San Juan Restaurants

In cosmopolitan San Juan, European, Asian, Middle Eastern, and chic fusion eateries vie for your attention, with family-owned restaurants specializing in seafood or comida criolla (creole cooking, or local Puerto Rican food). U.S. chains such as McDonald's and Subway compete with chains like Pollo Tropical and El Mesón, which specialize in local cuisine. Many of the most innovative chefs here have restaurants in the city's large hotels, but don't be shy about venturing into stand-alone establishments—many concentrated in Condado and along Calles Fortaleza and San Sebastián in Old San Juan. Old San Juan is also home to a number of notable new restaurants and cafés, offering more artisanal-style cuisine—crop-to-cup coffee, rustic homemade pizzas, and creative vegetarian food—at affordable prices. There’s a radiant pride in what the local land can provide, and these enthusiastic young restaurateurs are redefining what Puerto Rican food is, bite by tasty bite.

The dress code varies greatly from place to place, although a restaurant's price category can be taken as a good indication. For less expensive places anything but beachwear is fine; ritzier spots will expect collared shirts and long pants for men ("jacket and tie" requirements are rare) and chic attire for women. When in doubt, do as the Puerto Ricans often do and dress up.

For breakfast outside of your hotel, cafés or panaderías (local bakeries) are your best bets. It's rare for such establishments to close between breakfast and lunch; it's slightly more common for restaurants to close between lunch and dinner. Although some places don't accept reservations, it's always a good idea to make them for dinner whenever possible. This is especially true during the busy season from November through April and on weekends at any time of the year.

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  • 1. 1919 Restaurant

    $$$$

    Michelin-starred, Puerto Rico–born chef Juan José Cuevas operates this successful fine-dining restaurant in San Juan's most striking hotel, built in 1919 by the Vanderbilt family. The international dishes—served prix fixe or à la carte—change seasonally and emphasize local ingredients. The main dining room overlooks the Atlantic Ocean; elegant and sophisticated, it is large yet intimate, with Brazilian-tigerwood tables spread out to allow for privacy and comfort. Dark wood floors and three striking chandeliers with drooping pearl shells are other decor features that evoke the Gatsby era. You may find a sashimi trio of hamachi, scallops, and tuna; local honey-roasted duck breast; or cochinillo ravioli with burrata and caramelized eggplant on the menu. For pairings, choose from more than 200 wines, or take advantage of the champagne table service.

    1055 Av. Ashford, 00907, Puerto Rico
    787-724–1919

    Known For

    • Focus on organic, locally grown ingredients
    • Prix-fixe and tasting menus
    • Elegant setting

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch
  • 2. Café Cuatro Sombras

    $ | Coffee

    If you want to try local, single-origin, shade-grown coffee, this micro-roastery and café is the place to do it. Owners Pablo Muñoz and Mariana Suárez grow their beans in the mountains of Yauco on a hacienda that has been in the Muñoz family since 1846. The wooden planks lining the banquette are from coffee storage pallets, and red accents recall perfectly ripe coffee beans. Cuatro sombras (four shades) refers to the four types of trees traditionally used in Puerto Rico to provide shade for coffee plants. And although it's the delicious, medium-bodied brew that steals the show, there's also a small menu of tasty pastries and sandwiches.

    259 Calle Recinto Sur, 00901, Puerto Rico
    787-724–9955

    Known For

    • Locally grown coffee
    • Pastries and sandwiches
    • Coffee tastings

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner
  • 3. Casa Cortés ChocoBar

    $$

    The Cortés family has been making bean-to-bar chocolate for more than 90 years, and, in 2013, they opened Puerto Rico's first "chocobar" to share their passion. The walls in this vivid, modern space are decorated with ads from the 1950s, original chocolate-bar molds, a timeline of chocolate, and two flat screens showing the chocolate-making process. From pastries and breakfast sandwiches to panini and tapas, the chef integrates chocolate into every bite without overpowering. Bonbons, chocolate bars, and even chocolate soaps are available for sale. People from all over the metro area flock here for weekend brunch; arrive early to avoid a long wait. An upstairs gallery offers a glimpse of the family's personal collection of contemporary Caribbean art.

    210 Calle San Francisco, 00901, Puerto Rico
    787-722–0499

    Known For

    • Chocolate incorporated into many dishes
    • Breakfast specialties and pastries
    • Locally made chocolates

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner weekdays
  • 4. Casita Miramar

    $$

    This family-run restaurant in the heart of residential Miramar is known for its traditional comida criolla. It feels more like a home than a restaurant, so it's a great place to just sit back, relax, and enjoy your meal. The menu, written on a chalkboard, changes often and features local fruits, vegetables, and seasonal fish. Favorite dishes include aguacate relleno con salmorejo de jueyes (crab-stuffed avocado) and chillo fresco with mojo isleño (red snapper with a sauce of tomatoes, olives, and green peppers). The old photos of Miramar, vintage furniture, and colonial architecture will surely transport you back in time.

    605 Av. Miramar, 00907, Puerto Rico
    787-200–8227

    Known For

    • Excellent, friendly service
    • Old-fashioned dishes like crab-stuffed avocado
    • Great drinks and sangria

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues., Reservations recommended
  • 5. Cocina al Fondo

    $$$ | Santurce

    Dining at chef Natalia Vallejo's restaurant in the heart of Santurce is a magical experience. The restored home is simply yet tastefully decorated and leads to a large outdoor patio in a lush and vibrant setting. The small kitchen churns out tasty Puerto Rican dishes with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. The James Beard nominee and her friendly staff will make you feel right at home.

    658 Calle San Juan, San Juan, n/a Puerto Rico, 00907, Puerto Rico

    Known For

    • Award-winning chef
    • Creative Puerto Rican cuisine
    • Charming outdoor patio

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
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  • 6. Marmalade

    $$$$

    Peter Schintler, the U.S.-born owner-chef of Old San Juan's hippest—and finest—restaurant, apprenticed with Raymond Blanc and Gordon Ramsay. His dishes incorporate local and organic ingredients, and his cuisine is influenced by both California and French styles of cooking, resulting in complex flavors and strong aromas. Yellowtail is served with lemongrass and compressed watermelon while the pork cheeks are served with a peach-poblano marmalade. For dessert, indulge in the Millionaires ice cream, topped with honeycomb and shaved truffles. You can build your own four- to six-course tasting menu, perhaps choosing wine pairings from the excellent list, and the restaurant accommodates vegetarians, vegans, and those with dietary restrictions. The sensual, minimalist, orange-and-white decor features high-back chairs and cushioned banquettes that are comfortable and modern.

    317 Calle Fortaleza, 00901, Puerto Rico
    787-724–3969

    Known For

    • Varying prix-fixe menus
    • Exceptional service
    • Excellent wine list

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Reservations essential
  • 7. Santaella

    $$$ | Santurce

    A career working with top chefs and a successful catering business prefaced chef José Santaella's namesake restaurant in La Placita marketplace. The menu is dominated by tapas, and favorites include the ahi tuna skewers, goat-cheese quesadilla, and morcilla (blood sausage) fritters. The neighborhood is anything but chic, but the restaurant is packed every night with well-dressed socialites, trendsetters, and the "who's who" of Puerto Rican society. The decor is rustic yet elegant, with exposed walls, Edison light fixtures, an interior garden, and a sparkling, tropical bar. Chef Santaella fuses local and international ingredients to perfectly execute Puerto Rican nouvelle cuisine. The cocktail bar is one of the best on the island, so don't leave without trying one of the concoctions by Santaella's mixologists. We can't get enough of the Perfect Lady! Their new rooftop, Azotea, opens on Sundays.

    219 Calle Canals, San Juan, n/a Puerto Rico, 00907, Puerto Rico
    787-725–1611

    Known For

    • Small plates of nouveau Puerto Rican specialties
    • Trendy ambience
    • Great cocktails

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch Sat., Reservations recommended
  • 8. Señor Paleta

    $

    There's nothing more refreshing on a hot day than an ice pop from Señor Paleta. All the ingredients used to make these artisanal paletas are fresh, and many use local fruits. Choose from strawberry mojito, watermelon, coconut, dulce de leche, and more. The flavor of the month might be an exotic fruit like guanábana (soursop). The lines on weekends may be long, but they're well worth it.

    153 Calle Tetuan, 00901, Puerto Rico
    787-724–2337

    Known For

    • Fruity ice pops on a stick
    • Long waits on weekends
    • Ice cream
  • 9. Vianda

    $$$ | Santurce

    Driven by local ingredients and seasonality, chef Francis Guzman’s dishes are culinary delights (think: California cuisine with Puerto Rican and Caribbean influences). The service is fantastic, and the wine list and cocktail menu are strong—anything with mezcal is a particularly good choice. Start with the roots salad with roasted beets and horseradish or the almojábanas (a type of cheese bread) with candied papaya. If there's a crudo on offer, order it without hesitation. Reservations are strongly recommended.

    1413 Av. Ponce de León, San Juan, n/a Puerto Rico, 00907, Puerto Rico
    939-475–1578

    Known For

    • Farm-to-table-focused menu
    • Fantastic crudos
    • Excellent service

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch, Required
  • 10. Acapulco Taquería Mexicana

    $

    Located behind a pawn shop, Acapulco doesn't have the most inspiring location, but you should seek out this tiny restaurant for some of the best Mexican food in Puerto Rico. The tacos and guacamole are always made from scratch, and the owners pride themselves on authenticity: you won't find iceberg lettuce or a chimichanga slathered in cheddar here. Instead, expect delicious tacos al pastor, with meat carved from a spinning rotisserie in an open kitchen, and equally tasty cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork). Many dishes are topped with pickled onions, cilantro, fresh pineapple, and radishes. The margaritas are great, and the juices couldn't be more refreshing. The staff is friendly, and all speak perfect English.

    2021 Calle Loíza, 00911, Puerto Rico
    787-727–5568

    Known For

    • Delicious tacos and guacamole
    • Friendly service
    • Excellent margaritas made with fresh juices

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
  • 11. Ali Baba Turkish Restaurant

    $$

    Standing discreetly just off Avenida Ashford, Ali Baba turns out delicious, meticulously prepared Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food, thanks to its Turkish chef-owner. Given how unpretentious this small place is, the presentation is surprisingly elegant. Start with hummus, served with steaming, homemade lavash (flatbread), or the grilled cheese with fresh herbs and tomatoes. Entrées include an iskender kebab drizzled with browned goat butter, and moussaka, served beneath a warming flame. Sandwiches and vegetarian options are also available.

    1214 Av. Ashford, 00907, Puerto Rico
    787-722–1176

    Known For

    • Tangy, smooth hummus
    • Iskender kebab
    • No reservations

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Reservations not accepted
  • 12. Ariel

    $$$$

    Under the direction of noted chef Ariel Rodríguez, one of the city's more celebrated restaurants is popular with the local elite for its old-school, fine-dining atmosphere and its international cuisine with strong French influences. A prix-fixe menu is available with or without wine pairings. Begin with a classic cocktail like James Bond's Vesper Martini, or chat with the sommelier, who can help you choose one of the roughly 300 bottles on the list. Local works of art decorate the walls of the formal dining room, giving it a lively, modern touch. Brunch is served on Sunday.

    801 Av. Ponce de León, 00907, Puerto Rico
    787-725–7700

    Known For

    • Well-executed European cuisine
    • Sunday brunch
    • Superb and extensive wine list

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No dinner Sun.
  • 13. Bebo's Café

    $$

    Huge platters of delicious comida criolla are constantly streaming out of the kitchen here. Low prices and a family atmosphere ensure that this longtime local favorite—located near the DoubleTree on the border of Condado and Santurce—is always packed. The extensive menu includes everything from grilled skirt steak to seafood-stuffed mofongo to barbecued ribs. Save room for one of the local desserts, such as flan or tres leches cake. Breakfast is also popular. Note that service, while friendly, can sometimes feel a bit rushed or distracted.

    1600 Calle Loíza, 00911, Puerto Rico
    787-726–5700

    Known For

    • Large portions
    • Family-friendly atmosphere
    • Breakfast
  • 14. Bistro Café

    $$ | Coffee

    This café is wildly popular and doesn't take reservations, but the offerings are worth the wait. Order the pancakes with Nutella, and the mocha coffee with whipped cream and a rim of Oreos.

    29 Calle Júpiter, 00913, Puerto Rico
    787-603–5757

    Known For

    • All-day breakfast
    • Large portions
    • Creative coffee drinks
  • 15. Bocca Osteria Romana

    $$

    Located at the end of Calle Loíza, this family-run restaurant specializes in Roman dishes. The open kitchen turns out dishes like spaghetti carbonara, penne puttanesca, and bucatini all'amatriciana.

    1059 Calle Loíza, 00911, Puerto Rico
    787-727–8017

    Known For

    • Roman-style dishes
    • Italian comfort food
    • Carbonara
  • 16. Bodega Chic

    $$

    Chef and owner Brahim runs this French bistro in Old San Juan that's loved by locals. Crab cakes, duck à l'orange, steamed mussels, and veal shank can be found on the small but tasty menu. A popular brunch is served on Sundays.

    313 Fortaleza St., 00901, Puerto Rico
    787-721–6083

    Known For

    • French cuisine
    • Sunday brunch
    • Relaxed, neighborhood feel

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
  • 17. Café 4 Estaciones

    $ | Coffee

    At this tiny kiosk, the tables and chairs under a canvas canopy that's surrounded by potted plants invite you to put down your shopping bags and rest your tired feet. Grab a café con leche (coffee with hot milk), an espresso, or cold drink, and watch the children chase the pigeons. It's open late into the evening.

    Plaza de Armas, 00901, Puerto Rico

    Known For

    • Café con leche
    • Mallorcas
    • Quesitos
  • 18. Café Berlin

    $$

    A handful of tables spill onto a sidewalk deck adorned with tiny lights at this romantic, bohemian restaurant overlooking Plaza Colón. There's something on the international menu for everyone, including a good selection of vegan and vegetarian dishes. It's also popular for breakfast, which is served until 3 pm.

    407 Calle San Francisco, 00901, Puerto Rico
    787-722–5205

    Known For

    • Breakfast
    • Variety of vegan and vegetarian choices
    • Street-side dining
  • 19. Café Don Ruiz

    $ | Coffee

    Tucked away in the corner of the old Spanish military barracks, Café Don Ruiz serves some of the finest coffee in town. It's sourced from a family-run hacienda in Yauco that's known for its handpicked coffee, grown more than 3,000 feet above sea level. The medium-dark roast is a favorite: well balanced with essences of chocolate, caramel, and citrus. The shop also sells fruit frappés, sandwiches, and crepes.

    Calle Norzagaray at Calle Beneficiencia, 00902, Puerto Rico
    787-723–1462

    Known For

    • Locally grown coffee
    • Light bites
    • Historic location

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner
  • 20. Caficultura

    $$ | Coffee

    Caficultura prides itself on its full coffee bar, its mimosas made with fresh juice, and its all-day breakfast and brunch menu (try the coconut-milk French toast with pineapple jam and coconut shavings). Numerous vegetarian options are available, especially at lunch, when you'll also find many delicious gourmet sandwiches and heartier dishes. The building is beautifully restored: distressed concrete walls meet an old, Spanish-style, wood-beamed ceiling—hanging from it is a magnificent antique chandelier. Customers skew young and intellectual, with students, professors, and museum-going tourists in the mix. The wait might be long, but the youthful staff is always friendly.

    401 Calle San Francisco, 00901, Puerto Rico
    787-723–7731

    Known For

    • All-day breakfast
    • Beautifully presented lattes
    • Outside seating

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner

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