42 Best Restaurants in Puerto Rico

The Cortés family has been making bean-to-bar chocolate for more than 90 years, and, in 2013, they opened Puerto Rico's first "chocobar" to share their passion. The walls in this vivid, modern space are decorated with ads from the 1950s, original chocolate-bar molds, a timeline of chocolate, and two flat screens showing the chocolate-making process. From pastries and breakfast sandwiches to panini and tapas, the chef integrates chocolate into every bite without overpowering. Bonbons, chocolate bars, and even chocolate soaps are available for sale. People from all over the metro area flock here for weekend brunch; arrive early to avoid a long wait. An upstairs gallery offers a glimpse of the family's personal collection of contemporary Caribbean art.

Open for breakfast and early lunch, this quaint bed-and-breakfast has a spectacular view of the valley spilling into the sea. If terrace seating is not available, indoor dining is equally charming, with walls colorfully adorned by the work of local artisans. House specialties like eggs Benedict are served with homemade breads and sausages, and their signature BBQ ribs are a must-have for lunch time. Enhancing the freshness of the dishes are the herbs grown on-site. You can now sip on a mimosa or homemade Bloody Mary while overlooking the lush mountain and ocean below. During high season, you might wait up to an hour for a table, so reservations are recommended.

Overlooking the Caribbean in Esperanza and geared to tourists, this longtime, open-air favorite has playful rain-forest murals climbing its walls. Claim a spot at one of the curvy, teal-colored, concrete tables or under an umbrella out front, and order the red snapper sandwich (popular at lunchtime) or the jerk chicken. Salads are excellent, including the Caribbean (field greens with mango, avocado, and plantain), but be sure to save room for the namesake dish: deep-fried bananas with finger-lickin' hot honey sauce. When the sun goes down, Bananas is one of the hot spots on this side of the island.

Huge platters of delicious comida criolla are constantly streaming out of the kitchen here. Low prices and a family atmosphere ensure that this longtime local favorite—located near the DoubleTree on the border of Condado and Santurce—is always packed. The extensive menu includes everything from grilled skirt steak to seafood-stuffed mofongo to barbecued ribs. Save room for one of the local desserts, such as flan or tres leches cake. Breakfast is also popular. Note that service, while friendly, can sometimes feel a bit rushed or distracted.

Sip a freshly brewed coffee and have a healthy breakfast or brunch at this café adorned with murals and offering indoor and outdoor seating with a covered deck. Heaping slices of avocado toast, breakfast tacos, and French toast are popular menu items. There are milk alternatives and vegan meals available. Don't forget to sign your name on the wall before you go.

For the best coffee in town, make your way to this tiny food cart off Route 413. Owner Aaron makes an awesome latte using local Puerto Rican coffee. Acai bowls and made-to-order fruit smoothies are also on the menu. They close early, so make sure to grab your drinks in the morning.

This locale serves up all-day breakfast, freshly baked goods, and a wide variety of coffee and drinks. Conveniently located right on the town square, Café 413 has friendly staff that cater to families and dietary restrictions including gluten-free and vegan items.

A handful of tables spill onto a sidewalk deck adorned with tiny lights at this romantic, bohemian restaurant overlooking Plaza Colón. There's something on the international menu for everyone, including a good selection of gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian dishes. It's also popular for breakfast, which is served until 3 pm.

Tucked away in the corner of the old Spanish military barracks, Café Don Ruiz serves some of the finest coffee in town. It's sourced from a family-run hacienda in Yauco that's known for its handpicked coffee, grown more than 3,000 feet above sea level. The medium-dark roast is a favorite: well balanced with essences of chocolate, caramel, and citrus. The shop also sells fruit frappés, sandwiches, and crepes.

The specialty at this old-fashioned, 1950s-style diner is the mallorca, a sweet pastry that's buttered, grilled, and then sprinkled with powdered sugar. Wash one down with a cup of café con leche. For something more substantial, try the breakfast mallorca with ham and cheese. The menu also includes pancakes, egg dishes, sandwiches, and comida criolla. Waitstaffers are friendly and efficient, and most have worked there for years. It gets packed on weekends with locals, who consider it an institution. You pay at the counter on your way out.

Caficultura prides itself on its full coffee bar, its mimosas made with fresh juice, and its all-day breakfast and brunch menu (try the coconut-milk French toast with pineapple jam and coconut shavings). Numerous vegetarian options are available, especially at lunch, when you'll also find many delicious gourmet sandwiches and heartier dishes. The building is beautifully restored: distressed concrete walls meet an old, Spanish-style, wood-beamed ceiling—hanging from it is a magnificent antique chandelier. Customers skew young and intellectual, with students, professors, and museum-going tourists in the mix. The wait might be long, but the youthful staff is always friendly.

A breakfast and brunch restaurant, Christianson is known for having bottomless mimosas ($25 per person for one hour) as well as decadent French toast flavors like cinnamon roll, million-dollar bacon, and guava strawberry cheesecake.

A brunch spot with a twist, at Chupacabras you have the option of painting a canvas while you dine and take the souvenir home with you. Learn about the chupacabra legend while dining on breakfast staples like their namesake French toast and breakfast platters. The fresh-brewed coffee and flavored mimosas are a hit, with options like tamarind and Caribbean cherry.

A perfect place for a breakfast or brunch before heading out to watch the surfers and boogie boarders at Luquillo beach, Coffee Therapy & Brunch has become a local staple in the town. Nothing is rushed here, but you can still have a quick stop by if needed. Make sure to try the many types of French toast, or try one of the hot cereals if you're looking for something light and easy.

An elevated vegan find on the island, this outdoor eatery features healthy smoothies, fresh juices, acai bowls, plant-based burgers, and more. The setting is an outdoor garden with board games and hammocks.

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.

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.

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 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.

This popular food truck across from Pool's Beach serves healthy breakfasts and lunches featuring seasonal ingredients and the catch of the day. The fish tacos are popular, though the menu also has veggie burgers and quinoa salads.

Parmesan-crusted tacos are the draw here, with favorites including the fish, pulled pork, or vegetarian-friendly falafel versions. Pair yours with a margarita or mojito, and sit outside on the small terrace. Breakfast service starts at 8 am, and brunch is offered on weekends.

This local bakery is always buzzing with locals and tourists. Display cases are full of luscious pastries, including the quesito (cream cheese–filled puff pastry), and sandwiches include the medianoche, made famous when President Obama ordered one while campaigning. For dinner, dive into a fish dish or paella, or do like the locals and make a meal out of savory Spanish tapas.

This fun spot is popular with the local college students, but their dishes are sure to please any palate. They serve a variety of breakfast dishes, as well as sandwiches and lunch plates. If you're a coffee lover, make sure you try their hot and frozen coffee options. 

This rooftop café boasts 360-degree views, shaded by patio umbrellas and located by the ocean. The owner, Gladys Cuadrado, personally greets guests as they enter, starting them off with perhaps a seasonal assortment of fruit and simple syrup. The coco-banana pancakes, which can be made gluten-free, and Benedict Boricua with arepa are both scrumptious.