The best restaurants in San Juan; where to eat in Puerto Rico’s capital
By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor
From Santurce to Condado to the capital’s historic old quarter, San Juan is a superb dining destination with diverse restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets. So when you’ve had your fill of sightseeing, shopping and salsa dancing, here are the city spots where we recommend you refuel.
Jose Enrique
There’ll likely be a wait at this lively Santurce restaurant where the star chef turns out flavorful local dishes and the signature Naturola cocktail (made with rum, coconut water, passionfruit, and pineapple). But it’ll be worth it.
Yantar
At this Condado dining room, talented Chef Xiomara Marquez gets our vote for her Spanish cuisine, executed with precision to an art form.
Santaella
Also in Santurce, the only thing we love more than the inventive décor at this chic spot (formerly a hardware store) is the goat cheese quesadilla. And the veal cheeks in red wine. And the …
Cocina Abierta
We’re particularly partial to this Ocean Park restaurant’s creative take on the traditional mofongo, made with duck confit and served with a shitake mushroom consommé drizzled on top.
Sage Steak Loft
Carnivores converge at the small but sensational steak house at Condado’s Hotel Olive. And if you’ve got an ache for steak, you should, too.
Pikayo
For more than 20 years chef Wilo Benet has helmed the kitchen at this Euro-Caribbean classic at the Condado Plaza Hilton where we adore the exquisite pikaderas (small plates).
Pelayo
Chef Luis Cueto’s hidden gem in a quiet residential corner of Condado is a haven for lovers of authentic Spanish cuisine.
Laurel Kitchen | Art Bar
Dine amid design at this elegant yet un-stuffy space in the city’s Museum of Art, where the menu features creative interpretations of traditional dishes and local produce.
Mojito’s
Every local has a favorite place to eat mofongo, the iconic twice-fried mashed-plantain Puerto Rican dish. This Old San Juan eatery is one of ours.
Budatai
You really can’t go wrong with anything on the diverse menu at chef Robert Treviño’s Caribbean/Asian fusion restaurant in Condado, but we’re big fans of the halibut with coconut and lemon/lime sauce.
Aji Dulce
On Calle San Jose in Old San Juan, this restaurant specializes in comida criolla (local cuisine), and you can taste the owner’s passion for authentic Puerto Rican flavors in every dish he serves.
Casa Cortes
Start the day sweetly with breakfast of pastries and hot chocolate (served the local way with a slice of cheese for dunking) at this Old San Juan “chocobar” owned by Dominican chocolatiers.
Asere
Be transported to 1950s Havana at this Santurce newcomer that has a “secret” after-hours bar on the second floor where the flamed cocktails are a must-try.