Puerto rico dining: The 24 Best San Juan Restaurants

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March 14, 2023
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Puerto Rico’s Best Restaurants • Where to Eat in Puerto Rico
– FLIGHTFUD

Where to eat

Beyond the beautiful white sand beaches, you’ll find plenty of places to eat at the best restaurants in Puerto Rico.

This Caribbean destination has become a haven for foodies that are drawn in by Puerto Rico’s rich culinary history as well as its equally promising future as an innovative food capital.

Mixing traditional with trendy, the island’s hotspots stay close to their roots but aren’t afraid to be daring and expand on their already vibrant way of life.

We’ve rounded up the top traveler-rated and reviewed restaurants, cafes, and food experiences in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rican Food: Your Guide to Puerto Rican Cuisine

Santaella
La Alcapurria Quemá
La Casita Blanca
Que PezCa’o
Marmalade Restaurant & Wine Bar
1919 Restaurant
Casita Miramar
Estela Restaurant
La Cambija
Mona
El Verde BBQ

Visiting historic landmarks and museums in Puerto Rico will give you a taste of its culture, but to really dig into the Puerto Rican lifestyle, you have to try the food.

Built on a deep history of Caribbean flavours, Puerto Rican Cuisine stays true to its original intent, which is to take care of the people through food.

The restaurants in Puerto Rico honour this heritage by carefully preparing meals that welcome guests with traditional comfort foods.

Some of Puerto Rico’s famous include:

Mofongo, a dish made of deep-fried green plantains
Tostones, a dish made of double deep-fried plantain wheels
Lechón, a slowly spit-roasted pork dish.

Many restaurants, even the most upscale, will serve one of these dishes usually with their own flare added onto it as well.

The best restaurants in Puerto Rico not only show you the best of the local cuisine, but also invite you to try exciting new twists on homegrown favourites. As Puerto Rico has steadily become a more popular travel destination in recent years, its local cuisine has also adapted to include more international influence as well.

Whether it’s traditional Puerto Rican cuisine with a twist or a take on international fare, the best restaurants in Puerto Rico will give you a taste of what it’s like to be a part of the action.

11 Best Restaurants in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a growing hub for all things gastronomy so it’s hard to limit this list to just ten top restaurants. We gave it our best shot and here are 10 restaurants you’ll definitely want to visit on your trip to Puerto Rico.

#1. Santaella

For an elevated take on local cuisine in a rustic but chic setting, Santaella is the place to be for locals and travellers alike. Centered around a lush tropical garden this restaurant serves dishes that are rooted in local cuisine.

Santaella takes traditional dishes to new heights with menus items such as quesadillas with goat cheese and truffle oil, and mouth watering pork belly mofongo. Chef José Santaella, a Puerto Rico native, has trained with some of the world’s top chefs and uses this global influence to add creativity and flair to every dish.

Neighbourhood: San Jaun

Type: Traditional Puerto Rican cuisine with a modern flare

Best for: Foodies and adventurous travellers who want to try local cuisine that’s both comforting and exciting.

#2. La Alcapurria Quemá

La Alcapurria Quemá offers a more laid back way to get your hands on some of the best of Puerto Rican comfort food. This small and almost hidden establishment would blend in with its surroundings if it weren’t for its already well-known reputation as one of the best restaurants in Puerto Rico.

Guests flock to La Alcapurria Quemá for its alcapurrias, which are Puerto Rican fritters made with mashed plantains or yucca and stuffed with meat. With a friendly and relaxed vibe, this restaurant is great if you’re looking to get a quick but meaningful glimpse into Puerto Rican cuisine.

Neighbourhood: La Placita de Santurce in San Juan

Type: Local cuisine with a friendly, laidback style

Best for: Loyal locals who love alcapurrias and anyone who wants to try local food without any need for added frills.

#3. La Casita Blanca

With a name that means “Little white house,” La Casita Blanca evokes the same simplicity as its title. La Casita Blanca is a hidden gem and off the beaten path for most travellers with its location in a mostly residential area. As a haven for locals, La Casita Blanca is a no-frills, homestyle restaurant serving a strictly Spanish menu of about 20 items that change daily.

Come hungry to La Casita Blanca because this restaurant serves large portions and gives you a lot of bang for your buck when it comes to included sides and appetizers.

Neighbourhood: Santurce, San Juan

Type: Family-style restaurant that serves traditional Spanish food in large portions

Best for: Families with children who want to try affordable local cuisine and feel like they’re getting an authentic Puerto Rican culinary experience.

#4. Que PezCa’o

A casual and more rewarding alternative to high-priced tourist traps along the harbour, Que PezCa’o is a local haven for delicious seafood and affordable main dishes.

Tucked away from the allure of Old San Juan, Que PezCa’o has some of the freshest seafood in Puerto Rico. Using this fresh seafood, the restaurant boasts impressive dishes like ceviche nachos, mahi-mahi mofongo, and a whole grilled red snapper.

Neighbourhood: San Juan

Type: A local favourite that serves fresh seafood in large portions

Best for: Fresh seafood at an affordable price

#5. Marmalade Restaurant & Wine Bar

If you want an experience look no further than Marmalade Restaurant & Wine Bar. Here you’ll find dim lighting that sets an intimate mood and instead of an a la carte menu Marmalade Restaurant & Wine Bar offers three tasting menus. Whether it’s four, five or six courses, the dishes include Puerto Rican cuisine with international fusion as well as an emphasis on local organic vegetables.

The food, which is prepared by Chef Peter Schintler who apprenticed with Gordon Ramsay, will excite any guest including the vegetarian or vegan in your life.

Neighbourhood: San Juan

Type: Full course Puerto Rican fusion meals served in an intimate and modern space

Best for: Luxury traveler looking for an upscale taste of Puerto Rican classics as well as vegetarians and vegans

#6. 1919 Restaurant

Located in the luxurious Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, 1919 is one of the most elegant restaurants situated along the waterfront. The restaurant has a stunning view of the ocean and serves high-quality cuisine prepared by Puerto Rican native and Michelin-star chef Juan Jose Cuevas. The menu, which is primarily traditional Puerto Rican cuisine with a modern flare, changes seasonally and each dish is prepared with locally sourced ingredients.

A dinner at 1919 Restaurant during sunset is a truly breathtaking experience that many guests deem an unforgettable part of any trip to Puerto Rico.

Neighbourhood: Condado, San Juan

Type: Traditional Puerto Rican dishes with a modern flare and locally sourced ingredients

Best for: Luxury travellers who want an elegant and traditional dining experience.

#7. Casita Miramar

Home to some of the best authentic Puerto Rican food in San Juan, Casita Miramar serves comida criolla that embodies the island’s Spanish, African, and Taino heritage.

Located in a cozy Spanish villa, you’ll be just as comforted by the food as you are by the atmosphere. With dishes like beef stew and its own take on Puerto Rico’s famous mofongo, you’ll be able to get the true taste of the island’s culture as Casita Miramar.

Neighbourhood: San Juan

Type: Authentic local cuisine and Puerto Rican comfort food

Best for: Locals love it here and it’s great for getting a true taste for local cuisine

#8. Estela Restaurant

Situated in the beach town of Rincón, Estela Restaurant offers guests a cozy space to enjoy its locally sourced dishes. With an all vegan menu and ingredients that come from local farmers, estela Restaurant prides itself on its dedication to maintaining the local environment. Guests can also choose from all grass-fed meats and daily catch of the day. This quaint little spot is great for the environmentally conscious foodie.

Neighbourhood: Rincón

Type: Cozy restaurant serving locally sourced vegan and vegetarian meals.

Best for: Environmentally conscious food lovers including vegans and vegetarians

#9. La Cambija

Locally owned, La Cambija is a casual, open-air restaurant in Rincón that serves authentically prepared Puerto Rican dishes specializing specifically in seafood.

Known for its catch-of-the-day menu, La Cambija is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. Many locals recommend ordering the pinchos, which are your choice of grilled seafood served on skewers.

Neighbourhood: Rincón

Type: La Cambija specializes in authentically prepared seafood that is popular among locals

Best for: Fresh seafood and local cuisine

#10.

Mona

Serving the best breakfast anytime of day, Mona is a cozy spot giving guests the chance to start their day whenever they see fit. Mona is one of the best restaurants in Puerto Rico to get a cup of the island’s famous coffee.

At Mona you’ll find friendly service, homemade pastries and a full menu for breakfast, brunch and lunch with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options as well.

Neighbourhood: Aguadilla

Type: Breakfast and authentic Puerto Rican coffee

Best for: Breakfast lovers and families with kids looking to start their day on the right foot

#11. El Verde BBQ

A hike up towards the mountains is worth the trip to get a taste of authentic Puerto Rican Barbecue at El Verde BBQ. This restaurant has a wide variety of meats cooked in the traditional barbecue style that is a staple in Puerto Rican cuisine.

While this might not be the best place for vegetarian and vegan options, you can still find some of the best authentic Puerto Rican food on the island here.

Neighbourhood: Rio grande

Type: Authentic Puerto Rican barbecue

Best for: While they serve a heavy helping of local cuisine, this spot is best for foodies who have a love for all things barbecue

Sarah Peterson

@sarah

Sarah Peterson

@sarah

Sarah Peterson is the co-founder and head of marketing at FLIGHTFŪD. She’s a travel health expert and after having visited 20+ countries as a digital nomad and flying every 4-6 weeks for business, she became passionate about empowering others to protect their bodies on the go.

What to eat and drink in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico’s eclectic cuisine – cocina criolla – is an amalgamation of historical influences, from the island’s indigenous Taíno roots to the trans-Atlantic trade of enslaved people and Puerto Rico’s time as a Spanish colony before it became a US territory. It draws on ingredients from multiple cultures, as well as traditional cooking techniques, resulting in one of the most diverse and exciting culinary scenes in the Caribbean.

Throughout the year, boricuas (Puerto Ricans) celebrate Puerto Rican food culture in a series of food festivals across the island. The rest of the time, you can sample Puerto Rican staples everywhere, from fine dining establishments in the capital of San Juan, helmed by internationally renowned chefs, to roadside shacks in the mountains. Here are the best of the island’s specialties you cannot afford to miss.

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Tuck in to

empanadillas, quesitos and alcapurrias

Many cultures have a signature fried or baked pastry with a savory filling, and Puerto Rico is no exception. A popular snack and street food (available from food carts around San Juan and beyond), the empanadilla is a small, crescent-shaped pastry, its filling flavored with two essential Puerto Rico ingredients: sofrito (sautéed onions, garlic, and peppers, with olive oil and cilantro), and achiote (a nutty, sweet, spice made from annatto seeds).

The filling can be anything from ground beef and potatoes to lobster, conch, and shrimp. Two other worthwhile ambassadors of Puerto Rican street food are quesitos (cheese-filled pastries) and alcapurrias (deep-fried green banana fritters stuffed with seafood).

Where to try them: Kiosko El Boricua; street stalls during San Juan’s Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián.

Deep-fried tostones are an unmissable dish in Puerto Rico © iStockphoto / Getty Images

Taste the plantain dishes including

tostones and amarillos

It’s impossible to imagine Puerto Rican food without the plantain, imported during the 16th and 17th centuries. Plantains are a Puerto Rican staple and for a good reason. It comes in many forms: tostones (green plantain slices marinated in water with garlic and lime juice, deep-fried, mashed, then deep-fried again till crispy), platanos fritos or amarillos (ripe plantain slices fried till the outside is blackened), mofongo (mashed plantain), pastelón (plantain lasagne), jibarito (plantain and steak sandwich), and guineos en escabeche (pickled green plantains).

Of those, you’re most likely to encounter the first two, typically served as an accompaniment to savory dishes. If you happen to be in the mountain town of Corozal in October, try the plantain’s various incarnations at the Fiesta de Platanos.

Where to try them: Tropical Taste, El Jibarito, Gustitos Criollos.

Get stuffed with

pasteles

Puerto Rico’s answer to Mexican tamales, pasteles consist of masa (dough) made with green bananas (alternatives include grated green plantains and malanga/yutía – a root vegetable similar to yuca), stuffed with stewed pork (or occasionally chicken or salted cod). The ubiquitous softrito and achiote are typically used to flavor the filling, the whole thing is pressed onto a plantain leaf, folded, tied with string, covered in parchment paper and boiled.

Where to try them: El Jibarito, Deaverdura.

Mofongo is a popular side dish © iStockphoto / Getty Images

Munch on mofongo

This quintessential Puerto Rican dish dates back to the 1500s and traces its roots to the West African practice of making fufu (boiled yam mash). Drawing on the Angolan technique of combining starchy tubers with water and fat, mofongo is made by mashing fried green plantains, garlic, olive oil and chicharrón (fried pork skin), and is often served as a side dish alongside meat. Variations on the mofongo theme include yuca mofongo and trifongo, comprising a trio of tubers: green plantain, ripe plantain and yuca.

Where to try it: La Placita de Guavate, El Mofongo Ahogao, Orozco’s Restaurant.

Go restaurant hopping for

lechón asado

On weekends, Puerto Rican families take part in chinchorreo (restaurant hopping) along the Ruta de Lechón (“Pork Highway”), to dine on lechón asado (whole roast pig) – so important that it’s been declared an official part of Puerto Rico’s gastronomic heritage. Lechonerías (rustic, open-air restaurants) line Ruta 184, aka “Pork Highway”, leading to the mountain town of Cayey. Each lechonería has its own jealously guarded seasoning recipe, but the pig is typically seasoned with adobo (mix of salt, pepper, oregano, garlic, achiote) and sometimes ajís dulces (mild sweet peppers), after which the pig is slow-roasted over hot coals using the low-and-slow barbacoa process (Taíno cooking method that gave us the word “barbecue”).

Where to try it: Lechonera Los Pinos, Lechonería Los Amigos.

Rice should be part of every meal

It’s not a proper meal if it doesn’t involve rice in one form or another. Two most popular side dishes are arroz y habichuelas and arroz con gandules. Arroz y habichuelas involves pink beans (stewed with sofrito, garlic, ham hock, onion and peppers) and white rice being served alongside each other. A little more complex, arroz con gandules comprises pigeon peas and rice, cooked with a base of sautéed salted pork and sofrito and then covered with broth and boiled.

Where to try it: Any restaurant on the island!

Try

barbacoa, friturias de yautía and yuca en escabeche

Well over half of Puerto Ricans can trace their ancestry to the indigenous Taíno people – the island’s original inhabitants. You’re unlikely to encounter traditional Taíno dishes elsewhere on the island, but if you’re fortunate enough to attend the Festival Nacional Indígena, held mid-month in November, you’ll get to sample centuries-old island cuisine in the shape of barbacoa de pescado (fish cooked over a fire pit), friturias de yautía (fritters made from an endemic tuber) and yuca en escabeche (pickled cassava).

Where to try them: The town of Jayuya in the Central Mountains.

You can find excellent quality coffee all over Puerto Rico © iStockphoto / Getty Images

Local coffee beans give a rich flavor

Coffee is obviously not unique to Puerto Rico. That said, it’s been popular on the island since the 18th century, with small-scale coffee plantations dotted around the mountain towns of Adjuntas and Maricao (off the Ruta Panorámica) growing beans of excellent quality, with the volcanic soil giving them a deep, rich flavor. Maricao celebrates the brew during its Festival del Acabe del Café in February, but you can find good coffee year-round in cafes around San Juan, Ponce and elsewhere.

Where to try it: Don Ruiz Coffee Shop, Café Cuatro Sombras, Café Prieto.

Great piña coladas are not hard to find

Consisting of pineapple juice, coconut water, crushed ice and Don Q, Bacardi, or another Puerto Rican rum of your choice, the piña colada has been Puerto Rico’s national drink since 1978. Puerto Rico is the world’s biggest rum producer (70% comes from the island), with rum manufacturing dating back to the 1500s, and the pineapple even has its own festival in La Parquera, near Ponce.

Where to try it: La Guancha in Ponce; Festival de la Piña Paradisíaca in June in La Parguera, or pretty much any bar on the island.

Vegetarians and vegans

There is much more to Puerto Rico’s meat- and dairy-free options than the ubiquitous arroz con gandules (rice with beans) and maduros (fried ripe plantain). With vegetarianism and plant-based diets becoming more and more popular in Puerto Rico itself, many chefs across the island are abandoning pork – the lynchpin of Boricua cuisine – and experimenting with meat-free versions of Puerto Rican edible treats, such as empanadillas, relleno de papa, and alcapurrias. Vegetarian and vegan restaurants, such as Madre Tierra and St Germain Bistro & Café, are particularly abundant in San Juan, but you can find them in other corners of the island as well.

Best apart-hotels in Puerto Rico from 1390 UAH per night, February 2023 — Nochi.com.ua

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Calypso Oasis ApartmentsAparthotel

See on the map500 m from the city center Playa de Amadores beach 1. 1 km from the hotel

Situated 1 km from the centre, this hotel offers soundproof rooms and a private swimming pool.

8.0

Excellent6161 reviews

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BabaluAparthotel

View map 800 m from the city center 800 m from the hotel Playa de Amadores

playground for guests with children.

7.6

Very good198198 reviews

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Marina SuitesAparthotel

1000 m from the city center1.7 km from the Playa de Amadores beach near the Atlantic Ocean.

8.4

Excellent835835 reviews

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Holiday Club Sol AmadoresAparthotel

City Center 800 meters from the hotel Anfi Tauro Golf Course 1000 meters from the hotel as well as a private bathroom.

8.4

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Aparthotel MaracaiboAparthotel

City center 700 m from the hotel Playa de Amadores beach 1. 0 km from the hotel

The hotel offers 101 functional rooms in a traditional building, renovated in 2009, and thanks to the ideal location within walking distance of Svenska Baren.

7.6

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Morasol SuitesAparthotel

900 m from the city center 1.7 km from the Playa de Amadores beach

The hotel offers 88 sea-view rooms, a non-smoking restaurant and a 24-hour bar.

8.2

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Villa MagnaAparthotel

City center 700 m from the hotel Playa de Amadores beach 1000 m from the hotel

The hotel with a private pool is about 10 minutes walk from the center of Puerto Rico.

8.2

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Holiday Club Puerto CalmaAparthotel

800 m from the city center 1.9 km from the hotel Playa de Amadores

This hotel with a 24-hour restaurant and a swimming pool is located near the White Striker.

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Balcon Del MarAparthotel

500 m from the city center 1.2 km from the hotel Anfi Tauro Golf Course

A short walk from the Mercado Agricola and bus stop, this 70-room hotel offers a shared outdoor pool.

7.8

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Apartamentos Isla BonitaAparthotel

500 m from the city center1.0 km from the hotel Playa de Amadores Beach

This budget hotel is a good starting point for exploring Puerto Rico, as Scuba Sur and Top Diving Gran Canaria are located nearby.

7.8

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SolanaAparthotel

400 m from the city center 1.3 km from the hotelAnfi Tauro Golf Course

Offering a 24-hour restaurant and views of the garden, this hotel is located close to a bus stop.

6.0

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Apartamentos Puerto Bello Apartamentos Puerto Bello

City Center 500 m from the hotel Playa de Amadores 1. 1 km from the hotel

Located near Puerto Rico Diving, the hotel includes 25 rooms and an outdoor pool.

5.8

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Apartamentos Monte VerdeAparthotel

Largest apartments:

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2 bedrooms

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City center 400 m from the hotel Playa de Amadores beach 1.2 km from the hotel

Apartment with outdoor pool and located less than 11 km from Aqualand Maspalomas water park .

7.6

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Rt-Apartamentos Sol Y Paz Puerto RicoAparthotel

City center 700 m from hotel Playa de Amadores beach 1000 m from hotel

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