La Cocina de Pepina
A historic home-style eatery in an alley of Getsemaní, preserving ancient Caribbean recipes, highly praised for its mote de queso and posta negra.
Founded by María Josefina Yancés (Pepina), a researcher of traditional Caribbean recipes, and now run by her nephew, this restaurant is located in Callejón Vargas in Getsemaní. The blackboard menu changes daily, with mote de queso (yam and cheese soup) and cabeza de gato (plantain and yam balls) as staples, and the posta negra (beef stewed with brown sugar) is also highly recommended. The space is small, and sources conflict on whether reservations are accepted; it is recommended to send a message to confirm or arrive right when they open. Average cost is around 35,000–80,000 COP, within walking distance from the Old Town.
Opening hours
Lunch daily approx. 12:00–16:00, dinner Tue–Sat approx. 19:00–21:30; some guides state it is closed on Sun, sources vary, so please confirm in advance
Nearby sights
- Getsemaní
- Museum of Modern Art of Cartagena
- Walled City & Clock Tower
- San Pedro Claver Church
- Museo del Oro Zenú
- Naval Museum of the Caribbean
- Cathedral of Saint Catherine of Alexandria
- Plaza de Bolívar