Portobello House Cartagena

The advertised lunch special was delicious and cooked perfectly, with portions that felt just right. The whole place has an upmarket feel, service was quick, and for this part of town the value was pretty good. The only unexpected thing was a small extra tax on the final bill.

Portobello House is right next door to my house, and I'm lucky to have found a new local. It's a great addition to Getsemani's food scene, with something for different appetites, from sausage and mash or a steak sandwich west of St Ives to a subtle Greek salad with quinoa or charcoal-grilled vegetables. I've eaten here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and everything is grilled on a Japanese robata and served with local greens that support the communal gardens of Granitos de Paz, a Cartagena foundation creating sustainable opportunities in the city's poorest barrios. The menu shifts smoothly through the day, from breakfast to brunch, lunch, high tea, and dinner. I often use the free Wi-Fi and settle into a comfortable corner table or one of the leather Chesterfield sofas to work remotely in Cartagena, with excellent food along the way. For breakfast, the eggs benedict, avocado toast, and full English fry-up are all good options. Lunch specials include a simple but tasty prime Angus beef burger with melted cheddar, as well as fresh salad topped with robata-grilled chicken.

The service was good, and the atmosphere was pleasant. We came as a group, and the spot is conveniently close to the park. The food tasted good, though the portions felt too small for adults, especially for the price of 20-35k. The Chicken Sandwich, unlike the picture, was really a burger with no sides.

The food was good, and it’s a really nice restaurant. Give the limonada de sandía a try!