The Verdict
Mar y Zielo is a Colombian cocina-de-autor restaurant set inside Casa La Escribana, a historic house on Calle del Arzobispado in Cartagena's walled Centro Historico. It opened in 2019 as a project built around Colombian produce, culture and tradition, spread across a formal dining room, a wine-cellar room and a rooftop terrace with views over the old town and the cathedral.
The kitchen reworks the Colombian and Caribbean coast's flavours: crab croquettes (croquetas de jaiba) and carimanolas built on yuca and crab, a fresh white-fish ceviche, arroz con mariscos, and arroz con coco for dessert. Main courses run roughly 45,000 to 70,000 pesos, in a setting pitched well above a casual lunch spot.
The Kitchen
Mar y Zielo is a cocina-de-autor kitchen, an author's-cuisine project built around Colombian and Caribbean-coast produce. Signatures include crab croquettes (croquetas de jaiba) and carimanolas made with yuca and crab, a fresh white-fish ceviche, arroz con mariscos, and arroz con coco for dessert. Main courses run roughly 45,000 to 70,000 pesos, before drinks.
The Room
Mar y Zielo occupies Casa La Escribana, a historic house in Cartagena's walled old town, with three distinct spaces, a formal dining room, an intimate room in the wine cellar, and a rooftop terrace with live music and views over the historic rooftops and cathedral. It is built for a considered evening rather than a quick casual meal.
Best for an Anniversary
For an anniversary in Cartagena, Mar y Zielo pairs a historic-house setting with a serious Colombian kitchen. Book the rooftop terrace for sunset over the old town, work through the crab croquettes and ceviche, and let the Casa La Escribana setting carry a special evening for two in the Centro Historico.
Not For
Mar y Zielo is not for a cheap quick bite, a casual beach lunch or a diner after international standards rather than Colombian cooking. It is an author's-cuisine restaurant in a historic house with prices to match, so it does not suit the lowest budget or anyone wanting a fast, familiar meal over a considered local one.
Reservations
Mar y Zielo sits inside Casa La Escribana on Calle del Arzobispado in Cartagena's Centro Historico, and a booking is wise, especially for the rooftop terrace at sunset. Main courses run roughly 45,000 to 70,000 pesos, before drinks. The restaurant is an easy walk within the walled old town, and dress is smart casual in keeping with the historic house.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mar y Zielo worth it?
Mar y Zielo is worth it for a Colombian author's-cuisine dinner in one of Cartagena's most atmospheric historic houses. The kitchen reworks coastal flavours, crab croquettes, ceviche and arroz con mariscos, and the rooftop terrace looks over the old town and cathedral. It is a special-occasion restaurant rather than a casual lunch spot, with prices to match.
How much does Mar y Zielo cost?
At Mar y Zielo, main courses run roughly 45,000 to 70,000 Colombian pesos, before drinks and service. That places it above a casual old-town lunch but in reach for a special dinner. The exact bill depends on what you order and on any wine you add; the crab croquettes, carimanolas and ceviche sit around the starter and main range.
What should I order at Mar y Zielo?
Order the crab croquettes (croquetas de jaiba) and the carimanolas built on yuca and crab to start, then the fresh white-fish ceviche or arroz con mariscos. Finish with arroz con coco, the coconut-rice dessert. The menu is a cocina de autor built around Colombian and Caribbean-coast produce, so ask the team what is best that day.
Where is Mar y Zielo in Cartagena?
Mar y Zielo is inside Casa La Escribana, a historic house on Calle del Arzobispado (Cra. 5 No. 34-63) in Cartagena's walled Centro Historico. It has three spaces, a formal dining room, a wine-cellar room and a rooftop terrace with views over the old town and cathedral, all within easy walking distance inside the old city.
Also in Cartagena
Explore the full Cartagena dining guide, or compare it with Celele, Carmen and Alma. See the best restaurants for an anniversary.