4 Best Restaurants in Colombia

Lively and colorful, this is what a cevichería should feel like. Choose from the tables outside, white wrought-iron stools at the kitchen bar or small wooden tables in a small but festively decorated space marked by its blue-and-white chequered floor and plenty of nautical details. Besides an excellent rendition of a classic Peruvian ceviche, also be sure to try the Douglas ceviche with mango, shrimp, lemon, and red onion, or splurge on the tropical paella.

This newest branch of the hugely popular Osaka franchise offers a perfect rendition of the refined flavors born more than a decade ago in Lima. The beautifully designed space is a modern play of wood, stone, and greenery in several salons, with prominence given to a long sushi bar and a brightly lit bar where bartenders whip up innovative cocktails. The menu is a mix of Peruvian and Japanese flavors, with traditional dishes from both nations and plenty of novel in-house inventions. For quality and freshness, the fish is arguably the best in the city, but don’t miss out on the flavorful and creative hot dishes—and save space for dessert.

The menu at this trendy ceviche spot reads like a fantasy list of ceviche creations, with everything from bacon to ketchup added to the Peruvian classic; the simpler creations are tasty and affordable. Also look out for the tiradito (thinly sliced fish served with mango, soy, and ginger) and octopus, which is plentiful and well prepared. Don't miss the blackboard list of cocktails, made by the excellent bar.

While Cartagena has a number of excellent ceviche restaurants, La Perla is a standout for it's variety of traditional Perivuan dishes, some novo-Andino styling, and inventive uses of local ingredients. The decor is simple yet elegant and creates an intimate dinner experience in the narrow restaurant, although the dining room can feel a little crowded when full. Peruvian chef Carlos Achinelli offers a short, frequently renewed but always interesting menu, which rewards exploring and reliably impresses with punchy flavors. Favorites are the stuffed squid and the tiradito (paper-thin slices of raw fish) in lime and yellow chili leche de tigre sauce. But don't pass up on the tasty cocktail menu.