RESTAURANTE CANDÉ Cocina 100% Cartagenera
Colombia
レビュー
Good points: Incredible food and aesthetics. The papa rellena was one of the best I ever had in my life. The rice with mixed meats was like a paella on another level. The live salsa was incredible, made me feel like I was back in Puerto Rico. Downside: We didn’t have a dedicated server to attend to us which is weird considering a restaurant of this magnitude. We were constantly asking for stuff from different staff. Also the drinks were somehow pretty bad from a concoction standpoint. I even had a drink replaced and they were adamant on charging us for the drinks we didn’t like. The presentation of the drinks were nice but the drinks simply need to be reimagined, perhaps go the simpler route.
We had a fantastic experience! The seafood was fresh and delicious, and the cocktails were creative, fun, and perfectly made. The atmosphere was lively with great entertainment that made the evening even more enjoyable. A special thank you to our waitress, Nayelis, who provided exceptional service from start to finish. She was friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout our meal. Her warm personality and professionalism truly enhanced our dining experience. We’ll definitely be back and highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for great food, drinks, and outstanding service!
I visited Restaurante Candé during my trip to Cartagena, and it was one of the most memorable meals I had in the city. The restaurant offers an excellent introduction to authentic Cartagenera cuisine in a beautiful and elegant setting. I started with the seafood ceviche served in a fresh coconut shell, which was refreshing, flavorful, and beautifully presented. For my main course, I ordered a seafood rice dish loaded with lobster, shrimp, calamari, mussels, and fish. The seafood was fresh, perfectly cooked, and paired wonderfully with the rich, seasoned rice. Beyond the food, I appreciated the warm hospitality and attention to detail. The atmosphere felt both refined and welcoming, making it a great place to enjoy a special meal, even when dining solo. If you’re looking for authentic local cuisine and outstanding seafood in Cartagena, Restaurante Candé is definitely worth a visit. Highly recommended.
The service here is truly excellent; especially if you’re lucky enough to be seated in Donna’s section. The food has that wonderful homemade feel, if you are looking for that taste of local food and not for a new fresh food experience that surprises you. The entire atmosphere is clean, efficient, and feels very safe. I really appreciated the live music; the volume was perfect, and the timing was spot on so we could still enjoy our conversation. We were a party of four celebrating my granddaughter’s college graduation. She was even wearing her cap and gown and had her diploma with her. She got lots of congratulations from the restaurant staff that made her bright. While I know the restaurant isn't obligated to do anything extra, it was a bit disappointing thet there weren't a nice gesture from the house, even a tiny dessert would have gone a long way. As they say, the devil is in the details, and those small touches are what turn a good experience into a great one. That said, the service itself was top-notch. A huge thank you to Donna and her team for taking such good care of us!
Candé offers an incredible atmosphere. The live music, attentive service, and beautifully designed spaces across both the first and second floors create a vibrant and immersive experience. What stands out most is the variety of seating arrangements — they accommodate everything from intimate dinners to large group gatherings comfortably. From the moment you’re waiting to be seated to the speed of food delivery and billing, the entire operation feels well organized and efficient. One of the highlights is the live cultural performance. Performers move through the different rooms dressed in traditional Colombian attire, which adds an authentic and festive touch to the evening. It really elevates the dining experience, especially if you’re visiting Cartagena for the first time. We strongly recommend making a reservation, particularly on weekends. If you walk in without one, you may still get seated on the first floor, but expect a wait. As for the food, it was good — but not the best we had in Cartagena. For approximately $150 USD (two glasses of wine, three beers, one cocktail, one appetizer, and two main courses), we felt the value leaned more toward the experience and ambiance than the culinary quality itself. Overall, Candé is worth visiting for the atmosphere and cultural show, but if your main focus is exceptional food at that price point, you may find stronger options elsewhere.