
If you’re wondering where to eat in Santa Marta, Colombia, head to the lively Centro Histórico (historic downtown) area.
In 2024, I spent a month working remotely in Santa Marta, and I can confidently report that the small historic downtown is brimming with excellent restaurants competing for tourist business. They tend to serve seafood, pizza, pasta, and hamburgers. Yet each has its own personality and constantly strives to deliver fresh food that is high-quality and delicious. In this post, I’ll describe where to find classic dishes with local flair in Santa Marta.

- Why visit Santa Marta, Colombia
- Some Practical Information about Dining in Santa Marta
- Where to Get Coffee in Santa Marta
- Where to get Breakfast in Santa Marta
- Where to eat Pizza in Santa Marta
- Where to Drink Craft Beer in Santa Marta
- Where to eat Mexican Food in Santa Marta
- La Inmortal Taquería
- Lighter Fare Restaurants in Santa Marta
- Elegant Restaurants in Santa Marta
- Where to Get Gelato in Santa Marta
- Where to Stay in Santa Marta, Colombia
- Where to Eat in Santa Marta, Colombia-Pin It for Later!
- Conclusion
Why visit Santa Marta, Colombia
Santa Marta, the oldest city in Colombia, has a Caribbean shoreline to complement its colonial architecture. This affordable city has a long cultural heritage and is a great starting point for adventures on the water or in mountain villages. Here are a few of the top things to do in Santa Marta.
City Walking Tour
On a city walking tour, you’ll see cultural institutions like the Cathedral Basilica of Santa Marta (built in 1765) and the Gold Museum (Museo del Oro Tairona), showcasing the Tairona people’s heritage.
Recommended tour: A Pearl In The Caribbean-walking tour in English

National Park Beach Visit
One of the easiest ways to visit nearby Tayrona National Park is via boat to the park’s pristine Bahía Concha (Shell Beach). After the ride to the beach, you can enjoy the crew-prepared lunch, play on water toys, or walk on the beach before returning to the city. Recommended tour: Santa Marta: Sailing Tour to Tayrona Park with Luis’ Team

Sunset Cruise
Santa Marta’s sunsets are jaw-dropping, nuff said. You owe it to yourself to enjoy an evening on a sunset cruise in the bay. Recommended tour: Santa Marta: Sunset Cruise Around the Bay

Snorkeling on the Beach
If you’re overwhelmed by Santa Marta’s crowded and noisy Playa El Rodadero (Rodadero Beach), opt for the quieter Playa Inca Inca (Inca Inca Beach) instead. This small beach has crystal-clear waters and is an excellent snorkeling destination.

Visit Minca
For a mountain experience, head to Minca in the Sierra Nevada. A 45-minute drive away from Santa Marta, this laid-back mountain village has its own coffee culture, waterfall hikes, and breathtaking views. Recommended tour: Santa Marta: Minca Coffee, Cocoa, & Waterfall Full-Day Trip

Some Practical Information about Dining in Santa Marta
You’re going to love eating out in Santa Marta! But before you dive in, here are a few tips to enhance your dining experience.
Currency: Menu prices are listed in Colombian pesos. While every restaurant mentioned in this guide accepts credit cards, technology isn’t always reliable. It’s a good idea to carry cash in case the credit card machine is down. This happened to me twice while I was in Santa Marta! Additionally, most restaurants and shops charge a credit card processing fee. However, Santa Marta is highly affordable compared to the United States so this small fee won’t impact your budget.
Language: I found that most restaurant staff in Santa Marta don’t want to speak English, though many menus include both Spanish and English descriptions. Knowing some basic Spanish can go a long way toward making the ordering process smoother and more enjoyable. Google Translate is your friend here.

With that information, it’s time to get to the main point of this post: where to eat in Santa Marta’s Centro Histórico.
Where to Get Coffee in Santa Marta
Colombia is known for its coffee production, so locally-sourced beans are a given in Santa Marta’s coffee shops. Here are two great spots to satisfy your caffeine fix.
Café Caribe
Colombia is known for its coffee production, so it’s no surprise that Santa Marta has numerous cafes with excellent coffee. Café Caribe (Cra. 1a #26-09 // +573138175032) stands out in this regard as it roasts its own coffee beans (under the brand La Primera Roasters).
My Americano at Café Caribe had a slight chocolate scent complementing the bitterness of the strong espresso. The result was a smooth, extremely drinkable coffee. While you’re here, pick up a bag of ground or whole-bean coffee to prolong your enjoyment of Colombia’s favorite beverage.

Juan Valdez
Juan Valdez is an international coffee shop chain originating in Colombia, and it’s probably the most recognizable brand of Colombian coffee. There are three locations in the Centro Historico area of Santa Marta, and they all serve multiple coffee and espresso drinks. I most often enjoyed a robust tinto (black coffee) in the Café Del Parque location, which had a treed outdoor area that provided respite from Santa Marta’s intense sun.

Juan Valdez also serves pastries and snacks. I recommend trying the Almojábana, a type of Colombian cheese bread.
Locations:
- Juan Valdez Café – Café Del Parque: Parque Contiguo Al Lado de la Alcaldía, Cl. 14 #2 – 49.
- Juan Valdez Café – Camellón de la Bahía: Cra. 1c #12-57.
- Juan Valdez Café: CC Las Olas, Cl. 23 #4-69 Local 6.
Where to get Breakfast in Santa Marta
No worries if you need more coffee to start your day. Santa Marta has several excellent breakfast restaurants.
Agua de Rio Cafe Bistro
The cozy Agua de Rio Cafe Bistro (Cra. 2 #16 – 47) has pastel decor and serves dishes that are not only packed with flavor but also have an excellent presentation. Even a simple Greek yogurt and fruit bowl with a touch of honey seemed elevated, especially when paired with the house coffee.

Munchies Brunch
Munchies Brunch (Cl. 19 #2A 29 // +573157463862) is all about starting the day right. While its prime location next to Parque de los Novios can be bustling and loud in the evenings, the mornings offer an altogether different vibe. You’ll no doubt find yourself lingering over a cup of coffee on the charming patio as you peruse the breakfast menu.
Craving a little bit of everything, I ordered waffles with eggs and bacon. The waffles had a unique texture and a subtly sweet, earthy flavor. I suspected they were prepared with harina de maíz (corn flour), a staple in Colombia.

The dish had sides of honey and homemade strawberry jam, adding a local twist. It was nothing like the waffles I’m used to—but in the best way possible. My meal was a delicious, unexpected take on a breakfast classic.
Where to eat Pizza in Santa Marta
I went to Santa Marta expecting to eat Colombian food all the time. So I was frankly surprised by the large number of pizza restaurants in the city. And while I often try to avoid gluten, I couldn’t help but sample the pies at some of Santa Marta’s best pizza places. These eateries also generally serve pasta and paninis.
La Casona Restaurante Pizzeria
One of the first pizzas I tried was La Casona Restaurante Pizzeria (Cra. 3 #16-26, Comuna 2, Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia // +573052999234). In the mood for something local, I ordered the seafood pizza, which featured shrimp and calamari. Additionally, onions, peppers, and a generous portion of mozzarella cheese topped a crispy, thin crust with red sauce.

The Cuatro Carnes (four meats) pizza called my name on my second visit. A red pizza with smoked ham, shredded chicken, spicy chorizo, and bacon, it needed no additional ingredients to satisfy.
La Muzzeria
I also indulged in a Cuatro Carnes pizza at La Muzzeria (Cra. 3 #16-02, Comuna 2, Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia// +57 6054299981). Their signature house-made sauce served as the perfect base for a feast of flavors—savory butifarra, bold Spanish-style chorizo, tender chicken, and juicy pork—all coming together in a carnivore’s dream.

Ouzo Santa Marta
Ouzo Santa Marta (Cra. 3 #19-29, Comuna 2, Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia // +573175219377) is a Mediterranean restaurant serving a wide variety of dishes expertly prepared with attention to detail. The menu includes several inspired pizza options.

I chose the spicy salami pizza. The “spicy” part came from paprika and jalapeño. Mushrooms, red onion, mozzarella and a dusting of parmesan cheese rounded out the toppings on this delicious pizza.
Evelio Terraza
Evelio Terraza (Cra 2 # 16 – 33, Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia // +57 6054204557) might not win any awards for its atmosphere, but its food speaks volumes. While it joins the ranks of pizza restaurants offering paninis and pasta, Evelio Terraza distinguishes itself with pizza abundance—a veritable paradise for meat lovers and vegetarians alike.
My choice, the Costeño pizza, was a revelation: Neapolitan red sauce, mozzarella, local cheese, sausage, chorizo, cilantro, red onion, olive oil, and oregano combined in a symphony of flavors. It was a lovely marriage of Italian technique and Colombian coastal flair.

Where to Drink Craft Beer in Santa Marta
I often enjoyed a local craft beer with my meals in Santa Marta. I was pleasantly surprised to find many local beers of varying styles readily available, generally in bottles.
In addition, craft beers were on tap at Santa Marta’s own brewpub, the Surf Monkey Beer Taproom (Parque Simón bolivar Al lado de hostal republica, Cl. 15 #2-16, Comuna 2, Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia // +573215456987).

Throughout my one-month visit to Santa Marta I sampled several of Surf Monkey’s excellent ales, including the signature pale ale, Mandarina (mandarin) Ale, and Mayacuya (passion fruit) Ale. All were delectable.
Where to eat Mexican Food in Santa Marta
Would you go to Colombia to eat Mexican food? As a Mexican food lover, I found myself returning to Santa Marta’s Mexican restaurants again and again. My favorites were El Mexican and La Inmortal Taqueria.
El Mexican
Let me tell you, you can’t go wrong at El Mexican (Cl. 18 #2 – 82, Comuna 2, Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia // +573184152311). You can savor a flavorful pork al pastor burrito packed with beans, rice, and crisp lettuce, or simply munch on rustic tortilla chips dipped in creamy crema agria, a tangy sour cream and mayo blend.
But quite possibly the best item on the entire menu is the juicy quesabirria tacos with rich consommé. Every bite at El Mexican is a win, and these tacos especially so!

La Inmortal Taquería
Another spot to squelch a craving for Mexican food, La Inmortal Taquería (Calle 20 # 1c) serves up a taco lover’s dream—steak, birria, chicken, al pastor, lengua (beef tongue), seafood, and even hearty mushroom tacos.

And the menu doesn’t stop there. You’ll also find comforting tortilla soup, loaded nachos, tortas, flautas, and gringas—a cheesy, flavor-packed take on quesadillas.
Lighter Fare Restaurants in Santa Marta
Santa Marta has options for fresh, flavorful, and lighter meals. From crisp salads to fresh seafood, these restaurants offer delicious ways to refuel without feeling too heavy.
Lulo
Lulo (Cra. 3 #16-34 // +573204768870) bills itself as a Fresh and Natural Cafe and Juice Bar. I found the salads at Lulo to be fresh, large, tasty, and satisfying. The Mango Salad included not only juicy mango chunks with mixed greens, but also tomato, avocado, red onion, cucumber, and radish.
A lemon and passionfruit vinaigrette complements the dish with a dash of acidity and tropical flavor. For protein, add chicken or tofu to your salad.

Another standout salad is the Southwestern Salad, again topped with vinaigrette. Its ingredients include mixed greens, carrot, beet, cucumber, red onion, cabbage, radish, smoked chicken, bacon, guacamole, and a small amount of chipotle pepper.
Agua de Rio Cafe Bistro
Highlighted above in the breakfast section, Agua de Rio Cafe Bistro also serves classics like pasta and sandwiches (served on house-made bread). These are available alongside creative seasonal dishes that I didn’t find anywhere else in Santa Marta.
For example, I indulged in a shrimp salad with mixed greens, bocconcini cheese, onion, pickled plum, and just the right amount of the house-made “dynamite sauce” topping each fried shrimp.

La Muzzeria
La Muzzeria serves a lot more than pizza! During my lunch visit, I sampled the colorful and flavorful Paella Caribena, which included chicken, shrimp, mushrooms, and squid with coconut rice. It was a delicious tropical take on a classic dish.

Emanuel Cocteles & Ceviches
Great food doesn’t have to be complicated, and Emanuel Cocteles & Ceviches (Calle 22 #1c 93 marina internacional, local 1 espolón de la 22 // +573008149116) proves just that. Part of a small complex at Santa Marta’s Marina, this spot keeps it simple—no frills, no fuss, just incredible ceviche. The streamlined menu makes ordering easy:
- pick a size;
- select a protein: shrimp, caracol (conch), or stingray; and
- select a seasoning style: traditional, with a creamy tomato and onion salsa; olive oil; or Mexican.

Then, take a seat in the open air, watch the sun setting while tourist boats glide back to shore, and dig in with a plastic fork. There are no distractions, just fresh, flavorful seafood—some of Santa Marta’s best ceviche.
Elegant Restaurants in Santa Marta
For a relaxing meal with more upscale food and surroundings, consider one of the following restaurants in Santa Marta,
Ouzo Santa Marta
I covered pizza at Ouzo Santa Marta earlier in this post, but pizza is only one option at this versatile Mediterranean restaurant.
For example, the Octapodi appetizer of roasted octopus was tender and flavorful. It was large enough for a lunch portion and accompanied by feta cheese, salad greens, roasted tomato, onion, olives, and olive oil.

But the best dish I had at Ouzo was slow-braised beef. Cooked for over 8 hours in red wine, the meat nearly melted in my mouth. Pumpkin puree, Mediterranean quinoa salad, and chimichurri added a blend of local flavors with a Mediterranean twist.

Serena Tropical Bistro
Serena Tropical Bistro (Prolongación del Camellón Rodrigo de Bastidas, Cra. 1 #22 – 93 // +573106981568) is part of the same renowned restaurant group as Ouzo. It offers a bold menu that is similarly inventive. While the prices may be slightly higher here, the breathtaking sunset views over Santa Marta’s marina make every penny worthwhile.
One standout dish is the Costeña Posta—slow-braised Cartagena-style beef, tender and rich, with creamy ñame puree, topped with cheese, and a refreshing fresh salad. Ñame is a root vegetable similar to a potato, giving this innovative dish a regional twist.

Donde Chucho Gourmet
Donde Chucho Gourmet (Cl. 19 #2 – 17) offers a well-rounded menu, with soup and risotto to steaks, chicken, pasta, and more, including elevated Colombian classics. Trust me, though, the true star of the show is the grouper.
It’s typically prepared with a freshly made sauce. Whether you choose the lime or garlic sauce, both perfectly complement the flaky fish. This local favorite is often served alongside fried plantains, a Colombian staple.

Where to Get Gelato in Santa Marta
Dessert lovers, rejoice! Every meal deserves a sweet ending, and Gnam Gelataria (Cra. 3 #17-73, // +573207247564) elevates the experience with its extraordinary gelato, available from early afternoon until late into the night.
My tamarind gelato was more like a zesty sorbet. Without excess sweeteners, the strong tamarind flavor was refreshingly tart. Whether in a cup or cone, it was the ideal treat for cooling off in Santa Marta’s tropical temperatures.

Where to Stay in Santa Marta, Colombia
During my month of remote work in Santa Marta, I stayed at MuchoSur (formerly Belafonte Coliving) right off the Malecon. With an air-conditioned private room (including a work desk and balcony), shared kitchen, co-working spaces, and a fast internet connection, I had everything I needed for the entire month. The rooftop deck was an excellent spot for a dip in the pool during the hottest part of the day. Additionally, it provided wonderful views of Santa Marta’s breathtaking sunsets.


Santa Marta’s Centro Histórico is packed with many other hotels, vacation rentals, and hostels, ensuring you’ll find a match for your travel style. Use this map to research and book your Santa Marta lodging:
Book now at Booking.com ♦ Book now at Expedia ♦ Book now at Hotels.com
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Final Thoughts on Where to Eat in Santa Marta, Colombia
You can’t go wrong dining out in Santa Marta’s Centro Historico. From ceviche to Mediterranean creations to pizza to tacos, the local eateries deliver classic and creative dishes. Visit these must-try restaurants and taste the heart of Santa Marta for yourself. You’ll find something to satisfy every craving in this historic coastal city.
Love how unique the food sounds (like the tamarind gelato). I’d love to explore this area.
Glad you liked the post-I hope you can find some tamarind gelato soon!
This was a very informative post, and your pix had my mouth watering. The mention of Juan Valdez evoked distant memories of those coffee TV commercials from long, long ago!!
I had the same reaction when I first visited Santa Marta!
Love this somewhat different approach to restaurant reviews roundup.