Cuzco Cocina Peruana — Restaurant in Cartagena

Unfortunately this went from a 4 star experience to about 0 stars about halfway through the meal. The place is a cool vibe with live music and an open design. However, out of the 5 dishes we had, the pulpo prepared quite basic was the only thing that stood out. The rest was ok, definitely nothing special. The water was very pushy with upselling us on our wine for European and Californian imports instead of great Latin choices from Chile or Argentina. Again with the whole atmosphere, maybe a 4 star experience.

Unfortunately, about halfway through our meal, a waiter came by and knocked our ice bucket which was mostly just cold water, on top of me. The lower half of my shirt, along with my entire underwear and the top part of my jeans soaked in water. I am not exaggerating when I say I was quite literally soaked. Waiters rushed in to give me a new napkin and a new chair. One of them apologized and then…no one checked up on us. Nobody came with additional towels to help dry up my soaked clothes. Nobody came to ask if we needed anything. Just the check with no accommodations. I had to Uber home back to the hotel to change before going out. That’s money and time out of my night and sitting in soaked clothes for half my evening. It’s just poor service from management. When asked, the manager suggested we give no tip. Just 3 options that cost you little to nothing in the future: comp a round of drinks, a dessert or at the very least have a manager come by and offer their apologies and have someone bring towels to help dry the customer you just dropped a bucket of water on. I am usually a 5 star review type of guy but can’t...

Cuzco Cocina Peruana is a must-visit fine dining destination in the heart of Cartagena's Walled City. This elegant restaurant combines authentic Peruvian charm with Caribbean and Colombian influences, offering a culinary experience that is as unique as it is delicious. The ambiance is enchanting, with a mix of beautifully decorated indoor spaces (complete with air conditioning) and a romantic outdoor dining area, perfect for enjoying Cartagena’s warm evenings.

The attention to detail in the décor and the warm welcome from the staff set the stage for an unforgettable experience. You'll find the team friendly, knowledgeable, and fluent enough in English to recommend excellent pairings from the extensive menu of cocktails, wines, and creative dishes.

Cuzco Cocina Peruana is led by the same visionary chef behind Mistura, another renowned restaurant in Cartagena. The menu is a fusion masterpiece, featuring mouthwatering flavors that will leave you tempted to order extra for the road. From lively entertainment and a small dance floor to its relaxing, sophisticated atmosphere, this restaurant caters to all your senses.

Whether you're a foodie seeking bold flavors or a traveler looking for an elegant evening out, Cuzco Cocina Peruana delivers a dining experience that is second to none. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Cartagena—this spot deserves a...

I normally do not write restaurant reviews because I choose carefully where I go to eat & often return to my favorite spots; so I am rarely disappointed.

Cuzco Cocina Peruana, however, is an outlier in about every respect that demands a retort... Wow, the food at this place was bad! The reviews on Trip Advisor strangely miss the mark by a mile. The food was easily the worst we’ve had in Cartagena. Too much salt, too much cheese, hastily put together concoctions with un-uniform taste. The sort of meal one would expect at a low-end, Chucky-Cheese style American restaurant with a large — too large — menu catered to the taste of young children. The service was on the other hand fussy and the prices and other attributes of the place - including its child friendliness- consistent with what one might expect at the upmarket dining establishment Cuzco markets itself as.

After three consistently bad courses, my wife and I could only conclude that something got lost in translation in the rave ratings Cuzco received in Trip Advisor.

We had great meals at Cande, Maria, and San Valentine. And a truly exceptional meal (chef tasting menu with wine pairings) at Carmen. I would heartily recommend that Cuzco send their chefs to these places to become better calibrated about quality cuisine in...