5 Best Restaurants in Luquillo, El Yunque and the Northeast

This steak-and-chop eatery attracts so many English-speaking tourists that management doesn't bother printing a Spanish menu. Nearly every dish on the expansive menu is made to be washed down with beer. Televisions broadcast the latest sporting events, and bands often replace the jukebox on weekends. Free Wi-Fi is available.

There are dozens of kioskos, or food stands, along Route 3 on the way to Luquillo Beach, most offering humble local fare, much of it fried. This full-service restaurant raises the bar for its culinary counterparts. Open every day, usually satisfying at least one rowdy tourist bus, the open-air spot delivers sizzling seafood in generous portions. There are even a couple of steaks on the menu that are guaranteed to satisfy the most ravenous carnivores. Like its neighbors, La Parrilla faces the street, but there's a comfortable patio in the rear where you can kick back with an ice-cold beer or sangria and escape the traffic noise.

Offering the best lamb gyros on the island, this is a casual breakfast and lunch spot serving Mediterranean dishes with a Puerto Rican flair. From falafel to baklava, there are large portions to ensure you don't leave hungry. They also have a variety of coffee options and natural juices made from Puerto Rican fruits like tamarindo, passion fruit, and acerola. 

When it comes to Mexican food, this place is the real deal. For lunch, grab a few tacos (soft or crispy), or try one of the classic Mexican entrées. There's a reason devoted travelers return regularly. Wash down the generous portions with oversize margaritas to match, or choose from a large selection of Mexican beers. The pleasant dining room, decorated with slightly kitschy paintings of simple village life, is on the second floor of a building just east of Luquillo. Parking is limited.

This waterfront restaurant sits atop the Luquillo Sunrise Beach Inn and is helmed by award-winning chef Erika Suarez. Serving international cuisine with a local twist, the whole baked Branzino, 16-ounce rib eye, and oysters on the shell are standout menu items. Finish off this memorable meal with the bread pudding for dessert. A romantic setting fitting for a special occasion.