Very old Puerto Rican restaurant with great ambience and terrific, professional servers. Food is hot and fresh and dessert is home made and delicious. Very relaxed, no rush atmosphere. Large parking lot. It's the real deal. read more

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This place is amazingly delicious the food is so fresh and the employees are wonderful except for a lady in the front counter, she is not very nice with the female clients.... I don't like to bad mouth a business but the truth is the truth!!! read more

Classic Spanish-style restaurant. Very formal and cordial servers. Establishment has been there around seventy some years. Feels a bit crammed, but service is great and food a must. read more

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El Hipopótamo is an iconic restaurant, full of history. Located in Rio Piedras, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They have a few parking spots in front with an ample lot on the side. No outside seating. This was the first time I visited, but I got the sense that it looks the same as when they opened. For some that gives it a certain charm and character; for others it's in desperate need of a makeover. I was of the former, my wife the latter. They even have a cigarette vending machine. I can't remember the last time I saw one of those.... Old school. We were promptly and warmly greeted when we walked in. We took a seat in the back, the main dining area. In front they have a diner counter and a room with small tables that seems best for drinking and tapas. Our waiter was friendly. My wife and I shared the paella and our son had the cheeseburger from the kids menu. We accompanied the paella with an avocado salad. The paella is more than enough for two people, and at $21.95 a good deal. We liked it, but didn't love it. We did love the avocado salad. I highly recommend it. I also ordered the Fabada Asturiana, which they forgot to bring. It worked out because we were stuffed and couldn't eat more. I just let them know it never arrived and they happily removed it from the bill. Overall, a positive experience. I'd like to return to try the Fabada Asturiana, and also the breakfast. For dessert they have a dessert cart, also pretty old school of them. read more

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Absolutely a must. The food was excellent. I loved the callos a la madrileña. It was probably one of the best I've had. The same with the sangria. The avocado salad was also excellent. The paella was good, but what disappointed me was that they didn't use traditional paella rice. Also, it seems they didn't make it on a paellera. Service was friendly. The only reason I don't give them a five star is because the ambiance was not my favorite. It is in need of a more modern interior design. But the food makes up for it. I will definitely return. read more

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This place is a classic but service quality has gone down the drain. They took forever to seat me despite being half empty, and then tried gaslighting me into thinking that the item I always ordered because it didn't have ham in it comes with ham. read more

Great food! Best Onion soup. Great Bistec Encebollado. The service was excellente. And the ambiance is good especially when they play the music that you enjoy. read more

This was a staple in my family and for me when I was little and lived in PR (30+ years ago). When I visited I had to stop by as they are still there after all this time. I'll say the taste wasn't the same from how my little child mind remembers. I ordered the Cuban with the croquettas. Bread wasn't too fresh even when toasted you could notice. The croquettas were also just okay but nothing out of the ordinary. The Sangria was definitely a plus and the one thing that stood out. The place is somewhat run down and in need of update (even the menu) although I could definitely appreciate the wine cellar. Staff was very very welcoming and friendly. They even have a parking attendant who made us feel like we had arrived at a fancy Michellin star restaurant. read more

El Hipopótamo - Wine Bars Near Me - San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Amazing Spanish, and Mediterranean food, Wine, and Spirits. Local, and Cuban sandwiches, meats, cheeses, pastries, and deserts. The service is outstanding, with a somewhat vintage atmosphere makes it the sure place to go and have an AWSOME encounter with friends and family no matter the occasion. read more

Doy una evaluación muy baja. Cono un lugar que se hace ser famoso por las Croquetas me sirvieron 2 croquetas calentadas en microondas? completamente socatas y deformadas. Y a $2c/u es totalmente inaceptable. Pan con ajo de cortesía estaba recalentado mas de una vez, llego con sabor a quemado y totalmente aplastado que parecía una suela de zapato. Caldo Gallego excelente. Filete pescado en ajo y perejil bueno pero llego frio. Sangria buena. No creo que vuelva. Hay muchas opciones en San Juan excelentes como para repetir croquetas recalentadas. read more

El Hipopótamo - Wine Bars Near Me - San Juan, Puerto Rico

We ordered some take out from Hipopotamo for lunch and weren't very impressed. I got the hippopotamus sandwich and it was okay. Ham and roast beef and cheese on a grilled panini. It was kind of dry and needed some sort of mustard or something. It was kind of like a poor man's Cuban. The shoestring fry chips actually saved the meal. Very average overall. read more

Amazing, like always! This place was one of my favorite when I was in college. Their sandwiches with fries and caldo gallego are sooo good. This time, we order from the main menu and everyhing was delicious. They offer complimentary bread toast that are really good. Also, their dessert cart had options like 3 leches, Flan, Cheesecake, Cake, pie, and so many others. Their customer services is outstanding. They are so welcoming, from the employee that open the door of your car in the parking lot, to the employee that open the restutant door or even the waiter. I highly recommend this place! read more

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We came for my sons 19th birthday on a Sunday night. We started with soup which were all amazing. He had a steak and I had paella which was equally as good. Everything was delicious we finished with dessert and espresso. The service was impeccable and the food was delicious. The atmosphere feels very old school Spain it was very nice. Our server was very attentive. read more

El Hipopótamo - He was very happy with his steak. Medium rare. Perfect. - Wine Bars Near Me - San Juan, Puerto Rico

This is a classic, Puerto Rican establishment that has just fallen off a little bit over the years. For starters, I prefer their breakfast service. You can get solid coffee, mallorcas with queso de bola (edam cheese), and several other standard Puerto Rican cafeteria breakfast fare for very affordable fees. Their dinner options, however, are just a little too pricey. You do get plenty of food, and that's always a plus, but it's just a little too much for the food, which is solid (if unspectacular) Puerto Rican but nothing particularly fancy. Parking is ample. I'd recommend it for people trying typical Puerto Rican food in a very old, well known place. Just keep your expectations in check. read more

Went here for an authentic Puerto Rican dinner and ordered Caldo Gallego soup, seafood paella, breaded steak and rice and beans and sweet plantains. For dessert we mil hojas (flaky pastry with dulce de leche) and flan. The only item that impressed me was the hearty soup. And considering the air conditioning was blowing on us, making it feel like an ice box, we really appreciated the hot soup. The service was okay. The decor was old school in need of some updating. The parking lot had a good amount of spaces. read more

El servicio ha desmejorado dramáticamente. La mala actitud e indiferencia de los meseros lo demuestra. Necesitan actualizarse No aceptan animales, ni de servicio. Esta última razón es suficiente para dejar de ir. read more

amazing service , quick on drinks & food, are very kind & bread is sooo good. thank you read more

El Hipopótamo - so good - Wine Bars Near Me - San Juan, Puerto Rico

The worst services and food was not it I ask for shrimp Al ajijo and they brought me some shrimps a white sauce. I will give them a negate -10 read more

amazing service! carlos was super friendly and provided great convo while we waited for our seafood paella. it took 45 minutes or so but was well worth the wait! came with fish, shrimp, clam, mussels - all seafood was fresh and the rice was perfect. we also got a slice of the lemon meringue pie to go per carlos' suggestion and we were not disappointed. get the pie!!!! read more

El Hipopótamo - seafood paella! 45 minute wait for this one so order ahead, but very worth it!!! - Wine Bars Near Me - San Juan, Puerto Rico

El Hipopótamo, San Juan April 27, 2016 Decided to stop here for a late bite to eat. The place came highly recommended. The establishment has a nice parking with a gentleman walking the lot to make sure you and your car are safe. There were 5 of us. The interior of the place looks and feel like a tapas bar which we loved. We were greeted by 4 different waiters who tried to seat us in different places in the restaurant. Their tables are all round so they struggled to seat 5 people at 2 small round tables. Our waiter was forgetful and we couldn't understand what he was talking about. We had to constantly remind him of the drinks and we ordered. If you are talking they take your food/plate away without asking - which is extremely rude and inappropriate. We ordered a Cuban sandwich, two gandules soup, garlic bread, rice and beans with a sangria, couple of cokes and lemonade. Nowhere in the menu stated that the rice and beans were two separate items at $4.95 each and that the lemonade was per glass. The bill came out to $60+ for our lite bite; however, whomever wrote the bill didn't care to explain the bill. The handwriting was horrible and they were charging us for the same items multiple times. Needless to say, we left disappointed and upset with the overall experience. Would I go back??? Probably not. read more

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we ordered the Gandules soup and it was good. After that it all went down hill we then ordered the Jamon Serrano and some Manchego cheese with Mortadella. It was probably the worst I have had. the presentation was not good. they cut everything super thick they forgot the bread and the meats and cheese were not a true rich color. It almost looked as of they sliced spam and served it with old discolored cheese. It was thrown on a plate with old pickles on top of one another If a good bakery is what your looking for than go to Espania, Ceiba or Kasalta in Condado, they are the spots to know. Hopefully you will read this before coming here. read more

El Hipopótamo - Not Good... - Wine Bars Near Me - San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Very good, traditional Spanish cuisine. Small/dark/ bodega style. Good paella, seafood and much more. This place has been there since I was a child...let's just say, that's a long time. A testament to good food/service. read more

Great Spanish cava-style restaurant with great wine selections. The wooden décor is very nice. It's not super fancy, but it's tasteful. Initially it has a deli feel to it when you first walk-in, but they also have a dining room. They change their soups daily, and I looove their cream of yuca! I used to call in and ask prior and the second they heard my voice they so knew it was me and just said "Hi, no we don't have your cream of yuca today. Mañana." :-) Very unpretentious and located very close to the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Muy buen restaurante español tipo cava con buena selección de vinos y decoración en madera acogedora. No es de lujo, pero es decente. Inicialmente da sensación de cafetería, porque tiene un area de barrita de cafetería, pero también tiene comedor. Cambian sus sopas todos los días, ¡y hacen una crema de yuca deliciosa! Solía llamar antes para saber, y tan pronto me oían la voz ya sabían y decían "No, bendito tu crema de yuca no la servimos hoy, pero mañana." :-D Me gusta que es relax y está cerca de la Universidad de Puerto Rico en Río Piedras. read more

Decent breakfast place with large servings. We stopped by for an early meal in the area, and we ordered an oatmeal and a medianoche as entrees. Both were solid if unspectacular breakfast meals, the former in particular being fairly hefty and with a little sweetness that I liked. We were able to sit there and relax for a little bit for a breakfast spot, and it's a reasonable quiet place for a meal in the area. read more

I stopped at El Hipopótamo after the dissapointment with Kasalta Bakery. I was pleasently surprised. The service was excellent. I had the best cafe con leche I have had in Puerto Rico so far. I has a "media noche" sandwich. It was good, and less expensive than Kasalta. I found out the place has been there for about 40+ years. The staff is very friendly and a lot of locals come in the morning to have their coffee and "tostadas" (toasts made out pan de agua. I also had a croqueta de pollo. Very good chicken croquet. I couldn't resist and I had a quesito. As good or better than Kasalta. If you want a good cup of Puerto Rican Coffee with a good media noche sandwich visit this place. It has plenty of parking. read more

Traditional Restaurant with diverse menu. Beef stroganoff is good but don't recommend if you don't like salty food. Sandwiches are good as well. Feels very local. read more

This place has a lot of local charm. Went for breakfast and was happy with the food and pricing. Pretty tight seating for breakfast but the staff was good and good was good. I would come for breakfast again. read more

El Hipopótamo - Breakfast was amazing.. three cheese omelet with hand made hashbrown. It was delicious and I recommend it. Very local place and feel. - Wine Bars Near Me - San Juan, Puerto Rico

I came here for breakfast once and I had a great waiter who really took care of a friend and I while we there. The food was great and I really enjoyed what I ordered. He was also there today and greeted me with a smile. Today I had horrible waiter, who didn't even care to smile. I am vegetarian and this place was the closet to where I am staying otherwise I wouldn't have come here. I ordered a a grilled cheese sandwich and was seriously judged by this waiter, so being there made me feel uncomfortable since I was alone. I don't think I will be coming back to this place after the experience I just had. read more

Great rice and beans place next to UPR. Had two bowls of beans con bistec encebollado. Come here if you have a Vitamin B-ean deficiency. El flan de coco was excellent as was the sopa gallego. Service attentive. read more

It is the worst and most expensive restaurant in the area. The waiters are rude, the food expensive and not even tasty. I want to live a minus star. read more

Bad service and rude employees. Ordered food to go. They only put beverage in the bag. Didn't put the food order in. Went back and they refused to give me the order. read more

If you want true authentic Puerto Rican food, this is the pace to go. I highly recommend this establishment. It is small but don't let the size fool you. The staff was brilliant! The food was great. The experience was superb. Si quieres auténtica comida puertorriqueña auténtica, este es el ritmo a seguir. Recomiendo mucho este establecimiento Es pequeño pero no dejes que el tamaño te engañe. El personal fue genial! La comida estuvo grandiosa. La experiencia fue excelente. read more

Stopped by after church with my family looking for brunch or breakfast. Pleasantly surprised! Their breakfast and sandwich menu had everything you could want and at very reasonable prices. The croquettes were delicious and the mimosas were made with freshly squeezed orange juice. The service was excellent and super fast (5 adults and a baby in my tribe). Everything was excellent. The dessert tray was out of this world. We'll definitely become regulars here. read more

NOTE: Horrible places and location to start with. Great service in general except for some waiters. If you are a person who wants the best for the money and your into quality, this is not the places. I bet if Gordon Ramsey did an episode on this place in nightmare kitchen, he will definitely lit the place in fire. The food is rubbish in general, unless you order a traditional "criollo" food (though for my standard it's still rubbish). Now I didn't gave this place one star for one reason only- it's iconic.There no doubt that the places has a special charm with the local people due to the fact that the business has been there for 60 years or so. Everybody in Hato Rey and in Rio Piedra now this places and at least for once in their life eat here. read more

Slow service, but good food. Like most old restaurant in San Juan prices are high. Feedback of quality & taste of their sandwiches is very good. I had conch fish w/ tostones. read more

Just a location that has seen its best days go away. I guess that will be close as soon as its current customer base fades away.

The paella is consistently one of the best over the years. Other choices on menu will not disappoint. Great food and service.

My partner and I had a great breakfast here one Sunday morning. I had the cinnamon oatmeal which was fantastic and creamy. The buttery toast they brought out was super fluffy, and the coffee was good. Prices were very low, and the service was extremely quick and professional. I definitely would recommend this place over some of the more touristy parts of town. read more

El Hipopótamo - Wine Bars Near Me - San Juan, Puerto Rico

Service was pretty mediocre. I asked for a salad with chicken on top. When I got the check I found out that I was charged for the plate of chicken (which I did not eat) and the salad. Again unbenounced to me; I found that of poor taste. read more

Great service, great prices, and excellent food. We were recommended here by our hotel concierge, she definitely knew what the good local restaurants were. I ordered a a dish of seafood paella, they bring out a large pot for just one order! Will definitely return when we re-visit Puerto Rico. read more