The North Coast and the Cordillera Central Restaurants

Traditional Puerto Rican cooking is the norm in this part of the island. Many of the ingredients that will appear on your plate—breadfruit, coconuts, plantains, mangoes, root vegetables, and the ají pepper, to name a few—are sold at roadside stands throughout the region, and they are served at humble eateries along the highways and secondary roads. With a couple of exceptions, don't expect upscale dining or international influences in these regions. Do expect down-home cooking and memorable meals, especially along Route 184, where you'll find a number of restaurants serving slow-roasted lechón (suckling pig), a local delicacy cooked outdoors over coals.