Any restaurants in San Juan that I simply can't miss?
Leaving next week for our romantic vaca to san juan/vieques and would like to make a couple of reservations in advance.

Dragonfly - Old San Juan (does not take reservations, need to get on their list, have your hotel call ahead. )

Amadeus (also old san juan)

Not sure where you are staying though, but even if its not old san juan you need to go see it day and night!

thanks, we are staying in old san juan (and we love to eat!)

Don't know if they take reservations, but we loved Aguaviva -- seafood in a very cool, stylish atmosphere. Ceviche (if you like that kind of thing) to die for, with great watermelon sangria.

Also, for down-home Cuban cooking, try Metropol in Isla Verde. The waiters are a bit brusque if you are not a regular, but the food is good, plentiful and comes quickly.

Finally, we really liked La Mallorquina in Old San Juan. It's a beautiful courtyard with lazily spinning ceiling fans and courtly waiters in bow ties. It's said to be the oldest Puerto Rican restaurant in P.R., and reputedly the birthplace of the pina colada. A bit old-fashioned, but very nice for lunch. Good asopao, a classic Puerto Rican dish.

Dragonfly, Aguaviva,Parrot Club, - all same owner on Fortaleza street. All great.
They owner also has Sofia (which is the newest) Italian cuisine on San Fransisco. And Fogata which is located inside the Sheraton (if you can get past the casino noise and the smoke in the casino you might want to eat there)

Also, if you want something casual Cafe Puerto Rico is very good local cuisine. It is all the way at the end of Fortaleza hang a left. Its one of my favorites.

Buren (across the street from El Convento) is very good, very small restaurant. Great homemade pastas, try the veal ravioli if they have it. Their homemade tomato sauce is really good. They do carry out as well and we have done that also.

If you are not staying at El Convento you must go see it. The patio is beautiful and you can have breakfast or just a drink.

Also, Carli's Cafe Concierto. Some of the best food in OSJ. It is on the bottom floor of the Banco Popular building on the way towards the cruise ships. The lobster ravioli is amazing and Carli plays piano most nights and is fantastic. It is a very nice place. Everything I have had on the menu is really great!

Again, have fun!

Here's another vote for Agua Viva. Fantastic seafood, lively atmosphere, great desserts. Very loud when full, though, and it filled by 8:00 the night we were there. Go early if you want a quieter meal.

I just loved the watermelon sangria and the mojitos!

I will let you in a little secret. The finest--I"m not saying most popular w/ tourists--but the finest restaurant in San Juan in Augusto's. It is expensive, but is truly truly fantastic. I live in Manhattan and have access to fine dining any day of the week--this is truly a special restaurant. The menu is small and rarely changes, for which I am grateful so that I can enjoy my favorite meal every time I visit. They are closed on Mondays. Also, Ajili Mojili is fabulous for authentic puerto rican fare!

Every time we go to PR we HAVE TO eat at Pikayo-- it is wonderful- absolutely amazing. We think it is the best restaurant in San juan. Augusto's was also excellent. we love Dragonfly-- that is more of a nightlife dining feel- not romantic, but sexy-- like asia di cuba in new york. I found parrot club to be better for lunch-- we like more of a fancier or higher end type of place for dinner.

PR has some of the best restaurants anywhere-- a main reason we keep going back. enjoy!