The food was so good, one of the best Italian restaurants I've had. Atmosphere was so cozy, and the owner/chef made it feel even more special read more

Hole in the wall authentic Italian. Food is amazing!! Also got the fettuccine aglio olio with chicken and mushrooms and the meatballs (not pictured) and it was to die for. Luigi is great! read more

Da Luigi - Italian Near Me - San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Previously known as 'Da Luigi' now is called 'Il Patio di Luigi' in calle Loiza. Super casual, relax vibe. Italian owner making homemade pastas. We decided to go on a weekday evening and got seated in the patio right away. The menu was written on a big board that he placed on an empty chair for us to see. As appetizer we ordered the arugula salad which was simple but surprisingly good. Very tasty with tomatoes chunks and Parmesan cheese. As entree I ordered the penne carbonara and my husband ordered the Aglio e olio penne with oysters. Both were delicious. I felt like I was eating in a nonna's house in Italy. Authentic flavors. If you are craving Italian comfort food I highly recommend this place. read more

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Luigi is the man he is so nice. The service is so good and the atmosphere is just fantastic here we love Puerto Rico and we want everybody to respect Puerto Rico come and have a good time in Luigi. Respect to all the people, if they are real and behave . Love to all the people OK papi read more

The food was very good and our server was great. Very friendly and inviting environment.

Best Italian in the Caribbean. Be prepared to wait, this is not a hot-and-ready in 20 minutes kind of place that a lot of the young tourists want it to be. It's a unique fusion of a genius Italian chef in the heart of San Juan. The lasagna was phenomenal, actually even better than the lasagna I had in Rome. The pizza is beyond exceptional. Mama Mia! This place is mouthwatering. Sometimes I find myself craving Da Luigi's even when I'm not on the island. If you find yourself in San Juan this is a hidden gem that you'll want take back to the mainland. You gotta try it. read more

Da Luigi - Da Luigi - Italian Near Me - San Juan, Puerto Rico

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New Yorker first time visiting Puerto Rico. After a few days of local food, I was told by the locals to try the Italian food in PR. So coming from NY that's a pretty hard sell. After listening to some hotel recommendations which I quickly turned down, I did some research and came across Il Patio Di Luigi. To my surprise it really is an outdoor patio. Don't let the pics deceive you, I literally showed up before closing on a Monday night and had the whole patio to myself. I was greeted by the owner. The menu is on a chalk board and easel which they place in front of you and explain all the options. I had the chicken Parm with a hint of pesto and a side of house made penne with their signature sauce, rosada, which is not your typical NY red sauce (they do have that as well), but a pink sauce similar to vodka sauce minus the cream sauce. The food was amazing. The service was great as well thanks to Gian (the owners son). He took care of me from start to finish. Didn't mind his heavy pour on the Chianti either. Would definitely recommend and come back. read more

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Always! Our experience in this restaurant always great! Good atmósfera We seat outdoors because inside qas a little noise read more

The guy doesn't like people of color so advised not to go there , he admitted few folks before us without reservations and when it came our turn he start asking for reservations. His number is wrong on yelp read more

The chef/owner/waiter is one charming dude, I'll tell you what. He's an Italian in Puerto Rico since 1986 and the restaurant has been open since at least 2000. His personality and hospitality alone is worth five stars. You need to be buzzed in to the restaurant and sometimes the system is a little busted so you may need to call with your phone (the number is on the door). If you don't have a functioning phone you could also probably just knock loudly on the door as Luigi is usually around and about. I personally love the location and the neighborhood but some may not take to it. There is no glitz and glam, no tourist sterility. It's also located across the street from a large abandoned building and right off of Calle Loiza. It's a little difficult to find front door parking so just park a block down in the neighborhood. The interior is a little bare-bones and hard-edged. I found myself wanting something soft and warm in the decor. But where that was lacking, the food picked up. Definitely warm and comforting: House-made pasta, desserts, and sauces. Awesome wine pairings (there are two red and two white varieties). The caprese was tasty - amazing pesto, fresh mozzarella, flavorful tomatoes. The grouper was served in a delicious sweet salsa-like sauce with mango and tomato. The only thing was that the fish was a little watery - I like to have a little color on my fish, a little caramelization or sear or just a touch of dry heat. My favorite meal by far was ravioli stuffed with mushrooms in a white sauce. The pasta dough was SO silky and tender and amazing. The mushroom stuffing was earthy but smooth and packed so much flavor. I recommend this dish whole-heartedly. To finish off the meal we tried the tiramisu and apple tart. Not wow'ing but satisfying and down right good. The ravioli, wine, and Luigi's company will have me come back for more. A truly pleasant dining experience. read more

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Had dinner with wife and in-laws at Da Luigi last night. I was told the food and wine were good, so my expectations were set. Upon arrival, we were the only patrons in the restaurant. Could it be because it was Ashe Wednesday? Perhaps. We were promptly seated by Luigi himself and fresh, warm, crunchy bread was placed before us. Then our drink orders were taken, so we chose a bottle of red wine, which was smooth and tasty. I ordered Pechuga de Pollo con Marsala (Chicken Marsala), the wife ordered La Putenesca, and both in-laws ordered veal knee. We also ordered the anti-pasto appetizer, which was by far the best I've ever had. The tomato with mozzarella cheese was impeccable! Finally, our dinners arrived and they looked wonderful, again, delivered by Luigi himself. I was then told that he owned the restaurant and he is also the chef. How cool! My Chicken Marsala did not have the same flavor as what you'll get at chain restaurants in the states. Nope! You're getting an authentic meal from an authentic Italian chef. The texture and flavore were amazing. The mushrooms were delicious. The marsala sauce was sort of white and tasted really good. The chicken was pounded flat like schnitzel. The side of pasta was also declicious. I recommend this dish! I tasted the meat from the in-laws' veal knee and it tasted like pot roast, so you know I loved it. We polished off the first bottle of wine, ordered another, and talked over it. It was a good night in beautiful San Juan. If you're in San Juan and are in the mood for an authentic Italian meal, do go here. Recommend! read more

Found this place last night while looking for a place to eat dinner last minute and so happy I found it! I was afraid I may need a reservation given the place was so small and the first room was already full. But they found a seat for me in the 2nd room. Luigi and my server were very attentive to all the customers and kept checking to see if I was ok. My server even brought the physical menu board to make sure I could see all the options. Started off with some bread which was soft and tasty. I chose the ravioli with spinach and ricotta. Let me say it did not disappoint and it was the best pasta I've had since I went to Rome, Italy 3 years ago. I also read another review that's said Luigi is originally from Italy and migrated here which I thought was so cool. The pasta was just perfect and the sauce on top was delicious. They drizzled olive oil on top I believe and you could taste how fresh it was. Truly a lovely experience that I stumbled upon. I finished the night off with Tiramisu which was also good. If I ever come back to PR, I will definitely be revisiting! 12/10 Grazie Luigi! :) read more

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Our first trip to Puerto Rico and we asked the concierge for a good place for dinner - she did not disappoint in her referral to Da Luigi. It was a nice walk from the hotel and we found it very easily. You need to ring the doorbell and the owner, chef, waiter and bartender will let you in. The restaurant is small, intimate and comfortable. The owner immediately seated us and was attentive yet not overbearing throughout our dining experience. We began with a bottle of Kendall Jackson Cabernet Sauvignon. The water is filtered here and safe to drink. We split the arugula salad which was so refreshing and delicious. My husband and I just prefer dressed greens - they are so good for you and we love the flavor. For dinner we split a lasagna entree and pasta bolognese - both were perfectly portioned. I only had a few bites of the lasagna and it left me wanting more! So delicious! An excellent balance of cheese, sauce, pasta, meat and spices. The pasta was cooked to perfection and the bolognese sauce was the best sauce I have ever eaten. read more

Wow What a lovely, cozy little place. The food is a great original direct from Geneva Italia The appetizer up to know have been totally awesome, the cappresse was just like the picture and taste better than the look. The albondigas had such a rich and tasty sauce. If you find yourself near and want a little Italian taste you should be here. read more

Da Luigi - Osso Bucco with Portobello Mushrooms and more... - Italian Near Me - San Juan, Puerto Rico

Great service! Amazing food! Restaurant was clean and Luigi was a fantastic host! I would definitely return. I had the shrimp fettuccine Alfredo and caprese salad !!!! Thank you Luigi!!!!!! read more

We were so lucky to find this place. We had the gnocchi and zeta portobello... and a glass of Chianti. Perfect!! The pasta is fresh and the sauces compliment them perfectly. We don't eat meat, so we got the sauces with no meat... so much flavor. Hidden gem with amazing, friendly service. read more

Da Luigi - Italian Near Me - San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Delicious Italian food. A lovely little restaurant with a pizza oven. I had a basic Bolognese and a delicious Flan for dessert. The staff was friendly. It's on a side street off Louza. I will return. read more

At Luigi's you find an Italian food gem. I have visited this place for a few years now and Luigi never disappoints. I've invited friends and business associates who always remember "that place where you took us to have that perfect carbonara or that out of this world Tiramisu" read more

Da Luigi - Spinach Ravioli - Italian Near Me - San Juan, Puerto Rico

This is by far the best Italian food we have ever experienced. My husband lived in NYC for 10 years, so when he moved to Seattle he would always complain of the Italian food. I've never had real Italian, he'd always tell me. Well, this is it. Da Luigi is as authentic as it can get. He said it blows the NYC Italian restaurants out of the water. This is our 3rd time coming here. We went twice on our honeymoon in August 2012 -- yes, it was that great. Our third visit was yesterday. We arrived and were quickly seated. We were given warm bread dipped in olive oil -- simple, but delicious. We ordered carpaccio carne for an appetizer. The flavors were so wonderful -- It had carpaccio, parmesan cheese, and a green sauce of some sort. Bread was placed on top for dipping into the mixture. For our main course I had chicken alfredo, and my husband had osso buco. The chicken alfredo was to die for! So much flavor, I couldn't believe it. Every time I order chicken alfredo *anywhere else* it is bland and tasteless. This was quite the opposite. My husband's osso buco was amazing as well. The veal fell off the bone, and the risotto it came with had so much flavor. I never write reviews, but I felt I had to speak up about this place. It deserves to be packed! Yes, it is in a neighborhood with "car parts strewn along the street," but don't let that deter you. Inside it is clean, rustic, and authentic. The food is on the expensive side ($16 for pasta), but it is well worth it. I'd rather pay a higher price for a delicious meal than some mediocre (and overpriced) hotel restaurant meal. That is all! read more

Best kept secret. Great Italian food, fresh pastas, homemade sauces, and a good value

We had a great meal at Da Luigi's that will be hard to top during our stay in San Juan, . Everything was fresh and clearly home made. This chef/owner definitely knows what he is doing. We actually had just a simple meal of 2 pasta dishes: gnocchi with pesta sauce and penne with a creamy puttanesca . Can't wait to come back for more! RECOMMENDED read more

Great meal if you have an unlimited spending amount and you don't mind sitting in "eau de slum". Sorry, I can't agree that a plate of spaghetti with tomato sauce and no cheese should cost $12.95. He doesn't give any vegetables with the meal either. Is he kidding? Go to any of the big hotels in the area. You will pay the same price, but you will get a view, ambiance, and good service. This place is cheap and dirty. Across the street there are car parts strewn along the street, graffiti all over the buildings, and stray cats everywhere. DIRTY. read more

Did not expect to find an Italian restaurant of this quality in Puerto Rico! I had the pasta carbonara and my wife had the meat lasagna. My brother ordered the spinach ravioli and my mom got the eggplant parmasan. Everything tasted amazingly delicious. I am glad that you we gave this place a shot. The owner, Mr. Luigi, was very pleasant and was more than willing to answer any questions we had about the menu. Also, the music was on point, classic Hispanic music. read more

I've been waiting to go here for the past 3 years bc of how amazing but expensive it was. Wow were they wrong. Everything was so slow. I had to go to the bar multiple for drinks and for our check as well. Came here with my girlfriend for Valentine's Day. So thankful she is amazing and we just laughed off everything from entering to exiting. Spent about an hour and a half there waiting, there were no meatballs and we each received 1 beer. Plenty of other Italian places to choose from. read more

Authentic Italian for sure. Has its own quirks but all help make it memorable in a good way. The Matriciana was excellent as was the Margarita Pizza. If you want an intimate dinner without too much fuss about high class ambiance, definitely recommended read more

The owner, Luigi, provided the best service and is the sweetest man. The food is also amazing, I eat fettuccine Alfredo everywhere and this was the best I've ever had! We ate here twice during our five-day visit! read more

The owner/chef is one of the kindest locals we've met during our trip. He opened up half an hour early for us so we could get one last meal in before we had to leave for the airport. The food was delicious and we ate here three times. Definitely come to Da Luigi's if you're craving Italian...Even if you're not, think about stopping by for some cake and espresso. read more

Great Italian food and superb service, cozy and romantic. The place to get Italian food!!!!!

Let me start by saying I'm from NYC/ Long Island. I take my Italian food seriously. Luigi was a chef in Italy. While on vacation in San Juan he met a local woman, fell in love, and moved to San Juan. Each dish he serves at Da Luigi is made with that love. His pesto sauce is a once in a lifetime experience. His seafood, meats, pastas are all delicious and fresh. If you put this restaurant in NY you wouldn't be able to get a table. So make this quaint delicious restaurant a MUST on ur next visit. You will come back again and again. read more

Definitely not for everyones taste, the setting is super simple and since the owner/waiter basically does everything himself, yo cant go in a hurry. Foodwise, its Marvelous, house made pasta with amazing sauces. Ravioli's are to die for. The only thing you need is good company to enjoy this experience! read more

Authentic small family run artisan Italian restaurant in a quintessential San Juan setting. The neighborhood looks rough but is safe and full of hidden gems if you take the time to look. I've been twice now and thoroughly enjoyed all the dishes. read more

Stumbled across this gem while on vacation. Celebrated my birthday here and it was the best meal I had in Puerto Rico. There was also a large party but Luigi did not miss a beat. The food came out hot and delicious just as if I were in Italy. Great presentation. My wine glass was always full. Far exceeded all expectations. read more