176 Best Restaurants in Puerto Rico

This new restaurant in the heart of Ponce prides itself, as the name suggests, on having a wide and diverse food variety. The owner not only serves high-quality, unique meals, but she also makes stunning chocolate bonbons in a huge variety of flavors. During Christmas, keep an eye out for their limited-time chocolate advent calendar. It's the perfect sweet keepsake from one of the best restaurants Ponce has to offer. 

This bright and inviting corner café serves breakfast and brunch. You'll likely be greeted by the owner on the your way in. Tasty menu items include the Don Tito, a waffle sandwich with grilled ham, cheese, and bacon, and their indulgent pancakes, a feast for the eyes and stomach.

At some point during your time in Vieques, you should end up at Duffy's, the island's most popular hangout, where customers tend to sit elbow-to-elbow around the bar (the owner is a real character, and locals love to to chew the fat with him). Don't dismiss the food, though: in addition to burgers, fries, and other standards, there are chalkboard specials like conch fritters, scallop ceviche, grilled rib eye, or pan-seared pork loin—all a cut above the usual beach fare. Wraps, sandwiches, and fried finger foods round out the menu.

Beautiful beachfront dining, farm-to-table ingredients, and fantastic service are worth the drive from San Juan. The setting is rustic yet elegant, and the view is unbeatable. Sweet and savory brunch selections range from coconut brioche French toast with caramelized bananas and nuts, to pizza frittatas. Lunch brings delicious, classic, Neapolitan pizzas baked in a handmade brick oven. The catch-of-the-day ceviche—caught in Isabela—is perfectly marinated, and lobster is usually on the dinner menu. Make-your-own pasta bowls and pizzas are available for both lunch and dinner. 

Best known for their brunch, the cuisine here is a blend of Puerto Rican and European influences. The arepa Benedict is a welcome twist on a well-known dish, and options like the guava French toast showcase island flavors. They also have a tapas menu with small bites like ceviche and croquettes.

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 family-friendly restaurant serves classic Puerto Rican food, with a menu that varies slightly based on the house specials. Typical meals like rice and beans, fried pork, and various forms of plantains are a staple you can find at any time.

Watch seagulls dive for their food while you dine on a covered deck extending out into the bay. The long list of seafood is prepared in a variety of ways, and their surf-and-turf dishes are a little pricey but a delicious house specialty. Make sure to try their mojitos in a variety of flavors. This restaurant, on stilts above the water, is about the most charming setting in Joyuda.

Often packed with locals, especially on weekends, this diner near Hatillo makes a good pit stop to refuel. You can sit at the curvy counter or at one of the cozy booths. One favorite from the long menu is carne mechada (stuffed pot roast); other specialties include snapper served with rice and beans. Breakfast is served from 6 am.

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.

The menus are handwritten, and the tables wobble, but locals in the know have favored this no-frills, family-run restaurant—tucked away on a quiet cobblestone street—for years. The bistec encebollado, goat fricassee, and shredded beef stew stand out on the comida criolla menu. A tiny back porch is filled with plants, and the dining room is filled with fanciful depictions of life on the street outside. Troubadours serenade patrons, which include plenty of cruise-ship passengers when ships are in port.

Forget McDonald's and Taco Bell; in Puerto Rico, a beachside kiosk like this one is the place to go for fast food. El Kiosko Boricua ticks all the boxes for fried Puerto Rican goodies, with alcapurrias, arepas, and bacalaítos among the items on offer. Wash it all down with fresh coconut water or the local beer, Medalla.

This popular restaurant is named for its floor-to-ceiling brick walls covered in original paintings available for purchase. It's known primarily for steaks—and offers an excellent filet mignon—but given its coastal location, there's also a wide selection of fresh seafood. The zarzuela, a seafood stew, is one favorite dish. Lobster is also a specialty, and you can order it a la criolla (in a spicy stew), a la parrilla (from the grill), or ajillo (with a garlic sauce). A meal in such a pleasant dining room, served by skillful red-jacketed waiters and accompanied by a bottle of wine from the ample cellar, leaves you with fond memories.

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.

One among the ever-changing cast of restaurants along Route 187, the New Aquarium, like its neighbors, won't win any awards for decor and design. The setting here is decidedly laid-back, with plastic tables and chairs serving as the humble backdrop for some stellar seafood. Vegetarians should request the special meatless mofongo. The service is friendly and attentive, and the location—a literal stone's throw from the Atlantic—can't be beat.

The airy courtyard and the comida criolla are among the draws at this local, come-as-you-are restaurant—the perfect spot to end a workweek or a long day of sightseeing. The menu consists mostly of American and Puerto Rican fare. Save room for the homemade flan, which melts in your mouth.

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.

Here, the wines are reasonably priced, and the menu is varied, with favorites like osso bucco, beef carpaccio, grilled octopus, lobster risotto, and a roasted vegan skillet. Portions are large, service is excellent, and brunch is served on weekends.

Farm to table is the focus at Flora. Upscale, well-thought-out dishes are presented in a casual setting. You'll find anything from cured local fish, duck confit, and locally foraged chanterelles on the rotating menu. Make sure to study their menu for large and small plates, as well as unique desserts.

This sky-high dining experience takes place 100--160 feet above ground level and requires that guests be strapped in to enjoy their meals. This is a one-of-a-kind adventure for thrill seekers and foodies alike. Prices range from $85 to $165 per person depending on the meal. Dine in the sky with unparalleled views of the island.

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 family-owned and -operated restaurant serves breakfast and brunch. They have fresh squeezed juices, like passionfruit with a hint of lime. They also have decadent waffles piled high with toppings and baked goods for purchase. 

This popular restaurant specializes in value-priced Puerto Rican favorites, including daily specials ranging from sancocho (root-vegetable stew) to pork chops with plantains and rice and beans. Breakfast is popular with locals and their menu has no shortage of options. Portions are generous, service is attentive, and the atmosphere is ultracasual. Everyone raves about the coffee, so don't leave without asking for your own cup of joe.

In addition to serving its signature Gustos coffee, grown in the mountains of Yauco, this café has simple sandwiches and pastries. You'll be lucky to get a seat, as it's wildly popular.