Maria Y El Mar — Restaurant in Ibagué

Very few times in a lifetime does destiny place you in an odd yet perfect moment. Ibagué, a city off the beaten path in Colombia, is where you might find yourself on the way to the stunning snow-covered peaks of Los Nevados. It’s the serendipity of discovering greatness in an unexpected place that creates a unique sense of achievement when you find it.

José María welcomes you at Maria y El Mar with his contagious energy, which is masterfully translated into Peruvian cuisine using the best Colombian ingredients with a touch of its influence. His attention to detail is impeccable. Most dishes aren’t available for takeout, a careful consideration for the final experience that is truly only fully appreciated in his uniquely cozy brutalist space. The ambiance, accompanied by a carefully curated music selection, wouldn’t be out of place in London or New York. To that point, it’s been a very long time since a locale in either of these cities has impressed me as much as this place has.

The customer experience, the flavors, the consistency, and the energy truly swept me away. The ceviche was flawless, the seafood frittata was cooked with fresh ingredients to perfection, and the Lomo Saltado was exquisitely complex and tender. The Pisco Sour was just perfect—refreshing and strong.

Maria y El Mar is a must-stop on the Bogotá to Eje Cafetero route. Believe me, you will not be...

Nicely done locale with much greenery and breeze. Food was well made, would rank highly in Bogotá, where I live, and I imagine more so in Ibagué. I highly recommend the Beef Curry which I ordered; it offered a rare and satisfying blend of mint, hummus, meat done rare, just right bread and spicy broth. Slight drawbacks were a noisy Tik Tok viewer from the neighbouring table who silenced the cool ambient music for us at times, and the fact that they would not serve tap water to us (I requested it no to save on the bill, but to avoid plastic use and general nuisance associated with alternatives). The restaurant could request cellphones not be used at high volumes, and serve running water if requested. Overall, would come back when in Ibagué, where I have had bad experiences at other...

Finding this restaurant in a relatively small city such as Ibague was quiet a surprise. It is just amazing. It is not only the delicious food presented in an creative way but also the excellent service, the great design details and the fact that the owner gave us great food recommendations. Also beverages are excellent such as the Pisco Sour. If you are into food in general and close to Ibague make a stop. If you love Peruvian and seafood, you should dedicate a trip to Ibague only to visit this restaurant. For me food-wise it’s the best surprise of the year so far. 100%...