Popped into Ranchi Playero as we were passing through Ponce…read more This cute little gem has adorable decor, and ambience. They were playing soft salsa music in the background. The offers friendly service. Service is not fast as they prepare your food when ordered which ensures it very fresh and hot. We ordered crab and beef empanadas, mofongo and soup. The empanadas were off the chart. The mofongo balls and soup, everything, everything was delicious!

Baked grouper was delicious with rice and beans. The…read morechicken soup for $12 is a revitalizing value! Service was exceptional. I will probably eat here both nights I stay in Ponce. Try this place!

Amazing! El servicio excelente, la comida deliciosa y los…read moreprecios super razonables. Si estás en el área de Ponce te lo recomiendo, no te vas a repetir

We wanted a truly local spot to experience some Puerto Rican fare, and this place did not…read moredisappoint. They have a lot of tasty options on the menu, so it took us a bit of time to decide. The owner was very patient and friendly as we mulled o er the choices. I settled on the salmon with yellow rice and beans. My friends both had fried chicken with rice and beans. We chowed down and ate everything. That chicken was so crispy, light, and flavorful. My salmon was cooked to perfection, and the yellow rice was delicious. I also had the chance to enjoy a Pina colada, and it was the best. When I had them before, they were never this good. The restaurant is small but has a good amount of tables. So glad we tried this spot.

Some of the best local food we had on our trip! Loved the mofongo with shrimp. Staff were super…read morekind and patient with us. Love the seating area too inside the terrace area. Highly recommend stopping here while in Ponce.

A small stop to Ponce on the way to Johnny's Boat. We…read moreneeded a good lunch so here we are having a quick bite. The place was so cute and calming for the rush. It's a small courtyard bistro with old world charm and good food.

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!!

For my last night in Puerto Rico, I wanted to go all out, and I ended up somewhere pretty special…read more Casita Miramar sits in a gorgeous old villa in the Miramar neighborhood, all hanging plants, twinkle lights, and vintage furniture, and the décor and ambiance alone had me sold before the food even showed up. I sat at the bar, and the staff absolutely made the night. Insanely nice and receptive, they talked with me the entire time, made recommendations, walked me through the dishes and the culture behind them, and kept the strong drinks coming, which I will never complain about. That kind of hospitality is rare and I can't say enough about it. Now for my one nitpick, and this is a me problem more than a them problem: I don't totally love Puerto Rican food. This is authentic comida criolla, which pulls from Caribbean, Latin American, and Spanish influences all at once, and my picky palate keeps asking what exactly it's trying to be. But the vibes, the people, and the setting made the whole experience more than worth it. Come for the criollo cooking, stay for one of the warmest rooms in San Juan.

We were looking for a good restaurant with options for all. This was a great find. The reviews I…read moreread were 100% right! I was nervous, because they were having the three kings celebration around the corner. I thought we wouldn't get a table. It was still early though, so we got seated right away inside. Too hot outside! They took our drink order which came quickly. We ordered the crab croquettes and they were delicious! I had the beef tenderloin and it was fantastic. My daughter had the vista pasta and loved it. My hubby the flank steak. Everything was perfect! The price was in line with the quality of food. Definitely recommend!

Wow! This place is amazing! The food, service and the rooftop views are incredible! The restraints…read moreis really nice, very clean and contemporary. For starters we had some chorizo in wine sauce served with toasted bread. The taste and flavor was amazing, I would literally go back just for this. For my entree I had the churrasco served in a caramelized onion sauce, served with tostones. My girlfriend had the bacalao which she totally loved. On top of the great food the restaurant has the most amazing view of the City of Ponce. We took great landscape photos of the Plaza, Parque de Bombas, the Church and more. We will seguro be back.

Hidden gem in Rincón. Authentic Puerto Rican food and easily the best presentation we saw during…read moreour stay. Everything was flavorful and well done. Mango lemonade with Grey Goose was a great touch. Would absolutely go back.

Unfortunately, this was a very disappointing experience. After placing my order, I waited…read moreapproximately 44 minutes for my food to arrive. When the Churrasco Mofongo ($27.99) finally came out, the portion size was surprisingly small and did not reflect the price at all. For nearly $28, I expected a much more substantial serving and better overall value. What made the experience even more frustrating was that I also ordered four pastelitos at $2.99 each, and those ended up providing more food and better value than the $27.99 Churrasco Mofongo. It's hard to justify paying nearly $28 for an entrée when a few appetizers totaling less than half the price leave you feeling like you received more for your money. To make matters worse, the staff was largely inattentive throughout the visit. It was difficult to get anyone's attention, there were no updates regarding the long wait, and customer service felt like an afterthought, only because the question "Can I have an update on my order" was asked to the staff. A 44-minute wait can be understandable during busy times, but keeping customers informed goes a long way, especially when multiple families sat, ate, and left before receiving the order. Overall, despite the churrasco mofongo tasting really good, between the excessive wait time, the lack of attentiveness from staff, and the disappointing portion size, I left feeling that the meal was not worth the price. I hope management takes a closer look at both the service and the value being provided to customers.

Made reservation here for my birthday. They do a great job prior to your reservation on…read morecommunication asking for any allergies and any special occasions. When we first arrived there is a golf cart service that drives you to the restaurant. We had originally reserved to be sat outside but since there was a wedding with a band they offered to sit us inside super considerate. Our waiter was very kind and attentive. I got the churrasco which had an Asian infusion taste to it. My partner got a steak which tasted amazing. The drinks were perfect and strong ! Definitely great for a romantic dinner or special occasion.

Food was great and atmosphere was amazing! It's worth it for a nice, fancier dinner or lunch. We…read morehad Christian as our server and he was amazing, very kind and welcoming

We stopped here on the road between Ponce and San Juan, and since we didn't have a lot of time, we…read moredidn't wander too far down the Ruta del Lechon (Pork Highway). This place is right on the main highway, it's huge and packed so plan accordingly: we arrived before noon on a Friday, so we probably got one of the last parking spots (there's a guy managing or charging in the parking lot? not sure) and the line was manageable. A large group and some buses showed up after us, so it got really crowded! Anyway, we had a short line, had no idea what we were doing to order (I should have researched better) but pointed and nodded, and with some help from the nice people in line, ended up with two huge platters of pork, rice and some other sides - way more food that we probably needed. The food: delicious! I would say our #2 favorite meal in Puerto Rico, after Marmalade (but that was more than 10x the price!) The pork was delicious, juicy, flavorful, and the crackling was to die for! I wish they would package those and sell them - probably only good fresh, though. Rice and sides were adequate: my son tried to be healthy and said the salad and potatoes were ok, but you're really there for the pork. Cost etc.: we paid less than $50 for 2 enormous plates of food and some sodas. It was enough for 3 lunch servings, plus enough leftovers for 2 people to have the rest for dinner - so I guess 5 servings? The wait was not bad early on a weekday, but they must get incredibly overrun on weekends. It is entertaining to see the pork cooking on a spit (please don't come if you are vegetarian and sensitive to such things) and watch them hacking away with machetes. My husband wondered if the machetes are the same once used for sugar cane!

During our trip to Puerto Rico, we made a stop at a lechónera- a restaurant that serves lechón (one…read moreof PR's unofficial national dishes), which is a whole, slow-roasted pig. This restaurant is just one of many open-air roadside spots that serve lechón along "La Ruta del Lechón", aka the "pork highway" in Guavate. We got a half pound of lechon along with Mamposteao, which was delicious and filling. The pork skin hit a level of shatteringly crispy texture that I have never had from non-fried pork skin. We came later in the day, which unfortunately meant that the pork was slightly dried out. However, the texture and flavor of the lechón was absoutely delicious. It's a "build your own box" style restaurant where you choose which sides you want on the dipslay. Besides the mamposteao there were also other delicious-looking sides such as plantains/mofongo, beans, fruit, etc. There's a small parking lot outside the restaurant- one where the rule is you can only back your car into your parking space. Interesting. Would definetely come to try lechón here again!

A True Taste of Tradition: El Jibarito Delivers on Every Front…read more​If you are looking for an dining experience that feels like a warm embrace from family, El Jibarito is an absolute must-visit. From the moment you step through the doors, you are wrapped in a vibrant, welcoming ambiance that perfectly balances lively energy with cozy, authentic charm. ​But the true star of the show is the food. Every single dish bursts with rich, ancestral flavors, serving up exceptional quality that respects deep-rooted family traditions.The absolute standout is their Bistec Encebollado (beef steak with onions). The steak is perfectly tender, marinated to perfection, and smothered in a mountain of sweet, caramelized onions. Paired with a side of fluffy white rice, savory beans, and perfectly caramelized sweet plantains (maduros), it is pure culinary comfort. You can quite literally taste the love and history in every bite--it doesn't just feel like you're eating at a restaurant; it feels like you've been invited into a family's home kitchen where recipes have been perfected over generations. ​The Verdict: Incredible food, an unforgettable atmosphere, and a beautiful dedication to heritage. El Jibarito is a masterclass in tradition done right. Don't pass this one up!

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!

This place needs more recognition! We weren't super hungry so I wish we had ordered more food but…read morewe ordered some appetizers to share. Their salad alone was worth the visit. We very much enjoyed our meal here and I hope more people make it here to try their cuisine! So many good wines and a very upscale vibe. We had walked to dinner but it was late enough and we had had enough wine that we needed a cab. Our amazing server called us a taxi-- she was the best!

We had an amazing dinner on New Year's Eve at Mesa. I ordered the Lobster mac and cheese (it's…read morecalled something more elegant on the menu) and my husband had the filet mignon with garlic mash and gorgonzola sauce. The lobster mac had very generous lobster pieces throughout and a delicious cheese sauce. My husband claims it may have been the best steak he's had. It was cooked perfect (medium) and so tender. I sampled a bit with the sauce and it was amazing. Our drinks were delicious and so was our dessert. The atmosphere was very relaxing. Definitely a place to enjoy when in Ponce.