ALMA Restaurante - Bar — Restaurant in Cartagena

Alma Restaurant in Cartagena is a dining gem that offers an enchanting experience, blending exquisite cuisine with a breathtaking ambiance. This establishment deserves a solid 4.8-star rating for its impressive combination of atmosphere, food, and service.

The ambiance of Alma is nothing short of spectacular. Nestled within traditional colonial architecture, the restaurant exudes a charm that is both elegant and inviting. The abundance of plants creates a lush, tropical atmosphere that feels like a serene escape from the bustling streets of Cartagena. The highlight, however, is the small indoor pool, which adds a magical touch to the dining experience. It’s not just an aesthetic feature; it’s a conversation starter and a unique element that sets Alma apart from any other dining venue in the city.

When it comes to accommodating large groups, Alma excels. Our experience with a sizable party was handled with impeccable professionalism. The staff was attentive, ensuring that each person in our group felt welcomed and well-cared for. This level of service is particularly commendable given the challenges that often come with serving large groups.

The cuisine at Alma is a delightful exploration of local flavors with a modern twist. Each dish we tried was a testament to the chef’s expertise in blending traditional recipes with contemporary culinary techniques. The presentation of the food was also a visual treat, adding to the overall dining experience. However, while the majority of the dishes were exceptional, there were a couple that didn’t quite meet the same high standard, which is the only reason for not giving a full five-star rating.

One minor area for improvement would be the pacing of the meal. While the ambiance encourages leisurely dining, there were moments when the service felt a bit slower than expected, particularly when catering to our large group. This, however, did not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of our evening.

In conclusion, Alma Restaurant is a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy high-quality cuisine in a stunningly beautiful setting in Cartagena. Its blend of traditional charm, innovative cuisine, and attentive service makes it an almost perfect dining destination. Whether you’re with a large group or enjoying a more intimate dinner, Alma promises an unforgettable experience that tantalizes the senses and leaves you...

Made a reservation for dinner at 930pm. Was told they would cancel our reservation if we were more than 10 minutes late. We arrived on time but was told to wait at the bar as our table wasn’t ready. 15 mins later we were seated. The restaurant said they were fully booked and that we could not sit outside however there were plenty of empty tables. We asked if we could take one and they said they had reservations for those tables, however, when a table left they would move us outside. They did not. No other customers came in after us and the restaurant had plenty of free tables. Apparently they weren’t fully booked. The waiter, while polite, continued to interrupt our conversation the whole meal to ask very slow and unnecessary questions “I ammmm goingggg to moveee thissss placeeee setttinggg” yes of course move it? It got incredibly annoying. Food took ages. Taste was ok. My friend said the fish was nice but nothing special- especially for the price. Vegetarian items on the menu ARE NOT VEGETARIAN!!!! Just because it contains vegetables does not make it veggie. ‘Vegetarian soup’ contained fish. ‘Vegetarian salad’ contained bacon bits. It is actually insulting. Having checked they had vegetarian options prior I was extremely disappointed and was left eating boiled veg and rice (both side dishes). Bill came and we were asked if we wanted to split it. Said yes and he charged us for the wrong things then suggested we sort it out between us. Why offer to do it only to make us sort it out anyway? Was not worth it. Expecting a high-end dinner to be met with disappointment was a sad way to end our vacation. To sum up- SORT OUT YOUR MENU!! Waiters should not consistently interrupt diners. Drinks were ok but not strong at all. Denied a nice table for nothing. Not worth the money or time in our opinion! Cartagena has too many nice restaurants with great service to waste a dinner here. 1 star is for drinks, 1 star for my friends fish dinners....

I couldn't wait to try this place based on past reviews from more than a year ago. It was beautiful inside. The wait staff was very friendly and kind. I took beautiful pictures inside of the restaurant and had a nice table. My reservation was for 9:30pm, although I arrived earlier and was immediately seated. I ordered a sangria, which took forever to come. It was watered down wine with lots of chopped apples and zero flavor. I ordered the lobster empanadas and the garlic crab and shrimp. Service was extremely slow for such a small venue. It wasnt very packed in there when I arrived ao I didnt understand what took so long. I remained patient. Once the empanadas arrived, they were not hot as if freshly prepared. It took forever so I assumed they were making everything from scratch. The empanadas were lukewarm, at best. My major disappointment came when the entree arrived. It looked completely unappetizing. It appeared to be completely uncooked. The shrimp was still gray and raw. The cauliflower bites were overcooked and very hard. The crab fingers were extremely small and also overcooked. This dish was not edible. I returned the dish as I have an allergy to uncooked seafood. Upon sitting the server asked if there were any allergies so I thought they would have taken that into consideration prior to bring out this dish. She apologized and the manager came to also apologize. They replaced it with the fish of the day. Unfortunately, I was disappointed again because it also came out overcooked and underseasoned. The coconut rice accompaniment was extremely dry and hard. It also lacked flavor. I typically order dessert with my dinner, but I didn't want any further disappointments. I asked for the check. After paying the tab and leaving, I learned that they no longer had the same chef as before. This might explain why the food wasn't appetizing and lack a balance of flavors, which is what I...