A place to enjoy
La Catedral Restaurante is a gem nestled in the heart of Cartagena's Ciudad Amurallada. Renowned for its authentic Colombian cuisine, this delightful eatery offers a memorable dining experience. Signature dishes like the coconut shrimp and bandeja paisa steal the spotlight, delighting both locals and travelers alike. Diners rave about the fresh seafood, particularly the grilled sea bass and langostinos encocados. Service here is warm and attentive, with staff, like the highly praised Luis, adding to the inviting atmosphere. While it may lack air conditioning, the joyful flavors and vibrant ambiance make La Catedral a must-visit culinary destination.
Story & Atmosphere
Welcome to La Catedral Restaurante, a culinary gem nestled in the heart of the Ciudad Amurallada in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. Located at Cra. 4 #35-68, this charming eatery offers a delightful dive into traditional Colombian cuisine, making it a perfect stop for both locals and travelers alike.
As you step inside, the vibrant atmosphere and friendly service create a warm invitation to explore authentic flavors. Highlights of the menu include Bandeja Paisa, a sumptuous platter that showcases the essence of Colombian gastronomy. For seafood enthusiasts, the Langostinos Encocados is a must-try, infusing the freshness of the ocean with a rich coconut sauce that dances upon your palate.
Customer testimonials rave about the coconut shrimp, perfectly accompanied by fluffy rice, and the fried plantain dish with a delectable sauce that serves as an ideal starter. Many have found the piña colada to be the perfect complement to their meals, balancing the savory with a refreshing sweetness.
It's worth noting that while La Catedral offers exceptional food and attentive service, the rustic charm may also mean a lack of air conditioning during warmer days. Some diners have mentioned this, especially during brief power outages, but many agree that the delightful dishes more than make up for any discomfort.
With enthusiastic personal accounts like Michele Naka Mi's family who returned the day after because of their pleasing experience, it's clear that La Catedral Restaurante has carved a niche for itself in Cartagena’s competitive dining scene. As Chris Howard noted, this restaurant is a fantastic first stop for anyone seeking the heart of Colombian food culture. Overall, La Catedral not only serves meals; it serves memories, and every visit pays homage to the rich culinary heritage of Colombia.
“ We came to La Catedral looking for traditional Colombian food, and this was our first stop in Cartagena. The food was good—highlights included the coconut shrimp with rice and a tasty fried plantain dish with sauce to start. Drinks were also enjoyable, especially the piña colada. That said, the lack of air conditioning was noticeable, and even more so when the power went out for about 10 minutes, leaving the fans off in the heat. Service was fine, and overall the experience was decent, but nothing that stood out compared to other options in the area. A solid place if you’re nearby, but probably average for Cartagena’s dining scene. ”
“ This place was so good that we had to return the next day! My family and I - the 8 of us - highly recommend: bandeja paisa, mixto de marisco and pulpo! DELICIOUS! Hats off to Luis the waitress and the manager’s service! ”
“ The food and service both were amazing. We ordered the 2 versions of grilled sea bass on the menu and both were delicious and well presented. Staff was attentive as well. We were initially suspicious as we were guided there by someone from the streets who was holding a menu and the place wasn’t particularly busy either. But it was a really pleasant experience! ”
“ One of the best meals we had in Cartagena! Highly recommend this place is you want a good Bandeja Paisa, we also tried the Langostinos Encocados, everything was delicious! ”