a colonial house designed with sleek, modernized pieces of furniture and a peaceful and lush outdoor area where guests can sit and dine. They mix classical and contemporary Colombian flavors, and this restaurant is best known for its seafood dishes and the no me llamas Cazuela dish.
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Between the food, drinks, and greenery at Carmen, there is so much to “ooh” and “ahh” at. Best of all, the restaurant is open during the day, too, so it’s a great choice if you’re looking to grab some cocktails and share some small plates post-beach. My recommendations include the sorbet and the ceviche (it was my favorite of the trip, and I sampled ceviche from everywhere I ate).
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This classy restaurant promises and delivers a quality high-end dining experience with a tantalizing menu offering a modern take on superbly sourced local ingredients with well-integrated Asian touches. The restaurant is situated in an intimate and elegant colonial house downtown. The chefs have studied at Le Cordon Bleu, the most prestigious culinary institution in the world.
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Tucked inside a beautifully restored colonial house, Carmen is where contemporary Colombian cuisine meets impeccable technique. The setting is intimate—think candlelit courtyard and hushed conversations—but the food speaks volumes. Here, ingredients sourced from local farmers and fishermen are transformed into something both cutting-edge and deeply rooted in tradition.
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Situated in a beautiful, elegant and intimate colonial house downtown, Carmen offers contemporary cuisine with an emphasis on Colombian flavors. Carmen Angel, one of Colombia’s most known chefs, operates two namesake restaurants in Medelln and Cartagena. Offering Colombian inspired contemporary Cuisine, Carmen is one of the best restaurants in Cartagena.
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Carmen Cartagena has recently moved into new roomier digs in the historic center of the city where the restaurant continues to turn out winners. The beef carpaccio is delectable. A plate of risotto with posta (a beloved Caribbean slow-cooked beef dish) is like a delicously rich ragu mixed into a tender risotto with refreshing peas and pea shoots.
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Carmen Restaurant stands out for its innovative concept and its commitment to sustainability. This fine dining establishment uses local ingredients and contemporary culinary techniques to offer dishes that tell stories of the region. With menus that change seasonally, diners can expect a dining experience that is always fresh and surprising.
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With locations in both Medellín and Cartagena, this innovative restaurant has become a staple of the Colombian fine dining scene. I was thoroughly impressed with everything I ate. I loved that Carmen was so considerate as to give me a vegetarian amuse-bouche instead of their standard meat offering when I ordered a vegetarian plate.
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Romance and Cartagena are synonymous, and this restaurant pulls out all the stops. Modern, cozy, outdoor seating, and a menu of creative, Asian-inspired dishes is surprising and diverse. Fresh, delicious, and bi-lingual (all the menus are in English and Spanish), it’s definitely a dining experience worth having in Cartagena.
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You can get a taste of authentic Mediterranean cuisine and excellent seafood at Carmen. This restaurant, with an inviting and romantic atmosphere and live music, is especially popular with couples. Carmen is an exceptional restaurant providing a relaxing atmosphere as guests dine on delicious offerings and drink some drinks.
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Carmen Restaurant Cartagena is where Colombian traditions meet modern culinary innovation. Located in the heart of the city, this restaurant is renowned for its fusion of local flavors with global influences. Carmen offers a fresh take on Colombian cuisine, turning classic dishes into gourmet experiences.
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Combining modern techniques and creative preparations to each dish, Carmen delights its diners with a contemporary cuisine inspired by Colombian flavors. From its intimate setting inside a colonial home to its perfectly prepared fresh ingredients, Carmen offers a top notch experience in fine dining.
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One of a number of beautiful restaurants in Cartagena located in colonial-era mansions in the Walled City, Carmen has some of the best food in town too. You’ll want to get one of the tables in the gorgeous courtyard and garden. There is also frequently live music here that sets a perfect ambiance.
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If you’re looking for contemporary Colombian food with an international and elevated twist, look no further…. Carmen has chalked up quite the reputation, making it the most expensive restaurant on this list. If you can stomach a hefty bill in exchange for quality to match, this is one not to miss.
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Inside the chic Anandá Hotel, Carmen is one of the city’s most celebrated fine-dining restaurants. Chef Rob Pevitts offers modern Colombian cuisine with international influences, using ingredients like tamarind, coconut, and fresh seafood. Tasting menus start around COP 220,000 (€50) per person.
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Carmen is located in one of my favorite areas within the Walled City of Cartagena where you can find lots of brightly colored houses. The restaurant is in an old colonial style house. Stepping into Carmen you feel an immediate coolness at the first sight of the green central courtyard.
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Restaurant Carmen came at the suggestion of a friend who visits Cartagena often and the concierge at Tcherassi. This restaurant scores high on both ambiance and food. We ate at the courtyard where a tree sits in the middle of the courtyard and we had a view of the bar and open kitchen.
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Carmen Cartagena offers contemporary cuisine with a menu inspired by local flavors. The restaurant uses only top-tier ingredients and gives many of its dishes an Asian touch. From the deconstructed seafood to the succulent pork, you’ll want to try everything on the menu at least once.
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Set in a lovely colonial mansion—within the delightful Ananda hotel—with a poised but unpretentious vibe, Carmen has raised the bar on Cartagena’s gourmet dining scene. California transplant Chef Rob Pevitts delivers a seafood menu exquisitely conjured from fresh local ingredients as…
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Carmen Cartagena is renowned for its fine dining Colombian fusion cuisine and is located in the heart of Cartagena. A truly unforgettable gastronomic experience awaits you with exquisite dishes that beautifully combine traditional Colombian flavors with modern culinary techniques.
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I’m starting with Carmen because imo, this is the best dinner in Cartagena. Carmen was founded by a Colombian-American raised in California, and her co-Cordon Bleu alum husband, Rob. One of 5 restaurants, the Cartagena location is known for its distinctly romantic setting.
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It is located in the heart of Cartagena’s historic downtown. Carmen serves outstanding Colombian cuisine plucked from every corner of the countryside. Trained at Le Cordon Bleu San Francisco, chefs Carmen Angel and Rob Pevitts provide a curated seven-course tasting menu.
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A warm atmosphere makes the moment of tasting a dish much better and that experience is possible in Carmen , an intimate and elegant mansion that offers contemporary food made with Colombian products, which have been recognized for their quality in other countries.
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In any of the three cozy settings of Carmen Cartagena, accompanied by unmatched service, a unique gastronomic experience is guaranteed. This experience is complete with an original selection of artisanal cocktails that highlight fresh fruits and ancestral liquors.
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Location: Walled CityPrice Category: HighNeed Reservations: Yes. For the more serious foodies, this definitely belongs on any list where to eat in Cartagena, Colombia. It’s one of only a handful of places in town that offer chef designed multi-course menus.
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One of the first places we ate in Cartagena, Carmen was also one of the best. It has a beautiful courtyard and absolutely delicious food. Despite being a very well-reviewed restaurant, we went for a late lunch and almost had the place to ourselves.
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While some are perhaps a little overhyped, Carmen is a true gem and offers the best of Colombian cuisine. In many ways, Carmen encapsulates my favorite type of restaurant: reinventing local flavors in an innovative, forward-thinking environment.
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For fine food, great vibes, and a lighter take on local favorites, make reservations at Don Juan or Carmen. If you're interested in Cartagena's culinary scene, these restaurants are must-visits. Note: Carmen is the more formal of the two.
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It was also our first meal after arriving in Colombia and will stay with me forever. The sunny courtyard is lush and beautiful, but I prefer eating inside where the air conditioning is!. The menu is elegant and luxurious.
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Carmen ($$$$): Serving up a contemporary menu with local influence. We chose to do the 7 course tasting menu for dinner. There is a wine pairing available, but we decided to have their cocktails (which were delicious).
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Carmen restaurant, located in the heart of the city of Cartagena, is a place that transports you to the authentic essence of the Colombian Caribbean coast. Its cozy atmosphere and delicious food make you feel at home.
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If you want something a bit more upscale, this restaurant will fit the bill. It is situated in a colonial house in downtown Cartagena. The contemporary cuisine will have a distinct Colombian flavor.
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No need to worry there are some more spectacular culinary spreads being laid on at the likes of Carmen, which serves up a five-star, five-course meal that will knock your socks off.
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Carmen: Situated in a beautiful, elegant and intimate colonial house downtown, Carmen offers contemporary cuisine with an emphasis on Colombian flavours (bookings essential).
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Our favorite meals were had at the restaurants Carmen, Maria and the famous Donjuan, which also offers cooking classes for the whole family and was the highlight of our trip.
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Calle 38 # 8-19, Calle del Santísimo, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia. Address Website WhatsApp. Verify Not verified This business has not been claimed.
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In the centre historico of Cartagena a nice old colonial house with a patio filled with palm trees hosts both Moshi and Carmen restaurants. Tonight...
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Where: Calle 38 # 8-19 Calle Del Santisimo, Cartagena Colombia. According to theculturetrip.com, Carmen ranks as one of Cartagena’s best restaurants.
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Each dish was constructed with a least ten ingredients and plated as if it were a work of art. Don’t worry, they taste as good as they look.
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This included a cocktail on a hotel rooftop capped off with a multi-course Colombian dinner at an upscale restaurant called, Carmen.
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