gumbo999

My wife and I will be staying 8 nights at the Gran Melia Resort near Rio Grande. Does anyone have recommendations for restaurants (and fun bars) in and around Rio Grande, including Luquillo, Loiza, Fajardo, etc. and even Carolina???

tomarkot

We just returned from a week at resort in the Condado area of San Juan. On one day we rented a car to visit El Yunque and Luquillo. A Luquillo resident led us to a great little local restaurant, "Ernestina's". We had a wonderful meal and met another couple who lives in the area for six months of the year. They named "Ernestina's as one of their favs. Since Luquillo is so small, one way to describe the location of "Ernestina's" is to drive one block behind the church on the main square. Caveats: Lunch is 'til 3. Not sure about dinner. And, "Cash Only".

Have a great time in PR! We hated to leave!

gumbo999

Thanks Tom. I just researched Ernestina's and found that it is a "Local Gem"! That's just what we are looking for.

movehershakeher

We stumbled into the Boardriders beach bar for amazing fish tacos . Fun! We had 3 dinners at the kiosks in Luquillo...La Parilla, Congas and Vejigantes. Delicious and fun!

PlumeriaTattoo

Our best meal of the trip was at Pasion por el Fogon in Fajardo. http://www.pasionporelfogon.net/ I still crave the Shrimp Asopaíto. We also had fun trying foods at several of the kioskos in Luquillo.

abbiehelgesen

My husband and I just went to Puerto Rico and had the time of our lives. I also recommend BoardRiders in Luquillo as well as the kiosks. One of our favorite kiosks was a Chicago pizza place. One of the most affordable and authentic Puerto Rican restaurants we stumbled upon was Antojitos Puertorriquenos in Rio Grande - on the way to the Wyndham. One of the most fun evenings we had was at the Courtyard Marriott Isla Verde in Carolina -- there's salsa dancing in the lobby and it was awesome! Enjoy your trip. Abbie H.

gumbo999

Thank you all for your advice. My wife and I had a fantastic time in PR.

We saw Ernestinas (in town) but did not make it there.

Could not find Boardriders and the Chicago Pizza place mentioned must be Capones, which was closed each time we went to the kioskas.

We heard from a local that La Parilla was really good but we did not make it there.

We both had the paella at Vegitantes and it was fantastic. Also, great pina coladas for $6, but very filling. We ended up taking half of our paella, putting it on ice and having it for lunch the next day (cold). It was still fantastic!

We ate dinner at Pasion (in the Gran Melia Resort) and the shrimp is amazing. Prices weren't too bad for a resort restaurant.

We had lunch at Antonjitos and it was very good. They have lunch specials for $6.50 during the week.

Also, went to Don Pepes for lunch twice. Make sure to ask for the lunch specials for $6, which change daily.

Richies? - Great views, but pricy. I would go for a drink or two on the patio on a nice day. When we asked about the happy hour, it was $1 off of an expensive Medalla, Big Deal!

As for the resorts, the Gran Melia is awesome. We ended up staying at the Rio Mar for the last two nts. (Chicago got snowed in) - we were not impressed with the resort at all, but the beach was fantastic, plus they have the only casino in the area.

El Yunque Rainforest is a must. If you walk the La Mina Trail, it will take about 45 minutes each way. Make sure to keep climbing when you get to the swimming area, as there are more waterfalls up higher (and climb over the fence and then climb down a bit). Pretty Cool! Good drinks at the Rum House afterwards - across the parking lot is the Heidalberg Haus which had great local beer on tap. The place is owned by a German lady who married a local.

We would like to return some day - The food was excellent and the local hospitality workers were very friendly!