Puerto Rico - San Juan Dining

Calle Recinto Sur 309, Old San Juan, Phone: 787-723-7303. M-F 12PM-3PM; M-Sa 6PM-11PM; Sun 12:30PM-4PM and 6PM-10PM. The oldest continuously operated Italian restaurant in Puerto Rico.

Calle Fortaleza. By far one of the best places to eat if you want a cuban Asian Fusion. Great food right across from Aquaviva in Old San Juan. No shorts or sandals allowed.

El Meson Sandwiches at the intersection of C. San Francisco and C. San Jose, has a large selection (including many vegetarian items) at very reasonable prices.

Calle San Francisco, west of Tanca, Phone: 787-722-0658. 7:30AM-8PM. Authentic local cuisine in an unassuming landmark atmosphere unchanged for decades. Serves lunch and dinner. Fresh pastries. Superlative coffee. Inexpensive.

Calle San Francisco 300 (east of Tanca). Called "the Platonic ideal of a diner" by the New York Times, this local cafe is operated by the owners of La Bombonera and has the same time-warp atmosphere. Serves breakfast and lunch. The Mallorca pastry and the sandwiches are recommended. Superlative coffee.... (more)

Calle San Francisco 300 (east of Tanca). Called "the Platonic ideal of a diner" by the New York Times, this local cafe is operated by the owners of La Bombonera and has the same time-warp atmosphere. Serves breakfast and lunch. The Mallorca pastry and the sandwiches are recommended. Superlative coffee. Sandwiches around $5, mains under $10. (close)

Mojito's, Calle Recinto Sur 323. Despite the Cubanesque name and its location on the cruise ship trail, this restaurant serves up big portions of no-nonsense pork, rice and beans local fare at reasonable prices. Try the chuletas (pork chops). Mains from $10.

Calle del Cristo 154, Phone: 787-722-2672. Daily 12PM-10PM. Reservations recommended. The ambience here is one of the most sensual and romantic in Old San Juan.

Calle Fortaleza 363, Phone: 787-725-7370. Daily 12PM-3PM; 6PM-11PM. One of the better Latin fusion restaurants: it's expensive, but at least the food is good, the decor bright and the service friendly. Live music, either Brazilian, salsa, or Latino jazz, is offered nightly as well as during the popular Sunday brunches.

Raices is a great authentic Puerto Rican cuisine restaurant. There is always a wait to go in no matter what day of the week it is. The food is great and the service is ok. The one thing that I found to be negative was the service... (more)

Raices is a great authentic Puerto Rican cuisine restaurant. There is always a wait to go in no matter what day of the week it is. The food is great and the service is ok. The one thing that I found to be negative was the service because thy seem to try to rush you through your meal since seating is so limited and they need to sit the loads of people trying to get in. I recommend this restaurant if you are staying in the San Juan area. (close)

Calle O'Donell (just south of Plaza Colón). Local cuisine. Good Cuban sandwiches and beans and rice. Serves lunch and dinner. Inexpensive.