Must-see restaurants in Puerto Rico

  • José Enrique

    San Juan

    Hidden in a pink house without a sign, you'll have no problem finding one of Puerto Rico's best restaurants – just follow the excited foodies in-the-know…

  • Front view of vegetarian restaurant Verde Mesa.

    Verde Mesa

    San Juan

    Tucked down a historic old-town street, this little gem of a restaurant is lauded for its creative menu, with great options for vegetarians and vegans…

  • Antojitos del Callejón

    San Juan

    This hole-in-the-wall is a local favorite known for its delicious criollo dishes and antojos (fried finger foods). Plastic tables are set up in front, in…

  • Kioskos de Luquillo

    El Yunque & East Coast

    Luquillo’s 60 beachfront food stalls line the western edge of Hwy 3, serving up delicious dishes at budget-friendly prices. Choose from sit-down…

  • Restaurante La Guardarraya

    Ponce & South Coast

    You’ll see signs announcing chuletas can can island-wide, but this 1957 institution, on stilts in a tropical forest clearing outside Yauco, is the place…

  • La Casa de Los Pastelillos

    Ponce & South Coast

    After seeing the sorry excuse for what passes for pastelillos (fried dumplings) elsewhere, you might not recognize the namesake of this seaside patio…

  • La Estación

    El Yunque & East Coast

    This gas station turned top-notch Nuyorican barbecue nods to its former life – perhaps an old dashboard or a steering-wheel spit. The menu is just as…

  • Vianda

    San Juan

    This fine-dining, farm-to-fork restaurant from husband-and-wife team Francis Guzmán and Amelia Dill has quickly become a key fixture on the city’s vibrant…

  • El Quenepo

    Vieques

    Upscale El Quenepo has a lovely interior and an equally delectable menu. The food is catch-of-the-day fresh – a family of seven brothers supplies the…

  • Raya

    San Juan

    This sleek, art-deco-style restaurant from Mario Pagán, one of Puerto Rico’s top chefs, puts the focus on Caribbean-Asian fusion. Scattered with edible…

  • Degree 18 Juice Bar

    El Yunque

    This open-air cafe-bar serves spectacular smoothies, juices and açaí bowls. Ingredients are fresh and tropical, made with fruits, herbs and spices from…

  • Señor Paleta

    San Juan

    This hole-in-the-wall institution sells artisanal paletas (popsicles) made from fresh fruit, nuts and other tasty treats. Flavors range from coconut,…

  • Blac Flamingo Coffee

    Culebra

    For the best caffeine fix on Culebra, head to this cool, industrial-chic cafe a 10-minute walk north of Dewey, where there's everything from cappuccino to…

  • Acapulco Taqueria Mexicana

    San Juan

    The best street tacos in town. Acapulco is a purist – no cheese, lettuce or hard shell, but the real deal: a pair of stacked corn tortillas, sizzling meat…

  • Round Eye Ramen

    San Juan

    If you’re craving authentic ramen, this long, skinny resto is the place. It serves steaming bowls of flavorful broth and homemade noodles topped with pork…

  • Coqui Fire Cafe

    Vieques

    This cafe lights up Isabel Segunda's foodie scene with delicious Mexican dishes served with flair. Try the carnitas (pork shoulder braised in chilies and…

  • Berlingeri Cocina Artesanal

    San Juan

    One of the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in the city is tucked away at the back of an Ocean Park car park. Once you’ve found it, choose from a…

  • Peccas Helado Artesanal

    El Yunque

    After a hot and sweaty hike through El Yunque, this artisan ice-cream shop makes the perfect stop-off. All the flavorsome ice creams, sorbets, shakes and…

  • Santaella

    San Juan

    Puerto Rican chef José Santaella's namesake restaurant is one of San Juan's best. It buzzes with excitement, thanks to the tropical vibe, the craft…

  • Zaco's Tacos

    Culebra

    This hip restaurant dishes up ultrafresh Mexican fare plus a smattering of super salads. Tasty tacos include carnitas, beef and shrimp, or if you're extra…

  • Lluvia Deli Bar

    El Yunque

    This stylish contemporary cafe dishes up a range of creative meals, from excellent breakfasts – don't miss the guava pancakes – to lunchtime outsized…

  • Bistro del Mar

    El Yunque & East Coast

    This tiny food cart packs a taste-bud punch with tempting takes on Puerto Rican and pan-Latin eats. Order mofongos, quesadillas, seafood ceviche and more …

  • Vibra Verde

    Culebra

    The menu of this great little place is bursting with healthy, organic, gluten-free and delicious fare. Opt for the organic açaí bowl, the bumper breakfast…

  • Restaurante Toro Verde

    Central Mountains

    It's not so common to find fine dining and a fine view in the Central Mountains, but this restaurant at Toro Verde Nature Adventure Park will wow you on…

  • Tapas Café

    Puerto Rico

    The food and atmosphere are both great at this cafe, which boasts one of the island's best tiled interiors. Flamenco drifts under the high ceilings, and…

  • Annie’s Place

    Puerto Rico

    Breezes from the ocean drift into mellow, open-walled Annie’s, a bar-restaurant with sensational empanadillas (dough stuffed with meat or fish), lobster…

  • La Copa Llena

    Rincón

    Is your glass half empty or half full? It's hard not to look on the bright side of life at La Copa Llena (the full cup). Down by the Black Eagle Marina,…

  • Salitre Meson Costero

    North Coast

    A dining destination befitting the lofty standards found in Puerto Rico these days, this smart seafood restaurant is one of several promising places along…

  • Pelican's

    Puerto Rico

    This fun-loving, laid-back wooden house is a breath of fresh air in the Boquerón eating scene. Its commendable pizzas and great burgers headline a menu…

  • El Burén

    Central Mountains

    A host of Puerto Rican classics awaits in an atmosphere reminiscent of a jíbaro ranch, but with the quiet confidence of an establishment that knows how…

  • El Ladrillo

    North Coast

    El Ladrillo has been a culinary anchor of downtown Dorado for decades. It exudes old-world charm, with dark wood, exposed brick and thick steaks…

  • Kiosko El Limón

    El Yunque & East Coast

    This popular roadside stand is Puerto Rico on a plate, part laid-back cafe, part bar, where you'll find everyone from fishers knocking back Medalla beers…

  • Lola

    Ponce

    With its traditional yet modern and crisp interior design, gourmet-style plates of interesting twists on local and Mediterranean dishes, impeccable…

  • El Eden

    Culebra

    Though not remotely swanky – think plastic tables and chairs – the Caribbean-style slow food here is simply remarkable. Dishes feature creative takes on…

  • Boardriders Surf Bar & Grill

    El Yunque & East Coast

    This cool beachside hangout is the place to refuel on fish tacos, veggie wraps and burgers between surf sets. Then head back for happy hour, craft beer…

  • Zazones

    Aguadilla

    Arguably the best place to dine in Aguadilla, Zazones serves up island-specific dishes such as jíbara chicken, mahi-mahi and rodaballo (turbot) in a…

  • El Nuevo Acuario

    San Juan

    El Nuevo Acuario may have added an air-conditioned salon but you can still dine alfresco and the food is still the star, with creative takes on Puerto…

  • Leñas Café

    El Yunque & East Coast

    Just a block from the beach, this cozy corner cafe serves hearty breakfasts and brunches – try the coconut French toast or the Luquillo Beach Benedicts…

  • El Makito

    El Yunque & East Coast

    With its second-story perch, the ‘little shark’ has excellent views over the water from its shaded patio seats. The menu is long, with seafood pastas, the…

  • El Turrumote

    Ponce & South Coast

    A little way from the central action and overlooking the marina, this small, refined Caribbean restaurant serves the region's best seafood. Enjoy dishes…