Rincon and the Porta del Sol Restaurants

If you like seafood, you're in the right place. Throughout northwestern Puerto Rico you'll find wonderful criollo (creole) cuisine. Most local eateries serve deep fried tapas, commonly called pinchos (meaning "spike"), because they are served with toothpicks. Offering a break from fried food are dozens of foreign-owned eateries that serve everything from sushi and hamburgers to vegetarian and Thai cuisine. Farther south along the coast, options are limited, so you may want to ask the chef to grill or sauté your fish. A trip to Puerto Rico is not complete without sampling mofongo relleno, a seafood mixture served inside a yucca crust. Simply head to where locals from all over the island go for fresh seafood—Joyuda. In Rincón, the Horned Dorset Primavera has a ten-course tasting menu served at one of the most elegant eateries in the Caribbean. When it comes to beverages, locals usually drink rum punch (rum, fruit juice, and grenadine) or Medalla Light, Puerto Rico's most popular and affordable beer. All restaurants are no-smoking. Tips, normally 15%-20%, are usually not included in the bill, but it's always wise to double-check.