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    Café Manolín

    4.4 (882 reviews)
    ModerateCaribbean
    Open 6:00 am - 4:30 pm

    Café Manolín Photos

    CAFÉ MANOLÍN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Café Manolín

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    Club sandwich!

    Came here out for early lunch shortly after getting out of the airport first time to PR. Diner/lunch vibe food was very good! Service was very good also! Very busy but very good service! It was the perfect early lunch! We will be back next time we go to OSJ

    Stephanie L.

    While in Puerto Rico we decided to try a local spot for food. This place had really good Google reviews and it was a short walk so we decided to give them a try. When we arrived the place was packed which to me is a good indication that the food is good. We waited for quite a while, and we were probably acknowledged once thee entire time we were waiting. As some people got up from the bar we were seated there. I wasn't really sure what to order and asked my server for suggestions and went with her suggestion, which was snapper and mofongo. My son ordered a cheeseburger with fries! I was under the impression that the snapper was going to be fried, but it was just a pan seared filet. Neither the fish or the mofongo had enough seasoning for me, so for me the meal wasn't the best. My son however really enjoyed his food. Service was just okay, we were never asked how our meal was. It's a really small space and gets really packed, but you can tell they have a lot of locals that are regulars. And while we were eating a guy came in playing an instrument and singing which was nice!

    Daily special: carne mechada
    Lyee C.

    I went to Café Manolín as it was recommended by my local friend. Maybe half touristy, but still filled with locals and super affordable prices for their selection of Puerto Rican specialties. Exterior is a blue building, with it slightly misplaced location-wise on Google Maps. Luckily, I had my friend with me and we found the spot and were seated right away during the lunch rush on a Sunday. Interior has a mix of bar and table seating, a little on the noisier side, mostly from lively chatter and brassy laughter. I asked for the daily menu and a recommendation, and went with their carne mechada. Delicious. The arroz con gandules was super flavorful, and the tostones and mofongo were amazing. Definitely try the house hot sauce here. I only went to a few Puertan Rican spots during my visit: Café Manolín took the cake. You get a large amount of food for the price, and the food is delicious. If you can land a spot, I recommend going here for your fix of Puertan Rican dishes.

    Steak
    Rick C.

    What a great diner atmosphere. Looked crowded but didn't have to wait . Old fashion plastic coated menus . Service was excellent. Churrasco Steak cooked perfectly. First time eating Mofongo relleno de pollo. When mixed with the rice and beans its excellent.

    Eggs and pan
    Rose S.

    Great local simple spot! We wanted a good breakfast and fast as it was our last morning in San Juan and Cafe Manolin was just perfect. We ordered cafe con leche, eggs and bread with butter. Yes I dipped the bread in the coffee lol I felt comfy and at home at this place as it is clearly well known by the neighborhood locals. The servers know the regulars and I enjoyed seeing their interactions. Food was simple and hit the spot. We were out of there in no time and on our way to our next destination. I recommend it if you're on a budget looking for simple, not overpriced and relaxed atmosphere.

    Will X.

    A local fav that's generally going to be busy with both people working in the area as well as tourists. Good place to sample mofongo - mashed plantain was good, chicken was fine if a bit dry so def needs the ketchup or hot sauce they provide. Service is great. Cool cozy diner feel.

    Raya V.

    Came during SanSe which is one of the busiest times of year. My daughter and I had been walking around and I wanted her to try a local place that is not touristy with authentic food. Cafe Manolin did not disappoint. She loved it. Very affordable food with great flavors and great staff. Everyone is so hardworking and kind. I love it here. Great vibes always. Thank you for the consistency and not breaking the bank.

    Trifongo
    Joann S.

    A little packed but a group of 7 got seats at the bar :) Bartender was super helpful and recommended the trifongo which had yuka plantains and something else. I loved it! Cheese flan tasted like cheesecake, texture was a little thick but pretty good!

    Mofongo with Camarones
    Phylicia H.

    I was excited to come back here for lunch. Just like last time, the place was packed with both tourists and locals. Our waiter was super friendly, and service was pretty quick. I wanted the mofongo but went lighter with the onion steak, paired with plantains and salad (rice and beans would've been obviously been better). My friend had the empanada Milanesa and really enjoyed it--she'd definitely order it again. The real standout was the flan--topped with coconut and absolutely delicious. Easily a 10/10! We had a sweet treat every day during our stay in PR, and this flan was hands down the best.

    Sierra a la Parrilla (grilled king fish) and Mofongo Relleno de Camarones - good
    Lynn O.

    Café Manolín is an old school diner that has been serving breakfast and lunch since the 1940s. It does get packed so expect a wait for service and food. The AC is bumping to keep everyone nice and cool. We tried the Mofongo Relleno de Camarones (the traditional Puerto Rican green plantain dish filled with shrimp) for $18.95 and Sierra a la Parrilla (grilled king fish) for $14.95. Each plate comes with two sides of your choosing. We got rice, beans, salad and sweet plantains, which were all delicious. The king fish was a bit on the tough and dry side, like swordfish. We washed our food down with coconut juice and Medalla, the local beer. The staff are accommodating, but they are sure quick to close at 4pm!

    Mofongo relleno de pollo
    Dave B.

    Delicious stop for dinner. Found this place while roaming the streets, and glad we did. I ordered the pork dish and my wife got the chicken dish. Both excellent and flavorful. I think the pork dish was better Our server was friendly and helpful showing us images of the food on her phone. No English, so that was helpful. We sat at a counter and it was pretty crowded. But crowded is good.

    Lunch crowd from the counter
    Pam S.

    Food was delicious! We loved the ambiance. The place was packed with visitors and locals. We had a great time sharing conversation with the San Juan lunch crowd! We made it a point to come here every time we are in the city all the way from New Orleans.

    2 eggs & ham
    Vicki A.

    Cool spot, terrible service. The Great: trifongo was goooood The Good: The iced coffee was good after waiting 20 minutes to get it. The bad: The slow service The ugly: The unfriendly & inattentive server We waited a really long time for our food & drinks. The server seemed less then thrilled to help tourists. The food was luke warm.

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    Page 1 of 23

    Café Manolín Reviews in Other Languages

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    Marmalade - Popcorn Shrimp

    Marmalade

    4.7(1.7k reviews)
    0.2 km
    $$$$

    let me begin by saying i had the absolute pleasure of having NAOMI as my server, and she made my…read morenight very special. boy does she know her stuff! she gave me amazing recommendations and knew everything about every single wine that came in my wine pairing. she even threw in a few fun & interesting facts! as for the restaurant itself, there is no a la carte optikn, just a 5 course meal, but you are able to choose which dish you want for each course... with the exception of the navy bean soup which automatically comes as your 2nd course, but rightfully so! a creamy navy bean texture with pork flavors and truffle sprinkled on top makes a fantastic soup! another standout dish for me was my 3rd plate: rabbit with kale pasta and mushrooms. the flavor that bursts out from a bite of the mushroom complements the rabbit perfectly and the al dente texture of the kale pasta really rounds out the dish. i highly recommend the wine pairing, especially for this dish, as it comes with a gamay that really pairs well with the rabbit flavor. the highlight of the night was the chocolate cake i ordered for dessert. i am biased because i have a big sweet tooth, but it may have been the most amazing dessert ive ever had in my life. overall, a 5 star experience that i will be bringing everyone back to again and again.

    We came here for a birthday and dont regret it at all. Everything was great about this restaurant…read morefrom the atmosphere to the food. Its a fine dining restaurant so the restaurant is really upscale but they also made the restaurant a bit cozy at the same time. The service was amazing as well. Im sorry I forgot his name but he paid really good attention and constantly checked on us especially for my allergies. The food was some of the most delicious food ive ever tasted, especially the risotto (10/10). There was one dish that my girlfriend didnt like but they went immediately to get her something new. Im only giving a 4 star because the dessert i had did have something I was allergic to despite reassurance which cause swollen lips and throwing up outside. Im not sure if the dessert was pre-made but having the allergens directly on the menu may help. Otherwise I completely recommend trying here.

    Photos
    Marmalade - Cozy seats

    Cozy seats

    Marmalade - Three Little Pigs

    Three Little Pigs

    Marmalade - White Hominy Soup with Truffles

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    White Hominy Soup with Truffles

    Casita Miramar - Arroz con Mariscos (seafood paella) and Churrasco (steak); Follow me @RimyEats on Instagram

    Casita Miramar

    4.5(1.7k reviews)
    3.3 km
    $$$

    Had a wonderful time at Casita Miramar. Aalyah, our server did an amazing job of being able to…read morecommunicate and inform us about the dishes and accommodate anything we needed. Aalyah, thank you so much for making our last meal in San Juan so special!! The portions are huge! I split an app with 3 people and honestly the main dishes can be split among two people as well. It was very tasty especially the chicken, and the ribs! The place also looked amazing and we were given a semi-private room for such a large group. Thanks for having us!!

    Casita Miramar absolutely lived up to the hype. It was at the top of my foodie list while visiting…read moreSan Juan, Puerto Rico, and it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. We visited on a Monday night without a reservation and almost didn't get a table. The hostess was incredibly kind and explained that there was an 8:00 p.m. reservation that hadn't been confirmed. She offered to seat us if the party didn't arrive within the grace period. Thankfully, they never showed up, and the table became ours. From that point on, everything was fantastic. The food was spectacular, and the service was just as impressive. Every dish was beautifully prepared and full of flavor. The restaurant itself is charming and inviting--it really does feel like dining in a cozy "casita." If you're visiting San Juan, Casita Miramar is absolutely worth a visit. Great food, excellent service, and a memorable dining experience.

    Photos
    Casita Miramar - Indoor Dining Room

    Indoor Dining Room

    Casita Miramar - Pastelón - Delicious thick Caribbean soft meat and plantain taste and texture

    Pastelón - Delicious thick Caribbean soft meat and plantain taste and texture

    Casita Miramar - Amazing chocolate Fudge Cake delivered to restaurant (Cakes by Glorimar in PR). Staff sang and added candle

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    Amazing chocolate Fudge Cake delivered to restaurant (Cakes by Glorimar in PR). Staff sang and added candle

    La Cueva del Mar - Mofongo with Ropa Vieja

    La Cueva del Mar

    4.4(524 reviews)
    6.3 km
    $$

    I highly enjoyed La Cueva Del Mar! I wanted a mix of Latin and seafood and this was the perfect…read morechoice. It was recommended by one of our tour guides so it is a great option for both locals and tourists. It had a nice atmosphere and very large menu with many different types of options. The Frutti di mare was one of the best pastas I've ever had! It had almost every type of seafood you could want. A great option for someone who wants to try a bit of everything. It was large enough to satisfy you but not too large where you have to take leftovers it back to your hotel. It also came with a salad and delicious bread. My husband ordered the yucafongo pollo, and was very impressed. It was also filling and well made. The drink menu also had a lot of options. I went with the sangria which was super tasty! It's more on the fruity side. Our service was great and we didn't have to wait long for a table or our food, although it seemed busy. Whether you live in the area or are just on vacation, I would recommended trying it out!

    We visited La Cueva del Mar for my wife's birthday dinner during our family trip to Puerto Rico,…read moreand despite a few minor issues, the meal itself was absolutely outstanding. The service was a little confusing at first. We were seated and expected to access the menu through a QR code, which wasn't immediately explained to us. We initially expected traditional menus, so there was a bit of uncertainty before we realized how the ordering process worked. We were also seated near one of the air conditioning units, which made some members of our party feel a bit cold during the meal. However, once the food arrived, all of those concerns quickly disappeared. The food was incredible. Rich, flavorful, and beautifully prepared, every dish at the table was delicious. The arroz con pollo was honestly the best I have ever had in my life. It was perfectly seasoned, comforting, and packed with flavor. Every bite felt like authentic Puerto Rican cooking at its best. Our family thoroughly enjoyed the meal, and it made for a wonderful birthday dinner for my wife. While the service experience could be a little clearer and some seating areas may be colder than others, the quality of the food more than makes up for those minor issues. I would absolutely return on a future visit to Puerto Rico.

    Photos
    La Cueva del Mar - Inside

    Inside

    La Cueva del Mar - Fish tacos & Sangria

    Fish tacos & Sangria

    La Cueva del Mar - The bar area

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    The bar area

    El Jibarito - Flan de coco and flan de chocolate

    El Jibarito

    3.9(2k reviews)
    0.3 km
    $$

    El Jibarito is absolutely worth the visit if you're looking for authentic Puerto Rican food. We had…read morethe lechón con salsa de plátano, and it was absolutely delicious--full of flavor and cooked perfectly! We were a large group, so there was about a 30-minute wait for a table, but that's part of the fonda-style experience. Tables turn over as people finish their meals, and while you're waiting, you can relax with an ice-cold Medalla, which makes the time go by quickly. A special thank you to the staff for the excellent service and warm hospitality. The food, the atmosphere, and the friendly staff made this one of our favorite dining experiences in Old San Juan. We will definitely be back!

    We came to El Jibarito for dinner after it was recommended by Yelp as it had a 4-star rating. We…read moredid have a bit of a wait, but it was worth it. The restaurant is absolutely adorable inside and has a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Once we were seated, the service was quick and attentive. There were four of us in our party, and we started with the pizza turnovers. They were delicious, although I do wish they had a little more filling. I ordered the tamale. While it wasn't quite to my personal taste, I could tell it was well made and I'm sure others who enjoy that style of tamale would love it. My husband had the baked chicken and really liked it. My friend ordered the salmon and said it was moist and very flavorful, and her husband had the garlic chicken, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Overall, everyone in our group was happy with their meals. Between the cozy atmosphere, friendly service, and tasty food, I would definitely recommend this restaurant if you're visiting Old San Juan.

    Photos
    El Jibarito
    El Jibarito - Fried snapper

    Fried snapper

    El Jibarito

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    Casa Luna Rest. - Avocado salad

    Casa Luna Rest.

    4.4(42 reviews)
    0.3 km

    I discovered a quaint little spot on YouTube while researching my cruise that serves authentic…read morePuerto Rican food. I was really craving fried snapper, but unfortunately, it was too large for me to eat by myself. To my disappointment, it was served family style, and my family wasn't in the mood for fish. Instead, we ordered several items from the menu, including stew chicken, fried pork chops, which my son really enjoyed. We also had mofongo with chicken and creole sauce, white rice and beans, fried plantains, and another side of beans and rice. We definitely over-ordered, as the food was plentiful and very filling. In fact, that was the only meal we had that day. If you're ever in San Juan, Puerto Rico, I highly recommend this restaurant. It's a hidden gem tucked away on a side street. You will not be disappointed! I can't wait to go back.

    Try. the. Mofongo. The skirt steak mofongo, with garlic…read moresauce. Order it, possibly to share -- it's a big portion. You will not be sorry. Your date might be a little over-garlicked if you try to kiss them without letting them at least try it, though. Definitely a vampire-free zone. Delicious! And the best I have ever had, anywhere. We tried a little of a lot of things, kind of a meal of sides to go with our mofongo, and the empanadilla pastry was flaky and light. Hubs liked the chicken one best, I preferred the ground beef. But the big takeaway is the mofongo with garlic sauce. They even let you choose from a list of other sauces if you don't want garlic, but frankly, there's a reason it's listed first and it's not just tradition.

    Photos
    Casa Luna Rest.
    Casa Luna Rest. - Red snapper!!!

    Red snapper!!!

    Casa Luna Rest. - Weak Piña Coladas

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    Weak Piña Coladas

    Café Manolín - caribbean - Updated July 2026

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