Restaurante-Bar San Nicolás — Restaurant in Cartagena

Went to this restaurant based on the good reviews but was one of the worst experiences I've had. Ordered the salmon carpaccio to start which was cooked, i.e. not carpaccio and generally just tasteless, and came which two pieces of stale bread. The waiter didn't come to ask how it was so we ate it as we were hungry, but when the waiter finally came to take our plates we expressed our dissatisfaction but he said nothing.

Then had the whole fish and special fish rice for mains. It was quite clear that all the fish used was frozen. Was again completely tasteless and the squid and octopus in the rice were cold. It was so bad that I didn't want to waste a meal on it so I left the whole plate. Again the waiter didn't come and ask how the food was, and when we finally got his attention we told him we wouldn't pay for the rice as we hadn't eaten any and it wasn't good.

The service from this point was terrible. The waiter told us we should have told him the food was bad (even though he hadn't come to ask) and then told us we had to pay for it. He then went off and we saw him taking photos of other customers and mopping the floor. After 15 minutes of sitting there with no one coming over we decided to just leave the money for everything but the rice dish (even though we felt this was still an overpayment) and leave. At this point 5 members of staff rushed over and actually barred us from leaving and insisted we had to pay for the rice. We refused and eventually they let us leave.

Basically if you have any expectations regarding good food and good service then avoid this restaurant at all costs. We had better service and food at CoronCoro for literally a quarter...

Honestly the worst service I have experienced in Colombia for such an expensive restaurant.

The staff act like they're doing a favour by serving you - they don't even smile or make eye contact. In fact I observed more than one staff member standing around, scrolling on their phone, and at another point all of the staff congregated at the bar, while the rest of the dining room was completely empty, with nobody serving.

I was left for a long time without anyone taking my order and when I said 'excuse me' to the girl in the blue jumpsuit, she raised a hand at me to silence me, walked away and never came back.

My order was finally taken and the food was half-cold when it arrived. The environment was so hostile and unwelcoming, I felt very uncomfortable and wanted to leave as soon as possible.

I am a food writer and because of this I leave a generous tip as I appreciate the hard work of the waiters. In this case, for the first time in my life, I was not motivated to leave a tip.

I communicated this to the girl in the blue jumpsuit and was met with a glare, and a cold vibe from the waiter who eventually processed my bill (not any different from how I'd been treated since I'd walked in).

I guess any restaurant that has its staff standing out the front begging people to come in is not of a high calibre.

As someone in the restaurant industry, I sincerely hope the owner of the restaurant sees this review and makes the necessary adjustments in training their staff in basic warmth...

recently dined at San Nicolas Restaurante Bar in Cartagena, and it was an unforgettable experience! Nestled in the lively Getsemaní neighborhood, this place exudes charm with its warm decor and family-friendly vibe. The moment I walked in, I was greeted by the friendly staff—Manuel’s welcoming smile set the tone for the evening.

The food was a highlight. I ordered the seafood pasta, a generous portion packed with fresh shrimp and a creamy sauce that was pure comfort on a plate. My friend tried the picada de marisco for two, and it was a feast—overflowing with perfectly cooked shellfish and paired with their famous coconut rice, which had a subtle sweetness I couldn’t get enough of. The cocktails, especially the mojito, were spot-on, refreshing with just the right kick.

The live music added such a fun energy to the night; it’s clear they balance authenticity with a welcoming nod to visitors. Service was attentive without being overbearing—our waiter, Rafael, made great recommendations and kept the good vibes going. Prices felt reasonable for the quality and portion sizes, especially compared to other spots in Cartagena’s touristy areas.

My only nitpick? It can get busy, so the wait for a table was a bit longer than expected, but it was worth it. San Nicolas is a must-visit for anyone craving delicious food, great music, and a true taste of Cartagena’s spirit. 10/10—I’ll be back next time...