I got bitch slapped. Everything we had was espectacular. Even the service was grand. Luis was not only attentive but quite invested in his job. The attention to detail is phenomenal. The main room is quite beautiful and the drinks were exceptional. I had the urban hipster and the global warming. It does get caliente at the end. read more

Spectacular! Truly memorable evening. The tasting menu (actually we could choose from a number of selections) and wine pairings are the way to go. The specialty white bean soup did not disappoint. We will run --- not walk -- back to Marmalade when next in San Juan. read more

Nothing I'm writing is going to cover anything the 200-plus previous reviewers didn't already mention, but here goes. Delicious (albeit expensive) drinks. Fun appetizers. Great atmosphere and ambience. Four-course prix fixe left me full but not stuffed, and was a better deal than ordering a la carte. Pappardelle appetizer was phenomenal, and popcorn shrimp appetizer was fun. A great meal all around. Expensive, but good. Would give five stars if prices were slightly more reasonable. read more

My boyfriend and I were in San Juan for a long weekend, and on our last night we went to Marmalade. We were completely blown away by the place, and both of us thought it rivaled some of the best restaurants in New York. We did the five course tasting menu with wine pairing, which I thought was actually very reasonably priced. All five courses were amazing and pours were generous for drinks. The portion sizes were a bit large for me, but perfect for my boyfriend. It was almost disappointing to leave food on my plate. We have done a number of tasting menus, and I was a little unsure about picking everything myself instead of relying on the chef's recommendation for taste progression, but we ended up doing well (probably resulting more from the menu design than our selections). I started with the japanese ceviche appetizer paired with sake. From there, the white bean soup, lobster risotto, pork belly, and bread pudding for dessert. I absolutely LOVED everything. The standouts were my appetizer, the white bean soup, and the foie gras that the boyfriend ordered (I don't remember what else he got). We were honestly floored how everything that came out was so delicious, not a low note in the meal. The service was fabulous, our waiter was extremely friendly and did a great job. I appreciated the way the chef came out and spoke with every table in the restaurant, and actually engaged in conversation with us (well more of my boyfriend while I was in a food coma). We have been to a number of restaurants where the chefs come out and say hellos where it seems to be more for show than anything. Chef Peter came across as genuinely being interested in our dining experience, stopping to have a substantive conversation, ask questions, etc. It was great. Only regret? Our server mentioned potentially sharing the white bean soup recipe after we raved about it and spoke about cooking. By the time the meal finished we forgot all about it, so I didn't think to follow up! Now I have to wait until I go back to San Juan to have it again. read more

We ate hrs elves stupid at this place and loved it. Styled after the Korova Milk Bar in A Clockwork Orange, the ambiance does not disappoint. The service was top notch. The cocktails were delicious. We got the four course tasting menu and it was definitely the right choice. The white bean soup is to die for. Definitely coming back! read more

Back in PR again, and had to stop by my favorite place. My memory did not overblow it - this place is the real deal. The tenderloin was one of the best dishes I've ever had! And the lobster risotto - spectacular. From drinks to food to service to crowd (both times here I've chatted up with friendly strangers) this is exactly the experience you're looking for in dining in Old San Juan. Do not miss out. read more

Small appetizers, beautiful people, super chic, sophisticated and seriously delicious food. Def do the wine pairing. They cater to vegetarians! Finally! read more

Marmalade - Amazing ambiance - Caribbean Near Me - San Juan, Puerto Rico

We first went to Marmalade about 6 years ago. We recently went back, and it was just as good as 6 years ago, if not better. We went with the 4 course dinner, which is plenty of food. Everything we had was excellent. The restaurant is famous for it's white bean soup with truffle oil, which is a must have. We had the ceviche, lobster risotto, white bean soup, grilled nectarines as appetizers. For the main course, we had sea bass, Beef Tenderloin, and the tuna with foie gras. For dessert we had Milk Chocolate with Macadamia Nut & Passion Fruit, Salted Caramel Corn Crème Brûlée &Organic Chocolate-Local Guava "Tripleta". Every single dish was excellent. Our waiter was Luis. He was one of the best waiters that I ever had. Very helpful, and extremely knowledgeable of the entire menu, including the wines. The chef/owner usually makes his way out of the kitchen to chat with his customers. Overall, a fine dining experience. Will definitely return on my next trip to Puerto Rico. read more

Every dime spent here was well worth it. Don't dare to leave Puerto Rico without having a taste of Marmalade. The decor was very eclectic and the food was just as creatively delicious. The fine dining experience I received at Marmalade well exceeded my expectations... and of course, I expected a lot from a fine dining restaurant - minus the snotty treatment. I was more than satisfied with the food and customer service. In addition, I thought it was an honor to have the owner/chef, Peter Schintler, come out to greet his guests and take the dessert orders. I think he does that on the regular with his guests... well, at least he did during dinner that night. Oh yes, you must try everything... tasting from the wine bar, appetizers, fusion cocktails, main dishes, desserts, and after dinner coffee. Keep in mind.. sharing is caring. ;-) read more

Hands down Marmalade has my vote as San Juan's best restaurant. My husband and I were on our honeymoon in PR and made advance reservations with the highly anticipated dinner. Phew-- it didn't disappoint. We got seated at one of those corner sofa that had a mountainous load of cushions behind our backs. The set up was such that we were seated next to each other instead of across. If only I could sleep right there after our dinner and wine. We ordered the 5-course tasting menu and got to choose which items we wanted from their ala carte menu. The portion for each course was bigger than expected since we expected them to tasting (aka petite) portions. They were almost like regular size portions! Not a bad thing.... We started with the scallop mojito which was a great start to the night and it broadened our expectations for the rest of the night. Served in a martini glass, our server poured from the martini shaker a light coconut concocted dressing over the scallop ceviche that was already inside the martini glass. The scallops were tender, soft, and refreshing to the palate. Their signature white bean and truffle soup was so good and I usually don't even like creamy soup. The foie gras, ohmygoodness, the foie gras was huge. It was easily about 4 inches in length for EACH of us. It was served with blood sausage and tiny crisp slices of bread. I'm not big on blood sausages but the foie gras was so good although I have to admit I was a little foie grased-out after that course given the amount I had just eaten. The Kobe beef cheeks were debatable between my husband and I. I said I could definitely taste the truffles on each but he insisted that he couldn't. However we agreed that the sauce that came with it was very flavorful and rich. I got donuts and coffee for dessert but they aren't your classic donuts and coffee. The "donuts" were small balls coated with crushed peanuts; the "coffee" wasnt meant to be drunk but instead the donuts were supposed to be dunked into the cup filled with layers of coffee, choc, raspberry and foam. Overall, the food was really memorable and it reflected the thought that was put into preparing it. The chef/owner came to the dining room several times throughout the night and stopped at as many tables as he could to check in. He told us about their special wines from California. His effort of stopping at each table made the dining experience more personal. Service at this restaurant was also good. If you're visiting San Juan, be sure to check it out. Foodie or not, you might like or love it as much as we did! read more

The BEST food and dining experience I had in Puerto Rico! This is a must stop place to enjoy dinner. The lobster risotto is hands down the best risotto I have ever had and I'm contemplating hoping back on a plane to Puerto Rico just to get some more. The white bean soup with truffle oil was also absolutely amazing! And the cocktails; especially the pineapple mojito are incredible. You will not leave this restaurant sorry, every food item and drink we received here was prepared perfectly. read more

No words.... wow, awesome , amazing!!! The soup is no joke, it will change your life. The wine pairings were excellent. My wife and I each did a 5 course tasting menu. I highly recommend it. Meeting Chef Peter was a nice touch and our server Christina just made the whole experience phenomenal ... it was great! Do not miss Marmalade!! read more

We chose Marmalade as our 10-Year Anniversary Dinner and couldn't have been happier. My luggage was soaked when it arrived at baggage claim so I had to arrive a bit more casual than anticipated, but I never felt awkward. This is 5-STAR cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. Couldn't be happier! The staff was always on point, from the rose petals awaiting on the table to the constant whirlwind of servers making plates magically appear and disappear. We each did the 5-course menu (two white bean soups and eight different items) and every dish was off-the-charts amazing. The head chef even took our dessert order and cleared plates! I've never seen that from a nice restaurant! Left a great impression! Order at will. You can't go wrong! read more

What makes a restaurant 5 stars? For me it is a conjunction of happenings. We came without reservation, following Yelp recommendation, and they were able to accommodate us, although they were full in a Monday evening. At the next table we met the chef's daughter dining by herself, who was around 7 years old and highly recommended her dad's food. One has to trust on that, Then came our waiter, Katia from New York, very professional and persuasive on recommending the 4. 5 or 6 courses menu. That is our thing, she saids. My husband asked for the 4 course but I decided to go solo for the Sea bass. Katia recommended the white bean soup and I was granted with a sample. I guess the fifth star was granted at this moment, I order the sea bass and it came very beautiful and tasty. My husband asked for the white bean soap (thank God because of that I got the free sample) the rabbit and the steak, all very good but the white bean soup was unforgettable. The wine was the Sonoma Zinfandel Seguesio, very tasty, and the dessert the Banana bread pudim came very warm and big enough yo share. Service was very slow though and there were big intervals between plates. They need to work on that. Price is high read more

I really loved this restaurant. Everything from the decor to the service was fantastic. We opted for the 5 course meal, which left us plenty full. Between my husband and I, we had the popcorn shrimp, paella, white bean soup, lobster risotto, gnocchi with short ribs, halibut cheeks, pork cheeks, and warm banana bread pudding with rum ice cream. Everything was good. Strike that. Everything was REALLY good. The chef also came out to our table to talk to us a few times which was a nice touch. The cocktails were also quite good. We had the Urban Hipster and the Jimi Hendricks, and we loved both. I can honestly say this is one of the best meals I've had. Definitely go here if you are in San Juan. read more

Simply put, this place will not allow you to leave with anything short of 100% satisfaction. Their service is stellar and their commitment to their customers is beyond anything I have ever seen. read more

The most incredible dining experience I've ever had. The food's quality, presentation, complexity, and flavor profiles were outstanding and masterfully put together. DO NOT pass up the wine pairing, it completes the experience. Will definitely be back. read more

We "discovered" Marmalade thanks to a chatty local who runs a fine jewelry store. He recommended that we go to Marmalade for drinks and dessert; he wasn't terribly sold on the food. He said we should have dinner at 311 and then walk down to Marmalade. When we got to Marmalade, though, the dinner area was quite full, so apparently the food is good enough. :) We stayed in the bar / lounge area, a hip, inviting space that had a long communal bar-height table in the center of the room, the bar itself beyond it, and a comfy couch running along the length of the far wall. We sat at this couch, at a corner that was simply piled with luxurious pillows and cushions. The servers were young, friendly, warm and accommodating. One of us asked for a drink that was not on the menu, and the server was very gracious about it. The bartender was, too, and we got the drink made (quite delicious). We ordered more drinks, and a couple of them were complex but not to our tastes. The server was very gracious--he simply swept them away and brought us new drinks that we asked for. We weren't charged for the drinks we didn't like, and we were never made to feel awkward about it. The dessert! Ah, the dessert. We got three things among the three of us: (1) "coffee and donuts," which has neither coffee nor donuts. It comprises a bowl of... something dough-based and chocolate-based, so that was the "donut" part of it, and it had raspberries in it too. There was also a cup of thick, rich, delightful chocolate sauce, and the idea was to dip the "donut" into the "coffee"--it was decadent and delightful. The donuts melted in our mouths and there was more chocolatey and raspberry goodness in the center. (2) creme brulee-- this was one of the BEST creme brulees I've ever had. It was lightly flavored and it came with a fruit preserve. The creme was light but substantial, melting on my tongue; the sugar crust crunchy and properly brulee'd. Just a wonderful reimagining of a classic dessert. I can't sing its praises enough. (3) An apple crumble that was solid, classic and regular. It was well done, but nothing stunning or imaginative (as the other two were). So: go to Marmalade! Great ambience, welcoming service, interesting drinks, and unforgettable dessert. read more

Marmalade is off the charts. I have had very few experiences as rich as my time here .. the Owner / Chef is truly gifted, and his expression in Marmalade is among the finest I have had. This is a 5 star experience. read more

My wife and I ate at Marmalade on our first night during a five day stay in San Juan, and three days into the trip it's still the highlight. We arrived on time for our reservation, but they asked us to have a drink at the bar first while they prepared our table. The drinks are a bit pricey, with wine ranging from $9-$18 per glass and cocktails in the $10-15 range. My wife loved her pineapple mojito though and I was pleased with the cabernet. I did appreciate we could move to our dinner table with our drinks without settling the tab first. The ambience of the restaurant is beautiful and chic, with cool bar stools, long curtains and romantic lighting. Some tables are more like couches and would be fun for larger groups. I ordered the five course tasting menu and my wife the four. Her first course was the Prosciutto with pears that we really enjoyed. I ordered the tuna tartare and loved it. It's not something I would normally order, but the waiter recommended it and I was very impressed. For our second course, we both received the white bean soup (which is a mandatory course). However, it's absolutely delicious. It's pureed with tiny bits of bacon and green onion and quite light. My wife ordered the tenderloin for her entree and said it was very good. I again followed the server's recommendation and ordered the monkfish. It was fantastic. We ordered the chocolate mousse and fruit crumble for dessert. I'm not a fan of fruit crumble in general, but it was very good. However, my wife and I both loved the mousse. Overall, Marmalade provided a fantastic mix of great food, ambiance, and polite, informed, and efficient service. read more

This is the number 1 restaurant in Puerto Rico. I recommend the tasting menu. Get the white bean soup, popcorn shrimp and halibut cheek. You won't regret it. Best of all it is worth every penny and more. read more

If I could give more than five stars, I definitely would. Where can I find a four course stellar fine dining experience for $59... I will never know. The food was fantastic. The yellow tail poke to start was awesome, the white bean soup was amazing, the sea bass was buttery deliciousness, the millionaire ice cream was incredible! I tasted all of my friends' dishes too and they were good as well... Including the popcorn shrimp and red snapper ceviche starters as well as the pork cheeks and red snapper entrees... All very good. However, I loved the dishes that I ordered I think the best. For dessert, they gave us complimentary creme brûlée on top of the millionaire ice cream, bread pudding, and coffee and donuts (beignets) we ordered. The ice cream was hands down the best, with the bread pudding a clear, but still delicious, second. Negatives... The beignets I have to say, unfortunately, were not as good as anything else. It was all of our least favorite dish. It was the only dish we actually left a piece that wasn't eaten lol. It's not your average beignets... Somewhat small with a bit heavier, more cakey texture with a nutty shell/coating. I'm told the raspberries that came with it were really good though. This negative was nothing serious enough to take away from my five stars though. But if I have to say a con (what good review doesn't?) that would be it. The service also was nice. From the hostess, to the bartender or mixologist, to our waiter, to the waiter for the table next to use that actually gave us and explained the recipe for the white bean soup, to the dishes that were actually brought to our table by the chef/owner Peter himself... Very nice experience! He also took a picture with us after our meals and was very social with guests and willing to be open and talk about his food... As were the waiters. They even set our red rose pedals on tables for couples and have special sofa like seating for a more romantic feel. The ambience, in general, was very pretty. My only regret... Not getting the wine pairing. We had to wait two minutes for our table and decided to order a drink at the bar, so we stuck with cocktails... Which by the way are very unique and quite good. My friend had the global warming cocktail which was great if you like spicy margaritas... Not too hot though. My other friend had a beer based drink with a fresh blueberry purée, and I had the gin cocktail with lime, cucumber purée, mint, and jalapeño... Which I substituted for Grey goose... At which point the nice bartender or mixologist suggested I try an organic, kosher vodka that was gluten free instead... I wish I remembered the name! Only negatives about the cocktails.... They were $12.5, $14, and $16... A little on the pricier side. It seemed a little unbalanced when considering the cost of our food (which did I mention was $59 for four stellar courses?!). The $16 cocktail was very unique though. It was served over a chile infused ice cube so it got spicier the longer you took to drink it... Definitely unique! All in all, I live in NY but will definitely return here every time I come to PR. At the price of the prix fixe, I was extremely happy with the quality of cuisine and experience I received. The day before we went to 1919, which also was good but not as good, and was more pricy too. Definitely recommend! You must try it! And get the tasting menu bc it's definitely worth it :) read more

Hungry. Still very hungry. Wished there was more food. This is the kind of place where you will easily spend $75 pp and still be hungry. Wished they provided bread at least. Could've made my spaghetti squash more filling. We also got a beef tenderloin which was absolutely tasty and cooked just right but yeah it was like $35 before taxes and tips. Swanky vibe for folks with deep pockets. Don't expect bang for your buck here. This place is generally rated highly with FOUR dollar signs for a reason - just remember to bring the Black Card. read more

We had a wonderful dinner. We picked two great appetizers the Ceviche n Paella very interesting n tasty along with the White Bean Soup which came highly recommended. We had a Frank Family Cabernet Sauvignon that was spectacular (a bit pricey but worth it). For dinner my husband n I shared the Pork Cheeks, which was delivered by Chef n he explained how they are made...absolutely DELICIOUS!! Lastly dessert we had the Banana Pudding another must have dish. Ambience is delightful and staff very knowledgeable, our waiter Zack was wonderful. read more

Excellent Food. Must try their white bean soup and lobster risotto. Grab the tasting menu and choose between 4, 5 or 6 courses. we chose 5 and had a wonderful meal. read more

Our server was Craig and he was so helpful and made our experience so amazing !!! The food and cocktails were so delicious... Everything was cocked to perfection!!! This place is so worth it .. Loved it ;) read more

Make a reservation. Check in, sit down. Order the 6 course tasting menu along with the wine pairings. Relax and let Chef take you on a journey. You won't be disappointed. Unless you are clueless. One of the top 10 meals of my life. read more

One of my best meals in recent memory! The decor and cocktails were inventive and modern. The chef was friendly and greeted us early and often. The food was amazing, you must try the white bean soup, the lobster risotto, and the pork cheek. Caramel bread pudding was incredible as was the chocolate mousse. $400 for 3 of us but well worth it! read more

This place came highly recommended and was hard to get reservations. If you are planning your trip, reserve early. We were able to secure reservations for Friday night and the concierge at our hotel was surprised. We did the 6 course meal and it was fun to try all of the different dishes. There is no substitution or alterations to the dish, so not everyone was able to eat the white bean soup - it is AMAZING! Make sure you try the specialty cocktails. We tried the global warming, the whisky/blueberry one, the bacon vodka with roasted tomato ice and beer, and the pineapple mojito. They were all fantastic. The whole experience was superb. read more

My husband and I have traveled to many places and are huge foodies. Both of us left marmalade saying it was the BEST meal we have ever had. The service was superb, even the chef/owner came out and talked with us and made us feel right at home. Every dish was amazing. I highly recommend the 3 or 4 course tasting with wine pairing and that you order all different items as they are all to die for. We want to go back to San Juan just to go here! read more

This place is heaven to my tastebuds! Without a doubt beyond five stars! Fresh and flavorful and will have you coming back for more:)

What can I say - this is the real deal for fine dining in Old San Juan, and an amazing choice if you or a companion are vegetarian. We ordered a la carte because we couldn't imagine getting through four courses, and left hugely satisfied. Everything was absolutely amazing from the cocktails, the ceviche (red snapper), the ceviche verde (vegetarian ceviche and awesome!), the tandoori cauliflower, and the sea bass. Awesome natural, citrusy, flavors with exceptional service and presentation. We loved this and would recommend it strongly for a nice night out. read more

Quite possibly, the BEST restaurant I have ever eaten at! Our HUGE table for nine in the back demanded respect. Chef Peter visited our table before dinner, and several times during...what a gentleman! This man has a passion for taking great care of people, and feeding them... My utmost compliments to the chef. Do your self a favor: choose the 9 course pri fix menu...and let your taste buds be immersed in pleasure! The staff is very attentive, and helpful. Cocktails were made to perfection. I had to stop and write this during our dinner, as I was so impressed. Desert is still to come...and can't wait to see what is in store! read more

Absolutely insane...multiple course tasting menu for a party of 6, we were all blown away. The ceviche, popcorn shrimp (shrimp with actual popcorn ?!), poke bowl, then onto truffle pasta, gnocchi, lobster risotto, something with rabbit... all unreal. Would have been completely happy had it ended here, but then came the white bean soup which was so good it was almost comical. I had the pork cheeks for my entree, but others had the lamb, sea bass, & beef tenderloin and everyone thoroughly enjoyed. Topped off with some 8-layer chocolate souffle concoction, a creme brulee, and baked banana something-or-other...complete bliss. read more

I was recommended to come to Marmalade for dinner during my stay from a local friend of mine. i had no idea what to expect but took the recommendation. The decor looks like it should be in NYC, not OSJ. I would have rather gone to a more authentic place for dinner with lower prices. We opted not to do a tasting menu which you either have to choose a 4 or 5 course if you opt to do that (so come hungry). The portions are designed for the 4 or 5 courses because alone they are small. We had salad and an entree but the chef sent out a small cup of the white bean truffle soup which was fantastic. I would have rated this restaurant higher if they had more options for diners that didnt want to spend $60+ per person. I would recommend this restaurant for couples who are looking for a very nice meal and have some time and money to spend. read more

The service is great. The wait staff know the menu, in detail.... my glass was very less than half full. The decor and music are standard Thievery Corporation, pillows, muted lights and billowy fabrics. Not a bad thing, mind. The scallop ceviche was excellent. As was the white bean soup with truffle oil and pancetta dust. The tasting menus are the way to go here, especially if it is a small ~3-4 group. It not shareable exactly, but you can at least get a bite. This isn't a strictly speaking Puerto Rican restaurant. And it is in the touristy part of Old San Juan but for a good meal its worth it. read more

I live in San Francisco and eat out 5 nights a week, this is one of the best meals I've ever had - - my biz partner lives in D.C. and travels all over the U.S. and world, and he agreed. Every dish was off the chart, the place should have a Michelin Star - and for what we're used to Stateside, the prices were 1/4th a Michelin Star rest. Service was a bit quick and staid but the chef came by the table a few times, once to deliver a complimentary dish. Wines are not cheap, but I'm discovering that is par for the course in PR and USVI - - we did the tasting menu, just do it. The place is really really cool to boot, some real innovative designs and very hip - - can't wait for the next trip read more

Went here for dinner with my husband at the recommendation of a friend. I am a vegetarian and my husband loves fish. Hard to get a reservation but we booked on open table at 6 pm. Drinks were great, they have tasting menus (veg as well as non-veg) that can be modified to what you want. I tried the Eggplant tartar, miso soup, indian curry dumplings, and mushroom truffel pasta. All were excellant. My husband had the blackened cod, the tuna tartar, and scallops that he enjoyed. Dessert is included in the tasting, we had the berry cobbler and chocolate mousse cake with passion fruit sauce, both very good. The prices are steeper, it was about 160 with drinks (pretip) for the two of us but worth the price. Of note, service was SLOW and it took almost 3 hrs to finish dinner. Also, they will charge for bottled water. read more

This meal was sensational. It was the perfect way to cap off my vacation to San Juan. My boyfriend and I came here and did the 6 course tasting with wine pairing. Every course was delightful. I loved that the white bean soup was required in the tasting- as the signature dish it absolutely should be. You'd be missing out if you came to Marmalade and didn't try it. The atmosphere was great, the drinks were as creative and delicious as the food, and the customer service was excellent. I'd highly recommend this spot to anyone traveling in San Juan. Its a great date spot, and I can't imagine a better note to end our vacation on. read more

This is my first restaurant review on Yelp, but I felt it was my humanitarian duty to tell everyone that this place is AMAZING!! Went with a group of friends, and please believe me when I tell you, you will not have a more complete dining experience anywhere on this, or any other island. Our guide (it's hardly fair to define what she does as waiting tables), Katchia, set the dining experience with a mouth-watering overview of what was to come. Despite a Shakespearian-like introduction to the menu that left us drooling, it paled in comparison to each of the actual 5 courses and their respective wine pairings we soon experienced. The Popcorn Shrimp (complete with spicy popcorn) was nothing short of genius, but it was the soup that was the star of the evening. It was everything you could ask for, but more than you would ever imagine-and I still feel I've not done it justice by saying that. This restaurant is a resounding MUST VISIT, and I'm already plotting my return!! Well done on all counts. read more