Puerto Rico Eats from San Juan to Vieques

When I wrote about my 2020 trip to Puerto Rico last year, I promised to leave a review about all of the food I ate, drinks I downed, and eateries I visited. I know it took me a while, but since I’m a girl of my word – here you all go!

BEST OF LIST

COFFEE
Hacienda San Pedro – Smooth, mellow, and perfectly roasted local coffee + a tasty selection of pastries and sandwiches

LUNCH
Lote 23 – A one stop destination for classic Puerto Rican dishes & other tasty bites all conveniently located within a stylish yet comfortable, park-like setting

DINNER
Jungle Bird – Elevated yet affordable dishes & drinks served by an award winning chef within a cozy setting that manages to be super cool and super casual all at the same time

SEAFOOD
The Kiosks at Luquillo Beach – Fresh, local, and delicious fare located throughout a row of restaurants along a warm, picturesque shoreline

CRAFT BEER
El Tap – A vibrant evening hotspot serving tons of great beer from the island and beyond
Ocean Lab – Delicious local beer & just as amazing food served from a beachside, open-air taproom

COCKTAILS & WINE
Barrachina – Historically good piña coladas
Casa Bacardi – Classic rum libations
Jungle Bird – Deliciously fun and inventive tiki-style cocktails
La Factoria – Tasty drinks plus great wine & champagne offerings

AMAZING OCEAN VIEWS
> T-Tuan – A great restaurant with a patio overlooking San Juan Bay
> Saint Voodoos – A casual beachfront bar & restaurant on the tiny island of Vieques

USEFUL TIPS

AREPAS – Puerto Rican arepas are not like traditional South American arepas from Venezuela and Columbia. This was literally the first meal I ordered and quickly learned that these savory pockets are slightly smaller in size, made with a sweeter dough, and fried before stuffed. So if you are like me and accustomed to a soft griddled arepa just remember that you will be getting something a touch different.

BEER – Medalla and Magna are Puerto Rico’s most popular, commercial beers. We had our fair share of Medalla via can, bottle, and draft taps throughout our weeklong trip. We never paid more than 3 bucks for this tasty lager and were always so happy when we snagged them for $1.50 during various Happy Hours around the island. Other than Medallas, we enjoyed a few bottles of Corona and Pacifico on rare occasion because they were surprisingly always 3 to 5 bucks, which to me was a steal! Lastly, local craft beer like the yummy brews from Ocean Lab ranged between $7.00 to $10.00 for a pint across a variety of establishments.

KIOSKS – I thought the kiosks at Luqillo Beach were going to be tiny food stalls run by talented street food vendors who only took cash. I was incredibly surprised when we discovered that they were full blown restaurants with indoor & outdoor seating plus plenty of staff. Every place we visited obviously took credit card, and the wad of cash I brought only took up room in my wallet.

PINCHOS – If you love grilled meat on a stick just as much as I do, than Puerto Rican pinchos are a must! Unlike the kiosks mentioned above, the folks slinging these tasty chicken and pork skewers are actual street food vendors. I was thrilled to snag a few of these savory snacks for me and my boyfriend while lounging on the beach of Isla Verde! We tried out two different vendors and were extremely satisfied with both. Pinchos cost around $3.00 each and are jam packed with the flavor that comes with tasty marinades and open fire cooking. The first vendor paired some yummy bread with his skewers, and the second vendor had a variety of homemade sauces at his tent. Long story short – pinchos make a great meal for any hungry carnivore out there especially those on a budget.

For a variety of in-depth reviews and some mouth-watering photos keep on reading. I’ve categorized this list by region and neighborhood. Enjoy!

SAN JUAN

CAROLINA

Ocean Lab Brewing Company: This is a great brewery serving amazing craft beer and just as amazing food in a beautiful open-air, multilevel taproom. The staff is friendly, the beach club environment is fun, the brews are fantastic, and our meal was some of the best eating we experienced during our visit to San Juan. If the prawns are on the menu, definitely order them; they are so good! So even if you’re not a fan of beer, Ocean Lab is worth a visit for the food and views alone. If you are a fan of beer though, this brewery is a must!
Address: 7000 Carr. 187 RR2, Carolina, 00979, Puerto Rico
Meal Type: Drinks – Lunch – Happy Hour – Dinner

CATAÑO

Casa Bacardi: The Bacardi property is a staple tourist destination when visiting San Juan, and although I’m not into guided tours we had such a great time learning about the history of Bacardi and enjoying a few classic rum-based cocktails at this famous distillery. The staff is incredibly kind, the drinks are delicious, the ground are beautiful, and the tour was both entertaining and informative. Our bartender, Jesús, was the nicest guy in the world. We had such amazing conversations with him about local hotspots, world travel, and fine dining both before and after our tour. And for all you foodies out there, it’s worth mentioning that they have an empanada vendor on site if guests need a savory snack to accompany their cocktails. These meat pies were a bit pricey for their size but delicious, nonetheless. FRIENDLY TIP: I highly suggest taking the ferry to Casa Bacardi if you are staying in or around the capital since it’s much quicker than driving. The ferry leaves from Pier 2 in Old San Juan and takes less than 10 minutes to travel across the bay to the dock in Cataño. Once you disembark, grab an Uber or a taxi to the Bacardi Compound located just 2 miles up the road. You may think that the best thing about this humble ferry is its convenient location, its ability to dodge traffic, or the beautiful views of the Puerto Rican coastline as you journey across the warm Atlantic waters. But no, the best thing about the Cataño Ferry is that it costs just 50¢ each way – that’s $1.00 for a roundtrip ride!! Amazing – I know 🙂
Address: PR-165, Cataño, 00949, Puerto Rico
Meal Type: Drinks – Snacks

LOIZA / OCEAN PARK

El Tap: This is a casual restaurant featuring 46 taps teeming with local and foreign craft beers plus a nice selection of wine and sangria as well. The simple menu has tasty bites suitable for every palate providing the perfect accompaniment to any hoppy brew. The crowd, at the time, was primarily made up of laid back, young professionals. My boyfriend and I definitely enjoyed the evening we spent here amongst San Juan’s beer loving locals.
Address: 1969 Calle Loíza, San Juan, 00911, Puerto Rico
Meal Type: Happy Hour – Dinner – Drinks

Pirilo Pizza Rustica: We randomly stopped into the Old San Juan location of this pizza joint for a quick beer on our second day in town. Almost a week later, we actually ended up enjoying a late night snack and drinks at the Ocean Park location on our final night in Puerto Rico since it was across the street from our hotel. While glancing at the menu, we realized we were dining at the same pizzeria we had stumbled into days earlier – just a more modern & hip branch of this restaurant. We enjoyed some croquettes, a delicious pesto pizza with prosciutto, and a few drinks! All in all, it was the perfect night cap for our last evening in San Juan.
Address: 2000 Calle McLeary, San Juan, 00911, Puerto Rico
Meal Type: Lunch – Dinner – Drinks

Kasalta: Apparently this beloved bakery became even more famous when Obama stopped in for a bite during a 2011 visit to Puerto Rico. Just like Pirilo Pizza, Kasalta is also located across the street from the Dream Inn which made it a no brainer for a to-go coffee and pastry before catching an Uber to the airport in the early AM hours. I’m sorry to report that Kasalta is definitely no Porto’s for all you fellow Angelenos out there. However, the vibrant morning energy and kind service made our quick visit a wonderful ending to our perfect, Puerto Rico vacation.
Address: 1966 Calle McLeary, San Juan, 00911, Puerto Rico
Meal Type: Coffee – Pastries – Breakfast – Lunch

La Coffeetera: After checking into the Dream Inn, we walked a block or so down the road to grab a late morning meal per the recommendation of the hotel owner. Although our breakfast sandwich took over thirty minutes to arrive – our coffee was delicious, the food was tasty, and the atmosphere of this cute eatery was incredibly charming. I’d love to revisit this place on our next visit to check out their Happy Hour.
Address: 1953 Calle McLeary, San Juan, PR 00911
Meal Type: Coffee – Breakfast – Brunch – Lunch – Happy Hour – Tapas – Drinks

OLD SAN JUAN

Barrachina: One of our friendly Uber drivers mentioned that this was the restaurant that created the Piña Colada when we drove past it on the morning of our first full day in San Juan. We came back that afternoon after our tour of Casa Bacardi and enjoyed the famed frozen cocktail alongside some excellent fried appetizers in the pretty patio. I’d recommend coming here on a first trip to San Juan for the history and a literal taste of Puerto Rico’s signature drink – which was perfectly balanced, not too sweet, and wonderfully refreshing by the way.
Address: 104 C. de la Fortaleza, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
Meal Type: Lunch – Dinner – Happy Hour – Drinks

Cafe Dársenas: My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this tiny waterside bar in the shape of a gazebo style hut during an after-dinner stroll on our first night in San Juan. The drinks were inexpensive, the vibe was casual, the crowd was almost non existent, and the moonlit views of the cruise port were very relaxing after a long travel day. Long story short, it was an ideal ending to our first night in Puerto Rico.
Address: Calle Comercio, Plaza Darsenas, 00901 San Juan, Puerto Rico
Meal Type: Drinks

Colmado Bar Moreno: After touring Castillo San Cristobal for almost two hours, I was lured into this dive bar by a Happy Hour sign. It was our first afternoon in San Juan, and I was thrilled to be having some inexpensive, local beers and liquored up libations. The environment was chill, the bartenders were kind, and the location was great since it’s located smack dab in the center of Plaza Arturo Somohano. If you’re looking for a no frills bar, this is your spot. And, apparently, they also serve food if you need a snack!
Address: 361 Calle de Tetuán, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
Meal Type: Drinks

Don Tako: During our second day exploring Old San Juan, we stopped for one last round of afternoon beers and a small snack at this Mexican restaurant because of its prime patio seating in the center of Plaza Arturo Somohano. Halfway through our beer and plate of nachos a steady drizzle started to fall. The drizzle quickly turned into heavy precipitation, and while all those around us fled for shelter we hunkered down under the patio umbrellas, ordered a pitcher of Medalla, and enjoyed the rainstorm along with an amazing conversation plus the company of our server – a young mother who grew up in the outskirts of San Juan. Ninety minutes later, the sun had fully set, and the rain was still coming down so we finally said our goodbyes, braved the storm, and literally ran to dinner.
Address: 364 Calle De La Fortaleza, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
Meal Type: Lunch – Dinner – Drinks

El Asador: This is the super cute, warm and toasty, safe from the rain restaurant that we ran to after our quick beer down the road turned into a “let’s wait out the storm” afternoon adventure. My boyfriend did a Yelp search while we were at Don Tako and discovered that a popular dinner spot named El Asador was just three blocks away. After a hurried uphill trek through the rain, we were greeted with kind smiles and a menu overflowing with Italian and Puerto Rican entrees plus a complimentary sampling of risotto from the chef. The risotto was so good that we ordered a plate along with a steak, ceviche, and two glasses of wine. After our meal, we called an Uber and headed back to our hotel for the evening.
Address: 350 Calle San Francisco, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
Meal Type: Lunch – Dinner – Drinks

La Factoria: This bar is an absolute pride and joy of Old San Juan and a definite go-to for both locals and tourists alike. La Factoria features unique drinks, a variety of rooms to imbibe in, an energetic crowd, a dance hall in the back, and a guaranteed good time. We spent our last night in Puerto Rico enjoying a few drinks at this famed establishment. I personally enjoyed the cozy wine bar nook more than the main room.
Address: 148 Calle San Sebastián, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
Meal Type: Drinks

T-tuan: We enjoyed a nice dinner of assorted tapas, delicious ceviche, inexpensive beer, and some excellent views on our first evening in San Juan which made our first night in Puerto Rico one to remember. If you decide to dine here definitely sit outside because the patio is warm, inviting, and brimming with good energy.
Address: 101 Calle de Tetuán, San Juan, 00902, Puerto Rico
Meal Type: Lunch – Dinner – Drinks

SANTURCE

El Cuchifrito: I discovered this kiosk when visiting Lote 23 (a San Juan food park) on our last afternoon in Puerto Rico. I was so excited because my boyfriend and I had yet to have mofongo while visiting the island, and the menu at this beautiful stand looked amazing. All I can say is thank goodness this was the only mofongo we ate during our trip because it was utter perfection. Chef Pablo Rosas prepares this classic, Puerto Rican dish with loads of love and lots of local flavor. Most monfongo, in my humble opinion, tends to be bland and a bit dry, but the mofongo at El Cuchifrito is jam packed with garlic, precisely mashed, and seasoned to perfection. The Carne Frita mofongo that I ordered was adorned with tender chunks of fried pork, crispy chicharrón, vibrant strands of pickled red onion, fresh cilantro, and a lime wedge. And I can’t forget to mention that their homemade hot sauce takes this already stellar dish to a whole new level. So if you are ever in San Juan, please add El Cuchifrito to your list of must try eateries. You won’t regret it!
Address: 1552 PR-25, San Juan, 00909, Puerto Rico
Meal Type: Lunch – Dinner

El Sabor de Reina: This was the first place my boyfriend and I dined at during our trip to Puerto Rico. After arriving at our hotel around 11am, we were in desperate need of coffee and something to eat while our room was being put together. So we slathered on some sunblock and did the five minute walk to La Placita. We quickly discovered that most of the eateries in La Placita open at noon, but we were lucky to be pointed in the direction of El Sabor de Reina by a sweet bartender who was prepping for her upcoming shift a few doors down. After finding the recommended restaurant, we were welcomed with open arms by the kind server and given two cups of delicious, local coffee right away. Since it was still early, we had the place all to ourselves which in turn meant quick delivery of our food – Arepas de Coco Rellena de Pollo & Aguacate Rellena de Pollo. We were shocked by the huge portions but super excited since it was exactly what we needed to start our time in San Juan. After a lovely first meal and top notch service we headed back to Casa Wilson to officially check in.
Address: 205 Calle Tous Soto, San Juan, 00907, Puerto Rico
Meal Type: Lunch – Dinner – Drinks

Hacienda San Pedro: Before arriving in Puerto Rico I researched coffee spots, and Hacienda San Pedro immediately popped up as being one of the best roasters on the island. It was our fifth day in San Juan, and we were flying to Vieques later that afternoon. With our bags already packed and sitting safely in the hotel office, we took a late morning stroll to their closest location just over a mile away. We were greeted with smiles and a modern café featuring comfortable seating, excellent AC, pristine bathrooms, and a lovely patio. To top it off, we found ourselves deep in conversation with two baristas within minutes of entering. The only thing better than the customer service & our new friends, was the coffee! My boyfriend enjoyed a cappuccino, and I had an iced latte. The flavor of the coffee was rich yet smooth and paired perfectly with the ham and cheese croissant & quesito (a pastry filled with sweet cream cheese) that we also ordered. Our experience was so good that we promised the baristas that we would come back after our trip to Vieques to buy coffee beans to take home for our loved ones. With that, we said our goodbyes. Two days later, the main barista was stunned yet thrilled to see us. We chatted about our trip for a while and left Hacienda San Pedro half an hour later with two bags of freshly roasted beans, a pack of ground coffee, a beautiful tote bag, and great memories.
Address: 318 Ave de Diego, 318 PR-37, San Juan, 00923
Meal Type: Coffee & Light Snacks

Jungle Bird: I had read a little bit about Jungle Bird as a fun place to dine while doing research for our trip and added it to my list of potential restaurants to try because of the award winning chef, Paxx Caraballo Moll. However, once Jesús (our awesome bartender from Casa Bacardi) told us that Jungle Bird was definitely the place to visit when discussing dining options in San Juan – I was sold. He ensured that my boyfriend and I would love the casual atmosphere yet elevated food and drink of this up and coming bar/restaurant that just so happened to be managed by one of his good friends. Two nights later, we entered a hip tiki bar on the outskirts of La Placita around 7pm. There was a steady drizzle outside and the small but stylish bar had the perfect crowd – not too busy yet enough folks to create some energy. We had a seat at one of the few tables inside as opposed to the cute patio just in case the rain decided to come down. We instantly fell in love with the relaxed vibe, unpretentious menu, creative cocktails, and affordable prices. For the next 2.5 hours we enjoyed incredible dishes, outstanding libations, and a great conversation with the manager. If the Crack Eggplant and Lenny Crabitz are on the menu – definitely order them! Also, the Adiós Pantalones cocktail is so freaking good and a must-try as well if you like vodka & perfectly named drinks 😉 Long story short, a visit to Jungle Bird is an absolute necessity if you ever find yourself in San Juan.
Address: 254 Calle Canals, San Juan, 00907, Puerto Rico
Meal Type: Dinner – Drinks

Pernilerīa Los Prōceres: Other than snagging a coffee at Hacienda San Pedro, a cocktail at La Factoria, and pinchos wherever I could find them – the roasted, pork shoulder sandwich from Pernilerīa Los Prōceres was the only specific food item that I had read about prior to my trip and NEEDED to try before leaving San Juan. My plan was to head to Lote 23, the gastro park where PLP is located, prior to our trip to Vieques. However, that never happened. The good news is that we were able to fit in this food stop on our last afternoon in Puerto Rico! Immediately upon walking into Lote 23, I spotted the famed airstream run by Mario Juan Pagán. I glanced at the menu and quickly decided on the Revolución Es Orden plus a cold beer. Chef Mario was thrilled to hear that I had read about his pernil back in LA and made a concerted effort to come out and try his food during our vacation. A few minutes later, we got our sandwich and holy shit, was it good. The flavors totally stood up to the hype, and I was thrilled! The pork was super succulent, the brioche was toasted to perfection, the plantain added a nice touch of sweetness, the carrots and radish brought in some much needed crunch, and the spicy mayo and fresh cilantro tied everything together. Suffice it to say, this is one of the best sandwiches I’ve had in my life, but more importantly, probably the best pulled pork I’ve ever eaten. If you ever find yourself in San Juan for a few hours, Lote 23 is the only place you need to go for food because the sandwiches at Pernilerīa Los Prōceres will satisfy every culinary bone in your body, and the mofongo from El Cuchifrito a few feet away is just as good! These two eateries are prime examples of young chefs who have put their love, passion, talent, and creativity into cooking. Both gentlemen have not only perfected these two Puerto Rican staples but have elevated their local cuisine to new heights.
Address: 1552 PR-25, San Juan, 00909, Puerto Rico
Meal Type: Lunch – Dinner

Señor Paleta: If you want a refreshing and flavor packed popsicle this kiosk at Lote 23 will not disappoint. They have a wide variety of flavors that will surely satisfy every type of sweet tooth on the hottest of days. My boyfriend and I shared an arroz con leche flavored popsicle that was so good! I can’t wait to try more flavors on my next trip.
Address: 1552 PR-25, San Juan, 00909, Puerto Rico
Meal Type: Dessert

EL YUNQUE & LUQUILLO BEACH

EL YUNQUE

Lluvia Deli Bar: After hiking around El Yunque National Forest, we stopped into this darling café for a warm cup of coffee after buying a few souvenirs from the temporary visitor center across the street. They had a beautiful garden with raised beds in the outdoor patio area and a nice array of pastries. The best thing about Lluvia Deli Bar were the two ladies behind the counter. Since we were the only patrons visiting at the time, we got to talking and ended up sharing travel stories for over thirty minutes. After a quick bathroom break and some heartfelt goodbyes, we headed to Luquillo Beach for lunch.
Address: Calle Principal 52 Rio Grande, Puerto Rico 00721
Meal Type: Coffee – Breakfast – Pastries – Lunch

LUQUILLO BEACH

Terruño: Kiosk #20 – After a pleasant stroll along the beach and a hilarious rescue mission of a single flip flop being swept away by an ebbing tide, we chose our first kiosk based on one fact – they had a large back patio overlooking the sea. The lunch vibe at Terruño was perfect due to the vibrant crowd, rays of a warm sunshine, and kind servers. Per the recommendation of our waitress, we ordered the chicharones de pescado AKA fried fish nuggets. These crispy bites of bliss came with a side of plantain fries and two dipping sauces all of which paired perfectly with our ice cold Medallas and ocean views.
Address: Calle Marginal, Luquillo, 00773, Puerto Rico [North side of Route 3]
Meal Type: Lunch – Drinks – Afternoon Snack – Dinner

La Parilla: Kiosk #2 – This was our second stop of the afternoon. La Parilla boasted more of a Hampton’s style beach vibe compared to Terruño’s rustic, casual charm. The open-air patio was modern and chic yet comfortable and inviting. We enjoyed some delicious lobster croquettes and a round of cold Magnas during our visit.
Address: Calle Marginal, Luquillo, 00773, Puerto Rico [North side of Route 3]
Meal Type: Lunch – Drinks – Afternoon Snack – Dinner

Jibaro’s: Kiosk # 22 – This was the last stop of our seafood adventures at the famous Luquillo Beach Kiosks. We had the upstairs, back patio practically to ourselves, a super friendly server, beautiful views, and a tasty meal. These were the best Puerto Rican style arepas I had on the trip – light, fluffy, and not too sweet. One was stuffed with crab and the other with shrimp. We enjoyed these alongside some Medallas and a round of Cerveza Indias.
Address: Calle Marginal, Luquillo, 00773, Puerto Rico [North side of Route 3]
Meal Type: Lunch – Drinks – Afternoon Snack – Dinner

VIEQUES

ISABEL SEGUNDA

Saint Voodoo’s Mar Azul: We stopped in here for Happy Hour on our first day in Vieques and stayed well past sunset into the evening hours. The first part of our visit was spent enjoying some cod fritters and a shrimp po boy while soaking in the ocean views from the cozy patio located directly above the water’s edge. The latter part of our visit was spent at the bar chatting with other patrons and listening to live music. Saint Voodoo’s isn’t anything fancy, but it is damn well close to perfection if you enjoy stunning scenery, relaxing beach vibes, cold beers, and tasty eats.
Address: German Rieckehoff 577 Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765
Meal Type: Lunch – Happy Hour – Dinner – Drinks

Buga’s Mexican Restaurant: On the walk back to our hotel from Saint Voodoo’s we stumbled upon this cantina with gorgeous murals. We decided to grab a quick beer and a few hard tacos to cap off the evening. Our server was kind, the atmosphere was relaxing, and our impromptu, late night snack became a very nice ending to our first day in Vieques.
Address: 59 Calle Baldorioty de Castro, Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765
Meal Type: Lunch – Dinner – Drinks

ESPERANZA

Bananas: This patio restaurant is very spacious and teeming with energy. We enjoyed a hearty mahi mahi salad & cocktails for lunch and then a few filling entrees & beers for dinner that same day while we explored the south part of Vieques. Prices are fair, portions are large, service is great, and the views of the oceanside boardwalk are lovely.
Address: Calle Flamboyan 142 Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765
Meal Type: Lunch – Happy Hour – Dinner – Drinks

Cafe Del Mar: This is a really cute place with a great outdoor patio! We stopped here for breakfast on our first full day in Vieques and enjoyed some delicious eggs and coffee before checking out the island’s beaches via golf cart. Our experience was so nice that we came back for Happy Hour later that afternoon before our Bioluminescent Bay excursion. To our surprise, one of our kayak guides was actually the young gentleman who served us breakfast earlier that day which perfectly encapsulates the small neighborhood vibe of Vieques.
Address: Calle Flamboyan 155, Vieques, Puerto Rico 00765
Meal Type: Breakfast – Lunch – Happy Hour – Dinner – Drinks

Phew; that was a long list, but well worth the effort I hope!!

For all those planning an upcoming trip to Puerto Rico, I sincerely hope that my restaurant reviews offer up a few good suggestions for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks throughout the neighborhoods of San Juan, the communities of El Yunque, and the island of Vieques. And for all you foodies out there, I hope the above list inspires a visit to the beautiful island of Puerto Rico to not only experience the island’s vibrant culinary scene but more so, the lovely locals preparing these tasty dishes.

Safe Travels & Happy Eating!