Restaurant Candé Cocina 100% Cartagenera

Restaurant Candé Cocina 100% Cartagenera in Cartagena de Indias is one of the prettiest restaurants I have ever been to. Serving traditional cuisine from the Caribbean coast of Colombia, it is a restaurant that can't be missed when you are in Cartagena! 

On the menu you will find lots of seafood, such as grilled lobster and red snapper, ceviche and shrimp cocktail, various sancochos (local soup), beef, chicken and rabbit, arepas (corn patties), empanadas and salads. For vegetarians there is 'ensalada de coteros', eggplant au gratin and a main course with lentils.

The desserts are to die for. First I declined, but when the manager offered me one of their signature dishes, I couldn't refuse. The coconut pie with corozo (local berry) ice cream is just mindblowing!

But what really took my breath away.... is the interior design. Restaurante Candé is situated in an old mansion in the San Diego neighbourhood, right next door to the relatively new Serrezuela mall. First Candé was located in the city centre, so when I heard they were moving, I was a little bit sceptical. Why move, when you are right in the middle of the action? But when I visited the new location, I fell in love right away.

Every room in the villa is decorated differently. The entrance is lavender blue, the bar is black and white with a dash of yellow, one of the big dining rooms is pink (my favourite one), but you can also sit in the patio, or upstairs, outdoors. It's just amazing how they mixed traditional Spanish colonial architecture with vibrant colours, tropical fabrics and local accessories!

The cherry on the cake is the live music and the mapalé dancers. Mapalé is an Afro-Colombian dance style that was brought to Colombia by the black slaves from Africa. It simulates the movements of the mapalé fish when it's out of the water. You'll find mapalé dancers throughout Cartagena, on Plaza de Bolivar and Plaza de la Trinidad in Getsemaní, but to be able to enjoy a private performance is something else.

Whether you come to Candé for the delicious food, the cocktails, the live music and dance, the sultry atmosphere or the stunning interior design... you won't be disappointed! 

Restaurante Candé
Carrera 10, Calle de la Serrezuela #No 39-02,
San Diego (neighbourhood)
Cartagena de Indias
Colombia
http://www.restaurantecande.com/menu/

Cuter than cute Cartagena

I just got back from an amazing trip to one of my favorite holiday destinations... Cartagena de Indias in Colombia. The colonial architecture, the colourful houses (and doors!), the extremely tasteful interiors, the shops, the music, the food, the cocktails, the sunsets…. it's just incredible! Cuter than cute and pure eye candy!!!

Photos taken at Restaurant Candé, Fenix Beach Cartagena and Gelateria Paradiso.
Stay tuned for more!

Want to see more of Cartagena? Please continue here:
https://tarasdolcevita.blogspot.com/2019/06/top-5-shops-in-cartagena-de-indias.html
https://tarasdolcevita.blogspot.com/2018/01/cartagena-de-indias-colombia.html

Cartagena de Indias, Colombia

Cartagena de Indias is hands down the coolest city I've ever been to. It has the same beautiful colonial Spanish architecture as Havana, but where it lacks those candy colored classic cars, Cartagena has tons of gorgeous boutique hotels, "it" bars and fashion stores.

Cartagena de Indias was on my wishlist for a long time. So I had done my research and knew where to find the latest hotspots. However, I was really surprised by the modern vibe that's omnipresent.

Cartagena has a lot to offer: like I said, stunning colonial architecture, romantic plazas, pretty balconies, interesting museums, modern art galeries, lots of street art, a vibrant nightlife, beautiful beaches and islands nearby, city walls that are still intact... and I can go on and on!

North and South Americans alike come to Cartagena to celebrate weddings and other important events (from shabbat to birthday parties). In fact, over the last few years it has become a popular wedding destination. Lately, more and more Europeans are "discovering" the city as well.

Maybe Vogue and Conde Nast Traveler have something to do with that. These magazines have published city guides & featured the weddings of famous fashion designers, as well as Vogue editors.
For example the wedding of fashion designer Andrea Mosquera Swain in Vogue: https://www.vogue.com/article/andrea-mosquera-swain-brian-laks-four-day-wedding-cartagena-colombia.

Famous Colombian fashion and travel bloggers also play a role in redefining Colombia as a holiday destination, since they have become an important source of inspiration, especially for young people.
For example: http://sisterlystyle.com.

There is so much more to tell and show about Cartagena, so please stay tuned... I will soon publish more blogs about this mindblowing city.

For more photos, please check my facebook and instagram accounts:
https://www.facebook.com/TarasDolceVita
https://www.instagram.com/tarasdolcevita

Hat with pom poms by Aqua Rose:
https://www.instagram.com/aquarosecartagena.