Hotel Herman
It’s not a hotel or located in a hotel, but a happening spot for “hipsters” who appreciate sophisticated dining without the formalities. Hotel Herman excels at thoughtful small plates with Montreal and Nordic influences. It’s hard to go wrong here. The constantly changing menu features simple and creative food, often ingredient driven with play on textures. Techniques are a mix of traditional and modern, and dishes are interesting as much as they are delicious. The main focus of the dining room is the massive u-shaped bar, ideal for two or solo dining, and tables around it are good for groups of four or less.

Le Garde-Manger
Chef Chuck Hughes is one of Canada's favorite celebrity chefs, but his restaurants don't rely on his "celebrity-status" to sell their food. The food is legit at both Garde Manger (his first-born) and Le Bremner. The signature lobster poutine is the mother of all poutines, next to the foie gras poutine at Au Pied de Cochon. The Lobster Poutine is covered with cheese curds, which are semi-melted by the excellent lobster bisque gravy. The fries obviously get a bit soggy and I could always have more lobster, but its glorified comfort food and a Montreal favourite.

Chalet Bar-B-Q Rotisserie
Chalet Bar-B-Q is arguably the originator of Montreal barbecue chicken (a quarter breast or leg, served with fries, sauce and a toasted bun) which has been made famous by chains. This old school cafeteria-like diner, with its seasoned waitresses, has been serving Montreal’s favorite rotisserie chicken since 1944. Don’t confuse it with Portuguese chicken however, which is also famed in Montreal. Chalet Bar-B-Q slow roasts their chickens over hardwood charcoal in custom-built brick ovens until the skin is slightly crisp and meat is tender and juicy, even the breast meat! Always ask for more dipping sauce, which is an aromatic, peppery, thin chicken just as legendary as the chicken. There is nothing fancy about this dingy place, but it’s nostalgic, consistent and delicious. Note: Regulars enter through the back door.

El Gobernador By Rausch
Pass through the wrought iron doors of the Bastión Luxury Hotel and enter this sophisticated restaurant with an old-time feel. The famous Rausch brothers are the driving force behind El Gobernador, and their fame is complimented by the talent of one of Cartagena’s most imaginative chefs, Jaime Rodríguez, who creates delicate, surprising and endlessly artistic dishes. Get a taste of Cartagena with lionfish ceviche, prawns in aguardiente sauce, or duck in corozo sauce. Or take a tour of the diverse culinary regions of Colombia with their 9 course tasting menu that highlights dishes from Tolima, Bogota, Medellin and beyond.

Cafedraal
With its warm and cozy ambiance, this café gives true comfort for the soul. Cafedraal brings out the best of Belgium's rich history with its atmosphere, food and service. Located in Bruges, one of the most wonderful cities on earth, Cafedraal welcomes you into its 15th century setup which has been renovated with care and total respect to its original medieval grandeur. The garden terrace alone is worth checking out as well, so on a sunny day make sure you get out there. The decor is very warm and has a very special character which is both inviting and homely. It has a Michelin Guide recommendation for good ambiance, and it’s no surprise.

Bistro den Huzaar
Tucked away on a narrow little street in the heart of the medieval Belgian town of Bruges, is Bistro Den Huzaar. Small, traditional and unassuming, this modest eatery is a pleasure for foodies looking for something authentic and delicious. The meat is cooked with love and the meals are designed with passion - The veal is cooked in a traditional pan, air sealed with bread all around and opened directly in front of us at the table. This was one of the most memorable dishes for us. Food was is reasonably prices considering the quality and location, with good hearty Flemish dishes on offer as well as unusually good Belgian service - attentive without being irritating. The salad is fresh, tasty, full of passion and color, and the dressing is amazing! Best bistro, great food, perfect traditional atmosphere, you won’t be disappointed.

ALMA
Casa San Agustin is a boutique hotel steeped in charm and grace, and even if the rooms are beyond your budget, you can soak up the elegance in their first floor restaurant, Alma. An excellent hideaway when the sun beats down on the Cartagena streets, the bar is also a chic stop for an evening signature cocktail in quiet surroundings. The menu is extensive; New York Strip steaks, rack of baby lamb, or lobster are some of the outstanding offerings.

Restaurante 1621
Tucked inside the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara, one of the most outstanding luxury hotels in Cartagena, 1621 invites you into an elegant world of the past. Chandeliers drip from the ceiling, while white tablecloths, plush burgundy couches, and ornate decorations inspire both awe and a sense of refined calm. Within this grand setting you’ll find a menu filled with French cuisine and Caribbean inclinations, such as the prawns with tomate de arbol. If you’re a wine lover, 1621 has the most outstanding and varied wine cellar in the city, with hundreds of wines to choose from.

The Red Knife
Getsemaní, the up and coming area for restaurants, cafés and bars, is just outside Cartagena’s walls. The Red Knife, in the sleek Allure Chocolat Hotel, is in the strategic area where Getsemaní’s eclectic streets start. As the name suggests, here it’s all about the meat: this steakhouse serves national and international cuts of beef and is known for pork belly arepas and beef sliders. An uncommonly long wine list (for Cartagena) will be sure to meet your needs. The rustic decoration brings to mind the Wild West of the United States, with wood paneled walls and metal representations of steer heads above the mirrors, but it comes mixed with an elegance that’s rare on this side of the city walls.

Vera
Set within the stylish Tcherassi Hotel, Vera’s outstanding outdoor dining area in the hotel’s courtyard boasts vertical gardens and a waterfall that complement the fine cuisine. Daniel Castaño, Colombia’s darling of Italian cuisine, designed the menu that focuses on gourmet Italian dishes and takes you through a range of carpaccio and antipasti before impressing you with mains that includes fish, steak, and maiale (pork) that has an amazing crispy exterior and juicy interior. With all the vegetarian options on the menu, this is the place to come if there’s a vegetarian in your group.