SALON TROPICAL
As a huge fan of the original Bogota location, I am extremely happy to report that Salon Tropical, a restaurant that gets everything so very right, has recently opened in Cartagena. YAY! I went along to the opening night last Saturday and everyone at our table, at the table next to us, and basically everyone we spoke to agreed, Salon Tropical had moved immediately into our top 3 Cartagena restaurant list. It's really very good.
You'll find Salon Tropical, Cartagena in my favourite neighbourhood: Getsemani.. just a block or so from the iconic Plaza Trinidad. This makes it the perfect place to fill up on delicious food before/after exploring the nearby streets and nightlife (including Cafe Havana, Tertulia and Seven Times, not to mention the sidewalk bars of Callejon Ancho and Angosto). If you've been to the Bogota Salon Tropical, the interior design of this second location will feel very familiar. Colourful without being over the top, it is spacious and breezy, and feels like a well-designed beach house in the Antillas. Evening lighting is great for comfort and conversation and bad for influencers taking photos (which is to say it is perfect).
The menu, roughly a division between "raw" and grill, speaks to me. The "raw" (the mostly seafood proteins are "cooked" by the citrus and other fruit acids) section of ceviches and tiraditos and tatar type dishes are bursting with freshness and flavour. The grill dishes are rich and caramelised and oozing with umami goodness. I've been back a couple of times now and have tried about 50% of the menu and hand on heart I loved absolutely everything I put in my mouth. When I try to think of favourites the plates that come to mind are the shrimp tostones, the tangy crudo, the calamari and morcilla croquetas, the wagyu short rib, the pork chuleton, the caldereta of seafood (it's huge and made to share). I love to order the whole fish served with fresh tacos, the best chicken I have ever eaten, and also the curried lamb which comes ith flatbreads and baba ganoush. We drank palomas because tequila felt right and they were excellent. They also have a nice selection of mezcal which is very much up my alley too.
Dessert lovers, save room for my absolute favourite dessert in Cartagena: The Chocolate Mousse Cake. Rich, dark chocolate, velvety, mousse-like texture. If you are not such a fan of chocolate desserts (I have been assured this happens), the sour guava cheesecake is also amazing.
Each visit, service has been top notch. And there is live music most nights which add to the lively atmosphere. I especially love how good the food is compared with how unpretentious the vibe is. Always my favourite style of eating experience.
It's brand new, so you might not find many reviews or people recommending it yet, but this is a restaurant where you can definitely take a punt on a newcomer and have zero remorse. Check out the gallery of photos below; I think you'll agree they back up my words of endorsement nicely.
For reservations, visit their website here: https://salontropical.com.co
You'll find Salon Tropical, Cartagena in my favourite neighbourhood: Getsemani.. just a block or so from the iconic Plaza Trinidad. This makes it the perfect place to fill up on delicious food before/after exploring the nearby streets and nightlife (including Cafe Havana, Tertulia and Seven Times, not to mention the sidewalk bars of Callejon Ancho and Angosto). If you've been to the Bogota Salon Tropical, the interior design of this second location will feel very familiar. Colourful without being over the top, it is spacious and breezy, and feels like a well-designed beach house in the Antillas. Evening lighting is great for comfort and conversation and bad for influencers taking photos (which is to say it is perfect).
The menu, roughly a division between "raw" and grill, speaks to me. The "raw" (the mostly seafood proteins are "cooked" by the citrus and other fruit acids) section of ceviches and tiraditos and tatar type dishes are bursting with freshness and flavour. The grill dishes are rich and caramelised and oozing with umami goodness. I've been back a couple of times now and have tried about 50% of the menu and hand on heart I loved absolutely everything I put in my mouth. When I try to think of favourites the plates that come to mind are the shrimp tostones, the tangy crudo, the calamari and morcilla croquetas, the wagyu short rib, the pork chuleton, the caldereta of seafood (it's huge and made to share). I love to order the whole fish served with fresh tacos, the best chicken I have ever eaten, and also the curried lamb which comes ith flatbreads and baba ganoush. We drank palomas because tequila felt right and they were excellent. They also have a nice selection of mezcal which is very much up my alley too.
Dessert lovers, save room for my absolute favourite dessert in Cartagena: The Chocolate Mousse Cake. Rich, dark chocolate, velvety, mousse-like texture. If you are not such a fan of chocolate desserts (I have been assured this happens), the sour guava cheesecake is also amazing.
Each visit, service has been top notch. And there is live music most nights which add to the lively atmosphere. I especially love how good the food is compared with how unpretentious the vibe is. Always my favourite style of eating experience.
It's brand new, so you might not find many reviews or people recommending it yet, but this is a restaurant where you can definitely take a punt on a newcomer and have zero remorse. Check out the gallery of photos below; I think you'll agree they back up my words of endorsement nicely.
For reservations, visit their website here: https://salontropical.com.co
