The 18 best spots for arroz con gandules in San Juan

Go eat here. It's the best Empanadillas I had in Puerto Rico. Tasty, large, and cheap this is a much better option if your touring Casa Bacardi. At El Gordo you can go get two empanadillas and drinks for about 10 bucks. Perfect for breakfast or lunch if your on that side of the bay. Cash only though,so bring a twenty it's worth it.

The place is amazing. The food is delivered quickly. Everything is delicious! They also provide hot sauce at the counter.

The best empanadas in the world!

Best empanidilla in PR, the only ones you are going to find from cubed steak and cheese. Locals favorite is the STEAK and CHEESE, is the bomb. Dont miss out.

Extremely quick service and the food was delicious. Super affordable and It’s just a little local stand and we loved it. Pretty spot by the ocean to eat as well.

First time here. I didn't find anything outstanding. I ordered an empanadilla de pizza, my friend ordered a bistec and cheese, my mom ordered a beef one and my grandma ordered a chicken with lettuce and tomatoes. Everyone was satisfied with their orders. Everything was good but again nothing outstanding.

Fast, quick, and delicious service. You've gotta go early they're mostly a neighborhood spot for locals. Empanadillas of just about everything chicken, beef, pizza, and you can have them open it and add cheese or salad. Recommend adding both. Cheap too.

We enjoyed our food! The calamari is missing because it was eaten quickly. Be prepared to wait, but it is worth the wait. We arrived at 6p and within 30 minutes of our arrival they were full and busy! Subtracted one star for the saltiness of the fried pork.

We visited this local casual spot here in Puerto Rico and enjoyed another delicious meal. The place was packed, which gave it a lively atmosphere. Our server was just okay at first, but after a while she warmed up and service improved. I ordered the shrimp mofongo—it was good, though not quite as flavorful as the one I had yesterday. The empanadas were tasty, and I appreciated that the oil used was fresh and clean, without any leftover flavors from other foods. Overall, it was a good experience and worth the visit.

The food here is delicious and the prices were great. The service was just okay but I gave them the benefit of the doubt because it was overly crowded when we went. I got over it once I tasted that delicious food. I had the crab and lobster empanadas as a appetizer and it was so tasty. I tried the stuffed Avocado and it was amazing and the portions were huge. The beans and rice were delicious.

I had Casuela de mariscos with tostones and had to ask for an additional arroz mamposteado it was delicious. Food is really good, portion matches price. Their "sason" is unique and the service we got from Edward was good, his genuine kindness made us feel welcomed.

The service was nice and pleasant and after all the great reviews on social media I had to check this place out. The soup was flavored nicely it was just room temperature. I’m not sure if that’s how you’re supposed to serve it. The chicken by far was awful. Fried way too long and sucked out all the juices from it and was bone dry. Just a chalky taste. My tacos were ok. Nothing amazing but they could have been better. A lot better. I’m sad that I didn’t get the amazing flavors everyone on social media had. A lot of better places around the area in my opinion.

I came here at the recommendations of many people and honestly it was a decent suggestion. They were busy when I got there at 5pm on Mother’s Day (Sunday) and we had to wait in a line. I was eventually seated at a table by the window and was looking over my virtual menu for quite some time when the owner (?) came by and asked if I was by myself. I said yes so he asked me to get up for a second while he moved my table and took some of the chairs. No big deal…they are busy. Another 10ish minutes go by, I see a lot of tables around me getting served and I was getting a little disappointed by this time bc I thought maybe I was being overlooked. Finally after about 10-15m later from being at, a very sweet waitress greeted me and asked if I wanted to drink something. I declined and asked for recommendations on 1 appetizer, 1 entree and then dessert. I got the coquetas de pollo (6/10), monfongo with the garlic chicken (monfongo was kind of dry 4.5/10. Chicken was decent but could have used more of the gravy stuff 6/10) and a side of yellow rice with beans mixed into it (8/10). Everything was good. I wouldn’t say the best and I felt like it was lacking a little bit of flavor 🤷🏻‍♀️. The star of the show was their tres leche cake. I WISH I would have ordered 2!! It had a dense and moist cake with the 3 milks soaked in it and a whipped creamy brulee style topping and had a hint of coconut. It was 11/10!! Also, keep in mind the parking is crazy and I believe $15 so if you are traveling, highly suggest an uber as the area is very busy and populated

My girl friends and I arrived to the restaurant walked in and saw how busy it was. From that moment I knew the food had to be really good. There’s a long line once you get inside that starts from the back of the restaurant and may even start out side the back door. That’s how good the food is. People are willing to wait half hour need be to get a table. I ordered the Aguacate relleno de crab. It was delicious, I will say I wish it was a little warmer when it arrived to the table. It was cooked in a red sauce which I didn’t mind, just assumed it was just the crab meat alone. Each one of us ordered an Aguacate relleno with different proteins. They were all delicious. As an appetizer we ordered tostones relleno, add a little hot sauce and thank me later. For desert the Flan de Coco it was amazing.

This place was so cool! We sat at the bar and ordered the coconut frozen hot chocolate and the regular dark cocoa with cheddar cheese cube (on the side). Also got the little truffles in the case - these were delicious!! Unique experience while walking around Old San Juan. There is a door to the art gallery upstairs by the entrance, this was nice to check out afterwards. 10 out of 10!!

This place offers a great variety of food, and the service is excellent. Be sure to try the chocolate grilled cheese and the chocolate burger; they are both creative and fun dishes. The mocha coffee is superb, and brunch here is the best. The ambiance is pleasant, and the overall service was satisfactory.

This was such a unique experience. Who would have thought of a restaurant where everything is served with chocolate…even the burgers…of course the chocolate can be put on the side…. like the spicy chocolate that was served with the plantains. The restaurant was clean, and the food was delicious. However, the service needs help. Our server was Jonathan, and he was less than good. I cannot even say average as we waited a very long time for most of our drinks and food and the restaurant was not even full or busy…so this was a bit concerning. Now if he was new, I pray his service improves with time. Please check out pictures of food we had. The quesito was so delicious. Thanks.

We were intrigued by the idea of having chocolate in all menu items. It somewhat delivered. Our party had Latin smash burger, French toast, and grilled cheese with bacon. The chocolate sauce for the French toast was yum! The service was horrendous. Perhaps the server was new. He bungled the order so the grilled cheese arrived way after the other food. He also charged for the iced Americano even though we canceled it because they could not make it decaf. It was a fun restaurant with good food. I hope they work on training the servers better.

Strong and Delicious! Everyone was super polite and helpful. Multiple people helped us with our family's orders (not everyone could decide what they wanted the 1st time we ordered) they explained our options and were very patient with everyone in our group. 5 Stars For Sure!! **That is More Appreciated Than They Know!!**

Very interesting cuisine. A touch of chocolate in most of the dishes. Unique taste for chocolate lovers. Loved the art exhibit upstairs for a children's foundation.

Fellow travelers, when in Viejo San Juan, please visit Chocobar Cortés, the definitive Puerto Rican chocolate experience. This location is beautifully decorated with images from what seems to be past advertisement campaigns. They even have a wall covered with old metal chocolate moulds. Walk to the back of the seating area to find a display honoring the short stories that used to come packaged with the bars themselves, and a heartfelt letter from a longtime fan and consumer. During our visit, we ordered the following: - Don Ignacio (made with Barrilito 3-Star Rum) - Chocolate Old Fashioned (made with Woodford Reserve Bourbon) - Churros - Quesito Cortés Our favorite drink was the Don Ignacio, which to no surprise, acts as the flagship drink of the establishment. Both glasses were dipped in chocolate that hardened which just added to the beautiful presentation of the cocktail. The excelent service, inviting setting, and quality cocktails and products will certainly make you say: ¡Rico Chocolate Cortés!

Santaella was hands down the best dining experience we had in San Juan. Every dish was bursting with flavor and presented magnificently, the cocktails were delicious and balanced, and the service was warm, attentive, and genuine. The atmosphere is vibrant yet intimate, making it feel special without being stuffy. Yes, it’s pricier than most spots in San Juan, but the quality easily matches Michelin-level restaurants in NYC. Absolutely worth every penny and HIGHLY recommended!

Finally was able to make a reservation this past Saturday. We were sat immediately and Julian was our server. We started with drinks. My brother had the Paper Plane which he enjoyed and I had the Tamarind Margarita. We ordered half the menu and the standouts were the shrimp bao buns, jamon croquetas, goat cheese truffle honey quesadilla for appetizers. The entrees also met our expectations. My shrimp trifongo was creamy, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. My hubby's NY strip steak was cooked to temperature and my brother said his fried chillo was the best he's ever had. The vibe when we entered (about 7pm)was weird since they were playing like elevator music but towards the end closer to 9pm they started playing house music. Was hoping they would dim the lights a little as the night progressed but it remained very bright in the dining room. Aside from that minor grievance, we had a very positive experience. Thank you Santaella.

So reservations were made for 5 ppl at 10:30PM but seems like they don’t have a time limit on how long people can spend on a table simple because and we spent over 25-30 mins waiting on a table…. At the beginning the experience was not it honestly, especially when you are hungry and the last reservation of the night. So it started off rocky and then when seated certain food items were not available, I really wanted to be optimistic and really give them a chance sooo here it goes… what made it special was a couple of things its right next to La placita, very busy yet fun to go fine dining and party afterwards. However, for me was ambience it was busy but the jazz music really gives the vibes a flow. Even though certain food were not available the waiters provide us with other options to select of seafood, appetizers, red meat. The Chorizo empanadilla delicious, filled with chorizo and maduro. The GOAT quesadilla was what won my heart, so delicious and flavorful with goat cheese over arugula, drizzled writhing a sweet syrup yummy. Popcorn chicken with a sweet curry was good too. But after being told the pastel on was no longer available the chef decided to make us one from scratch and let me tell you IT DID NOT Disappoint! It was delicious, the maduros were smashed in perfect texture, ugh reminds my oh my grandmas pastel on. Let just say it made the beginning of the experience forgetting. The Service very friendly and on top. Even though we did catch a dish that was a bit dirty but that didn’t stop us from getting drinks, which were great and strong.

A bit disappointed. I feel this place is overrated. Nice location, good ambiance, but the food was just OK. Probably good for drinks and meeting people, but from a food quality perspective, I've been in other places in this town that in my opinion are much better for the price you pay. Service was cordial but a bit slow. We got couple of appetizers and one main dish to share but it took almost 2hrs to go through it. Only highlight of the night was the Goat Cheese Quesadilla, flavorful and the White Truffle oil gave it a good dimension. The popcorn chicken was ok, but won't be memorable. And we felt the Lacón Asado (Braised Pork) was too dry, and the caramelized part was not enough to balance it. It felt like a holiday dish that needed a cherry compote, or a cranberry sauce to complement it. For dessert they didn't have the Baked Alaska but we got an alternative Caramel Cake with flambeed meringue, but unfortunately it was extremely sweet. Desserts need a balance too.

The food and drinks were an absolute 10/10. Very unique flavors that work amazing together. Highly recommend the calamari appetizer and pork belly entree! Unfortunately, we did not have the best service during our dinner. Our server was not very attentive to take our orders and it took almost an hour for our entrees. I had told the host that it is my partner’s birthday and if they did something. He said he would tell our server and they brought out whipped cream in a ramekin with a candle…for the price and class of the restaurant - I expected so much better. I would have no problem paying for dessert if they had told me we had to get something.

Exceptional experience!! So great we were blessed to eat here 2 nights in a row!! Our flight was very late getting in and most restaurants closing, but Reinaldo found us 2 seats at the bar. We had grilled octopus appetizer and the seabass entree. The flavors were devine!! Jonathan at the bar has a real talent mixing the exotic cocktails that are offered. He was also very kind and helpful to suggest different dinner and drink options. The service here is exceptional. The second night we loved the ahi pops and tried an ages Puerto Rican rum tasting. Such a beautiful place with magical food and drinks and kind people. Thank you so much. I can’t wait to try out my new cookbook.

We got reservations for Santaella because we heard it was supposed to be amazing. Upon arrival we realized they gave us reservations for Azeteo even though the reservation clearly showed Santaella, which is still the same owners but their menu is significantly different with way less options. We ordered a good amount of food and it tasted good. The portions were small and the prices were on average for higher end food. Overall the meal was fine we were just looking forward to the Santaella menu!

Deaverdura is such a gem in Old San Juan! The food is full of authentic Puerto Rican flavor and feels homemade with love. We tried a mix of everything—fried plantains, sausages, and mofongo—and it was all delicious. Portions are generous and perfect for sharing with family or friends. The restaurant itself has a cozy, colorful vibe that makes you feel right at home. Service was friendly and welcoming, which made the experience even better. It’s the kind of place where you can sit back, enjoy amazing food, and soak in the local culture. Definitely a must-visit if you want a true Puerto Rican meal in a relaxed, fun atmosphere!

The food was amazing. Everything was spot on full of flavor. It’s a small space so wait times can be brutal especially if you’re having to wait outside in the heat BUT it is totally worth the wait. The sampler platter alone was enough for three people to eat and be full.

We got the sample platter! Fed theee of us easily! Loved the plantains rice pork lil sausages, and corn sticks. Ate blood sausage for the first time was OK but not my fav. Love the atmosphere and the food was delicious. The bathrooms were a little wonky one had a sink one didn’t and you had to get paper towels outside.

This place has great food. We tried the same dishes in other places, and this is the best tasting. We got the Puerto Rican sampler and LOVED IT. It gets busy here so be patient or come back and try another day. Night times are difficult to get in so don’t set yourself up for disappointments if you’re impatient. Not sure why some reviews say it’s not authentic, can’t get more authentic than this, my grandma would make all this. 🤷🏻‍♂️ And it’s like a home cooked meal.

Worth the wait! We went twice, and both times there was a line out the door—and for good reason. The place isn’t fancy, but the atmosphere is lively and full of local charm. The first time, we ordered the sampler and got a taste of everything: pork, rice, morcillas, tostones—it was all delicious. A true local gem we were happy to return to.

A quick Google search for Puerto Rican food within walking distance from Castillo del Morro lead us to Deaverdura. We also ended up with the sampler as other reviewers suggested. Thought it was good value and most of the items were good. The blood sausage …. It tasted exactly like the Korean version called sundae. The shredded pork, fried plantains/rice, and mini empanadas were good. The rest seemed a bit bland. Pineapple and tamarind juice hit the spot after walking in the humid but quaint cobblestone streets of old San Juan. Servers were nice but didn’t get much attention after the food arrived.

When you arrive there is a sign outside the restaurant telling you to wait for service. This can be anywhere from 10-30 minutes. Servers spend time with customers and provide good service and to do that they manage the amount of people coming in. Be respectful and wait for them to invite you in. The food was incredible. I got a coconut with rum as my drink and my wife got passion fruit juice. We got the chicken with garlic, white rice, and beans as well as the arroz con gandules and pernil. As is customary in Puerto Rico, each of our plates came with salad dressed with olive oil and vinegar. I wish we had more people with us so we could have ordered the appetizer sampler. This was easily one of the best meals we had in Viejo San Juan. This is a local spot where most of the customers were Boricua.

We stopped in during our recent cruise aboard the Carnival Celebration. It was highly recommended so we had to try it out. Unfortunately, I guess everyone on the ship decided to do the same, as they got slammed, slowing down service drastically. They opened at 11am, sitting by 1105a and done by 135p, not quite how I wanted to spend my afternoon in Puerto Rico but the food was delicious and our waiter was awesome. He continued to check on us constantly, bringing us drinks and informing us of the delays. Overall great spot if no cruise ships in port.

As I'm walking down Calle Recinto Sur in Viejo San Juan, I had plenty of restaurants to choose from for dinner. But one restaurant caught my attention because of the staff that was outside of the door. From the moment I walked in, the servers were incredibly warm and hospitable, dressed in beautiful traditional Puerto Rican attire that added a sense of pride and authenticity to the atmosphere. The music? Absolutely phenomenal!!!! Playing Salsa from an older era was like stepping into a time capsule of Puerto Rican soul. The variety of paintings on the wall also added to the ambiance. For dinner, I ordered Jugo de Piña and the Churrasco with Mofongo. The portion was perfect, not too much and not too little. The pineapple juice even had a piece of fresh cut pineapple with it. There are a lot of restaurants to choose from, but Raíces is a solid choice.

I will say, we came here two years ago and didn’t think we’d ever try this place out again, tonight though- we were in disbelief how quickly our food came out & how delicious everything tasted. Staff was friendly/ welcoming, it was clean & a bit chilly. We were here 2 years ago, it was very hot & after waiting a super long time without being helped, we ended up leaving. So this was night and day difference! We will definitely be back!

Four stars all around for this famous restaurant located in Old San Juan dining district. Fish Tacos were very filing. Bottled water is offered instead of tap water. Enjoyed the atmosphere and the waitresses who wore those white outfits. Very classy.

None of the dishes were very good. Fish was overcooked, octopus was tasteless and hard. Crab dish was ok but very little filling for the shell thickness. Best one was the sausage and that’s more related to quality of ingredients than the cooking. Not a place to come back or recommend.

Oh my goodness!!! The treats here are amazing. We stopped in to kill some time before a tattoo appointment in the area. The sponge cake on a stick - so good. This is where I discovered Quesito’s - freshly made - warm, and so good! I inquired about some strangle little round bread things in a bag at the counter, and the cashier explained it was homemade right there for salads - similar to croutons - but fresh! He gave us some to try. We ended buying a bag to bring home. This little place is worth it. Side note: bathroom was unavailable while we were here.

This spot is a tourist trap. Food here was just alright, not worth a second visit. The sausage was lukewarm like it was cooked the previous day. The Empanadillitas with ground beef were pretty hard. Chicken mofongo and chuleta kan kan were also just okay. The best items ordered were the drinks!

There's construction going on but still made the best of it. We are on a cruise and stopped in San Juan and was suggested this restaurant. The garlic shrimp was delicious. Pina Coladas were good very pineapple tasting. We also tried the Puerto Rican Delight. The empamadas looking things were good and the corn sticks were yummy. We were not a fan of the croquettes but that could be just us.

Barra China in Old San Juan is a good place to drink a cold and delicious piña colada at a reasonable price. The food was just ok and nothing to brag about, but tasty! I’ve always liked the tropical 🌴 atmosphere at Barra China, but after years and years of visiting this bar/restaurant I think that some remodeling and updates to the venue will bring in more business. The piña colada recipe continues to be the star ⭐️ of the show and the service friendly as always. See you soon BC! 🇵🇷

We tried their famous piña coladas—they were good, though I was hoping for a thicker, creamier texture. The appetizers were solid overall, but the standout was definitely the stuffed plantains. They were packed with flavor and absolutely delicious. A tasty start to the meal in a lively atmosphere.

Fun to try the first Pina Colada. We ordered food too and I would NOT order the skirt steak. I'm not sure what it was marinated with but we couldn't even take a bite and ended up paying for a full uneaten plate. We also had the seafood Mofungo. It wasn't my favorite but the seafood was decent. We did like the appetizer plate (2 person portion was easily split by 5). The staff were sweet and friendly! Nice little gift shop next door too.

They were under construction, so I imagine the atmosphere will be amazing soon but was just ok for us. Food was good but not exceptional. Pina coladas are as good as expected for the reputation.

We went for the piña colada and it was good. They were closing so we were only allowed to get it to go. I felt like I was drinking my mom’s fermented pineapple juice extract. I think it was because it was the original, the bar tender couldn’t explain to us the meaning of the taste of it because to us it was different from other ones we had.

If you come here stick to the Pina colada drinks!!! Read more and you’ll find out why. Let’s start with the outside, gorgeous exterior, great photo opportunities. We walked inside and waited for the hostess. We debated whether on grabbing drinks to go vs enjoying drinks at the bar but it was crowded. After waiting a couple of minutes at the to go bar we decided to dine in. Service was still slow at the dining area and the waitress made a comment that she would not be able to greet our table anytime soon since she had other tables. We were there for almost 20minutes or so before we were able to place our order. Eventually she greeted our table and she was fairly pleasant. Of course we ordered Pina coladas which were absolutely delicious. My homegirl is a slow drinker and surprisingly she finished her drink before me! The tostones with pollo and plantanos with mariscos were decent. It lacked flavor but for the price and how hungry we were at that moment we still ate it.

Very disappointed my wife has been talking about this place weeks before we got here. So we went in ordered 2 whole red snapper meals and shrimp empanadas the empanadas were fantastic believe it or not the hot sauce that they clean to be the best in town really was but the red snapper was 100% the worst I’ve ever had when the waiter came and asked everything was he could tell by the look at our face that we were very disappointed and we told him it was extremely overcooked to the point you had to use a knife to cut it. And not seasoned at all. We had to cover it with the hot sauce. The killer part was the water said,” I saw it when it came out and I knew it was over cooked!!!” The why did you search it??????? They discounted 15 bucks and gave us a bottle of hot sauce…..

Faat service and good food is what you'll get when you dine here. I was directed to come here for the Mufongo, and they did not disappoint! That dish was enough for two adults and some, and the tenderness on the proteins was amazing!

This Guy Fieri restaurant near Condado Beach is definitely aimed at tourists. From the outside, it looks like a casual mom-and-pop dive bar, but don’t be fooled—it comes with premium prices. We spent $100 for two entrées and an appetizer, which felt excessive. You can find similar (and often better) food across the island for a fraction of the cost—easily 75% less. We ordered the shrimp empanada appetizer, which cost $15 for two empanadas that were cut in half—so four pieces total. Each half had maybe half a shrimp and some cheese. Definitely not worth the price. The plated meals tasted good, but still didn’t justify the steep cost—unless you're just here to say you've been to a Guy Fieri spot. Also, be aware there’s no free parking. There’s a small uncovered lot next door for $12 (24 hours), but we chose the underground garage at La Concha Casino—$7 for one hour or $12 for two. It's a bit more upscale and felt safer. Plus, you get to check out the hotel and casino on your way in or out. In short: If you're a big Guy Fieri fan, maybe it's worth a quick visit. Otherwise, there are better, more affordable options all over the island.

Orozco is the type of restaurant that would come up pretty quickly on any Google search if you’re looking for authentic food in Condado, San Juan. The food is authentic and it is quite delicious. We came in on a Tuesday afternoon around 5pm and there was a fair amount of patrons. This is our first time in Orozco and didn’t know what to expect. We were a bit skeptical at first because we see that the prices are gravitated more towards tourist, They do seem pretty expensive. But the shrimp empanadas that we got were OUT OF THIS WORLD . You can taste the garlic and fresh shrimp in every bite. The dough wasn’t oily , but perfectly fried. The accompanying sauce and hot sauces at teg table were PHENOMENAL. Heres the thing though, you only get two empanadas for $15. The water bottles were $3 each and we got 2. $21 before tax and tip. Tax is unavoidable (almost 12% at the time of this review) and we always tip 20%. Thats a total of $28 for 2 empanada and 2 water bottles were. Even though they were delicious , we are not sure if the prices justify the portion. We wouldn’t mind coming back because the food is great , and we only had a snack here. So open to trying them again. We would also like to note that the service is pretty standard for the island . A little more laid back and they take their time . We waited at least 10 min before someone came to take our order and another 10 min just for 2 water bottles. If they can speed up their service, serve larger portions to justify the prices, and maybe change the video of Guy Fieri on a continuous loop across the TVs, this would easily be 5 stars . Subjective and personal review : 3.8/5 stars , but I’ll let ya be the judge .

The atmosphere and the customer service were great. Unfortunately, was not impressed by the food, and it was a bit overpriced in my opinion. Chicken nugget and french fries was $20 even though the menu says $12.

I’ve been going here for over 15+ years and the service, food, people and value has gone down significantly. It took a long time for us to get our food. The food portion size is different. No skirt stake with rice, beans and plantains. We wanted apps, however everything was too slow. No longer open for breakfast and lunch, so maybe they are charging more for less. I understand the pricing must go upwards/ tiny portions/but Geesh at least keep up the quality & service. Fish was fresh and delicious. My kids enjoyed the food. Just no longer the best in PR. Live music was ok, need more TLC & friendly pp. It was a disappointment.

Loved the food!!! Comfort food just like I would get in Hawaii. I was so happy to find a restaurant serving pasteles! Everything was delicious and the live saxophone music was an added bonus! Will definitely return!

Café Manolín is a gem in Old San Juan! Super chill spot with classic Puerto Rican food that hits the spot. They serve up authentic island comfort food with fast service and generous portions. Don’t leave without drinks & dessert too; coffee with brown sugar, “china”(fresh orange juice), flan & a shot of local Rum made this a great way to kick off our adventure in PR.

Our food was out of this world and the wine pairing elevated our experience to the next level. The service was exceptional, thank you Anna! This was a special treat but way worth the cost.

We were on the hunt for affordable Puerto Rican food in Old San Juan—and we found a hidden gem! This place is absolutely amazing. There’s no big sign out front, and while GPS said it was on the right, it’s actually on the left. Just look for a purple building with a small sign—that’s your spot. The vibe inside is warm and cozy, like a mix between a café and a diner. The prices are super reasonable, and the menu has a great variety of Puerto Rican favorites. We ordered the 10 oz churrasco and wow—it was cooked to perfection. I’d read that this spot has the best churrasco on the island, and I have to agree. If you’re in Old San Juan and craving authentic, affordable Puerto Rican food, this place is a must-visit. Highly recommend!

We sat at the counter which was tight. The waitress didn’t tell me switching rice and beans for mofongo was up priced. The mofongo dry and hard. The waitress forgot to upgrade my husband’s rice and beans which was a good thing because the rice and beans were better. His king fish and plantains were good.

Manolín Café was the perfect taste of San Juan during our cruise stop. The place was buzzing with locals, the line moved quickly, and the energy felt authentic. I had the mofongo with fried pork—crispy, garlicky, and packed with flavor. It was exactly the kind of local experience you hope to find between ports.

Food might be good if it were served hot. Looks good. Atmosphere is perfect for what you would expect for local counter restaurant has a few tables in the back.

Wifey and I had a late lunch at this location. It was highly recommended and we absolutely loved it. We were on a cruise celebrating 10 years of marriage, and we very much wanted something local and authentic. From the warm welcome, the great service from our server Jerry, to the drinks and the excellent food. It was worth every penny and every minute. We will definitely plan to return on our next visit to Puerto Rico

The entire experience was excellent here. The food and service were both top notch. Everything was extremely fresh and flavorful. I came here with my dad and we shared the vegan Empanadas, he had the Boricua Fest, and I had the Criollo Tofu. We both enjoyed everything we had here. Our server Daniel was wonderful and very knowledgeable about the food and gave us great explanations and suggestions.

I had a great experience at Cafe Berlin, the place was cozy and the food was delicious. Our server was great and made sure our experience was a good one. I have a gluten allergy and appreciated the care that went into making sure I wouldn’t have a reaction.

This place was so cute! Service and food was great so were the prices! It definitely gave Puerto Rico cafe! An added bonus is “ I love SJ” sign right outside the cafe! If you’re planning to visit Old San Juan make this apart of your stop.

Delicious coffee. I had smoked salmon and in my opinion the bread was too much. like cut too thick and little bit dry with almost no flavor. Smoked salmon was delicious.

This was our second time at Cafe Berlin and they have not disappointed us yet. The food, the drinks, the atmosphere, and it pays to go when the weather is below 80 to enjoy the outside seating and the breeze coming in from the ocean.

What a unique & traditional place I ran into. After making a new friend in old San Juan & having too much food for lunch we wanted to drink something cold. It was getting kinda hot outside ! So we ran into this cafe, I really loved the decor.especially the use of Red, so welcoming ! we didn’t stay for a long time but had lots of laughs while sitting there & drinking my Virgin pina colada.

Amazing amazing amazing! DELICIOUS food with very kind staff and fantastic atmosphere! Loved the decor, the drinks were tasty, and while prices were higher than most places, I’d say it was well worth it for the quality of food and guaranteed vegan dishes we ordered. Highly recommend if you’re in Old San Juan! I completely cleared my plate of the Criollo Tofu

Great place . Unfortunately, it will be closing in day as the owners are retiring. A local gem that shows care and love in all they serve. We had the brunch . The problem was that with the announcement that they are closing , there was a wait that lasted is for three hours due to the onslaught of tourist and regulars before they closed But once we were served ,it was worth it. My wife had waffles topped with strawberries,kiwi and bacon and a light topping of powdered sugar. I had the Nutella waffles which as you guessed had drizzled Nutella. Also, fresh strawberries, kiwi and a side of latte cappuccino which was delicious. Made homemade and fresh . I scarfed it down . My wife ate hers with such joy. The owners , gave us a strawberry in whipped cream and had a candle with it, as it was my wife's birthday. Both owners apologized for the service but it went to the fact that they were understaffed and the place has such a stellar reputation. But , hopefully, one day they might reopen in another way or open in another form . Thank you for such an experience. We enjoyed it .

Absolutely amazing! The owners are very kind and knowledgeable. They are a married couple and you can tell they are very passionate about their restaurant. The waffles are amazing, super fluffy, moist, and you can get them either sweet or savory! A must stop when in San Juan, you do not want to miss out on this. They have an amazing cocktail menu and a large selection of teas to choose from. Well priced, and we will definitely be back!

THE BEST RESTAURANT IN ALL OF PUERTO RICO! The mouthwatering savory side of the menu fulfills your taste bud needs you didnt even know existed. Then you enter the sweet succulent side of the menu where you can top off any sweet craving you can think of. Its pure perfection here. The remarkable gentleman is outstanding and makes you feel at home and the beautiful lady brings nothing but smiles to your face upon entering and sitting. An absolute unreal experience its a shame i cannot start my day here everyday. Thank you for such an incredible time!!! —The 2 jersey guys

The people are so friendly and passionate. Even when the power went out they went down the hall so that they could still serve some menu items. The tea menu is so long and the waffles are customizable. As someone who eats gluten-fre and dairy-free it was really nice to find the entire menu was available to me, not just a small section. I highly recommend this place, it has been my favorite restaurant of the whole island.

The food is amazing. The staff is passionate, attentive, and happy to explain and give recommendations. Could not decide on sweet or savory, so ordered half waffles of each. So so good. Will come any time I return to the island.

Where to even begin! We came early to beat the crowd. Because of this, we got an amazing run down of the menu, the teas, the coffee process and their history from one of the owners. To start- the coffee was incredible. Some of the best coffee I've had, and after learning how they make it, I was so excited to try it and it did not let down! I'm missing it already. The owner explained the menu from head to toe, gave recommendations, and told us that everything can be substituted/adjusted so that every bite is the exact way you want it (I love this, because you feel like you're at home and can make your waffle have the exact toppings/proportions that would would do if you made it yourself). My sister and I each got a savory half waffle and a sweet half waffle, with coffee, and it was the perfect amount. They were absolutely incredible, and every time I come to PR in the future I will be stopping here. The couple that owns it were so kind and welcoming and I really hope this place continues to be successful, as they seem to have so much passion for what they do. I did not get to try any of the teas, but they had a huge list to offer and could make them into cocktails, iced teas, milky teas, literally anything you could want. Definitely check this place out as you will not regret it one bit!

The food was delicious! The waffles are sweet or savory. I loved the savory smoked salmon with manchego cheese, also the guac and smoked salmon one. You can get half orders so you can try two types or it’s just a good option if you aren’t that hungry. I also ordered a small fruit bowl, which was a little small then I expected but honestly was still a good portion.

this place rocks!! the ceviche nachos tasted so fresh and delicious, and the fish tacos were so good. the portions are HUGE for the price , and it was delicious and good quality! we also got drinks- one margarita is only like $5.50 and wow it gets you feeling right!! i wish i had ordered more margs haha! would recommend! it’s extremely affordable and it’s delicious! our server (i think their name was Christelle) was so sweet, too! :)

The atmosphere at Vagon is simply delightful. It's a cozy and inviting space, perfect for a relaxed time out. The service was exceptional! The personnel were attentive, knowledgeable, and made some excellent recommendations from the menu. I definitely recommend it!

comfortable outdoor spot with authentic Mexican flavors, refreshing cocktails and very friendly staff. the fish tacos were excellent (best i've had since a Tulum trip 20 years ago). the refried beans and chicken on the nachos were perfectly seasoned along with the fresh fried tortilla chips. Amaretto margarita was real tasty and not to be skipped . can't wait to return to try more👍🏼

Amazing ceviche tacos, great service and nice breezy outdoor atmosphere that is covered. Added bonus was the adorable Russian blue kitty charming us while we waited and ate.

Amazing experience and a must in Santurce. We had the Queso Fundido and empanada. So delish. Then we had baja fish tacos and chicken quesidallas. So filling and delicious. I wish we had the cerviche nacjos, they looked amazing. For sure the next visit. Of course, we had Pina coladas and they were great. Price is affordable and really good visit. A+++

Very friendly atmosphere. The food is always delicious and it comes out very fast. Been coming here for the past 2 weeks while working. Never disappoints. It may be a little tough to find parking, but definitely worth checking out.

Parking was a pain to find, but there is a lot nearby (I believe it was $2 to park there). My son had fish he loved it and so did I… I had chicken tacos and those were just okay. Their piña colada 10/10!! Overall good price and service.

We had high expectations, though the menu sounds delicious everything we had was quite bland. The soup and appetizers were cold, the chocolate soufflé everyone raves about was anything, but rich. It was large in portion, but tasteless. The sea bass was cooked well, but had no flavor. The Gouda bites were cold and tasted like Cheetos. The best thing was the free bread. Atmosphere felt rushed and busy. Our server Rafael was great and very warm. He was the best part of the restaurant. Another positive is that the tuna tartar was excellent, but sadly among the dishes, the only good one. I don’t leave bad reviews, but for the price point and the prestige of the place we were led to believe it had, I felt others should know. Additionally QR code menus really took away from the ambiance. For an upscale experience in San Juan, I recommend Marabar 1919.

Nice upscale restaurant in the San Juan area. Staff is very friendly and the atmosphere is bright and nice. The cocktails were made really well. The dishes were all filled with rich flavors, but I found the apps and smaller plates to have more unique flavors than the entree white fish. However everything was still great and highly recommended here for an upscale lunch!

It was good. I didn't care for the fish sauce on the prawns, but that's personal taste. The appetizer and coconut mousse desert were very good.

This chic, modern restaurant by renowned Puerto Rican chef and passionate ambassador for the island’s cuisine, Mario Pagán offers an elevated dining experience you won’t soon forget. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is stylish yet welcoming, the service is top-tier, and every dish reflects a refined take on Puerto Rican flavors. Mario Pagán Restaurant is just one of several exceptional dining destinations crafted by Chef Pagán across the island, each with its own personality and menu, but all rooted in his signature approach: fresh, elevated, and full of flavor.

Great restaurant! The food was simply exceptional — every dish was fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. It’s a must when you are in San Juan.

This review is based solely upon my opinion and food restrictions. Let me start by saying our waiter was genuinely concerned she was personable staff were very attentive, respectful, We started with what we thought would be the absolute best Alcapurias we would ever have sadly, we were very disappointed felt like Salt was the only flavor coming through. Unfortunately, I wanted the only thing that they were out of “chicken”. She told me they had an alternative since I had certain dietary restrictions. Recommended sweet potatoes with a very fresh tasting salad, very fresh cheese topped with quinoa and some type of what seemed like corn flakes type of crunchy feeling to it. Half the plate would have sufficed. What started very salty, and crunchy grew into extremely sweetness very undesirable towards the end the smoke on the sweet potatoes was excellent however. My wife had the drink it was very good her lobster tail was so full of meat was excellent. Not a fan of the smoke in the room at all. Btw- I apologize in advance for such a negative review as I do know over salting can really ruin a meal. I only wanted to eat exceptional Alcapurias to finish my San Juan experience. On my way to Aguada before I leave back to NJ I will continue to try hitting up the food carts.

I had high expectations here, unfortunately it was bad. High price and poor quality. We had two appetizers, tuna tartare, which was bland and the Gouda bites, it was ok. My husband had the canelon de cabrito, it tastes cow meat and it came cold. I ordered the filet with gnocchi. I ordered medium, it came medium well, also cold, 5 pieces of gnocchi, and something that come was under the broccoli was extremely sweet and unnecessary in the plate, I could not eat. I ordered the coconut mousse with pomegranate ice cream, it was ok, nothing wow. Because I said that plate took a long time to come and it was cold, they gave us a free dessert, a cheesecake. I really appreciate their gesture and that dessert was the best thing that night.

Really friendly service. Lots of food options, plenty of seating, good music, public bathroom, nice art, easy to get to. Love the atmosphere. Saw a roaming hen with two small chicks.

I loved the different choices of food options we could choose from. It was a nice easy walk from the art museum too. The food was delicious

The drinks at Tequila Cantina are delicious and the bartender is super sweet. We came here after trying to go to La Casita Blanca . It was a 2 hour wait there . Mofongo here was great but don’t do Bicteca . The pork was little too salty. If you are a New Yorker (Nuevayol in the house ) go for the drinks and maybe pizza , the locals love their pizza here .

Great options unique flavors and all the trucks were super chill no one was aggressive or fighting for your business the staff was super patient too

This food cart pod reminds me of home in Portland, Oregon. Lots of variety. Great food at La Sobrina and tasty beer from Salitre.

First time coming here, loved it. Awesome for the whole family LOTS OF VARIETY from drink like beer rum mojitos, Mexican food, pizza, soup, burger, ice cream. Definitely recommend it to everyone. Went to Postreo Jaus, PIRA.RUM (Watermelon Mojito), Deep Dish (cheese deep dish & meat lover tavern pizza) today. All were awesome

Very nice touristic place for a beer or a coctail. Even better at night. We ate a Carribean food from the green track . Very delicious but pricey. (16$ with tax). They say that PR is a bit cheaper than the US but the prices here are still expensive. Nice for a drink only.

A great restaurant for traditional Puerto Rican cuisine. The staff are very friendly and welcoming, the dining rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the kitchen is working hard! Plenty of parking, and a fully stocked bar make this restaurant an easy winner all around.

Is like 6 minutes from the centro médico and veterans Sj hospital. Friendly and aesthetic is awesome makes you forget you are in the city takes you to the campo experience.

The food was average at best—overly salty, though at least served hot. Unfortunately, the service was extremely disappointing. It took more than an hour for our entrées to arrive, nearly 40 minutes after we had finished our appetizer, despite the restaurant being only about half full. Our server was unfriendly and inattentive, checking on us only rarely. I had planned to order a second cocktail but chose not to, both because of the lackluster service and because my empty glass, placed visibly at the edge of the table, was ignored. Even when we flagged the server down to ask for the check—while we were still eating—it was only because we weren’t sure when he might return again. Overall, the poor service overshadowed everything else. Between the long waits, inattentive staff, and mediocre food, this is not a place I would visit again, nor would I recommend it to others.

We ate here before going to the airport. The place is beautiful and our server was nice. Food was not great however. I ordered the garlic shrimp mofongo which was very salty. My friend ordered the fried snapper mofongo and she loved it. My other friend ordered the octopus with rice and beans, she didn’t like it because the octopus was hard which means it wasn’t thoroughly cooked. My other friend ordered steak with rice and peas, she said the steak was a bit chewy and tasted better with the chimichurri sauce. I would not come back for the food.

This place is awesome. With over 10 years this restaurant survived everything. Actually right now is really hard to find plantains on the island and this guys got and really good ones. The food is excellent (not only big portions, really tasty also), the service is good, parking available on street, many tables available and cocktails menu. You can’t go wrong with this restaurant.

Decided to stop with family while in Puerto Rico for lunch before flying back to FL. Food was fresh and with lots of flavors. Prices are fair, customer services from the employees was very welcoming and friendly. I will recommend you go and go early because it does get crowded with families enjoying the food and atmosphere.

What a great experience returning there after so many years! I went there when the business was starting and had not gone back. Not only did we have a great time, but the food was sooooo good, everybody left their plate clean! We shared with my brother, who was visiting from the USA and had never gone there, and he had a ball! So did we!

One of the best dinners I’ve had. The attention to detail, the service and the elegant but laid back atmosphere all create a unique and authentic experience. The food was amazing! Wine selection 10/10. So happy

My favorite restaurant in Puerto Rico! They change their offerings every two months, showcasing an eclectic menu always. This restaurant is for the curious, fun, and adventurous palate. Great wine selections too!

This is absolutely one of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to. A must try if you’re in San Juan. The food is so delicious and creative, like nothing I’ve ever seen before. The fish is fresh every single night and the team that curates and cooks every meal is amazing, so attentive to the guests, your experience and feedback. Couldn’t recommend more! Also, you’re eating in a beautiful art gallery. 10/10 experience

Creative cuisine with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Their dish creations are especially divine. The place is beautiful with a very pleasant atmosphere. They have very good wines and they guide you during dinner to pair the dishes with the wine that best suits them. The service is top and each and every one of the staff knows the product served in the restaurant, which makes it a special dinner due to the first-class attention you receive when you are there. Thanks!🧡

After a year of drooling over every single picture that Celeste's team posts on social media, my family and I finally got to experience their heartfelt hospitality and boundless culinary talent. Blown away doesn’t even describe how we felt during our meal. There were tears of joy. There was a range of guttural noises and gasps between forkfuls. There were flavors I want to relive every day, forever (sadly, we live hundreds of miles away). The atmosphere is intimate yet elevated; a perfect balance between comfort and experience. Diners are surrounded by an eclectic composition of music and art, and are served masterpieces on a plate. Our lineup was one spectacular dish after another, highlighting the freshest local ingredients, and daring our tastebuds with every bite: * Bone marrow whipped with Canadian maple syrup, cayenne pepper, and topped with fried green shiso leaves. Picatostes on the side for scooping. 🤤🫠 * King salmon crudo with twice-fried shallots and pistachio oil in a tandoori guava sauce. 🔥 * Berberechos (cockles) with lime, watermelon radish, pink celery, and red peppers. Tears were shed. 🥲 * Blackfin tuna crudo drizzled with fermented mango honey and topped with flaky sea salt and Thai basil. ☠️ * Yellowfin tuna crudo with Meyer lemon, fried capers, and caper leaves. 🌟 * Dorado with sweet green melon, lulo juice, cured cucumber, white onion, coriander seed, and cilantro oil. 💚 * Cardinal prawns a la plancha with Old Bay, fresh herbs, and garlic oil. 🦐 * Tuna and swordfish flautas. 😍 * Quail with pink celery under whipped escabeche and a marsala glaze. 💛 A second stomach would have been a gift at this point, but we couldn't leave without tasting the incredible milhojas (super reminiscent of a Mexican cajeta, especially the one from the tragically closed Cielito Lindo in Condado), and the delectable knefe, a perfect nod to the Levantine treat. ✨ A trip to Puerto Rico would be incomplete without visiting Celeste. I can’t wait to see what they cook up next. 🩵

What a restaurant! Great atmosphere, fresh food, locally sourced ingredients, and great wine selection. The tomato, the tuna, the lamb, the fish, the desert, all exceeded expectations. Owner and staff were very welcoming and made sure we had a 5 star experience. Reservations are required, we appreciate it because it made for a quiet and intimate environment. We will be sure to make another reservation next time we are in San Juan.

WOW what an epic find (if I do say so myself…!) every single dish was incredible. I really loved how much roe was included in the rice dish. Also obsessed with the tartare and spice level. I wish we could go back in time and start the meal over. Service impeccable. I will agree with the other reviewers that it can be a bit awkward to ask the price of a glass of wine so I think the server should go ahead and say the per glass price upfront to save the guest the “will I or won’t I?” Thank you for such an amazing experience tonight!

Good food

(Translated by Google) The variety of food is excellent and very tasty. (Original) La variedad de comida es excelente y muy sabrosa.

(Translated by Google) They also have fresh fish (Original) También tienen pescado fresco

(Translated by Google) Good service and family (Original) Buena atención y familiar

(Translated by Google) Good (Original) Bien