Hotel Cartagena Restaurant

Hotel Cartagena Restaurant

Business Bay

Restaurant 0 501 197 743

Hotel Cartagena is a Latin American restaurant and lounge in Business Bay, set high in JW Marriott Marquis. It combines dinner with live DJs, dancers and city views, while dishes such as ceviche and empanadas give the menu a clear South American focus.

Reputation Score
4.2
★★★★☆
479 ratings
5★
64%
4★
16%
3★
8%
2★
5%
1★
7%

Source: Google Maps

The Good Stuff

Showing 2 of 6
01

City Views

The 72nd-floor setting gives tables views across downtown Dubai and towards Burj Khalifa.

02

Live Shows

Samba and salsa dancers, DJs and Latin performances turn dinner into an evening of entertainment.

Let's go!

What to Eat at Hotel Cartagena Restaurant

Foods and drinks mentioned in reviews of Hotel Cartagena Restaurant, ranked by positive reviews minus negative reviews. Zero-score items have no net positive feedback; their labels distinguish neutral-only from mixed feedback.

Food 2

  1. Emerald guacamole Net +2
    “The food was tasty although a little strange combination of guacamole with burrata, me personally I prefer the classic one.”
  2. Mock tails Net +2
    “The cocktails and mock tails are fun and worth trying.”
Honorable mentions (29)
  1. 3 Leches with ice cream Net +1
    “A big star for the food, and specially the dessert was out of this world (3 leches with ice cream). I will definitely go back.”
  2. Beef taco Net +1
    “i went yesterday for my birthday good food but hated how people smoked arounf me and not to talk about the prices we had three things one steak and one beef taco and on corn w two drinka and that was 700 dhs for what i dont think im coming back but a nice experience”
  3. Black cod Net +1
    “The black cod I ordered was so tender and delicate, the boneless ribs and the lamb shoulder were simply delicious and succulent.”
  4. Boneless ribs Net +1
    “The black cod I ordered was so tender and delicate, the boneless ribs and the lamb shoulder were simply delicious and succulent.”
  5. Ceviche Net +1
    “Starters were absolutely mind blowing, even the corn had so much kick ! And no I don’t drink so I know what I’m talking about the Tuna Poke Bowl, the Ceviche & the sushi everything everything on point ! Oh and you gotta love the balances flavors, no seasoning required, massive portions!”
  6. Ceviche that has truffle Net +1
    “The dishes I would recommend are the spicy shrimp starter, the ceviche that has truffle, the poke lettuce wrap, and the corn.”
  7. Cheese cakes with dried chili Net +1
    “Try the cocktail served in a parrot-shaped cup and cheese cakes with dried chili 👍🏻”
  8. Corn in a cob Net +1
    “They serve luscious food. Their corn in a cob is my favorite.”
  9. Duck taco Net +1
    “The duck taco was good, but the duck was a bit chewy for my taste and as a whole a bit dry.”
  10. Fried corn Net +1
    “I recommend barbecue meat, octopus, and fried corn.”
  11. Giant prawns Net +1
    “My mains were as excellent as the starters but a lot more protein and carb oriented. Rum marinated chicken, smoky lamb chops, giant prawns and sides were all eaten within minutes.”
  12. Grilled prawns Net +1
    “The grilled prawns, the Short Rib, it melts into your mouth, and no weird meat smell no over powering sauce, just wholesome good food, the jerk chicken was also good & then there were lamb chops !!! Need I say more ?”
  13. Jerk chicken Net +1
    “The grilled prawns, the Short Rib, it melts into your mouth, and no weird meat smell no over powering sauce, just wholesome good food, the jerk chicken was also good & then there were lamb chops !!! Need I say more ?”
  14. Lamb chops Net +1
    “The grilled prawns, the Short Rib, it melts into your mouth, and no weird meat smell no over powering sauce, just wholesome good food, the jerk chicken was also good & then there were lamb chops !!! Need I say more ?”
  15. Lamb shoulder Net +1
    “The black cod I ordered was so tender and delicate, the boneless ribs and the lamb shoulder were simply delicious and succulent.”
  16. Nachos Net +1
    “As for the food I enjoyed the nachos it was different and flavorful, the bao was to bad I couldn’t take another bite of it the samboosa was okay not bad and finally the queso which is like a cheese dip was really good but because it cheese it gave me a bad heart burn 😅 overall everything was nice and i would definitely come back for the dancers.”
  17. Octopus Net +1
    “I recommend barbecue meat, octopus, and fried corn.”
  18. Pisco sour Net +1
    “I'm personally a pisco sour fan.”
  19. Poke lettuce wrap Net +1
    “The dishes I would recommend are the spicy shrimp starter, the ceviche that has truffle, the poke lettuce wrap, and the corn.”
  20. Queso Net +1
    “As for the food I enjoyed the nachos it was different and flavorful, the bao was to bad I couldn’t take another bite of it the samboosa was okay not bad and finally the queso which is like a cheese dip was really good but because it cheese it gave me a bad heart burn 😅 overall everything was nice and i would definitely come back for the dancers.”
  21. Short rib Net +1
    “The grilled prawns, the Short Rib, it melts into your mouth, and no weird meat smell no over powering sauce, just wholesome good food, the jerk chicken was also good & then there were lamb chops !!! Need I say more ?”
  22. Smoky lamb chops Net +1
    “My mains were as excellent as the starters but a lot more protein and carb oriented. Rum marinated chicken, smoky lamb chops, giant prawns and sides were all eaten within minutes.”
  23. Spicy shrimp starter Net +1
    “The dishes I would recommend are the spicy shrimp starter, the ceviche that has truffle, the poke lettuce wrap, and the corn.”
  24. Sweet potatoes fries Net +1
    “It’s an expensive Restaurant and the only thing that I liked were the sweet potatoes fries.”
  25. Tapas tour Net +1
    “We were at cartagena last wednesday for the tapas night and we had a delicious tapas tour (showcases tapas from cuba,puerto rico,colombia and caribbean) along with some refreshing mocktails from their bar..Hotel cartagena is a must visit place in the city..”
  26. Tuna poke bowl Net +1
    “Starters were absolutely mind blowing, even the corn had so much kick ! And no I don’t drink so I know what I’m talking about the Tuna Poke Bowl, the Ceviche & the sushi everything everything on point ! Oh and you gotta love the balances flavors, no seasoning required, massive portions!”
  27. Wagyu picanha steak Net +1
    “The wagyu picanha steak is a must.”
  28. Empanadas Net 0

    Mixed feedback

    “I had a table waiting for me at Hotel Cartagena, a Colombian themed restaurant that once delighted me with miniature crunchy and creamy mushroom pies called empanadas. Since then I craved for more.”
  29. Samboosa Net 0

    Only neutral feedback

    “As for the food I enjoyed the nachos it was different and flavorful, the bao was to bad I couldn’t take another bite of it the samboosa was okay not bad and finally the queso which is like a cheese dip was really good but because it cheese it gave me a bad heart burn 😅 overall everything was nice and i would definitely come back for the dancers.”

Drinks 5

  1. Cocktail served in a parrot-shaped cup Net +1
    “Try the cocktail served in a parrot-shaped cup and cheese cakes with dried chili 👍🏻”
  2. Coffee-marinated tomahawk Net +1
    “I personally enjoyed their coffee-marinated Tomahawk and ceviches (although, they can expand more in their ceviche menu).”
  3. Mocktail Net +1
    “The food is a table service, and is unlimited & whatever tier of drinks you choose are also unlimited. I have to appreciate the drinks pairing cause as a non alcoholic option person I’m usually confined to sparkling water but here when I asked for it my server recommended a Mocktail & I really liked it.... later onn I was told there’s plenty to choose from.”
  4. Red wine Net +1
    “I love hotel Cartagena. The staff are very joyous and generous. They have an amazing view and classy decoration, I really love the ambiance. Sushi was lovely and they have great tasting red wine. The dessert was amazing as well. There’s live entertainment and the dancer was really good. I’m definitely coming back.”
  5. Sangria Net +1
    “The sangria is a must have.”
What to Avoid (3)

Food 3

  1. Bao Net −1
    “As for the food I enjoyed the nachos it was different and flavorful, the bao was to bad I couldn’t take another bite of it the samboosa was okay not bad and finally the queso which is like a cheese dip was really good but because it cheese it gave me a bad heart burn 😅 overall everything was nice and i would definitely come back for the dancers.”
  2. Smoked lomo Net −1
    “My husband order a smoked lomo but the taste was more like a burned lomo!”
  3. Yuca fries Net −1
    “The yuca fries come as largish blocks and have a doughy texture that didn't appeal to me.”

Tips for a Better Visit

Showing 2 of 4
1

Book Brunch. Reserve Friday brunch ahead of time; one reviewer could not get an impromptu table.

2

Check Timing. Ask when the show starts and when the music intensifies: one review places the show at 9:30 and louder music at 10:00.

Plan the visit

Practical details

JW Marriott Hotel
Business Bay, Dubai
0 501 197 743
Get directions

Common Concerns

Showing 2 of 5

Loud Music

Several reviews warn that the music can become too loud for conversation, especially later in the evening.

High Prices

Some diners consider the restaurant expensive or poor value, including one reported 700 dhs bill for a small order.

DXB
LOCAL

The Bottom Line

Hotel Cartagena is a Latin American restaurant and lounge in Business Bay, set high in JW Marriott Marquis. It combines dinner with a show: reviews mention live DJs, samba or salsa dancers and views towards downtown and Burj Khalifa. That makes it more of an evening-out venue than a quiet meal.

The food is designed for sharing. Ceviche, empanadas, corn and guacamole appear repeatedly in recommendations, while one brunch review highlights tuna poke, grilled prawns, short rib, jerk chicken and lamb chops. The Friday brunch is table-served and unlimited, with drinks packages including mocktails; it is a generous format, so arrive hungry.

The jungle-like, colourful interior and 360-degree outlook are strong draws, and staff are often described as attentive, including for a 30-plus birthday booking. Ask about current entertainment when reserving: music and performances vary, and one brunch guest found the music stopped at 4pm. Friday brunch may need advance booking, while Sunday late dinner was described as quiet.

There are trade-offs. Several reviews say the music becomes too loud for conversation, and the venue is medium-to-expensive. One diner reported paying 700 dhs for a steak, beef taco, corn and two drinks.

If smoke bothers you, request the lower non-smoking area; the upper floor has the livelier atmosphere but was described as a smoking area.

People Also Search

KEN by Kamatsuda
4.9 ★ · 262 reviews
The Banc Dubai - Restaurant & Bar
5.0 ★ · 3,590 reviews