The food was delicious. The staff was 100% amazing. They just made the entire experience perfect…read more My cousin and I sat at the bar and talked to the bartender and the server. It looked like they were having fun at work and they made our experience very enjoyable and entertaining. I learned that the bartender sings opera so definitely ask him about that lol! An absolute must visit next time in Puerto Rico! Decorations, lights, music - perfection.

Awesome spot; so glad we wondered in. Low key, great views, fantastic service and the food (tapas)…read moreand dranks were awesome! Must do spot for a low key and relaxing snack and drink while in the heart of San Juan.

Vianca made me a fan for life…read more We arrived really late after our flight and were scrambling to find somewhere to eat. St. Germain Bistro Bar happened to be right across from our Airbnb, and honestly it felt like we got lucky. Even though it was late, they seated us right away and helped us pull together two small tables so our family could sit comfortably. My kids were starving, so that alone was a huge relief. The portions for the kids' pasta and chicken nuggets were a little smaller than expected, but the flavor and quality were excellent. You could tell the food was made with care. I ordered the onion soup and the fried cheese with guava dip and wow. Absolutely delicious. The guava dip especially was incredible. I also had a mojito that was perfectly made. But what really made the night unforgettable was the kindness of the staff. My son had forgotten his inhaler and was having a hard time adjusting to the humidity. He was coughing a lot and clearly uncomfortable. Vianca noticed right away and went out of her way to help. She brought over honey and encouraged him to take a little shot with ginger and honey, then brought hot tea as well. She even suggested things like putting socks on him and using Vicks when we got back. When I mentioned that my kids are half Puerto Rican and their abuela already swears by those remedies, she just lit up and said, "Well you're home then, you already know what to do." That moment really stuck with me. The warmth, the care for kids, the genuine hospitality. It's exactly the kind of Puerto Rican kindness people talk about. The kitchen is small, so service can be a little slower, but it's absolutely worth the wait. The food is great, the drinks are great, and the people make the place special. If you're nearby, definitely stop in. Places like this are why people fall in love with Puerto Rico.

Does NOT honor reservations. We reserved a table, and then watched another group of young men step…read moreinto the store and sit down at the table we had been promised. The hostess refused to kick them out. I overheard the group behind us who had made a reservation also be denied. After finally being seated, it took over an hour to get our food. The poulet was very good, but the bread we ordered was smeared with a red sauce where it been cut with an obviously dirty knife. At the end of the night, they gave us a free piece of cake on the house, which is the only reason why this review isn't one star. Also, our waitress was really nice and friendly, which raised the mood of the evening considerably. Other than that, though, I'm afraid I can't recommend this restaurant.

Food, ambience, service were all great!…read more Food: We ordered pancakes, vegan mofongo and chicken mofongo. All were delicious. The pancakes were huge and extremely fluffy. The agave syrup that came with it was delicious as well. I was very glad to find a Vegan version of the traditional mofongo and it tasted yumm! This is one of the few restaurants in PR that has a lot of vegan options. Ambience and location: great ambience and location is very close to one of the forts. The restaurant is on the pricey side but the food, service, ambience and location make it worth the splurge.

This place has been in business since the 1990s, and has been my go-to for their vegetarian and…read morevegan sections of their menu. The malanga (taro) chips are delicious. The avocado toast, perfection. The veggie empanadillas are THE BEST. Service is great. Pro tip: avoid sitting by the front door in the summer heat!

We had an amazing meal at La Madre! We ordered the chicken tacos, chicken broth soup, chicken and…read moreshrimp fajitas, cheese quesadilla, fresh watermelon juice, and a watermelon margarita. Every single dish was excellent, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. The service was friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere was vibrant and welcoming. If you're looking for great Mexican food in Old San Juan, La Madre is definitely worth a visit.

La Madre in Viejo San Juan really hit the spot when we were all craving something other than hotel…read morefood--and specifically, good Mexican food. It absolutely delivered. The vibe was great, the food was fresh and well made, and the service was friendly overall. A fun bonus: we actually got to see the famous rock band Maná dining there, which was such a cool surprise! We ordered quite a bit--the chips and queso, chips and guac, hot sauce, tamale, rice and beans, kids cheese quesadilla, and veggie fajitas. The kids' quesadilla was a huge hit with our 5-year-old (who is a picky eater and devoured it). The veggie fajitas were decent and tasty, though for the price I would have liked a bit more on the plate in terms of sides. There was a small hiccup where cilantro was accidentally added to one of my dishes, and it did take quite a while for the corrected dish to come out, but they were very kind about it. That said, everything else was enjoyable and the overall experience was still very good. Overall, a great spot for solid Mexican food in Old San Juan with a fun atmosphere and fresh flavors.

Amazing service for such a large group last minute. Food…read moreand drinks were out of this world. The skirt steak was some of the best steak I've ever had especially for the price. Grouper was so refreshing and creole sauce was phenomenal. Such a cute restaurant with amazing art anf cut little homemade crafts to buy at the entrance if you'd like!

We ate at Café El Punto, and what a cute restaurant! As you walk in, the center of the building is…read moreopen to the ceiling, giving it a bright, airy feel. There are enclosed, air-conditioned dining rooms on either side, which was a welcome relief from the Puerto Rico heat. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is warm and inviting. The restaurant is beautifully decorated, and it just has a great vibe. I ordered the stuffed avocado with shrimp. I had seen stuffed avocados on several menus during our trip, so I'm glad I finally tried one. It was delicious and something I can't easily find back home. Everyone else in our group enjoyed their meals as well. One thing to note is that the restrooms are located through another doorway that leads outside to an enclosed bathroom area. It was extremely hot out there, so just be prepared. There was only one other party dining in our room, which made for a cozy and relaxing atmosphere. The service was very good, and overall we had a wonderful experience. When you enter the restaurant, you walk through a shopping area of handmade items beautiful items so take the time to shop either on the way in or the way out I would definitely recommend Café El Punto if you're visiting Old San Juan.

let me begin by saying i had the absolute pleasure of having NAOMI as my server, and she made my…read morenight very special. boy does she know her stuff! she gave me amazing recommendations and knew everything about every single wine that came in my wine pairing. she even threw in a few fun & interesting facts! as for the restaurant itself, there is no a la carte optikn, just a 5 course meal, but you are able to choose which dish you want for each course... with the exception of the navy bean soup which automatically comes as your 2nd course, but rightfully so! a creamy navy bean texture with pork flavors and truffle sprinkled on top makes a fantastic soup! another standout dish for me was my 3rd plate: rabbit with kale pasta and mushrooms. the flavor that bursts out from a bite of the mushroom complements the rabbit perfectly and the al dente texture of the kale pasta really rounds out the dish. i highly recommend the wine pairing, especially for this dish, as it comes with a gamay that really pairs well with the rabbit flavor. the highlight of the night was the chocolate cake i ordered for dessert. i am biased because i have a big sweet tooth, but it may have been the most amazing dessert ive ever had in my life. overall, a 5 star experience that i will be bringing everyone back to again and again.

We came here for a birthday and dont regret it at all. Everything was great about this restaurant…read morefrom the atmosphere to the food. Its a fine dining restaurant so the restaurant is really upscale but they also made the restaurant a bit cozy at the same time. The service was amazing as well. Im sorry I forgot his name but he paid really good attention and constantly checked on us especially for my allergies. The food was some of the most delicious food ive ever tasted, especially the risotto (10/10). There was one dish that my girlfriend didnt like but they went immediately to get her something new. Im only giving a 4 star because the dessert i had did have something I was allergic to despite reassurance which cause swollen lips and throwing up outside. Im not sure if the dessert was pre-made but having the allergens directly on the menu may help. Otherwise I completely recommend trying here.

If you're walking by, this restaurant would be very easy to miss. The entrance looks like a doorway…read moreleading to a stairwell or service entrance, and I honestly didn't even notice a sign. Luckily, there was a gentleman outside directing people in, otherwise we may have walked right past it. Once you climb the two flights of stairs, you're rewarded with a beautiful dining space. The restaurant has a rustic, old-world charm with gorgeous décor and an Italian-inspired atmosphere. It immediately felt warm and inviting. There were four of us dining, and we started with two appetizers: the Setas Rellenas and the Chorizo al Vino. Both were excellent, but the Chorizo al Vino was my absolute favorite--absolutely delicious! For my entrée, I ordered the chicken lasagna. I expected chunks of chicken, but it was made with shredded chicken, and wow--it was incredible. The flavor was outstanding, and it ended up being one of my favorite meals of our trip. My husband ordered the beef lasagna, which was also made with shredded beef rather than traditional ground beef. He absolutely loved it. Our friends ordered the Milanesa de Berenjena and the Milanesa de Pollo with a side of gnocchi, and both raved about their meals as well. Since nearly every table seemed to be ordering pizza, we knew we had to try one. We ordered a small pizza for the table, and each of us had a slice. Now we understand why they're known for their pizza--it was fantastic! A special shoutout to our server, Rouil Rodz, who was attentive, friendly, and provided excellent service throughout the evening. Don't let the unassuming entrance fool you. This restaurant is a hidden gem with a beautiful atmosphere, outstanding food, and excellent service. If you're visiting Old San Juan, I highly recommend adding it to your list.

Killer pizza in an old school Puerto Rican spot. Kids loved…read morethe pizza. Wife smashed a sangria. I enjoyed a couple local beers.

We really liked this place! It's like Chipotle but with avocado as the base. It's definitely…read moreexpensive but you get to add a lot of fun sides. We got the medium size with ground beef, rice, and plantains. Great easy location and fast service. I would definitely recommend if you're in the area!

Great bowls! I got the Fish Ceviche and it was delicious (no rice by default). Family had Spicy…read moreSalmon and Mango Tuna and raved about them. The person making our bowls was great. The person checking us out, not so much. We were a family of 4 and he tried to make people check out before everything was ordered and put together (tip: help out making bowls instead of just standing there and the line will go faster). Ambiance is fine for a grab and go place. Sufficient tables and turnover. We did not have to wait. Good eats!

Great food - we had grilled octopus and lamb meatballs. Wife is gluten free, so they took much care…read moreto make sure whatever we ordered she could eat. Place is decorated with a church motif, since it's in an old church. Really neat! Highly recommend

I walk into a cool looking cocktail bar, to get a drink while waiting, in need of a meal....waiting…read morefor the place at the corner...and find a great restaurant in the back...winner, winner (not) chicken dinner. Had the calamari, shrimp, and burrata app. Highly recommend the burrata. The sauce on the shrimp is delicious...the texture of the calamari was nice, but wished I asked for a marinara sauce, instead of the cilantro, which came off a bit like mayo. Had the octopus main and a chorizo pizza. Loved the chorizo on the pizza, and the tamponade on the octopus. Had the passion fruit creme brûlée...my daughter ordered it...those who follow me know I rarely order dessert...I drink more, have fresh fruit or cheese. It was the perfect texture, taste and that includes the passion fruit. Ambiance is cool...bathroom is ok. Service was lovely and the staff seemed to genuinely like the owners.

An unexpected stop for lunch during a cruise stop in Old San Juan, PR, the Istanbul Restaurant was…read morea combination of Turkish dishes along with dishes native to Puerto Rico. My brother and I tried dishes from both menus, and found it to be quite good. As we were walking past, a small sign for 'Grandma's Kitchen' caught our eye. My brother had been encouraging me to try Puerto Rico's national dish: Mofongo - mashed fried plantains. Unfortunately, restaurants were just packed with long waits and I wasn't in the mood to wait outside in the sun for a long time. The door next to the sign stated that it was a restaurant called 'Istanbul'. We peaked inside, and was welcomed warmly by a host, who let us know that the restaurant was both Grandma's Kitchen/Istanbul. There was nobody else dining inside, which was weird considering how every other restaurant in the area was packed. The dishes are made to order, so took a bit of time for it to come out one at a time. Mixed Seafood Stuffed Mofongo ($25) - served in a wooden pilon, the tall and narrow neck was stuffed with the mashed plantains, topped with a seafood blend of clams, dense fish pieces, octopus, and squid. The sauce was really well done, not too rich, but buttery enough to accentuate the seafood. I have to believe the seafood was prepared from frozen, but it tasted really good: a definite notch up from the seafood I've been having on the cruise boats. It was the first time having mofongo, and I liked it. This version had fried plantain chips, mixed with the mash of more plantains. I don't think this version had pork skin rinds, and I didn't miss it. It's extremely dense, so ended up eating maybe a third of it while finishing the seafood. It's a solid alternative to rice, though definitely can't eat too much of it. Doner Kebab ($18) - from the Istanbul portion of the menu, this dish was tasty, though the meat was cooked on a flat top grill like a burger patty, instead of on a vertical rotisserie. The lamb/beef patty was loosely formed and well seasoned, with the accompanying tzatziki sauce being a good add-on. Both dishes were cooked very well, the back kitchen has some skills. Service was friendly throughout. Water is not offered, but guessing they will give to you if asked. Payment was provided after the meal, and they do stick on a mandatory 15% gratuity for all party sizes.

I love to use Yelp to find local spots when traveling; however I can't get on board with the high…read morereviews of this spot in old San Juan. The falafels were doughy and undercooked and the chicken kabobs very tough. Service was good, and we were the only ones in the restaurant. It's a little dark but clean.