La Cueva del Mar Photos
La Cueva del Mar Popular Drinks
LA CUEVA DEL MAR ATMOSPHERE
You might also consider
Recommended Reviews - La Cueva del Mar
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos - La Cueva del Mar
Service was soo slow on a Monday, they were sold out of 3 of the fresh fish, and they couldn't get the order right when delivering. Anyway would not recommend.. grouper was very overcooked and mash was just a bunch of starch. We tried two sauces for the fish, verde and garlic which looked identical to the point the waitress couldn't tell us which was which. We believe the garlic one was incredibly salty. Like not needed. The other was good but again not needed. I put it on the mash which helped a bit. Likely I wouldn't return...
This is the "main restaurant" in the Embassy Suites Hotel and Casino. It's seafood based and has a pretty extensive menu. We got the Tuna nachos and the shrimp tacos to share. Everything was fresh and delicious! The portions were perfect for sharing and had a wonderful flavor! The shrimp tacos were lightly breaded and had a good flavor. The nachos had fresh ahi tuna and a great flavor with the seaweed salad! The service was good and fast too! The price was a bit high, but it's what you expect in a hotel lobby.
Solid bites, decent location, nice but understaffed Here as a holdover spot before jumping on a boat. Had to grab a bite, so went to this place in the hotel to try. There was only one server on at the time, and she was working hard. The inside was nice, but there was a bunch of flickering lights around. Let the missus order, and she opted for the mahi mahi in a chickpea and chorizo sauce. Their house fried rice and beans, an empadilla, and some cheese balls with guava dipping sauce. Food took a while to come out, but we got our food and dug in. The food generally was good. The cheese balls were savory and salty which paired well with the slightly sweet guava. The empadilla had flavorful steak and flaky crust. The mahi mahi had a good crust and the fried rice was hearty and seasoned well. The issue I had besides the lack of servers was the overall texture of the sauces. They were thickened pretty heavily and although had flavor it wasn't descript. It had salt and body but no refined flavors. It was good, just hard to describe. Overall I enjoyed the food. Price was okay for a hotel attached restaurant. It needs some polish on its flavors but you'll have plenty to eat and it will fill the stomach
When you want no-frills, authentic seafood and don't mind getting a little messy, La Cueva del Mar is the place to go. We showed up around 7:30 p.m. on a Tuesday thinking it might be an easy walk-in--and there was already about a 30-minute wait. That tells you everything. It's casual, busy, and clearly loved by locals and visitors alike. At first glance, it feels like a slightly divey, straightforward seafood joint. Nothing flashy, nothing overly polished. But once you're seated, the energy makes sense--orders are flying, dishes come out as they're ready, and everything is made fresh. Vibe & Service * Casual, bustling, and authentically Puerto Rican * Expect a short wait during peak dinner hours * Food comes out as it's prepared--less structured, more "fresh off the line" Food & Drinks * Standard bar offerings--beers, cocktails, easy island drinks * Fried Lobster - indulgent and perfectly crisp * Crab Fried Rice - packed with flavor and generous seafood * Seafood Tacos - fresh, hearty, and exactly what you want * Overall: big portions, bold flavors, and plenty of fried goodness This is the spot to lean in--order the fried seafood, share plates, have a drink, and enjoy the chaos. Verdict La Cueva del Mar may technically be a small franchise, but it feels like a beloved local seafood shack. If you're craving authentic, generous, no-frills Puerto Rican seafood, this is a five-star kind of place. Come hungry and don't expect fancy--just expect delicious.
This was another local recommendation that we were excited to try. We arrived and were sat pretty immediately. We spent some time here, mainly waiting for our food - over an hour. During that time though, we were able to watch the waitstaff in beast mode. These guys run a tight ship. It was maybe the most enjoyable part of our visit. Case in point: from the time a party paid and left their table, on average, only a few minutes passed before another party was literally being seated. Delegation of tasks, attentiveness and great communication among the team made this look like clockwork. I timed it on several occasions, lol: an average of only 3 minutes between guests. And just in case you think that's not enough time, it was. Just three minutes to clear the table, wipe down the table, vacuum around the table, wipe the chairs down and reset the table. Impressive. Our waiter was awesome, when we saw him, and to be fair, he was running hard. We did have to fly him down several times though. He took care of us but the long stretch between ordering and eating was palpable. I'm still not sure why the wait was so long, as we saw several folks come and go while we waited. Maybe the kitchen isn't as tightly run as the table staff, who knows. Had the food been as good as we were hoping, we likely wouldn't have minded. But sadly, it wasn't. It was okay, but just okay. We'd already had many stellar meals and ours here didn't make the cut. Bold flavor and seasoning were def missing. I ordered the sesame crusted tuna salad and my partner ordered a local favorite (the primary reason we sought out La Cueva Del Mar): yucca mofongo, with octopus and conch. I'm not sure if this is an acquired taste but it didn't hit home with us.
This was the very first place we ate after arriving in Puerto Rico, and it absolutely set the tone for the trip. The food was incredibly tasty, and the service made the experience even better. Our waiter was attentive and offered a recommendation that changed everything, it's where my obsession with mofongo began! I ordered the crab and shrimp mofongo, which was a special request, and it was nothing short of amazing. The flavors were rich and well-balanced, and the dish was beautifully presented. You could tell it was made with care. Parking is street-side and can be a bit of a hassle, so plan ahead if you're driving. But once you're inside, the food and service make it well worth the effort. Highly recommend!
this spot was really good! the spicy margaritas were really spicy and the seafood tasted very fresh. the garlic sauce from the mofongo we got was really good. the ceviche was delicious as well, very limey which i like. it was made with fish instead of shrimp like im used to. the green hot sauce on the table is very spicy and tangy, be warned!! i typically am not too afraid of trying out hot sauces but these puerto rican restaurant hot sauces certainly showed me i should approach with more caution our waitress was friendly as well. this was a great, slightly more casual dinner spot that im glad we got to try.
I stopped by Cueva del Mar for lunch and honestly, I'm still thinking about that sopón de gandules. I remember as a kid I would be obsessed with this soup when I would visit a family friend. I was craving it and decided to get it despite it being hot outside. It was incredibly hearty and flavorful, it was loaded with ham, lentils, and sweet plantains. The kind of soul-warming comfort food that makes you forget it's 90 degrees outside. I'd order it again in a heartbeat! I also had the Caesar salad and wow, that dressing was something else. Light, fresh, and clearly homemade. I've never had a Caesar like it before, so simple but so unique and addicting. The service was just as good as the food. Super attentive and warm without being overbearing. You can tell a lot of locals love this place because the servers know them by name. You know if the locals love it that it'll be a hit and indeed it was.
I went to PR fo the weekend. We cake here for dinner. The restaurant wasn't as packed, however the service was decent. The food was very salty. I ordered the mofongo and my friend has the asopado de pollo. Someone from our party had carnitas de cerdado and a piece of brillo was on it. We complained about it and or waitress told the manager said we should've complained as soon as we tasted it but because we didn't say anything when we first received the food. A party of five who comes here and all parties doesnt eat their food says something. I will not come here again
I highly enjoyed La Cueva Del Mar! I wanted a mix of Latin and seafood and this was the perfect choice. 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! read more
3 days ago
24 days ago
Everything was absolutely amazing from the customer service to the extensive menu provided so many options. It was honestly a little overwhelming, but in a good way. As a Taurus, of course you want authentic flavors you want more authentic vibes and I think this place did that for me. I asked the waitress for her recommendation between the salmon catch of the day and the steak. We went with the steak and she did not disappoint. This will be a recommendation to all of my fellow Americans read more
28 days ago
Service was soo slow on a Monday, they were sold out of 3 of the fresh fish, and they couldn't get the order right when delivering. Anyway would not recommend.. grouper was very overcooked and mash was just a bunch of starch. We tried two sauces for the fish, verde and garlic which looked identical to the point the waitress couldn't tell us which was which. We believe the garlic one was incredibly salty. Like not needed. The other was good but again not needed. I put it on the mash which helped a bit. Likely I wouldn't return... read more
2 months ago
This is the "main restaurant" in the Embassy Suites Hotel and Casino. It's seafood based and has a pretty extensive menu. We got the Tuna nachos and the shrimp tacos to share. Everything was fresh and delicious! The portions were perfect for sharing and had a wonderful flavor! The shrimp tacos were lightly breaded and had a good flavor. The nachos had fresh ahi tuna and a great flavor with the seaweed salad! The service was good and fast too! The price was a bit high, but it's what you expect in a hotel lobby. read more
Amazing food. Fun appetizers. Must try $7.95 shrimp camarones Arepas Rellanos. $12 Awesome hamburger, cooked to perfection the requested medium rare with crispy skinny fries. The double bun, makes it easy to divide the oblong hamburger patty tethered each half has buns read more
Solid bites, decent location, nice but understaffed Here as a holdover spot before jumping on a boat. Had to grab a bite, so went to this place in the hotel to try. There was only one server on at the time, and she was working hard. The inside was nice, but there was a bunch of flickering lights around. Let the missus order, and she opted for the mahi mahi in a chickpea and chorizo sauce. Their house fried rice and beans, an empadilla, and some cheese balls with guava dipping sauce. Food took a while to come out, but we got our food and dug in. The food generally was good. The cheese balls were savory and salty which paired well with the slightly sweet guava. The empadilla had flavorful steak and flaky crust. The mahi mahi had a good crust and the fried rice was hearty and seasoned well. The issue I had besides the lack of servers was the overall texture of the sauces. They were thickened pretty heavily and although had flavor it wasn't descript. It had salt and body but no refined flavors. It was good, just hard to describe. Overall I enjoyed the food. Price was okay for a hotel attached restaurant. It needs some polish on its flavors but you'll have plenty to eat and it will fill the stomach read more
4 months ago
When you want no-frills, authentic seafood and don't mind getting a little messy, La Cueva del Mar is the place to go. We showed up around 7:30 p.m. on a Tuesday thinking it might be an easy walk-in--and there was already about a 30-minute wait. That tells you everything. It's casual, busy, and clearly loved by locals and visitors alike. At first glance, it feels like a slightly divey, straightforward seafood joint. Nothing flashy, nothing overly polished. But once you're seated, the energy makes sense--orders are flying, dishes come out as they're ready, and everything is made fresh. Vibe & Service * Casual, bustling, and authentically Puerto Rican * Expect a short wait during peak dinner hours * Food comes out as it's prepared--less structured, more "fresh off the line" Food & Drinks * Standard bar offerings--beers, cocktails, easy island drinks * Fried Lobster - indulgent and perfectly crisp * Crab Fried Rice - packed with flavor and generous seafood * Seafood Tacos - fresh, hearty, and exactly what you want * Overall: big portions, bold flavors, and plenty of fried goodness This is the spot to lean in--order the fried seafood, share plates, have a drink, and enjoy the chaos. Verdict La Cueva del Mar may technically be a small franchise, but it feels like a beloved local seafood shack. If you're craving authentic, generous, no-frills Puerto Rican seafood, this is a five-star kind of place. Come hungry and don't expect fancy--just expect delicious. read more
This was another local recommendation that we were excited to try. We arrived and were sat pretty immediately. We spent some time here, mainly waiting for our food - over an hour. During that time though, we were able to watch the waitstaff in beast mode. These guys run a tight ship. It was maybe the most enjoyable part of our visit. Case in point: from the time a party paid and left their table, on average, only a few minutes passed before another party was literally being seated. Delegation of tasks, attentiveness and great communication among the team made this look like clockwork. I timed it on several occasions, lol: an average of only 3 minutes between guests. And just in case you think that's not enough time, it was. Just three minutes to clear the table, wipe down the table, vacuum around the table, wipe the chairs down and reset the table. Impressive. Our waiter was awesome, when we saw him, and to be fair, he was running hard. We did have to fly him down several times though. He took care of us but the long stretch between ordering and eating was palpable. I'm still not sure why the wait was so long, as we saw several folks come and go while we waited. Maybe the kitchen isn't as tightly run as the table staff, who knows. Had the food been as good as we were hoping, we likely wouldn't have minded. But sadly, it wasn't. It was okay, but just okay. We'd already had many stellar meals and ours here didn't make the cut. Bold flavor and seasoning were def missing. I ordered the sesame crusted tuna salad and my partner ordered a local favorite (the primary reason we sought out La Cueva Del Mar): yucca mofongo, with octopus and conch. I'm not sure if this is an acquired taste but it didn't hit home with us. read more
This was the very first place we ate after arriving in Puerto Rico, and it absolutely set the tone for the trip. The food was incredibly tasty, and the service made the experience even better. Our waiter was attentive and offered a recommendation that changed everything, it's where my obsession with mofongo began! I ordered the crab and shrimp mofongo, which was a special request, and it was nothing short of amazing. The flavors were rich and well-balanced, and the dish was beautifully presented. You could tell it was made with care. Parking is street-side and can be a bit of a hassle, so plan ahead if you're driving. But once you're inside, the food and service make it well worth the effort. Highly recommend! read more
6 months ago
this spot was really good! the spicy margaritas were really spicy and the seafood tasted very fresh. the garlic sauce from the mofongo we got was really good. the ceviche was delicious as well, very limey which i like. it was made with fish instead of shrimp like im used to. the green hot sauce on the table is very spicy and tangy, be warned!! i typically am not too afraid of trying out hot sauces but these puerto rican restaurant hot sauces certainly showed me i should approach with more caution our waitress was friendly as well. this was a great, slightly more casual dinner spot that im glad we got to try. read more
I stopped by Cueva del Mar for lunch and honestly, I'm still thinking about that sopón de gandules. I remember as a kid I would be obsessed with this soup when I would visit a family friend. I was craving it and decided to get it despite it being hot outside. It was incredibly hearty and flavorful, it was loaded with ham, lentils, and sweet plantains. The kind of soul-warming comfort food that makes you forget it's 90 degrees outside. I'd order it again in a heartbeat! I also had the Caesar salad and wow, that dressing was something else. Light, fresh, and clearly homemade. I've never had a Caesar like it before, so simple but so unique and addicting. The service was just as good as the food. Super attentive and warm without being overbearing. You can tell a lot of locals love this place because the servers know them by name. You know if the locals love it that it'll be a hit and indeed it was. read more
The best seafood in San Juan the local Puerto Rican dishes are amazing. The atmosphere is fun. They have a full bar and the service is always fast and friendly. If you have not had their house, special Arroz Pescado, you ain't living! Pro tip: use the green sauce. read more
7 months ago
We came here about 30 mins before they closed for take out but they didn't seem TOO annoyed. I got the rice dish with all the seafood and it was really flavorful. One of the waiters suggested getting fried cheese with guava sauce, the cheese was only ok but the sauce was delicious. read more
I went to PR fo the weekend. We cake here for dinner. The restaurant wasn't as packed, however the service was decent. The food was very salty. I ordered the mofongo and my friend has the asopado de pollo. Someone from our party had carnitas de cerdado and a piece of brillo was on it. We complained about it and or waitress told the manager said we should've complained as soon as we tasted it but because we didn't say anything when we first received the food. A party of five who comes here and all parties doesnt eat their food says something. I will not come here again read more
2 months ago
The fish tacos are to die for! Service is excellent. Not pictured are the tostones (plantain and breadfruit) and they're exceptional. You won't be disappointed! read more
5 months ago
This food was delicious!! Order the Yellow rice and beans, and thank me later (: Our service spoke English and was extremely nice and informative. It was a little loud but nothing unbearable. read more
8 months ago
Overall it was ok, not my favorite place but the service was nice. We had the empandas which were great. I tried the lobster, crab meat and Mahi Mahi. We had the Mahi Mahi bites, they were good but a bit dry. Lastly, we had the grouper with coconut sauce.and a side. The fish was a tad salty for my liking, the coconut sauce was delicious. The side was basically peas and rice, which was good as well. We also got a regular mojito and rum and coke, both were watered down. Again, the service was good. I don't think I will be back some its other places to try. read more
Came here for lunch because it was close to our Airbnb. The waiter was nice and attentive. The oysters were delicious and fresh. My husband enjoyed his shrimp tacos and said the fish was nice and flakey. I tried the mofongo and thought the sauce was ok but the shrimp was good. My husband enjoyed his Expresso martini. read more
We were looking for a place to eat dinner in the area on a recent Tuesday night and we came upon La Cuerva del Mar, a place our son had visited in the past. Even though they told us that the wait would be long, a table opened up quickly and we were seated. Here are some things about La Cueva del Mar that we noticed: - Boy, this place is hopping and loud...it didn't bother us, but it might not be the place for you if you are looking for a quieter place to talk. - Service was excellent. - Huge menu with lots of different options. Even though it is a seafood place, there were many other options too. - The food was excellent...my wife and I shared two dishes. The Mofongo with the garlicy shrimp was incredible, as was the rice/beans side. - They didn't have many beers on tap, so we opted for some Medalla beers which went with the meal perfectly. Bottom line: Great place for dinner...we would go back! read more
Absolutely delicious grouper nuggets! Food is always fresh and made to order. Can't go wrong with anything here . We usually have traditional food but my teenager ordered the steak and it was surprisingly good. Seafood Paellas are SO FLAVORFUL but they do take a while to be made. Do yourself a favor and try the fried red snapper, you will thank me later! Always a fan of the fish tacos! We like the guaynabo location better! read more
3 months ago
Our Uber driver recommended this spot, and I'm glad we listened. We ended up going twice during our trip to Puerto Rico. There was about a 30-minute wait both times, but honestly, it was worth it. The fish was incredible, and the margaritas were some of the best we had on the island. Definitely a must-visit if you're in San Juan. read more
14 days ago
My friends and I had a nice happy hour here for our first local eatery in Puerto Rico. They have daily happy hour specials with $4 drinks from 4-7PM. I loved the taco and empanada I ordered. It was so hot and fresh and literally was $10 total for food. It was a good first eat recommended by my group who's visited here before. I'd definitely come back and try more menu items as it's extensive. The drinks were okay. They were not special but definitely heavy pours. Service was patient and they spoke English and Spanish which I was worried about. They could only split the bill 2 ways so I wish there was the option to split as many ways as we wanted. read more
We tried the mahi mahi bites and empanadas, both pretty good. I liked the empanadas a lot better (lobster + shrimp empanada) Although, I'd most likely try the calamari next time instead of the mahi mahi bites I particularly wasn't in the seafood mood anymore so I got a Ribeye steak that I asked to be cooked medium but it was more medium well. It was a great 16oz steak with fries and i left very satisfied and full!! My girlfriend on the overhand had the ceviche and plantains which she actually loved! read more
3 months ago
Me and my family went there after a hike and had already eaten a bit so were just wanting a small bite. The service was nice and our server was very friendly and fast. We ordered each of us an empanada and they were amazing, but just as a heads up the pizza empanada is just cheese. Overall amazing place and totally recommend for a family or anyone looking for great seafood and empanadas. read more
1 month ago
11 months ago
Food was amazing. The arroz con mariscos was really generous with the seafood and had an amazing taste. We sat at the bar and the bartender was so kind and fun to be around. It was also a great vibe inside with everyone enjoying their time and food. It was packed on a Monday night! Only downside I found was that we waited a really long time for our food. Probably 30+ minutes. read more
4 months ago
My GF ordered the Arroz Marinero, which the menu mentions having clams & mussels. Dish arrived with one empty clam and a single mussel that didn't open. Upon talking to the manager, we are informed that this is how the dish is served. We then pointed out that the menu advertises clams and mussels, and not a single mussel or clam. Manager then clams his English is not so good, thus the miscommunication in how many clams and mussels should be in the dish. After pointing out that on the menu the quantity of clams and mussels in the dish is described in plural in both English and Spanish, they comped us the dish. Let the buyer beware read more
1 year ago
It started off a little rocky because I can't stand when employees walk past you and don't acknowledge you when you're standing at the host stand. I almost walked out BUT babeeee I'm glad I didn't. We started with the shrimp and chicken Empandillas. They were amazing! They arrived super fresh and hot to our table! The shrimp was extremely flavorful and the crust seasoned and flaky! For my entree, I ordered the shrimp Mofongo in a garlic sauce and tostones. The shrimp Mofongo was delicious and flavor intense. If you love garlic get it in the garlic sauce. You will not be disappointed! I never got the tostones but that was okay because I was full as a tick! Our server Pio was very nice and bilingual! He made great recommendations and was very attentive! The ambiance is very much local dive energy! But I really enjoy that over touristy. Lastly it is a very walkable location. I highly recommend this restaurant!! read more
2 months ago
4 months ago
I need to come back for the garlic sauce. That was incredible and I know I'll never find it again elsewhere. read more
We were recommended to go here for dinner if we were looking for authentic Puerto Rican cuisine and it did not disappoint! This restaurant is in a bit of a seedy looking area, but upon entering, it was packed on a Sunday night! Locals and tourists. Our server Valerie helped us decide on our entrees and they were amazing! Best mofongo I've ever had! We will be returning there for dinner tonight since it's our last night on the island!! read more
1 year ago
Fried pork mofongo was so good--as was the rice of the day with gandules. They easily handled our large family group and were so sweet to our kids. read more
3 months ago
2 months ago
We stay at Embassy Suites several times a year and usually grab dinner here. It's pretty standard with an extensive menu. I usually get the ceviche and it's always good. The service is pretty slow but it gives you more time to enjoy some drinks. read more
Loved it so much that we bookended our last trip with them. Fantastic fried fish and rice and beans. Their drinks were nothing to write home about but solid. The conch empanadillas were my favorite thing, though the ones with jueyes were also great. If you're a fish lover definitely come here. The service was honestly not great either night (no matter if we spoke English or Spanish so at least they were consistent) and they ran very slow from the kitchen but everyone was pleasant and the food was worth it. Will be back! read more
2 months ago
1 year ago
Loved this place. The waiter was extremely helpful in ordering food and drinks. The prices and portion sizes were good. The sangria is homemade and they have different flavors. The shrimp mofongo was delicious with nice size shrimp. The chicken rice and beans was well seasoned. the chicken was crispy and flavorful. It was nice inside, it's not a fancy place but it feels welcoming. read more
Page 1 of 14
More info about La Cueva del Mar
Calle Loíza 1904
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00911
Directions
(787) 726-8700
Call Now
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
La Cueva del Mar Reviews in Other Languages
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
11 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
3 years ago
6 years ago
4 months ago
1 year ago
8 years ago
3 years ago
5 years ago
4 years ago
8 years ago
4 years ago
7 years ago
