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Cafe Don Ruiz

4.6 (316 reviews)
Closed 10:00 am - 6:30 pm
Updated over 3 months ago

Cafe Don Ruiz Photos

CAFE DON RUIZ ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Quiet
Casual
Good for working
Good for groups

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Reviews With Photos - Cafe Don Ruiz

Green tea
Roberta H.

Coffee was needed after our long delayed flight! We got our rental car and headed for San Juan! This coffee place is inside of a huge courtyard building near the Fort. It was a beautiful building. The coffee place is small but the prices are good and the coffee was good! there was even a cat inside.

Mayra B.

Tried the breakfast croissant (though they were out of croissants and served it on what I believe was a ciabatta roll, labeled as "original bread"). Surprisingly, it worked really well! The sandwich came with turkey, spinach, onions, peppers, pesto, and cheese, flavorful and satisfying without feeling too heavy. The pesto added a really nice touch . At $14.99, it's definitely on the pricier side, but considering it's in the San Juan tourist area, it's pretty understandable. Good quality, decent portion, and a solid breakfast option when you're nearby. I'd come back and try it again, hopefully next time they'll have the croissant!

Creamy coconut
Cat N.

One of the best cafes in old san juan. Location is hard to find but its near the museum of the americas and behind a church I think. I stopped by on a walking tour. we were starving. I got a guava pastry and scarfed it down without taking a picture. The creamy coconut latte was bomb. Very island coffee drink. Customer service was so friendly and helpful.

French toast
Heily P.

This is very conveniently located close to the Castillo San Felipe del morro which I think is what provides it much clientele. Pictured is my daughter's "French toast". The fruit was good but that was literally just white bread with little else. What was delicious was an almond croissant that I got from there. I'm sure there are better places in the area

Roaster
Jason P.

I had bookmarked Cafe Don Ruiz in Yellp because ir was well rated. I got to the area, but I couldn't find it. That's because the only way to access it is through the gran courtyard of the Museum of the America's. Who knew? They only use Puerto Rican coffee. My black iced coffee was pretty good. Unless I was visiting the museum specifically, I'd be unlikely to return because it takes a while to get to since there is nearby street access. Four Stars

coconut latte
Sabrina J.

Delightful coffee shop with beautiful flowers, pillows, and wallpaper tucked in the Museo de las Americas. I tried the creamy coconut latte, and it was incredible! One of the best coffees I've ever had. Cafe Don Ruiz seems very serious about providing high-quality coffee. I was very impressed. And it doesn't hurt that it's so pretty inside.

Latte frío
Alejandra A.

Service was great. Accommodating and friendly. The coffee was good. We had some paninis and the bread was AMAZING. It's within a plaza that is still being remodeled(?) There is some construction outside, but doesn't affect the coffee shop at all.

Stephanie C.

Cafe Don Ruiz is a chain coffee shop but it had We almost gave up looking for it because it was hidden inside the building where all the doors were closed except for the construction entrance. So glad we went the extra mile to find it because the mallocra and coffee hit the spot on a humid day. They also have some tea blends and a decent simple lunch menu.

Phylicia H.

Amazing and delicious coffee right near the forts. I stopped by right before closing and ordered iced cafe con leche and a hot version with almond milk. Big and spacious inside the coffee shop, friendly service and delicious coffee. Loved drinking the iced coffee while exploring the forts!

As is true everywhere in the city, cats are part of the Old San Juan experience. Just hanging out and enjoying the vibe.
L F.

Delicioso coffee, pastries, and sandwiches at this cozy cafe with cushioned couches and a mini museum showing coffee machinery. Lovely patio in the enclosed historic square. Friendly service. Pistachio vanilla latte was outstanding.

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4 months ago

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20 hours ago

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11 hours ago

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7 months ago

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11 months ago

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8 months ago

I love this "hidden" cafe in Old San Juan. Coffee was amazing and the ham and cheese sandwich was great

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1 year ago

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2 years ago

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

Hard to find, but good coffee. Breakfast pastries were pretty good. Indoor and covered outdoor seating.

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

Quick and delicious place to get a quick bite to eat when at Castillo San Felipe del Morro. A coffee shop with sandwiches!

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

They know coffee!! Tucked away inside plaza, great spot to sip coffee in the shade. Yummy baked goods too

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4 years ago

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5 years ago

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St. Germain Bistro & Cafe

St. Germain Bistro & Cafe

4.5(772 reviews)
0.3 km
$$

Vianca made me a fan for life…read more We arrived really late after our flight and were scrambling to find somewhere to eat. St. Germain Bistro Bar happened to be right across from our Airbnb, and honestly it felt like we got lucky. Even though it was late, they seated us right away and helped us pull together two small tables so our family could sit comfortably. My kids were starving, so that alone was a huge relief. The portions for the kids' pasta and chicken nuggets were a little smaller than expected, but the flavor and quality were excellent. You could tell the food was made with care. I ordered the onion soup and the fried cheese with guava dip and wow. Absolutely delicious. The guava dip especially was incredible. I also had a mojito that was perfectly made. But what really made the night unforgettable was the kindness of the staff. My son had forgotten his inhaler and was having a hard time adjusting to the humidity. He was coughing a lot and clearly uncomfortable. Vianca noticed right away and went out of her way to help. She brought over honey and encouraged him to take a little shot with ginger and honey, then brought hot tea as well. She even suggested things like putting socks on him and using Vicks when we got back. When I mentioned that my kids are half Puerto Rican and their abuela already swears by those remedies, she just lit up and said, "Well you're home then, you already know what to do." That moment really stuck with me. The warmth, the care for kids, the genuine hospitality. It's exactly the kind of Puerto Rican kindness people talk about. The kitchen is small, so service can be a little slower, but it's absolutely worth the wait. The food is great, the drinks are great, and the people make the place special. If you're nearby, definitely stop in. Places like this are why people fall in love with Puerto Rico.

Does NOT honor reservations. We reserved a table, and then watched another group of young men step…read moreinto the store and sit down at the table we had been promised. The hostess refused to kick them out. I overheard the group behind us who had made a reservation also be denied. After finally being seated, it took over an hour to get our food. The poulet was very good, but the bread we ordered was smeared with a red sauce where it been cut with an obviously dirty knife. At the end of the night, they gave us a free piece of cake on the house, which is the only reason why this review isn't one star. Also, our waitress was really nice and friendly, which raised the mood of the evening considerably. Other than that, though, I'm afraid I can't recommend this restaurant.

Photos
St. Germain Bistro & Cafe - Ice americano

Ice americano

St. Germain Bistro & Cafe - Fried Yucca w/chicken

Fried Yucca w/chicken

St. Germain Bistro & Cafe - Lavender lemonade

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Lavender lemonade

Pirilo - El Pecado

Pirilo

4.4(821 reviews)
0.6 km
$$

If you're walking by, this restaurant would be very easy to miss. The entrance looks like a doorway…read moreleading to a stairwell or service entrance, and I honestly didn't even notice a sign. Luckily, there was a gentleman outside directing people in, otherwise we may have walked right past it. Once you climb the two flights of stairs, you're rewarded with a beautiful dining space. The restaurant has a rustic, old-world charm with gorgeous décor and an Italian-inspired atmosphere. It immediately felt warm and inviting. There were four of us dining, and we started with two appetizers: the Setas Rellenas and the Chorizo al Vino. Both were excellent, but the Chorizo al Vino was my absolute favorite--absolutely delicious! For my entrée, I ordered the chicken lasagna. I expected chunks of chicken, but it was made with shredded chicken, and wow--it was incredible. The flavor was outstanding, and it ended up being one of my favorite meals of our trip. My husband ordered the beef lasagna, which was also made with shredded beef rather than traditional ground beef. He absolutely loved it. Our friends ordered the Milanesa de Berenjena and the Milanesa de Pollo with a side of gnocchi, and both raved about their meals as well. Since nearly every table seemed to be ordering pizza, we knew we had to try one. We ordered a small pizza for the table, and each of us had a slice. Now we understand why they're known for their pizza--it was fantastic! A special shoutout to our server, Rouil Rodz, who was attentive, friendly, and provided excellent service throughout the evening. Don't let the unassuming entrance fool you. This restaurant is a hidden gem with a beautiful atmosphere, outstanding food, and excellent service. If you're visiting Old San Juan, I highly recommend adding it to your list.

Killer pizza in an old school Puerto Rican spot. Kids loved…read morethe pizza. Wife smashed a sangria. I enjoyed a couple local beers.

Photos
Pirilo - Beautiful inside

Beautiful inside

Pirilo - Caprese salad, was incredible

Caprese salad, was incredible

Pirilo - Margarepa

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Margarepa

Mallorca - mallorca w/ butter

Mallorca

4.2(853 reviews)
0.6 km
$$

I guess Mallorca is a traditional sweet bread with powdered sugar on top. Our funny waiter who…read morespeaks lightning fast Spanish but also does pretty well with English gave us samples of Mallorca. We ordered more with bacon, egg, cheese, and some with ham and cheese. They were serving lunch so we tried the Pernïl and rice and beans. We also got a salmon plate and a chicken cacciatore cooked in Spanish rice. The restaurant is old and very unassuming, but it doesn't stop the crowds of people to come and visit and see old San Juan history which this building has to be part of. It's not glamorous but you feel like you transported back into the very early years of Old San Juan when maybe it was still just San Juan.

A MUST if you're staying in Old San Juan!! The greatest breakfast in a really traditional…read moreold-school cafeteria. Pictures of Old San Juan in the early 1900s line the walls to show how little the town has changed in the past century, and Mallorca Cafetería is a gem that has withstood the test of time. Definitely an affordable breakfast as the most expensive mallorca is still under $10. Cafe con leche in styrofoam cups is a staple that is great even in the heat. Definitely worth getting a cup of orange juice as it is freshly squeezed to order. During my stay in Puerto Rico I had several mallorcas around the island but none come close to what I consider the original. Pressed and doused in powdered sugar it's surprisingly both light and filling. We had tried coming at around 9a the previous day and there was already a long line outside so we chose go to somewhere else but made sure we were out the door by 6:30a the next day to get to Mallorca before it opened and there was still a bit of a line. We were able to get in and situate ourselves once they opened at 7a; there are lots of small tables with chairs which we chose because we had a larger group but if dining solo or with one person it's definitely a great experience to sit at the bar for a more traditional feel. Again, this is a must for me every time I am in San Juan and I'm happy to carve out some time for one of the greatest breakfasts you can have. Would rate ten stars if it were possible.

Photos
Mallorca
Mallorca - Mallorca w/ ham and cheese

Mallorca w/ ham and cheese

Mallorca - Mallorca with ham n cheese

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Mallorca with ham n cheese

Cafe Don Ruiz - coffee - Updated July 2026

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