La Cevichería — Restaurant in Cartagena

I have been recommended this place and unfortunately for me I was really disappointed and I had a bad experience. I think it is overrated and overpriced. I was widely ignored during my time in this restaurant, first when I entered I had to wait while the staff were finishing their conversation for someone to acknowledge me, as I was alone I was not offer any other option but to seat at the counter, where again I got ignored until the barman decided to do the other staff job and handed me a menu over the counter and then later took my order ( as I still had not received any attention from the other service staff). I was going to take a medium ceviche as I was not too hungry for lunch but then I was dishonestly convinced by the barman that the medium ceviche was ridiculously small ( he made a circle with in index and thumb to show me the size of the medium ceviche, which you can imagine is not bigger than 5-7cm of diameter), so I found myself pushed to order a super which was twice the price of the medium. I then asked for tap water ( that was on the counter in a chilled water distributor for that purpose) but again the barman scared me saying it was not safe (why would you have it on the counter for people to help themselves then?), so again I found myself pushed to order natural water from the menu at 8000, the barman tried to serve me another water that was on the menu and that was twice that price… The ceviche was good, don’t get me wrong, but that’s all it was standard good food. I had many ceviches in many countries and different places that were far better for way less money. I was pushed around while I was eating on my high chair several time by staff passing behind or leaning on the counter. As again I did not get much attention after I finished eating I stood up to ask for my bill, surprise…the printed copy included the service, taxes and… tips of almost 9000 I never been consulted for, and for a ‘good’ service I clearly did not experience. I found myself being taken for a fool (again) being told it is included, while it’s clearly not when it’s added on the top of the price of what you have ordered including fees and taxes… at that point I just wanted to pay and leave as I really despise dishonesty and just wanted to leave this situation and move on with life before it ruins it more for me. Silly me to think it was over, they then proceeded to try 3 times to process unsuccessfully my payment with two efpos machines without consulting me about which account I wished to use, until I finally put a stop to it and asked them to ask me when they were prompted by the machine to make a choice. Once they finally asked me and I was finally able to make a choice about my own money it worked… terrible customer experience management, not a sorry, I only caught one smile the entire time there, it was when the efpos said...

I embarked on a journey to La Cevicheria, a famed establishment that has captured the attention of many. I was eager to delve into a tapestry of flavors that this coastal gem promised. Alas, my experience at La Cevicheria was a tale of highs and lows, with moments of delight tempered by moments of culinary disappointment.

While the promise of ceviche was certainly enticing, I found myself underwhelmed by the offerings on my plate. The ceviche Douglas (shrimp in mango sauce) was my least favorite, as the flavors failed to resonate and create the anticipated burst of taste. The regular shrimp ceviche, unfortunately, lacked the vibrancy of flavor that I had hoped for, leaving me craving more. In contrast, the pulpo en salsa de mani (grilled octopus glazed with peanut sauce) was a high in the valley of lows, infusing the palate with its rich and tantalizing notes. The combination ceviche (drenched in a coconut and limon sauce) offered a tastier option than its counterparts, with flavors that stood out in the midst of an otherwise mediocre tasting experience.

Regrettably, my overall impression of La Cevicheria was one of disappointment. While the refreshing cocktails provided a pleasant diversion, they could not salvage the food experience. The lack of flavor in some of the dishes and the overall forgettable nature of the meal left me yearning for the vibrant culinary sensations that Cartagena is renowned for. As much as I wished to be enchanted by the ceviches, the mediocrity of the flavors failed to ignite my palate. With so many exceptional dining experiences to be had in this city, I would be hard-pressed to recommend La Cevicheria as a must-visit destination. The wait and time invested would be better allocated to exploring the myriad other culinary gems that Cartagena...

La Cevichería – Worth Every Bite and Then Some

I’d heard a lot of buzz about La Cevichería in Cartagena, and after finally visiting, I can say it fully lives up to the hype—and then some.

We started with the ceviche in coconut milk, which was easily one of the best I’ve ever had. Bright, creamy, and layered with just enough heat to wake up your taste buds without overwhelming the dish. You could taste how fresh the seafood was, and the coconut brought a really unique richness that set it apart.

Next up: the shrimp empanadas. These things are dangerous in the best way—ultra-crispy on the outside, with a savory, buttery filling that had a depth of flavor I wasn’t expecting. I could’ve honestly eaten 15 and still gone back for more.

We also shared the seafood paella and the Vietnamese-style rice dish with seafood. Both were delicious, with generous portions and bold flavors that somehow felt comforting and adventurous at the same time.

One surprise highlight? The house hot sauce. It’s tangy, spicy, and has this addictive punch that made us ask if we could take some home. (Spoiler: you can—and should. We left with a 6-pack.)

Service was warm and attentive without being overbearing—just genuinely kind people who clearly care about what they do.

This place hits that rare balance of casual, unassuming charm with seriously excellent food. If you’re in Cartagena and love seafood, La Cevichería should be at the top...