ESP ⌄

Grilled seafood tower and champagne at Buena Vida, Cartagena

Our menu

Seafood, ceviche, brunch & cocktails in Cartagena

Brunch

Unhurried mornings: international classics with local flavors. Saturdays, Sundays & holidays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Brunch plates

Egg & seafood arepa

Arepa de Huevo & Mar

HUEVO & SHRIMP stuffed corn patty · fried egg · shrimp · local sour cream · hot sauce · pico de gallo

Colombian Guava Toast

Matrimonio Colombiano Guava Paste & Local Farmer’s Cheese french toast stuffed with guava paste and fried local farmer’s cheese · guava syrup · dehydrated costeño cheese dust · fire-roasted guava paste

Sweet corn arepa

Arepa de Chocolo

Farmer’s cheese · costeño cheese · local sour cream

Avocado & Pesto Toast

Sourdough toast · caramelized onions · avocado puree · grana padano cheese · spicy honey · pistachios · pesto

Sunrise Shrimp Toast

Sourdough toast · avocado puree · cherry tomatoes · garlic butter · shrimp · chives · red mole

Golden arepa & egg

Golden Arepa & Egg

Crispy golden corn arepa · cheese sauce · suero costeño (local sour cream) · hogao (Colombian creole sauce) · avocado · creamy scrambled eggs · green and red mole · chives · dehydrated costeño cheese dust

Pistacho Mortadella Toast

Sourdough toast · melted farmer’s cheese · pistachios mortadella · grana padano cheese · cherry tomatoes · pesto · corozo (local berry) reduction

Cartagena-style broken eggs

Huevos Rotos Cartageneros

Fried green plantain chips · sauteed onions and tomatoes · sweet plantains · fried local farmer’s cheese · avocado · local sour cream · pico de gallo · fried eggs · cherry tomatoes · onions and cilantro in lime juice

  • Bacon

Caribbean shakshuka

Shakshouka Caribeño

Red onions · red ppepers · garlic · smoked napolitana sauce · homemade adobo · chipotle mayo · 3 eggs · grana padano cheese · lime onions · crunchy tortillas

  • Tocineta - bacon

Sweet Brioche Egg Sandwich

Brioche deep in maple syrup · scramble eggs · bacon · local farmer’s cheese crust · avocado · caramelized onions

Fried or scrambled eggs, your way

Huevos Fritos o Revueltos al Gusto

Tomate · cebolla · pimentón rojo · maíz · cebolla caramelizada local cheese · mozzarella · cheddar

Crispy & Cheesy Yuca Waffles

Yuca and local farmer’s cheese waffles · maple syrup · cheese sauce · sunny side up fried eggs · bacon · pickled onions · hot honey on the side

Baked egg casserole

Cacerola de Huevos Gratinados

Bacon · sweet plantain · cheddar · corn · onions · chives · brioche toasts with maple syrup

Gratin sandwich

Sandwich Gratinado

Pork ham · bacon · sweet onions · avocado · Dijon bechamel · au gratin with: farmer’s cheese, cheddar cheese and cheese sauce

Smoked chicken nachos

To share

Nachos de Pollo Ahumado

Cheeses sauce · smoked chicken · avocado · local sour cream · chipotle mayo · avocado cream · pickled onions · chives · local farmers cheese

  • 2 huevos fritos /2 fried eggs

Breakfast Quesadillas

Scrambles eggs with cheddar · bacon · avocado · chipotle · local sour cream · pico de gallo

Croissants, pastries & fruit

Classic croissant

Croissant clásico

- CLASSIC

Pistachio croissant

Croissant de pistacho

- PISTACHIO

Almond croissant

Croissant de almendras

- ALMONDS

Chocolate croissant

Croissant de chocolate

Almond & chocolate croissant

Croissant de almendras y chocolate

ALMONDS & CHOCOLATE

Seasonal fruit

Frutas de Temporada

SEASONAL FRUITS

Caribbean yogurt

Yogurt Caribeño

Yogurt · shredded coconut · granola · mango smoothie · strawberry · honey

Cartagenero Roll

Tamarind chantilly · corozo (local berry) reduction · strawberry

Buena Vida Cinnamon Roll

Milo Roll

- CHOCOLATE POWDER

Cold starters & ceviches

Fresh Caribbean catch, served at its peak.

Fresh catch

Caribbean cold seafood platter

FavoriteTo share

Bandeja Fría de Frutos del Mar Caribe

Fresh oysters · prawns with local pink sauce · coco & mar ceviche · buena vida ceviche

Fresh oysters

Favorite

Ostras Frescas

Ceviche sauce · buena vida sauce · lime

  • 3 pieces
  • 6 pieces

Ceviches

Ceviche Buena Vida

Fresh fish · cilantro leche de tigre · suero (local sour cream) · avocado · basil pearls · pickled onions · crispy corn · rocoto · tajín chili-lime seasoning

Ceviche Coco & Mar

Fresh fish · shrimp · coconut leche de tigre · cilantro pearls · pickled onions · crispy corn · rocoto · tajín chili-lime seasoning

Smoked Caribbean carpaccio

Carpaccio Caribeño Ahumado

Lime · garlic · olive oil · shredded tomatoes · onions · cinnamon · mayo - dijon

Cartagena shrimp cocktail

Cóctel Cartagenero

With mildly spicy Cartagena-style pink sauce · breaded shrimp · avocado

Tropical salad

Ensalada Tropical

Lettuce · peppermint · cilantro · cherry tomatoes · avocado · ripe mango · onions · radish · carrots · shoestring potatoes · shredded local farmers cheese · crunchy corn · cucumber · chives

  • With shrimp
  • With catch of the day
  • With chicken

Hot starters

To open the table and share.

To share

Shrimp desgranado

To share

Desgranados de Camarones

Assorted corn · cheeses sauce · crispy shoestring potatoes · melted cheeses · sautéed shrimp

  • With grilled chicken

Crispy calamari

To share

Calamares Crocantes

Local sour cream and peppers sauce · pickled onions · chimichurri · lime

Octopus al pastor tostada

To share

Tostada de Pulpo al Pastor

Crispy tortilla · chipotle · refried beans · melted cheese · grilled pineapple · lime-marinated onions · cilantro · avocado · macha sauce

  • 1 tostada
  • 2 tostada

Crab claws

To share

Muelas de Cangrejo

Sautéed onions · coconut milk · wine · lime onions · cilantro · fried green plantains

  • Extra claw

Crab & shrimp nachos

To share

Nachos de Jaiba y Camarones

Cheeses sauce · avocado · local sour cream · chipotle mayo · pickled onions

  • With smoked chicken o vegetariano

Caribbean tacos

Shrimp tacos

Tacos de camarón

Red mole · cheese and onion crust · macha chimichurri · pickled onions · green mexican sauce

  • 2 tacos

Veggie tacos

Vegetarian

Tacos vegetarianos

Avocado · pico de gallo · cheese chipotle mayo · pickled onions · avocado cream · refried beans

  • 2 tacos

Beef tenderloin tacos

Tacos de lomo fino

Melted cheese · avocado · local picadillo · chipotle mayo · sherreded cheese

  • 2 tacos

Seafood mains

Catch of the day, shellfish and rice dishes with a Caribbean soul.

To share

Grilled seafood tower

FavoriteTo share

Mariscada para compartir

Grilled seafood tower, made to share

Catch of the day

Grilled fish fillet

Filete a la Parrilla

Grilled fish · creole adobo · coleslaw · fried green plantains

  • With shrimp

Fish fillet with BV seafood sauce

Filete con Mariscos BV

BV Fish fillet with seafood · shrimp · calamari · mussels · local peppers sauce · coconut rice

A journey through the sea

Recorrido del Mar

Arroz Caribe Buena Vida · seafood encocado · Caribbean shrimp · Cartagena salad

  • (2 personas)

Caribbean prawns

Langostinos Caribeños

With adobo and white wine · coconut rice · fried green plantains

Whole fried snook

Robalo Entero & Frito

Ceviche onions · coconut rice · fried green plantains · coconut sauce on the side

Levanta Muerto seafood casserole

Cazuela Levanta Muerto

Shrimp · calamari · fish · mussels · coconut rice · green fried plantains

Mixed seafood grill (1 person)

To share

Parrillita Mixta de Mariscos (1 Persona)

1 · 2 baby lobster · shrimp · calamari · catch of the day · mussels · yuca & cheese fritters · coconut rice

Buena Vida baby lobsters

Langosticas Baby Buena Vida

Stuffed with cilantro, tomatoes, garlic & panko · yellow curry and coconut milk creamy sauce · coconut rice · fried green plantains • coconut rice • yellow rice • grilled veggies • green plantain chips • cartagena salad • fried yuca balls • sweet plantains • green fried plantains • acompañamiento adicional · extra side

  • Escoge un acompañamiento para Pesca o mariscos

House favorites

Caribbean shrimp

Camarones Caribeños

Coconut-lemongrass-ginger-jalapeños creamy sauce · coconut rice · fried green plantains

Cartagena bowl

Bowl Cartagenero

Coconut rice · sweet plantains · local sour cream · cheese · green plantain chips · salad

Smoky coconut seafood stew

Encocado Ahumadito

Smoked fish, shrimp and calamari: cooked with coconut sauce · avocado · lime onions · coconut rice · fried green plantains

Rice dishes

Buena Vida Caribbean rice

Arroz Caribe Buena Vida

Coconut rice · breaded seafood with ceviche onions · sweet plantians · local sour cream · avocado

Cartagena stir-fried rice (vegetarian)

Vegetarian

Arroz Salteado Cartagenero (Vegetariano)

Grilled veggies · fried local farmers cheese · sweet plantains

  • Shrimp
  • Fish
  • Chicken
  • With tenderloin

Seafood rice

Arroz Marinero

1 · 2 baby lobster · shrimp · calamari · fish · mussels

From the land & kids

Grilled cuts and options for the little ones.

Beef tenderloin

Lomo Fino

Grilled vegetables · fried yuca & cheese balls

Ribeye (400 g)

Grilled vegetables · fried yuca & cheese balls

Kids menu

Platos de niños

Fish, shrimp or chicken nuggets: green plantains chips

Desserts

A sweet finish with Caribbean flavors.

Coconut lemonade cheesecake

Favorite

Cheesecake de Limonada de Coco

Inspired by Colombia’s famous Limonada de Coco. Soft cheese · lime · coconut cream · cookie crumb crust · grilled pineapple · vanilla ice cream

Caribbean mille-feuille

Favorite

Milhojas Caribeña

Phyllo dough · sweet cream · dulce de leche · strawberries · chocolate

Milo roll

Milo Roll

Chocolate chip cookie in a cast iron skillet · chocolate chips · vanilla ice cream · dulce de leche (10 - 15 minutes)

Cartagenero roll

Favorite

Cartagenero Roll

Chocolate chip cookie in a cast iron skillet · chocolate chips · vanilla ice cream · dulce de leche (10 - 15 minutes)

Cinnamon roll

Cinnamon Roll

Cocktails & beer

Cocktails with a tropical soul, micheladas and ice-cold beer.

Signature cocktails

Sangría Latina

Gin Pink · watermelon · ginger · lime

Mezcal Mimosa

Mezcal Ojo de Tigre · sparkling wine · tamarind · lime

Gin Mimosa

Beefeater London Dry · sparkling wine · lime

Mimosas

Corozo or orange mimosa

Mimosa de corozo o naranja

Corozo (local berry) or orange with sparkling wine

  • Glass
  • 3 glasses

Classics

Negroni

Beefeater London Dry · Cinzano Rosso · Campari

Mezcal Negroni

Mezcal Ojo de Tigre · Cinzano Rosso · Campari

Aperol Spritz

Aperol · sparkling wine · soda

Piña Colada

Havana Club Especial · coconut cream · pineapple · lime

Espresso Martini

Absolut · coffee liqueur · espresso

Carajillo

Licor 43 · espresso

Bloody Mary

Absolut · house-made tomato mix · fresh lime

House cocktails

Mojito

Available in three spirit tiers

  • Regular: Havana Club Añejo Especial
  • Premium: Havana Club Añejo 7 años
  • High-end: Ron Hechicera (Colombian Rum)

Margarita

Available in three spirit tiers

  • Regular: Olmeca Reposado
  • Premium: Altos Plata
  • High-end: Maestro Dobel

Gin & Tonic

Available in three spirit tiers

  • Regular: Gordons London Dry
  • Premium: Beefeater London Dry
  • High-end: Martin Miller's

Paloma

Available in three spirit tiers

  • Regular: Jose Cuervo Especial
  • Premium: Altos Plata
  • High-end: Maestro Dobel

Micheladas

Michelada Buena Vida

2 costeñita beer · house-made tomato mix · orange · lime · chipotle · tabasco · tajin rim with breaded shrimp and mango skewer

Michelada de Corozo

Club Colombia beer · local berry · lime · chipotle · salt and black peper rim

Michelada de Tamarindo

Club Colombia beer · tamarind · lime · chipotle · salt and black peper rim

Chelada

Club Colombia beer · lime · salt · black peper

Beer

Club Colombia Dorada (330 cc)

Costeñita (175 cc)

Corona (355 cc)

Buena Vida flavored sodas

Watermelon soda

Soda de sandía

Corozo soda (local berry)

Soda de corozo

Tamarind soda

Soda de tamarindo

Wine & sparkling

A selection chosen to pair with the flavors of the sea.

Champagne & sparkling

Veuve Clicquot Brut

France

  • Bottle

Moët & Chandon Brut

France

  • Bottle

Zonin

Prosecco · Italy

  • Bottle

Chandon Extra Brut

Argentina

  • Bottle

Cava Codorníu

Semi sec · Spain

  • Bottle

White wines

Amelia Concha y Toro

Chardonnay · Casablanca Valley · Chile

  • Bottle

Mar de Frades

Albariño · Rías Baixas · Spain

  • Bottle

Marqués del Riscal

Verdejo · Rueda · Spain

  • Bottle

Morande Reserva

Sauvignon Blanc · Chile

  • Bottle

Reservado Blend

Central Valley · Chile

  • Glass - Bottle

Rosé wines

Vino Rosado

Cabernet Sauvignon · Chile

  • Glass
  • Bottle

Red wines

Marques del Riscal Reserva

Tempranillo · DOCa Rioja · Spain

  • Bottle

Trapiche Reserva

Malbec · Argentina

  • Glass - Bottle

Viña Tarapacá Reserva

Carménère · Maipo Valley · Chile

  • Bottle

Vino Tinto

Cabernet Sauvignon · Chile

Barton & Guestier Reserva

Pinot Noir

  • Bottle

Coffee & non-alcoholic

A special selection of Colombian coffee, lemonades and refreshing drinks.

Colombian coffee

Espresso

Cortado

Americano

Café latte

Café con leche

Cappuccino

Lemonades & natural juices

Lemonade

Limonada

Mint lemonade

Limonada de yerbabuena

Coconut lemonade

Limonada de coco

Tamarind juice

Jugo de tamarindo

  • Vaso

Corozo juice (local berry)

Jugo de corozo

  • Vaso

Sodas & water

Coca Cola

Coca Cola Zero

Sprite

Bretaña (club soda)

Bretaña

Sparkling water (375 ml)

Agua con gas (375 ml)

Agua Natura Sin Gas 375 ml

Agua San Pellegrino 500 ml

1976 Tonic

Tónica 1976

Acqua Panna 500 ml

Red Bull

No matches found. Try “ceviche”, “prawns” or “mimosa”.

Menu subject to the availability of fresh produce. Allergies or dietary restrictions? Let us know when you book and our team will recommend the best options.

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