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Not all the culinary hot spots are in San Juan. In fact, people from the capital drive to Ponce or Guánica to see what's new on the horizon. Some of the more ambitious restaurants in this part of Puerto Rico are experimenting with Asian and Latin fusion cuisines, which means you might find pork with tamarind glaze or guava sauce, or snapper in a plantain crust. But what you'll mostly find are open-air eateries serving simple, filling fare. The southern coast is known for seafood, particularly Salinas and Ponce, both of which have a string of popular seaside restaurants. A 15%–20% tip is customary; most restaurants won't include it in the bill, but it's wise to check.
Puerto Ricans drive for miles to reach this restaurant in the Copamarina Beach Resort. The kitchen takes traditional Puerto Rican dishes and turns them into something extra special, and the elegant dining room looks out onto well-tended gardens. If you want to get closer to the flora, ask for a table outside on the terrace. Foot traffic from the pool area can be a distraction. Availability is very limited, so reservations are a must.
Piña coladas may have been invented in San Juan, but nobody does them better than Lajas. This popular weekend spot is literally shaped like a pineapple, Lajas's most important grown fruit, and serves piña coladas inside whole pineapples! There's both alcoholic and nonalcoholic versions, as well as varieties with other fruits and candy frappés for different tastes.
An institution since it opened in 1964, King's Cream Helados, across from Plaza de las Delicias, is the place for ice cream in Ponce. It serves 12 varieties—from tamarind, peanut, and passion fruit to classics like chocolate and vanilla. A bench in the tiny storefront seats three, but most folks take their cups and cones across the street and stake out shady benches around the fountain. King's is open daily 9 am–midnight. If you're feeling adventurous, try the local favorite of corn ice cream sprinkled with cinnamon; it sounds weird, but it's great!
This mesón gastronómico, hidden among a string of oceanfront restaurants south of the center in the Playa de Salinas area, is one of the most popular on Puerto Rico's southern coast. Sit in either the open-air patio or air-conditioned dining room and bar and sample specialties like mofongo relleno de mariscos (seafood-stuffed plantains) or the many preparations of mahimahi, red snapper, arrayao (mahogany snapper), octopus, lobster, or conch. The seafood paella is a house specialty.
This popular seafood restaurant is a must-visit in this coastal town. Their plantain dishes are great, and their catch of the day is bound to be some of the freshest seafood you have in your entire trip. Don't forget to ask for the drink and wine lists.
Here you can get a table on the terrace at the edge of the Caribbean. You'll find good Puerto Rican cuisine and lots of seafood, including lobster, red snapper, and mofongo. Be sure to sample one of the restaurant's frappes, with both alcoholic and nonalcoholic options to choose from.
As the name of the restaurant hints, the menu's protagonist is a Puerto Rican favorite; plantains. This is your chance to try island staples such as arañitas, mofongo, and more. Less common applications of the plantain are also found here, including a plantain-flavored flan. The unassuming restaurant sits high up on a hill, surrounded by—what else?—a field of plantain trees.
In operation since 1961, this restaurant is still considered one of the best in town. Don't be surprised to see flapping fish delivered straight off the boats and into the kitchen, where chefs prepare dishes like grouper fillet stuffed with seafood. The red snapper is delicious, and like all the fish on the menu it can be prepared fried, buttered, breaded, or with a vinaigrette. There's also a children's menu and a large selection of wines. Be prepared for the collection of fish mounted on the walls.
This local bakery offers classic brunch items with a modern tropical twist, and a giant drink menu to choose from. Their coffee and tea selections pair perfectly with their house-made baked goods, and everything is available to-go. Make sure to check out their cupcake selection! Seasonal flavors and varieties will make it impossible to choose just one.
This restaurant along La Parguera's main street has the biggest variety of beer on tap in the entire area. Food is a great mix of Puerto Rican classics, along with a make-your-own burger menu that appeals to all visitors. The staff is incredibly friendly, and there's no shortage of great vibes and amazing eating.
This ice-cream shop is a town staple, run by the same family for generations in San Germán. Their unique ice cream textures come in cones, cups, and milkshakes; flavor varieties include classics like chocolate and vanilla, and tropical flavors like coconut and pineapple. These cold treats are great for on-the-go snacking as you walk along the town's double plaza.
The highway leading to Coamo is lined by dozens of fast-food restaurants. Luckily, there are a few worthwhile family-owned eateries, one of the best of which is this open-air cantina. You'll find classic meals like mofongo with chicken or beef, as well as some other typical Puerto Rican dishes like fried pork or red snapper stuffed with seafood. The menu features a variety of fish as well as lobster, shrimp, and octopus. Make sure you try their mojitos in a variety of tropical flavors.
This trendy bistro in the heart of downtown has an eclectic menu to match the decor. Grab a seat in a green-velvet booth, and start off with their delicious tuna tartare taquitos, beef bruschetta, and fried plantains. The menu ranges from tuna steak to filet mignon to a full Cornish hen. Be sure to ask about the daily specials, which are always worth trying. This is a great place to admire work by local artists and sip on a house special Quenepatini (Don Q Cristal, guava juice, cranberry juice, quenepa liquor).
This bright-blue historic building houses one of San Germán's best-kept culinary secrets. Pórticos 1606 has a great mix of classic Puerto Rican food and specialty dishes from other Caribbean countries. The staff is friendly and helpful, and their grilled meats are some of the best you can get in the region. It's recommended to get several dishes to share, so everyone gets a taste of their full and impactful menu.
The only Greek restaurant in Ponce, this open-air establishment has successfully captured the cuisine and atmosphere of its namesake island. Statues of goddesses line the pathway leading to a bi-level dining area, decorated with 1960s-era movie posters from Greece, and nearly every dish is bathed in olive oil and vinegar, including the salads and sandwiches. You'll also find plenty of Caribbean food and Spanish tapas like conch fritters and stuffed lobster hamburgers, but it's the grilled lobster that's the hands-down favorite. On Friday and Saturday, the bar is open late for drinks and dancing. Request a table on the lower deck, where water gently laps near your table, and bring bug repellent.
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