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.

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.

After a less-than stellar dinner the night before, and a long but amazing day on a PR tour, we…read morecleaned up for a dinner out at Ropa Vieja. Attire was relaxed-- I saw ladies in pants as well as dresses, men in pants and shorts, but the staff was dressed sharply in all black. We waited a bit while two hosts and a manager worked to assemble several tables on the patio for a group of ten which had arrived before us. The patio decor-- murals and greenery, were beautiful. We requested indoor seating near the bar, and were the second of four tables to be filled. The indoor seating was a bit darker, had two bartenders working nonstop, and three televisions were playing inside. The inside seating area was quieter and more intimate (plus cooler in temperature) than the patio option. Our server, Raul, promptly greeted us and asked if we preferred English or Spanish. Promising to give honest recommendations of our selections, he did-- and made great suggestions as well. We started with risotto balls as an appetizer-- the guava dipping sauce was delicious. They were cheesier than my husband could stomach, so several remained on our plate. For our entrees, my husband chose the Ropa Vieja en Canoa (peeled, hollowed out like a canoe). I selected the Fried Red Snapper (served whole) with creole sauce, a house salad (lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, orange slices, mango dressing) and fried sweet plantains. After a bite, I asked for a glass of Blanc de Blancs, which was a wonderful, crisp pairing. We could not finish our meals, much less entertain the offer of dessert. By the time we left, all four tables were being served inside, there were four gyesss eating dinner at the bar, and the patio seating looked maxed out as well. Ropa Vieja was certainly the best dinner experience we've had in these first three nights in San Juan. So happy the reviews were on point with this one!

Started with two sparking waters and the server did bring two bottles but one was opened and some…read moreof the Perrier was missing. None had been pre poured so we pointed this out and he took it back and brought a replacement bottle. Was not a good start to the meal. The experience ended up being a bit disappointing. The food was decent, but not anything special, especially given the prices. Some of the dishes lacked flavor, and a couple items came out lukewarm, like they'd been sitting for a while although nothing is piping hot in Europe. I was expecting more authentic, bold flavors which it was not. Service was hit or miss it appeared depending on the server and the table. It took longer than it should have to get our food and even simple things like refills were slow. It felt a little disorganized, especially considering it wasn't that busy. The atmosphere is nice and the location is convenient there but it just didn't quite come together on this visit. Not a terrible experience overall, but there's room for improvement. As a tourist you typically give a place one shot and this was it.

Look, were we at an alcapurria spot ordering pastelillos? Yes. Do we regret it? Absolutely not…read more We got one each of vegetariano, cebolla y queso, pollo, and guayaba con queso. The vegetariano was mid, but the other three? No complaints. But honestly, the food is only part of the story here. The vibe is everything. Salsa playing, high energy, warm service. We rolled in late and hungry, looking for sweet refuge from La Placita crowds, and they welcomed us like we belonged there. The music started out mixed, but at some point it shifted to Contra La Corriente front to back. We were enjoying our pastelillos, singing along to No Me Conoces, minding our own business when... el apagón. Not the whole Placita, just a couple spots including this one. The staff didn't miss a beat. Flashlights came out, mood lighting appeared, and nobody rushed us. We finished our food. We paid. We left happy. 5 stars because some experiences are bigger than the sum of their parts. This was one of them.

This is not a polished, Instagram-perfect restaurant and that's exactly the point. That's why I…read morelove it so much. Tucked inside La Placita de Santurce, its a small, casual, almost hidden spot that's usually packed with locals. Think plastic chairs, outdoor tables, music playing and a constant flow of people coming in for a quick bite or drink. Feels more like a neighborhood hangout than a restaurant. I've been coming here for years and this is what I've learned, take it from a local. For a quick bite, alcapurrias are a MUST -- especially beef or crab. Also the "pastelillos" are amazing-- corn beef, chorizo, morcilla... Everything freshly made to order. Now, if you want to sit down and enjoy an authentic Puerto Rican meal, here are some of my favorites: chuletas fritas, chicharrones de pollo, bistec encebollado and carne frita-- of course with a side of rice and beans or tostones for the win. Bottom line: you come here for flavor and authenticity, not comfort. Enjoy

When planning my first trip to PR I scoured tiktok for food recommendations! And this place was…read moreremarkably noted as Bad Bunny's favorite restaurant, and I understand why! The service was immediate & so welcoming! The restaurant had a very homey feel, like you know someone's family recipes are being used. The food was 10/10, hands down, everything was absolutely delicious! The sangria - to die for! Loved every bit of it! Def a staple if you plan on making the trip!!!

Food is good, service could have been much better!!…read more We got in line and we were seated within 10 minutes of arriving Initially our server was very attentive, took time to explain the menu however after we got our food it took us over 45 min to pay even after asking 2 times. Decor is nice, food is good. Drinks could have been a bit better prices are reasonable

We were in the area shopping around and exploring. It was earlier in the day so not many places…read morewere open, we saw signs leading to this food truck. They had such poor service, they were not helpful in providing menu items or recommendations. Very impatient. The truck was pretty small, clean interior, and drinks were organized. They had limited seating with NO shade/umbrellas. After they took our order we waited over 40 minutes for three boxes of food. The platter came with meat, veggies, two sauces, and another side of choice (I chose fries). We all got Chicharrones, it was very juicy and tender. And the exterior skin was surprisingly really crunchy! Super tasty!! The fries were mediocre, cold and thick cuts. Portions were filling, none of us were able to finish. I don't recommend, plenty of other restaurants that offer the same items with better service and shorter wait times.

Love Trifongo Taino the bartenders are amazing and the food is fresh and delicious! If you come to…read moreLa Placita you must make a stop at Trifongo Taino is right in front of Paraiso.

My husband and I ate here our last night in San Juan, wish we had found it sooner!…read moreBoth of our steak meals were superb, I wanted to lick the plate!! Very friendly and very informative.

First time in PR and we are foodies. This has to be the best food we have had so far! Absolutely…read moredelicious. Not one complaint . Service was great. We also had the Flan de coco but ate it before I could get a picture. It was delicious. We didn't have a reservation but we were able to get a table. The sitting area was great we were also provided a lil table lamp which came in handy because it was getting dark outside.

This restaurant has been on my San Juan list and it happened to be near my Airbnb so it was a no…read morebrainer for my friends and I to visit. Since I've always seen the long lines outside this store when I passed by, we decided that we try to go in as soon as it opened. So, we lined up around 11:30am. We barely waited much and we got seated. The server that day was quick/efficient/friendly despite the fact that she was running a one woman show. And the food arrived within a decent time. My friends and I decided to order the PUERTO RICAN PLATTER with a side of a side salad. This platter comes with everything you could want & maybe something that might be a bit adventurous for you to eat like blood sausage. Despite that, it's a nice platter to share and try a bit of everything. It's really nice that if you order for 4 people, they give you exactly the amount of pieces that are divisible by 4 (so everyone can try 1-2 pieces of each thing evenly). It also comes with a decent amount of rice/pork as a supplementation, which was nice. It's a balanced meal. And I think the side salad did well to balance out all the fried foods. Overall, we really enjoyed this place. It's a great place to come with friends/families to share. It's a great place as a visitor to try a bit of everything. The platter is a great introduction of puerto rican fried finger foods. And it all taste great! From the presentation of the food to the service here, it's all good. I would recommend this place to others.

We were in old San Juan and wanted some authentic Puerto Rican food. I found this spot on Yelp and…read morewas surprised to know this was a TikTok favorite. The restaurant is medium sized, so for the sake of space they make you wait outside for a table. Our group of 7 was seated pretty easily but it also wasn't too packed when we arrived. Their menu is written on a chalkboard and from my knowledge, they don't provide any physical copies. My table got a variety of things but me in particular, I ordered the Puerto Rican sampler. We split it between 3 people and they said it could feed 4 but hmmm, I'd be skeptical of that. I think no more than 2 comfortably honestly as a meal. The sampler was delicious though and had all the main things I wanted. The corn fritters were a hit and the steak was well cooked and seasoned. While the food was good, the wait was a little long and the service was mid (not bad but not the best we've had). Solid 4 stars

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.

Came here for the Pina Coladas, stayed for literally everything else! PR had me in a Sangria &…read moreMofongo Chokehold! It literally doesn't get better than that! This spot was in walking distance from our bnb in San Juan - 10/10, it was cute and lively. It kinda gave sports bar vibes but we enjoyed it! The service was amazing! Like everywhere else in PR. The food, easy- delicious! Drinks, amazing, food amazinger?! Lol we had a time here and enjoyed every second! Great place to stop for some PR staples and a fun atmosphere!

We had dinner tonight at Raices in Old San Juan because several people recommended it…read more Unfortunately, I can't recommend it based on our experience. The inside of the restaurant is absolutely adorable, and the servers are dressed in traditional-style Puerto Rican attire, which adds to the atmosphere and charm. Our server was wonderful--very friendly, knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely pleasant throughout the meal. Unfortunately, the food did not live up to the experience. I ordered the red snapper, which was quite dry, and the garlic sauce lacked flavor. I also informed the server that I do not like cilantro, but my beans arrived with cilantro in them. They were graciously replaced with plantains, which I appreciated. While the service and ambiance were excellent, the food simply did not meet my expectations. Because of that, I would not return or recommend this restaurant.