Restaurante Fuerte del Pastelillo (Club de Pesca)

This restaurant occupies one of the most unusual settings in Cartagena: the Fuerte de San Sebastián del Pastelillo, a small colonial fort on the island of Manga, facing the inner bay. The fort was begun in 1741 and finished in 1744 on the orders of the viceroy Sebastián de Eslava, after whom it is named; the military engineer Juan Bautista Mac-Evan led the work. Its purpose was to protect the city from pirates and to stop smuggling, and the nickname Pastelillo, "little cake", comes from its shape.

In 1943 President Eduardo Santos transferred the fort to the Club de Pesca de Cartagena, the city's fishing club, and the architect Juan Manuel Zapatero renovated it in 1972. For many years visitors have known the restaurant simply as Club de Pesca; Fodor's describes a fortress turned restaurant beside a marina, with a waterfront terrace and a well-regarded wine list. The current website uses the name Restaurante Fuerte del Pastelillo.

The main draw is the outdoor dining in front of the Bay of Cartagena, with the boats of the marina close by. The menu, published separately online, focuses on seafood, which suits the setting. It is a good choice for a relaxed lunch or dinner away from the crowds of the walled city, and the historic walls make it a memorable place for a celebration.

The restaurant is open every day from 12:00 to 23:00. Reservations can be made online through the booking link on its website. Like several Cartagena restaurants, it displays a notice suggesting a 10% service charge, which diners may accept, change or decline when paying.

The fort is in the Manga district, outside the walled city, and its cannon once guarded the approach to Manga itself. The fort's place in the city's defensive system makes it a good complement to visits to the walls and Castillo San Felipe. The heritage of the building is closely watched: in 2021 the Ministry of Culture ordered repairs after a repainting of the façade drew criticism. Allow around two hours for a meal, and arrive before sunset if you want to see the bay in daylight.