The restaurant is close to the place we stayed, Casa Cubuy Eco Lodge. The menu is short, but everything is cooked to order and is delicious and fresh. Noelia makes amazing empanadas - meat (rabbit) and veg (vegan - so flavorful I could have eaten just them!) We tried the mofongo (great) pork (tender), pasta with veg (nice and light), rice and beans with some salad an herbs - also nice and light. We loved chatting with Noelia (after she had finished cooking) and her friends who were there both nights we went. The space is very basic, but the terrace overlooks a lush green valley. read more

This lady makes amazing drinks and food. It was my first trying mofongo and she didn't disappoint ! You can tell it's all homemade and DELICIOUS. We stopped here after going to charco el hippie and wow ! Did it hit the spot! Not only was the food and the drinks amazing, but so was the view. I highly recommend. Such a hidden gem :) YUM.!!! read more

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What an amazing restaurant. The view alone is worth the visit, and the food is spectacular! We told noelia that we were vegan, and she made us fresh vegan empanadas with beans and vegetables. The mofongo was the best I've ever had, and she made beans, rice, and fries for my picky nine year old. My teenage son had the grouper. You are greeted by dogs, and she gave us breadfruit flan as we left. Our best dining experience in Puerto Rico! read more

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A meal beautifully prepared with love. Grouper with rice, beans and breadfruit. Call ahead to make sure Noelia is home. Dogs will greet you. Be prepared to wait. Sip on fresh water from river spring, or a Medalla and take in all the natural beauty and sounds that is El Yunque surrounding you. read more

Noelia's - Grouper with rice, beans and breadfruit. - Caribbean Near Me - Naguabo, Puerto Rico

Such a cute spot for dinner. She's gonna celebrate her 25th anniversary very soon and it shows how established she is in the community. The ambiance is very charming with the old Puerto Rican signs and vintage jukebox. The service was wonderful and the food was so good (quite literally made to order). The prices were more than reasonable and the food was locally sourced and fresh. We had the rabbit turnover, grouper fillet, pork, panas, rice and beans and octopus salad. Highly recommend! read more

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Delicious food, amazing patio (plus a hammock!) and friendly, relaxed ambiance. Noelia was so sweet to our kids. A must if you are in the area. And oh, the sangria! read more

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Love Noelia's. Literally a one-person operation run by a friendly woman who loves entertaining and cooking. It's an informal setting at her home...let her know you're coming and she'll open up the kitchen and cook for you. She stays until everyone is done. Clearly it's a labor of love for Noelia and it shows in the food she cooks: wonderful authentic Puerto Rican cuisine presented served professionally. Be patient because everything is made to order from scratch. But while you wait, you can relax and enjoy the view with a beer or glass of wine from the outside terrace overlooking the rainforest. read more

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The food and service were excellent! Definitely a gem tucked away. I went at night and couldn't see the view. Very fair prices. Be sure to try the crab empanada and the chicken wings. As for a side of hot sauce, it's an amazing flavor! read more

This is the experience we were waiting for! Homemade true Puerto Rican meals. Noelia is a blessing and so is her cooking. Humble and friendly. The real Puerto Rico!!! Best views while you eat is just a plus read more

Noelia's is such a special place, it's a must visit! The owner and employee are so kind and genuine, and you won't get anything more authentic and delicious than here. Would recommend the sangria, as its made from home grown fruit. The view and vibes are outstanding- lizards, coqui, three adorable dogs, etc. this might be my most favorite meal of all time based on all of the above. read more

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just had the best dinner at Noelia's!! She has the best, kindest vibe and makes the BEST FOOD. pictured are the chicken wings and mofongo and sangria (And the view!). I hope to come back some day. thank you Noelia bonus: adorable doggies and she told us we could feed them a bone or two read more

Noelia's - Caribbean Near Me - Naguabo, Puerto Rico

Vegans - take note! Noelia's is a real find in an area that doesn't have a lot of options period, let alone vegan options. It's a one woman show - Noelia runs the place and cooks all the food. We told her we were vegan and she made us a feast of mofungo, rice and beans, tostones, and seasoned fries. The food was incredible, views of the rainforest are gorgeous, the beer is cheap and cold, and to top it all off, she gave our 6 year old different toys to play with while we waited for the food. We loved it so much we went back a second day, and ordered extra beans. read more

So authentic! Food was delicious and Noelia and Fernando were so lovely. Can't beat the view! Try the sangria and any fresh juice she's offering. read more

Absolutely amazing food and service. We tried the octopus salad and it was better than expected. The mofongo was perfect- moist and flavorful. Chicken was moist and well seasoned. Beautifully presented. The best part of the meal was Noelia. She made sure we sat on the scenic porch, gave us binoculars, and surprised us with her homemade coconut flan and breadfruit ice cream. I will fly back to Puerto Rico to eat here again. read more

Noelia's - Octopus salad, tostones, rice - Caribbean Near Me - Naguabo, Puerto Rico

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We had the most amazing meal here at Noelia's! Everything was made fresh with love from our hostess, who welcomed us like family. Make sure to try her homemade sangria! We cannot wait to come back and bring the rest of our family. The ambiance and views were tropical and serene. Her adorable dogs also added to the experience. Make sure to use a blend of Waze and Yelp directions as this is off the beaten path, but well worth the drive. read more

Authentic, casual little restaurant with such kind and friendly hosts. The most incredible view of the mountains you can imagine with beautiful native birds flying around the terrace. The mofongo was delicious, and home made hot sauce was unusual and very good. If I'm back in the area I will definitely return! read more

Noelia's - Caribbean Near Me - Naguabo, Puerto Rico

Noelia was really nice she cooked for us. And is really friendly. If you are in the are it s a must go... read more

Noelia's - Mofongo - Caribbean Near Me - Naguabo, Puerto Rico

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Our family of seven all agreed that Noelia's was the best meal we had over our 10 day PR stay despite it costing half what most of our dinners out were (in fact it was less $$ than cooking ourselves). The trade-off is that it is a very small one-person restaurant (so expect a wait if a large group is a head of you)...and since it is popular (expect some dishes to be sold out). It is a pretty (but remote & steep) drive. read more

If you can find this hidden gem, treat yourself! Noelia is incredibly hospitable! She made our stop memorable. Great food, great view. read more

Noelia's - Noelia surprised Meg with a lift! - Caribbean Near Me - Naguabo, Puerto Rico

Such good food. One of our favorite places we ate in Puerto Rico. Noelia has been there 22 years and her cooking is phenomenal. Amazing views overlooking the forest. Service was amazing she is so kind and friendly. Would definitely recommend. She only accepts cash so be prepared. read more

Noelia's - Caribbean Near Me - Naguabo, Puerto Rico

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If you were to visualize an authentic Puerto Rican country restaurant/bar in the middle of the rain forest on the side of a mountain, Noelia's is the epitome of that perfection. Noelia is the enthusiastic owner/proprietor/hostess and she's a trip. It doesn't get more authentica than this woman. She's friendly, hospitable, funny, outrageous, exuberant, and rightly proud of her restaurant. One moment she's feeding coins in the juke box to belt out songs or dance salsa, the next moment she's just yelling out for no apparent reason other than that she's happy, and another moment she's grabbing one of the vuvuzelas on the bar out of joi de vivre and loudly blasting that horn. There's a gallery of locals who add to the flavor, hanging at the outside bar to greet visitors and have a good time. There's a billiard table (apparently her brother owns the coin-op pool table concession in the area) and some hard hitting locals knocking balls off the table. Damn the food is good, and so authentic. Best mofongo on the island, hands down. Also, fine chuchifrito. The rice and beans is a standout. So is the fried fish in butter and garlic. Noelia serves some of the best carrot cake I've ever eaten, with cream and sangria ice cream (yes, sangria ice cream! which is so good) And don't leave without ordering Noelia's sangria--perhaps the best I've ever had. I was told part of the secret sauce is 151 proof rum. The small cup ($4) will buzz you and the large cup ($6) will have a lightweight like me falling out of the chair. Be careful if you're driving back up the mountain. Don't come expecting anything fancy. Do come expecting to experience a truly local scene--who appear to be mostly Noelia's friends and family hanging at the bar. There's an adorable dog (Tomas, or Toma) who walks around barking at people hitting the billiard balls too hard, and coming over to the tables for a scratch. If Noelia likes you, she'll bring out some of her homemade hootch, which is a white lightning flavored with pistachio or a local fruit. Highly recommended! We went there two nights in a row. read more

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Earlier this month while we were exploring El Yunque, staying at Phillips Fruit Farm cabin ( a real rain forest experience in the raw), Robin Phillips suggested that we try Noelia's, a little bar and cafe just down the road a bit. When we arrived there were a couple of locals bellied-up to the roadside bar quenching their thirst on a couple of cold beers, so we followed suit and also asked for a menu. Noelia as it turns out, is the bartender, chef and food server, not to mention DJ and conga player. She let us take our time to peruse the menu, we asked what was her specialty and she replied Everything! She warmed up to us right away and suggested next we try her homemade sangria, so we did and boy was it delicious and strong too! Afterwards, we ordered our dinner and Noelia disappeared into the kitchen while she prepared our food. Before she left she put a book down in front of us that was all about the region. We read that as we waited. In a short time she came back and presented us with a magnificent sautéed grouper with red beans and rice. This was off-the-hook as they say, better than what most restaurants serve in high end restaurants in NYC. We were blown away by how good it tasted and the perfection to which it was cooked. After dinner Noelia let us sample her homemade sangria ice cream --- that's right, sangria ice cream. So of course after the first taste we ordered two servings. It too was amazing, have never tasted anything like it! After dinner it was time to try her special passion fruit magic potion---wink, wink say no more. Before we knew it we were serenading another guest at a nearby table (with Noelia), singing Happy Birthday. Guests at the table were equally as happy to be there as were we. Noelia's delicious food and glowing personality would surely make locals of us if we lived in the area. At least once per week we'd be right there with her enjoying her great food and joyous spirit! We love ya Noelia and we'll definitely see you again. read more

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Excellent find, looks like a nondescript roadside place, but has some of the best Puerto Rican food we've had! Run by a very friendly family who has owned it for 22 years. Will definitely be back! read more

It's a small but warm cottage among the mountains in Puerto Rico which shows how the local people live and eat. It's kind of original! read more

Noelia's - Caribbean Near Me - Naguabo, Puerto Rico

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This is the best food I've had in PR. I had grouper and tostones and I've never had such great grouper. Noelia is very hospitable and brought me free dessert (delicious mango pudding). I had to come back for a second night when I had the best shrimp I've had and amazing mafongo made from a combo of plantains and breadfruit. Again, amazing desert from coconut. Each meal was $15. Her friends hanging out were great too. Can't recommend this no frills hole in the wall enough. She does serve beans and rice with plantains, but I don't know if her beans are vegan. read more

Just revisited the Puerto Rican rain Forest and ate at Noelia's a couple of times. You can't get Puerto Rican cuisine more authentic than this. Noelia is a character and very friendly. Even offered to take us to some of her favorite spots in the area for local sites. (She was ready to leave the place in the hands of her other patrons to do so, saying, "They know where everything is!" Don't expect great atmosphere - the place itself is quite typical of the roadside eateries and bars you'll find in rural areas of Puerto Rico - it's a place for the locals to hang out. But if you're looking for that local color and meeting the real people of Puerto Rico, this is it. We found that what Noelia served was not always exactly what we ordered from the menu - she would kind of whip up something that resembled her descriptions on the menu, if not exactly, but that was part of the fun. kind of like having aPuerto Rican neighbor see what she had in the fridge and come up with something marvelous as a result. If you are visiting El Yunque, give this place a try. read more

This place is awesome, has great views, and is very authentic feeling. The host Noelia is very hospitable, and very proud of her restaurant. The food was very good (we had the chicken and rice, tostados). There are things that aren't available on the menu (as pointed out in another review), but this is a restaurant on the side of a mountain 1500 feet off the ground, on the edge of a rain forest. It's amazing, definitely go. read more

When we stayed at Casa Cabuy, their restaurant was closed so we had to eat at Noelias. As far as hospitality goes, Noelia was super nice and it was so fun getting to know her! We were the only people there since we were in PR during the off season, but she took us around and showed her the place and her avocado trees in the back. This place isn't for the weak of stomach, if you don't mind dog hair flying around (and the whole restaurant smelling like dog from the 3 she lets run around) and an overall pretty dirty atmosphere you're good to go. The food wasn't all that great (except the mofongo! That was delicious garlicky heaven!) But if you didn't pick up food on your way to Casa Cabuy you're pretty much stuck with it ;) Noelia is very sweet, the place is authentic. We'd probably go back. read more

Had my first trip to the rainforest over New Year's. We ate at Noelia's and I couldn't have been more pleased with the service and the food!! Noelia is an excellent cook. She is very personable and involved in every aspect of your meal. If you want an authentic Puerto Rican experience, this is the place to eat!! read more

We were staying a little ways up the mountain at Casa Flamboyant (highly recommend!) and were looking for some local mountain flavor. This place was fantastic and just a super fun way to get some local food! Noelia took great care of us. She started us out with some coconut moonshine shots- delicious, although since my husband doesn't drink, I had both of them and- whew! I had a few glasses of her homemade sangria, which tasted like heaven. My husband had the pork mofongo- it was the best mofongo either of us had ever had. I had the grouper with rice and beans, also delicious! We finished off the night with some candied papaya made by Noelia's mother. Noelia was great and treated us like old friends who she was having over for dinner- I would highly recommend this experience if you are up the mountain! read more

If you are down for some real Puerto Rican flavor and 100% authentic experience this is the place for you when you visit El Yunque. Forget about the negative reviews. Noelia is just a great person, who enjoys life to the fullest... she will make you laugh and make you feel as though you are home. read more

Great authentic atmosphere with an incredibly hospitable host!! Food was delicious, she made us paella, not on the menu. Would recommend to anyone traveling to El Yunque!! read more

Noelia's food was wonderful, as was the whole experience. She has an interesting personality that added flavor to the event. For example, she spent most of the time singing to loud music while cooking, while her friends played percussion alongside her. Also, she let us borrow binoculars and a tattered guidebook of the Naguabo area. Awesome place. read more

Delicious Puerto Rican dinners for a good price in a place, where you really want something to eat. It is a comfortable atmosphere with music, a bar, and a pool table. It is not the usual bar, packed with locals or tourists. The owner is very sweet and friendly. After eating here twice with my wife this year, I feel more like I am visiting my aunt in El Yunque. We even got to look at photo albums, while we were there. The restaurant is only open during the evenings. My wife and I stayed at the Casa Flamboyant nearby and arrangements were made with her, so she was expecting us in advance. I recommend doing the same. Parking is available out front. read more

There are basically only two choices for dinner if you are staying at Casa Cubuy: the place run by the ecolodge and Noelia's. When we were there, the ecolodge's restaurant was closed, so Noelia's it was. The place is pretty no-frills -- dogs tied at the door, Vicente Fernandez on the jukebox and Medalla Light to drink. So if you want to feel like you're having an "authentic" experience, this is a good choice. If you want good food, not so much. I had the fried chicken (cut into small pieces; don't think KFC). It was way too salty, which is a cardinal sin for any cook worthy of the title. The same was true for the dishes ordered by other members of my party: carnitas and fish filets. A few other points worth noting: the menu is rather limited and not everything on that limited menu will necessarily be available (I wanted the rice and crab, but there was no crab in the house). Also, since the restroom sink is actually in the dining room, I couldn't help but notice that Noelia didn't wash her hands after taking a piss. Personally, it didn't bother me, but it seems like good info to pass on. All in all, the place is long on gritty ambience and short on food quality. read more

In love with the mofongo with fried meat! It's a must have for a Puerto Rican feel! Plus the view is to die for can't wait to come back with my family! read more

We never miss a dinner at Noelia's when we visit El Yunque. The food is authentic and delicious. The Sangria will knock your socks off. The rice and beans, mafongo and tostones compliment her pork, chicken, grouper, shrimp etc... Not all on the menu is available all the time but I dare you to not find a delicious meal you will enjoy. I'm never disappointed and always amazed. read more

Had the pleasure of having New Years Eve dinner at Noelia's. The food is authentic and superb. We had pork, chicken and grouper with mafongo and homemade rice pudding for desert. The service was great. Noelia is a very pleasant and entertaining person and we will be back next time we travel to the rainforest. read more

Noelia's was without a doubt the best place I ate ate while in Puerto Rico. Noelia was extremely personable, and was so enthusiastic about her cooking and her restaurant. It was laid back but the food was superb. The mofongo and the sangria were both the best that I have had. If you're looking fora taste of local food and culture, this is a great place to go. You'll get half way up the mountain and think there's no way you'll ever find a place, but it's there! The review previous to this one speaks so truly to the vivaciousness of the restaurant, it would be redundant to restate it. Noelia's is a place everyone should experience. read more

This place is great! Noelia is very hospitable, and provided us with complimentary moonshine, as well as a whole bag of exotic fruit when we left. She is quite the character, and that's why we loved it. She cooks because she loves it, and you can tell in the way her food tastes. Her rabbit turnovers are amazing, hands down. Definitely get those, even if you normally don't eat rabbit. She makes her own sangria, and it is delicious as well. Great place, and great food. read more