The 19 San Juan Restaurants I Recommend Trying

With bold flavors and creative dishes, there are San Juan restaurants for every taste and palette.

This city is a true culinary hotspot. With everything from traditional Puerto Rican food to upscale international menus you’ll love, diving into the cuisine is one of the best activities in San Juan. 

Even as a local, I’m always discovering new places to eat. To help you eat to your heart’s content, here is my list of the top places to eat in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

19 Best Restaurants in San Juan

Don Ruiz

🍴 Cafe | $-$$ | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 787 723 1462

If you’re about to start exploring San Juan want to fill your belly up first, then make a stop at Don Ruiz.

Located inside the Cuartel Ballajá, Don Ruiz offers freshly brewed coffee, tea, sandwiches, omelets, wraps, and pastries. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy your coffee at one of the outside tables while admiring the view of Cuartel Ballajá.

Casita Miramar

🍴 Puerto Rican, Latin American | $$ | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 787 631 8265

Located on Avenida Miramar, this warm and inviting restaurant is a local favorite for its fresh and flavorful menu.

Casita Miramar, the sister restaurant of La Casita Blanca in Santurce, serves dishes made with local ingredients sourced from the owner’s family farm in Manatí.

While some items on the menu change, you’ll always find great local staples like mofongo. Plantain soup, drunken chicken, and tres leches are some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes.

Casita Miramar is housed in the former Hotel Toro, and the main dining room is decorated with vintage items from the hotel, giving it a nostalgic and cozy atmosphere. Just be aware that the place is small and often crowded, so you’ll probably have to wait before getting a table—but trust me, it’s worth it.

SUR Barra Nikkei

🍴 Peruvian, Japanese | $$$-$$$$ | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 939 775 0365

You might think you know Peruvian and Japanese cuisines already. But SUR Barra Nikkei in Santurce promises to teach you a new side of each with its unique fusion menu.

SUR Barra Nikkei boasts a relaxing and casual dining atmosphere where you don’t have to worry about appearances or etiquette. Yet, the presentation and flavors of their plates are as good as a 3-star Michelin restaurant.

Chef Rafael Ubior Serrati and his team create dishes meant not just to feed you but to produce an experience of distinctive flavors, textures, and colors. Whether you’re a connoisseur or new to fine dining, you will leave SUR Barra Nikkei with a smile on your face and already planning your next visit.

La Casita Blanca

🍴 Puerto Rican | $$ | 📍 Google Maps | 787 726 5501

Even if it’s off the beaten path, this cozy restaurant will give you a taste of traditional Puerto Rican dishes without any fancy additives. With a name that literally means “little white house,” this spot has a casual, vintage atmosphere that feels like it’s been the same for decades. It’s the original restaurant from the owners of Casita Miramar, so you already know it’s good!

Don’t be discouraged by the humble appearance, as you’ll enjoy a top-notch meal that feels just like a flavorful Puerto Rican grandma’s dinner. This is why you’ll often find a line-up outside.

The mofongo, codfish fritters, and garlic shrimp are some of the best dishes to try. Despite its popularity, the restaurant doesn’t have a parking lot (they do have valet parking!), so you’ll need to find street parking nearby.

1919

🍴 New American | $$$$ | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 787 724 1919

1919 is a fine dining restaurant led by Michelin-starred Executive Chef Juan José Cuevas. Located inside the Vanderbilt Hotel, the restaurant offers a four-course menu that puts a refined spin on local ingredients.

It also has a curated wine list to complement your meal. Beyond the food, 1919 delivers excellent service and a lovely atmosphere with ocean views. Just keep in mind that you’ll need a reservation and should dress up before visiting.

📚 Related Reading: Best Activities to Do in Puerto Rico. 

Marmalade

🍴 International | $$$$ | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 787 724 3969

Located in the infamous Calle Fortaleza, Marmalade is undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in the city. 

This fine dining restaurant offers 4, 5, and 6-course tasting menus with vegan and gluten-free options, made with local produce and fresh ingredients inspired by the blend of cuisines that meet in Puerto Rico. 

Expect vibrant, creative dishes like fluke sashimi, lamb tagine, or vegan pasteles, each plate both flavorful and harmoniously crafted.

Groups of six or more can enjoy Chef Peter Schintler’s expanded 14-course menu. You’ll need to find street parking in Old San Juan, which is challenging, but the experience is well worth it. Keep in mind to dress appropriately for this upscale dining experience.

Cocina Abierta

🍴 International, Latin, Caribbean | $$$ | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 787 946 1333

If you’re looking for a culinary experience that makes your taste buds dance, head over to Cocina Abierta in Condado. 

This inventive restaurant offers carnivore, omnivore, vegetarian, and pescatarian tasting menus of 4 to 6 courses that change frequently according to what is available in season, meaning your meal is both fresh and sustainable.

One of the things that sets this restaurant aside is its open kitchen (thus the name!). The open kitchen setup lets you peek behind the scenes.

The elegant atmosphere and wine pairings make it a great spot for a special night out, and there’s valet parking too.

Deaverdura

🍴 Caribbean, Puerto Rican | $ | 📍 Google Maps | 787 725 5513

Deaverdura, located on Calle Sol, is a go-to if you want to try classics like rice and beans or roasted pork without any of the fancy stuff that shows up on the bill in other restaurants in the area.

This casual, colorful restaurant offers a cozy dining area and a menu filled with Puerto Rican favorites like beef stew, pasteles, and tostones. It’s written on a chalkboard in Spanish, but don’t worry, you can always ask your server for recommendations.

Around lunch hours, you’ll find a queue, but you won’t regret waiting for a meal here!

Café Cuatro Sombras

🍴 Cafe | $$ | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 787 723 3853

One of the best places to enjoy coffee in Old San Juan is Café Cuatro Sombras.

With its elegant, minimalist, and calm environment, Café Cuatro Sombras is the perfect place to start your day with a cup of coffee or to sit down and work remotely if you’re a digital nomad visiting the capital city.

This shop sells farm-to-cup coffee grown at Hacienda Santa Clara in Yauco. The medium-bodied coffee, with chocolate and caramel notes, is grown under the shade of four types of trees, which gives the brand its name: “Cuatro Sombras.”

I recommend sampling the strong Puerto Rican coffee with a side of guava toast (yes, we do put guava on bread!).

If you’d rather enjoy the outdoor breeze, there’s a cozy patio out back where you can admire the detailed mosaic wall. If you’re driving, you’ll need to find parking on the surrounding streets.

La Bodeguita de Manolo

🍴 Latin, Spanish, Puerto Rican | $$-$$$ | 📍 Google Maps | 939 399 0001

One of the best options to enjoy Spanish and Latin American cuisine in Condado, La Bodeguita de Manolo, is a true hidden gem in the capital city. Tucked inside the AC Hotel, with a single entrance through the Sobao Bakery, this cozy yet refined spot offers a speakeasy vibe with moody lighting and intimate seating.

On the menu, you’ll find delicious Spanish tapas, black ink squid risotto, and ribeye steak you’ll want to pair with their great cocktail menu or wine list.

Cocina Al Fondo

🍴 Puerto Rican, Caribbean | $$ | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 787 469 5527

Cocina al Fondo has a rustic-chic charm with an outdoor patio, offering a laid-back yet elevated ambiance perfect for intimate dinners or memorable evenings out.

This Puerto Rican-owned restaurant draws inspiration from local traditions and history to create its creative menu. Ingredients are sourced from local farmers, fishermen, and even their own patio, so every plate is as fresh as it gets. 

Led by chef Natalia Vallejo, the kitchen produces dishes that feel like edible art, crafted to deliver a bold and unforgettable tasting journey.

Bodega Chic

🍴 International, French | $$-$$$ | 📍 Google Maps | 787 721 6083

While there are many spots to enjoy brunch in Old San Juan, Bodega Chic on Calle Fortaleza serves French-inspired dishes with Caribbean flair. This French bistro offers a laid-back bohemian atmosphere with vintage decor and a relaxed vibe.

Visit on Sundays to try omelets, Croque Madame, and mimosas for brunch, or at dinner time to indulge in French-inspired dishes like fresh mussels or braised lamb. The bar also serves up creative cocktails and has a great wine selection.

Vianda

🍴 Caribbean, Puerto Rican, Italian, Vegetarian | $$-$$$ | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 939 475 1578

Chef Francis Guzmán started his restaurant shortly after Hurricane Maria, and it didn’t take long for it to become famous.

Often praised for his flavorful and magazine-worthy plates, the chef brings his experience in Michelin-starred restaurants to craft each dish with care, drawing inspiration from both local and international cuisines.

Although the ingredients are locally sourced, Vianda always offers something new, as the menu changes with the seasons. The pork belly and squash lasagna are particularly popular.

Cocktails and beers aren’t to be missed either. You’ll find craft beers from Puerto Rican breweries on the menu, as well as cocktails made with local rum, like the Verano en NY. The wine list features a solid selection of red, white, and rosé.

The atmosphere at Vianda is warm with a modern vibe. I recommend making a reservation before visiting.

Ropa Vieja Grill

🍴 Puerto Rican, Cuban | $$-$$$ | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 787 428 0237

Besides being one of the best places to stay in San Juan, the Condado neighborhood is also packed with highly recommended restaurants. One of the best? Ropa Vieja Grill, located right on Condado Avenue.

This modern restaurant offers a flavorful fusion of Puerto Rican and Cuban cuisines, allowing foodies to enjoy the best of both cuisines served elegantly and colorfully. During your visit, try out the pork chops with rice or the mofongo topped with Ropa Vieja.

You’ll find both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a lounge-style bar area where you can sit if you’re alone or looking for a quick drink.

La Alcapurria Quemá

🍴 Latin, Puerto Rican | $$-$$$ | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 787 990 9444

While not exactly a typical restaurant menu, fritters like alcapurrias are a must-try if you’re a foodie visiting Puerto Rico. 

You won’t find many chinchorros in Old San Juan or Condado, but La Alcapurria Quemá, near La Placita de Santurce, is the perfect spot to try alcapurrias and pastelillos.

This small, casual eatery has a bar and both indoor and outdoor seating. If you’re not in the mood for fritters, go for the rice and beans with pork chops, the kind of comfort food that for many Puerto Ricans tastes like grandma’s cooking.

La Alcapurria Quemá stays open late, making it a great stop to grab a drink after dancing at La Placita, one of the best things to do in San Juan at night.

La Picadera Bar & Grill

🍴 Caribbean, Puerto Rican | $$ | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 939 238 9278

La Picadera Bar & Grill is an Old San Juan restaurant where you can grab local staples like mofongo. It’s perfect for lunch or a late-night dinner. 

The casual and unpretentious atmosphere allows you to relax without worrying about your looks.

I always go for Puerto Rico’s best dishes like tostones and rice and beans, but you’ll find seafood and pizza on the menu. Vegans have options too. The veggie mofongo and the sweet plantain canoe are worth checking out.

Best of all, the great food will be accompanied by great service.

Triana’s Tapas & Flamenco

🍴 Spanish, Puerto Rican, Seafood | $$ | 📍 Google Maps | Social Media | 787 725 8819

Triana’s Tapas & Flamenco is a San Juan restaurant near Paseo de La Princesa. The restaurant specializes in Spanish cuisine, but you’ll find some local dishes and seafood on the menu.

The grouper bites and Galician octopus are some of the menu’s most popular tapas. Get a Mofongo to enjoy a local and heavier plate.

Besides serving great tapas, Triana’s Tapas & Flamenco hosts live Flamenco shows on Friday and Saturday nights, a great alternative to the typical nightlife activities in Puerto Rico.

Café El Punto

🍴 Puerto Rican, Latin American | $-$$ | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 787 723 7159

Finding budget-friendly restaurants in Old San Juan might prove difficult even for locals. But, when I found Café El Punto, I was pleasantly surprised by the menu, which had good options under $15. 

Café el Punto is right in Calle Fortaleza (yes, one of San Juan’s busiest streets!). The restaurant itself has a unique structure, as it has multiple dining rooms along a long hallway of what used to be a Spanish colonial house.

The food mixes local and Latin American cuisine, but you can enjoy staples like mofongo, carne frita, and rice and beans here.

Don’t expect a fancy setting though! The place is quite casual and a bit chaotic, especially during lunch and dinner hours. But you’ll hardly find anything that beats this restaurant’s price-quality offer (or mojitos) on this street.

Peko Peko

🍴 Japanese | $$ | 📍 Google Maps | Website | 787 508 6377

Peko Peko is located in Miramar, one of the best neighborhoods in San Juan to visit if you’re a foodie. 

Although small, the restaurant has a cozy atmosphere and a minimalistic decor. Peko Peko takes pride in serving freshly made on-site ramen noodles and flavorful broths. Its small but focused menu centers on those two key elements.

The restaurant’s highlight, however, is its robot cat server, which takes your order to your table, creating a complete experience that will make you feel like you’re in some part of Japan. 

Check out the beer and drinks menu to find favorites like sake. Keep in mind that the waiting time can be long during peak hours.

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Local Dishes to Eat in San Juan

Mofongo

Mofongo is a traditional Puerto Rican dish made from mashed plantains, usually shaped into a half-sphere and deep-fried. Locals enjoy it on its own or stuffed with meat, chicken, or seafood.

I personally love a garlic chicken stuffed mofongo!

Alcapurrias

An Alcapurria is a type of Puerto Rican fritter filled with ground beef. The dough is prepared with shredded green bananas, yautia, and plantain, plus some local spices.

You’ll often find alcapurrias as part of the sampler in Puerto Rican restaurants, but if you want the real deal, you’ll need to search for food trucks and chinchorros, smaller food kiosks that sell fritters.

Rice and Beans

One of the staples of Puerto Ricans is rice. You can find it as a side dish on almost any traditional plate. Often it’s accompanied by red or pink beans. “ Arroz con habichuelas”, as we often call it, is so popular that you can even hear it mentioned in songs!

If you’re visiting a restaurant in San Juan, ask for rice and beans as a side dish with your main entree.

Piraguas

Touring Old San Juan on foot leaves every visitor feeling hot and thirsty. One of the best ways to escape the heat? Piraguas!

Hunt down the Piraguas kiosks around the city, and you’ll find yourself enjoying a delicious cup of manually shaved ice with a sugary syrup of your choice.

Raspberry and tamarind are my two favorite flavors!

Roasted Pork

Pork is an important part of Puerto Ricans’ diet and if you’re visiting the island, you can’t miss the chance to eat roasted pork. 

You’ll find the best-roasted pork in lechoneras (restaurants that specialize in the traditional dish) along Puerto Rico’s Pork Highway.

But the metro region has a few lechoneras worth trying, like Lechonera Gaby in Carolina.

If you liked this list of dishes, be sure to check out my full guide to the best Puerto Rican foods and dishes to try during your visit!

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Have you already decided which restaurant you’ll visit first? Let us know in the comments below! Before you go, check out my list of the top things to do in Puerto Rico. Enjoy!