Street Food Tour with a local Foodie in Cartagena

Cartagena’s Chinese Culinary Legacy: We will meet at Lonchería Polo Norte, a Chinese bakery—the oldest restaurant in the city and the only one that has been run by three generations. Here, we will learn about the Chinese influence on Cartagena’s cuisine. Then, we will pass in front of Plaza de Bolívar, which is considered the most important square in the city.

Get ready to explore the vibrant flavors of Cartagena through its fresh, tropical fruits! On this stop, you’ll taste a wide variety of fruits that locals enjoy daily—some familiar, like mango and pineapple and others more exotic. Each fruit has its unique flavor, aroma, and story, reflecting the rich agricultural diversity of Colombia’s Caribbean region.

At this stop, you’ll enjoy crispy, twice-fried green plantains soaked in garlicky water and topped with fresh costeño cheese and suero. This is a true street food classic in Cartagena, loved by locals for its crunchy texture and savory flavor.

In the La Matuna neighborhood, we’ll taste a delicious shrimp cocktail and visit the place where they made the world’s largest shrimp cocktail in 2015, weighing 1,300 kilos. You’ll learn how this Guinness World Record was achieved! Next, we’ll try the famous chorizos , known for their bright color and amazing flavor—a true local street food favorite.

Portal de los Dulces – Sweet Treats Stop At this stop, you’ll enter the heart of Cartagena’s traditional sweets market. The Portal de los Dulces is famous for its colorful stalls filled with local candies, tropical treats, and hand-made delights. Taste coconut sweets, coconut rolls, traditional jams, and other Colombian confections, all made with authentic recipes passed down through generations. This is the perfect place to indulge your sweet tooth and experience a true taste of Cartagena’s culinary culture.

Get ready to taste authentic Colombian cheese arepas, made with white corn and fresh costeño cheese, then stuffed with rich, creamy butter. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, each bite is a perfect balance of savory, cheesy, and buttery flavors. Loved by locals, these arepas are a true street food treasure in Cartagena—simple, delicious, and impossible to resist!

We will finish at a famous spot where locals go to enjoy local beer. Here, we’ll take a few minutes to get to know each other and wrap up our experience like true Cartageneros.

Next, we will move on to try Colombian bread, awarded as the most delicious bread in the world according to Atlas gastronomic magazine. We will also taste a delicious guava and cheese pastry and dive into a world of sweet and savory flavors. We will pass in front of the most beautiful church in the city, the Cathedral