35 Best Restaurants in Rincón and the Porta del Sol, Puerto Rico

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.

On weekends, patrons come from as far as San Juan to dine at this cozy restaurant. Operated by husband-and-wife team Juan and Nerylu, it's found a niche in Rincón offering dishes made using locally sourced ingredients—you may even see a fisherman pull up with a giant yellowfin tuna. The regularly changing menu by chef Abel Mendoza might feature dishes such as pan-fried octopus with squid ink corn fritters, and the fresh catch of the day with a purple yam mash. You can't go wrong with any of the daily specials. The dining room can get loud, so ask to be seated outside on the terrace.

This casual restaurant serving new American cuisine is a must when visiting Boquerón. Sit on the patio and indulge in tasty dishes like lobster mac 'n' cheese, pork sliders, and key lime pie.

A dining room facing the ocean is a fitting place to try some of the southwest coast's best seafood. You can snack on empanadillas (fritters), then move on to red snapper with rice and beans or mofongo relleno. This place, in an unmistakable lime-color building on the main drag, has festive music and great views.

Located right on Route 308, this rustic Puerto Rican restaurant has an inviting, relaxed vibe. The name translates to "Good Vibes" and that's exactly what you'll find here. Friendly staffers serve local specialties like stuffed avocado, churrasco, and mofongo.

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.

Although the menu at this family-friendly restaurant includes pizza and pasta dishes, it's a good place to dine on hearty Caribbean fare, including Puerto Rican specialties like mofongo, churrasco, and bistec encebollado. The wine list is short but well curated, and the cocktails are creative and affordable.

This truffle treasure hidden in a nondescript strip mall has a reputation for fantastic coffee. The aroma of chocolate entices passersby into the sweet shop with its pink candy-striped walls and chocolate-tone tables. Rotating glass towers display rich cakes and pastries, while endless rows of candy jars further tempt the palate. Chocolate-covered strawberries, gourmet truffles, and delicious cheesecakes are all made in-house. For a special treat, their fruit and chocolate bouquets are show-stopping treats.

Chef Juan Camacho's newest venture brings him to the college town of Mayagüez. Here, he elevates the dining scene in town.

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. 

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.

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 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.

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. 

You'll find some of the freshest seafood in town at this casual roadside restaurant. Order an assortment of grilled fish skewers, choosing from tuna, mahimahi, grouper, wahoo, rainbow runner, and more. The lobster is excellent, and the empanadas are great, too. Happy hour lasts all day—no wonder it's always packed.

Join patrons from across the island for spectacular sunsets at this restaurant right on the beach. Whether you choose one of the small plates or an entrée, fresh seafood is always your best bet. Start with the roasted beet salad or the fried cauliflower, then move on to the steamed mussels in a sambucca cream sauce or the grilled fish of the day with coconut green curry sauce. The large wooden deck, illuminated by strings of lights, is a wonderful spot to sit back, relax, and enjoy the views with cocktail in hand. The doors open at 5 pm, but the days of operation vary by season, so verify hours prior to visiting.

One of only a few sushi restaurants on the west coast, the former Pool Bar Sushi attracts visitors from as far away as San Juan. The menu rivals that of any high-end Japanese restaurant, with mango tuna rolls, eel maki, shumai, and wakame seaweed salads. A house favorite is the Starving Surfer Roll: crunchy shrimp and avocado topped with spicy tuna. Don't miss their wide selection of Japanese sake and whiskey to pair with your meal. Their new location is in town, just a block from the main plaza.

This small bakery across the street from the airport makes some of the best breads and croissants on the island. They also serve lattes and breakfast items such as cinnamon buns, as well as sandwiches and quiche for lunch. Get there early, especially on weekends—the place gets packed!

This pirate-themed restaurant is a hot spot for locals and visitors. Their beachside seating is great to enjoy a drink and listen to the live music playing almost every night.

Breakfast and brunch are served all day at this popular restaurant in Aguada. Perfectly cooked eggs Benedict and creative dishes like bacalaito pancakes can be found on the menu. There are plenty of vegetarian and gluten free options and many mimosa flavors to choose from (check out their bottomless mimosas!). Many ingredients come from neighboring farms.

Locals come from as far as San Juan to get a taste of the Thai dishes at Mister Harry. The short yet tasty menu features a selection of curries. Their business hours are short so plan accordingly. 

The owners have maximized their residence, which boasts "the friendliest wave on the island," by converting the garage into overflow seating for this garden bistro. With fairy lights, beach chairs, and Latin music, the no-frills setting complements the simple menu of burgers, sandwiches, and signature dips. Creative creations include mango and bacon salad, beer-battered fish tacos, the peanut butter burger (just try it!), and cauliflower buffalo bites. Try the "Tropical Dreamsicle," the restaurant's version of a piña colada. For an interesting keepsake, buy one of the souvenir T-shirts from each of the island's top surf spots. Ola Lola's is cash or Venmo only.

Excellent cuts of meat—from filet mignon and rib eye to pork loin—are the draws here. Splurgeworthy dry-aged porterhouse and kurobuta pork are also likely to be on the menu. There are also vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options in their menu. The service is excellent.

Located on the Rincón–Aguada border, this supper club run by a husband-and-wife team has a multicourse menu that changes weekly and highlights locally sourced and grown food. Vegan and vegetarian options are available upon request, as well as a variety of wines. Dinners are by reservation only and they sell out quickly. Note, too, that payment is made at the time of booking.

Many things stand out at this picturesque resort restaurant: the emerald-green golf course in the foreground, the majestic cliffs on the coast, and the roaring ocean in the background. A fair amount of the fruits and vegetables used in the dishes here are grown at Royal Isabela's River Farm and Gatehouse Garden; all the fish is caught offshore.

Open daily 5 am to midnight, this popular bakery is a good spot to try one of the city's trademark delicacies: the brazo gitano, a gigantic jelly roll filled with anything from guava to sweet cheese. There are also tasty pastries like flan, tres leches cake, mallorcas, and cheesecake, as well as freshly baked bread and a selection of sandwiches.