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    Santaella

    4.3 (690 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 11:00 pm

    By appointment only

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    Recommended Reviews - Santaella

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    Jasmeet M.

    We had an incredible dining experience from the food to wonderful and exceptional service from Edward! He made our time at Santaella unforgettable! The restaurant is a nice size and steadily busy. Well lit and had a really nice floral view at the back wall. The food was fresh and flavorful. The stars of the show were the dessert. The chocolate soufflé and the caramel flan were amazing and both paired well with an espresso martini!

    Goat cheese quesadilla
    Vanessa S.

    I'm still thinking about this meal... hands down the best dinner I've had on vacation--maybe ever. Santaella absolutely blew me away. We started with the tuna pinchos, and wow--fresh, perfectly chunky, and packed with flavor. Then came the goat cheese quesadilla, which might honestly be one of the best things I've ever eaten in my life. Creamy, rich, and just unreal. I finally had the chance to try escargot for the first time--and now I feel completely spoiled for life. If that was my introduction, the bar has officially been set sky high. Even the Caesar salad stood out--crisp, balanced, and done exactly right (which is rarer than it should be). But the real star of the show for me? The guava and cheese bread pudding. I'm not exaggerating when I say I would 100% pay to have that Ubered all the way to me in Miami. It was that good. What blew my mind was the staff it looked like a hive of well trained bees just buzzing around this insanely packed room doing the best job. The general manager should be proud. Every bite felt intentional, elevated, and memorable. This place didn't just meet expectations--it completely redefined them. Spectacular doesn't even begin to cover it. BRAVO. Chefs kiss.

    Pork shank
    Calvin N.

    Wow! This was an excellent afternoon! On a culinary tour of San Juan we had lunch at Santaella great food and service from beginning to end. A beautiful cafe with great ambiance. We had a large group and a tasting menu of several items on the menu and I can say you can't go wrong with anything we had. Absolutely will be back on my next trip to Puerto Rico

    octopus
    Michelle H.

    definitely my favorite restaurant i went to in san juan! the vibe is elevated chic - the most similar to nyc vibes you'll find. and the food DELIVERED. our waiter was a sweetheart. put a candle in the dessert for my friend's birthday stars: TUNA (must get), cucumbers, goat cheese quesadilla!!!!

    Seabass
    Sandeep C.

    When understated luxury meets chef-driven Puerto Rican cuisine, Santaella delivers a refined but slightly uneven fine-dining experience. Walking up, the entrance is almost hidden--you see the sign, but you're not entirely sure where the door is. Once inside, the space opens into a sleek, square dining room with a lush, enclosed garden feel. It's cozy, intimate, and secluded from the outside world, with a beautiful bar anchoring one side of the room. The atmosphere is polished and upscale without being overly flashy. Service & Atmosphere * Refined, professional service * Calm, luxurious dining room with a secluded garden vibe * Strong cocktail and wine program Food * Alcapurrias (root vegetable fritter with crab) - flavorful and creative; a great start with layered textures * Creamy Garlic Shrimp - rich, well-seasoned, and satisfying * Chilean Sea Bass - expertly cooked fish, though the accompanying sweet sauce slightly missed the mark * Sweet Plantains with Maple Syrup - indulgent and beautifully executed The kitchen clearly has technical skill, and several dishes hit well. However, some flavor pairings felt just a touch off balance given the price point and fine-dining positioning. Verdict Santaella offers a sophisticated setting and strong culinary foundation, but it doesn't quite fully align with its elevated aspirations across every plate. Still a very good meal in a beautiful space--solid four stars, with the potential to climb higher with a bit more refinement.

    Trish P.

    Went here primarily for drinks and appetizers on a Friday night! Highlights: - cocktails were well made and well thought out ("spiced old fashioned" was really well balanced, "perfect lady" was delightfully herbal, "barrilito daiquiri" was a thoughtful riff on a classic) - "mini tacos" (ahi tuna) were a good light snack with a generous amount of guacamole - "Bizcocho de Chocolate Caliente" - a warm chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream really hit the spot for a dessert (pair with a tawny port!). I really liked the crunchy top layer and the gooey lava. I like that it was dark-chocolate-esque and not too sweet. I'd have this solo and not to share haha... that's how well I enjoyed it. Meh points: - rice chicharron in the tuna pinchos were a bit stale - really particular, but we were seated on the end of the bar closest to the entrance and the loud club music next door was really mixing into the chilly ambiance of Santaella - if you're seated here on a weekend, I'd politely ask if there's another bar seat available. - service from the bartender was great! But the welcome receptionist had us wait a little longer than needed, it was almost a downer - he was just staring around (likely a reservation system error, but there were a lot of bar seats open where we were going to be seated anyways per our reservation).

    Chillo Frito
    Hanna T.

    Parking is hard. Street is filled up, but you can drive a little more down and find parking near the highway. Valet is available but not sure of the cost. Chili Fritto, 10/10: Everyone's favorite. The whole grilled fish was so delicious and it's big too. Def get this! Pastelon, 10/10! So delicious. It's extremely big so def share with others. It tastes like a sweet lasagna. Beef is well seasoned and not oily at all. Very hearty and savory. Maybe too much plantain to beef ratio but it's still solid. Get this! Daily Special, shrimp and Bulgao salad, 3/5: seasoning isn't special, I think it's a simple lime dressing? The plantains fritters being salty was perfect with the cold seafood, making a great pairing. Compared to the others, not worth it. The interior is beautiful! Very moody but also very loud. It's hard to have conversation here.

    Jill B.

    We were on a cruise that stopped in Puerto Rico for one of its ports. We walked to El Morro to see it, but sadly there were no tours since the government shutdown had just started. We took an uber to head back to the ship and my husband found this place to eat that had great reviews. We had to stop by to see if it lived up to the hype. We arrived before 5 which was good since we did not have reservations. There was only 1 other table of people when we got there. We tried a few of the appetizers that the server recommended and they were all delicious. Even the popcorn chicken was the best popcorn chicken I've ever eaten. I got the Camarones and it was amazing. The trifongo was sweeter than I expected. It was fun to try authentic Puerto Rican food and this place was a good spot. Honestly the only thing we didn't like was the baked Alaska dessert because the alcohol flavor didn't burn off of it so it tasted bleh on the outside. The server did warn us it had an alcohol taste so we would not order that again. Everything else was amazing and the service was great too. I'm sure we were under dressed in our swimsuits, but the restaurant was great. If we ever come back to Puerto Rico - we will come again!

    Shrimp bao buns
    Carolina C.

    Beautiful restaurant in Puerto Rico, I highly recommend you make reservations in advance before coming out as even the bar seats are able to be reserved and if they are full you might not be able to go in or have a very long wait. I ordered a drink, some apps, one main dish, and a dessert to spit with my sister For apps we ordered the famous octopus and the shrimp bao buns. The octopus was good but the bao buns were the star of the night for me. A must have! We ordered the arroz con pollo off the specials of the night menu and it had good flavor but the best part were the plantains on top. To end we got the Nutella toast, I personally thought this was okay and wouldn't order it again. The mojito was good, on the stronger side and not a classic mojito since the mint was on top and not muddled in, I just took my straw and muddled it in to get the mint flavor Service was very nice as well.

    CACHETES DE TERNERA EN FRICASÉ CRIOLLO
    Veronica G.

    Había escuchado muchas recomendaciones sobre Santaella, pero mi experiencia no estuvo al nivel de lo que esperaba, y no estoy segura de si le daría otra oportunidad. En cuanto al ambiente, la música de fondo me encantó y el lugar, aunque pequeño, resulta acogedor. Para cenar, ordené los cachetes de ternera por recomendación del mesero. Si bien la carne estaba muy suave, como era de esperarse, el caldo no me encantó (7/10). La base de puré tampoco fue de mi agrado; me pareció que le faltaba buen sabor (5/10). El servicio no fue rápido pero fue muy cordial!

    Dessert menu
    Christina M.

    Loved my experience at Santaella! I was dining solo, made a reservation earlier in the day and was seated right away. I started with an incredible passionfruit cocktail- can't recall the exact name but it was fresh and strong! As an entree, I ordered the pastelon, which was HUGE. This is definitely a dish better suited for a larger table (and possibly an entire family, lol) but I could not pass up the opportunity to try pastelon and really enjoyed it- it was kind of like a lasagna with beef, cheese, and plantains. I think the best part of my meal was the dessert, which was salted caramel pot de creme. The caramel flavor was incredible, it was topped with flaky sea salt and came with a side of fresh whipped cream. Even being full from way too much pastelon, I still finished it (thankfully it's a lighter dessert!). I had a great server, Eduardo, who was attentive without being overbearing at all. He had excellent recommendations (I tried the pastelon and salted caramel pot de creme because of him!) and was kind and professional. The interior of the restaurant is lovely as well. Highly recommend!

    Menu
    Richard S.

    Santaella is a classic and it's no wonder why when you enter and get the chance to dine in. The restaurant was quite full, both with tourists and regulars alike, and we were promptly seated and whisked to a table near the back. Initially, we were slightly disappointed not to have a full view of the unique interior and also realized (unfortunately!) that we were seated underneath a very cold section of the restaurant. I mentioned this to our waiter who was very kind and came back with both a blanket and a cardigan for my partner to wear. We started off with some safe bets, between the arancini style tostadas and octopus which were both fantastic. My partner ordered the veal cheeks which were diving (~$46) and I ordered the pork shank but ultimately regretted not swapping dishes! The veal cheeks were soft, tender and bursting with flavor while the pork shank, while good, was a bit on the saltier side. We also ordered a side of sweet plantains not realizing what a large portion they end up giving you! All in all I was impressed by both the service and quality of food provided. Though San Juan restaurants tend to over-salt many of their dishes I thought Santaella's was quite good (with a small exception with the pork shank). Portions are quite sizable so recommend coming in hungry!

    Tamarindo margarita
    Esther P.

    We've been in Puerto Rico for two weeks now bouncing between Condado and Santurce and I have to say this is the BEST spot I've had for food, drink and service while in San Juan. If you are in condado area take an uber to the restaurant for dinner! It's well worth the uber trip. The steak was prepared fantastic - a perfect medium and my tamarindo marg was amazing. The bruschetta was my favorite.. who knew fruit and cheese could be such a good combo?! The restaurant was also wonderfully decorated with low lights and completely instagramable.

    Tacos appetizer

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    Seriously amazing. Went back twice on my trip there. Very classy and trendy and good for couples and groups

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    Santaella Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Santaella

    Is a vaccination card required to dine here?

    No. It wasn't when I dined there in May, and if anything mist health regulations have eased up here in PR.… Read more

    Are there vegetarian options?

    There are a few but not many, very little. Basically just a couple of appetizers, salads, and sides. Neither are vegan.

    Do they offer gluten-free options?

    Yep! They don't have a gluten free menu, but several items are gluten free.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Casita Miramar - Arroz con Mariscos (seafood paella) and Churrasco (steak); Follow me @RimyEats on Instagram

    Casita Miramar

    4.5(1.7k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    We're currently dining here, and from the moment my partner and I walked in, the experience has…read morebeen mixed. One of the hostesses was noticeably rude at the start, which set an uncomfortable tone. After being seated, our waiter hasn't been outright unkind, but there's a clear difference in how we're being treated compared to other guests. As a same-sex couple, it feels like we're not being received as warmly, even though he seems to be making an effort to remain professional. As a Puerto Rican, that's honestly a bit disappointing and feels out of place. That said, the food itself has been very good.

    A gem. Sat outside & had a great night. Food, vibes, & service were all wonderful. Started out with…read morea complimentary soup & cod fritters (yummmy! & I don't even like fish, usually). The hot sauce on the table was nice, not too hot but a good kick, I usually do not like habanero based hot sauces but this was good! The Queso Frito was interesting in flavors & textures, delicious. El Conflicto was perfect, all the flavor of a pina colada but without the heaviness of syrups & sugar. The Pollo Borracho was super flavorful & filling, chicken cooked to perfection falling off the bone. My fiancé had the Carne Frita, it was super tender & a well balanced dish. Service was friendly & attentive. My only complaint- we were so full we couldn't even look at the dessert menu! Guess we will just have to go back.

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    Casita Miramar - Indoor Dining Room

    Indoor Dining Room

    Casita Miramar - Amazing chocolate Fudge Cake delivered to restaurant (Cakes by Glorimar in PR). Staff sang and added candle

    Amazing chocolate Fudge Cake delivered to restaurant (Cakes by Glorimar in PR). Staff sang and added candle

    Casita Miramar - Pastelón - Delicious thick Caribbean soft meat and plantain taste and texture

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    El Refrán - NY strip with Root vegetable mash

    El Refrán

    4.5(317 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    El Refran is located right on Ashford Ave- you cannot miss it - it's a tiny little restaurant that…read morealways has a line. For that reason, I'd recommend going at an off time for lunch because it was great! They were out of a few items, but I ended up with a pork chop with guava sauce and it was so good. They were also sadly out of the tres leches cake but I popped back in later that week as they were closing and were thrilled they had some left. That may have been the best tres leches I've ever had. The drinks were also delicious! We'll definitely return next time we're in PR.

    I recently visited Levant for my birthday dinner and was extremely disappointed by the way my…read morehusband and I were treated. There is absolutely NO signage anywhere in the restaurant stating that flash photography is not allowed. While we were quietly sitting at our table waiting for food, my husband took a quick photo of me with flash. Out of nowhere, Patrick, who identified himself as the General Manager, approached us in an incredibly aggressive and hostile manner and abruptly said "NO FLASH" with an attitude that was completely unnecessary and unprofessional. If there are rules guests are expected to follow, maybe the restaurant should clearly communicate them instead of having management aggressively confront paying customers. I asked to speak to the assistant manager who handled the situation much more professionally and was kind, understanding, and willing to listen. Unfortunately, Patrick's behavior completely ruined the experience and left a terrible impression on what was supposed to be a special birthday dinner. His behavior was racial profiling. No guest should feel singled out, uncomfortable, or disrespected simply for taking a photo when there were no visible rules posted anywhere in the restaurant.

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    El Refrán - Only 10 tables!!

    Only 10 tables!!

    El Refrán - Skirt steak on top of a bed of rice and beans

    Skirt steak on top of a bed of rice and beans

    El Refrán - Steak Quesadillas

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    Bebo's Café - Vanilla flan

    Bebo's Café

    3.9(955 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    We drove past Bebo's in our Lyft ride and our driver said it was very good so we decided to visit…read morethe next day. It is a great option if you want local food without the tourist price tag. The inside looks like a cafeteria but it stays busy. We were seated quickly although it seemed packed. They have a good amount of menu options and cross out what isn't available. They also have drink options that our server listed to us. To start, we ordered the lobster empanadas and sangria. The empanadas were delicious! Very tasty and fresh. The sangria however, was not great. It just tasted like juices that don't really work together. I couldn't taste the wine. We ordered the roasted pork and skirt steak. The steak was really tasty, and juicy. But the roasted pork was very dried and hard. It had some good bits in it but there were quite a few pieces that were too cooked to eat. The rice and beans were cooked very well. This is the perfect place for quick local food where you won't spend too much. But if you want a very high quality, I would choose elsewhere.

    Came recommended by our driver as a good local food option fir good Puerto Rican food . Food okay…read more- service okay - nothing special. Not many people were there and not many locals. It was not the local flair I was expecting. When most of the menu contains all-American hamburgers and pasta,,,, and mediocre at that... I had plantains with rice and beans. Chased the waiter for the bill.

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    Bebo's Café
    Bebo's Café - Chicken soup

    Chicken soup

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    Steak with a side salad

    La Cueva del Mar - Mofongo with Ropa Vieja

    La Cueva del Mar

    4.4(520 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    I highly enjoyed La Cueva Del Mar! I wanted a mix of Latin and seafood and this was the perfect…read morechoice. 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!

    This is the "main restaurant" in the Embassy Suites Hotel and Casino…read more 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.

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    La Cueva del Mar - Inside

    Inside

    La Cueva del Mar - Fish tacos & Sangria

    Fish tacos & Sangria

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    The bar area

    El Jibarito - Flan de coco and flan de chocolate

    El Jibarito

    3.9(2k reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$

    Loveddddd this place in Old San Juan! Jeremy was an amazing server. The beef stew was so flavorful…read moreand moist. It paired so well with the trifongo. We had come here for an afternoon snack and drinks as we were walking around old San Juana and the forts all day and had gone to one fort and ready to move to the next after a bite. This was the perfect meal to hold us over. Not so greasy and not too filling. The drinks were just average but refreshing after hours in the sun. The atmosphere is casual and busy and loud. However, the service was quick even with them being busy. I highly recommend the beef stew with mofongo and coming here even if it's just for that!

    The restaurant has the ambiance of a small town PR restaurant that you would find tucked away in…read morethe country roads of the island, with the long shared tables and the decorations. The wait was usual for Old San Juan. About 30-45mins. They take your name down and call you when there's a table ready. What they don't tell you is that the menu is a QR code on the table. Once you figure that you see a well organized and simple 2 pages menu with many PR authentic dishes listed. The waiter comes about 10-15mins later. And it's best to have all your order ready as they don't come back very often. The place is usually packed all the hours that they're open. Food: that's why they lost a star. Rice and beans, Madurai/amarrillos, scurrilous, delicious 5 stars, but the bigger, empanada, chicken with garlic lack the bite that you come to expect of PR food! They lack taste, "Sazon", they were bland and tasted more like someone forgot to season them and forgot the garlic. I'd tell them to go back to their food and make PR food like it's supposed to taste, not for the tourist, please!

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    El Jibarito
    El Jibarito
    El Jibarito - Condiments

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    La Alcapurria Quemá - Alcapurria

    La Alcapurria Quemá

    4.5(164 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Look, were we at an alcapurria spot ordering pastelillos? Yes. Do we regret it? Absolutely not…read more We got one each of vegetariano, cebolla y queso, pollo, and guayaba con queso. The vegetariano was mid, but the other three? No complaints. But honestly, the food is only part of the story here. The vibe is everything. Salsa playing, high energy, warm service. We rolled in late and hungry, looking for sweet refuge from La Placita crowds, and they welcomed us like we belonged there. The music started out mixed, but at some point it shifted to Contra La Corriente front to back. We were enjoying our pastelillos, singing along to No Me Conoces, minding our own business when... el apagón. Not the whole Placita, just a couple spots including this one. The staff didn't miss a beat. Flashlights came out, mood lighting appeared, and nobody rushed us. We finished our food. We paid. We left happy. 5 stars because some experiences are bigger than the sum of their parts. This was one of them.

    This is not a polished, Instagram-perfect restaurant and that's exactly the point. That's why I…read morelove it so much. Tucked inside La Placita de Santurce, its a small, casual, almost hidden spot that's usually packed with locals. Think plastic chairs, outdoor tables, music playing and a constant flow of people coming in for a quick bite or drink. Feels more like a neighborhood hangout than a restaurant. I've been coming here for years and this is what I've learned, take it from a local. For a quick bite, alcapurrias are a MUST -- especially beef or crab. Also the "pastelillos" are amazing-- corn beef, chorizo, morcilla... Everything freshly made to order. Now, if you want to sit down and enjoy an authentic Puerto Rican meal, here are some of my favorites: chuletas fritas, chicharrones de pollo, bistec encebollado and carne frita-- of course with a side of rice and beans or tostones for the win. Bottom line: you come here for flavor and authenticity, not comfort. Enjoy

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    La Alcapurria Quemá
    La Alcapurria Quemá - Chorizo empanada

    Chorizo empanada

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    Cocina Abierta - Second Course

    Cocina Abierta

    4.4(742 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$$$

    PHENOMENAL This is…read morenot just a restaurant, this is a dining experience. This is upscale elegance in a relaxed environment. This is global techniques blended with locally sourced Puerto Rican ingredients. From the moment you walk in, you feel welcome. I was there to celebrate my birthday (a reservation is a must). I asked if I could be seated in a different section of the restaurant, and even though they were packed, they said absolutely and found me a lovely seat in the bar area. The staff is knowledgeable and attentive. I suffer from severe food allergies but wanted to experience their tasting menu. My server spoke to the chef directly and then took the time to walk me through every option. I TRULY appreciated that they did not take anything off the menu but rather told me how they could adjust for my allergies. That is very rare and so very much appreciated that they went that extra mile for me. I highly recommend the tasting menu. It's 5 courses and they give you 3 options to choose from, within each course. And for the price ($85), a great value. Everything was delicious but I highly recommend the Breadfruit Gnocchi, Rainbow Runner Crudo, and Criollo Duck Mofongo. Chefs kiss! What I also noticed was, even though they were insanely busy, they didn't make you feel rushed. The invited you to savor the experience - which I did. Next time you are in San Juan, make a reservation and go. You won't be disappointed!

    Cocina Abierta was literally downstairs from where we were staying, so it was an easy choice for…read moredinner. They have a lovely outdoor seating area, but we opted to sit inside for the ambiance, which turned out to be a great call. Service was excellent from start to finish. Our waiter was knowledgeable, attentive, and gave great recommendations. We decided to go all in on the $85 per person tasting menu. The food ranged from good to very good, and there was a *lot* of it. Standout dishes for me were the ceviche and the desserts, both of which were exceptional. The beef empanadas and breadfruit gnocchi were also highlights. My one criticism is that the tasting menu didn't feel particularly cohesive. We started with yellowfin tuna, moved on to wood-roasted fish, then suddenly shifted into Italian territory with breadfruit gnocchi in a rich buttery sauce before continuing on to beef steak and duck. Individually, many of the dishes were delicious, but together they felt more like a sampler of the restaurant's assortment of dishes rather than a thoughtfully sequenced tasting menu with a clear theme or progression. That said, the quality of the food, generous portions, and outstanding service made for a very enjoyable evening. If you're looking to experience a wide range of the kitchen's offerings, Cocina Abierta delivers.

    Photos
    Cocina Abierta - Bar

    Bar

    Cocina Abierta - Snook

    Snook

    Cocina Abierta - FRESH LOCAL CATCH CEVICHE - Leche de tigre | avocado chips

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    FRESH LOCAL CATCH CEVICHE - Leche de tigre | avocado chips

    Orozco's

    Orozco's

    4.0(1k reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    The ambiance is casual cool. The service is EXCELLENT! Our waitress answered all our questions and…read morehelped us figure out what we should drink and order. The food was delicious and nice and hot! We had shared a plate and it was just the right size for us. Excellent choice!

    So this is the 2nd time going to Orozcos. You can find it in Diners Drive-ins and Dives. So after a…read moredisastrous attempt at sushi across the street we decided to keep it simple and go to the place in Condado that is guaranteed to be great authentic Puerto Rican food. Coño! It was good! I'm Puerto Rican and I was born and raised in Puerto Rican culture and I can say Orozcos is legit. I ordered their amazing Chuleton Kan Kan with arroz con gandules. (Big crispy pork chop with yellow rice and pigeon peas) It was delicious but you have to eat it traditionally with your hands. Don't try to be proper just dig in like the locals do. Just treat of a piece, eat it and then eat some rice. Mmmmm!!! Don't forget their signature hot sauce it's delicious but not too spicy. My daughter and wife ordered the monfongo with Bistec and mini empanadillas which is a regular beef empanada cut in half. Mix some of that hot sauce with it and BAM! You got the perfect appetizer. The monfongo was their star. I was chowing down on my pork chop but I had to steal a few bites lol. The beef was tender and delicious and the monfongo was soaked in the steak sauce, it was bliss! The staff were funny and very efficient and they all helped each other out. The atmosphere was personal and small with amazing salsa music playing and air conditioners blasting. It was so comfortable I highly recommend Orozcos!!!

    Photos
    Orozco's - Seating area

    Seating area

    Orozco's
    Orozco's - Tree milk

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    Tree milk

    Cocina Al Fondo - Rabbit meatballs, root vegetables 'al pilón' - good!

    Cocina Al Fondo

    4.6(93 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    Beautiful restaurant with outstanding, creative dishes…read more My husband and I ordered one app and two entrees. The portions were very large, and we would have been fine with just two menu items! To start, we had the roasted eggplant, lamb 'picadillo', date sofrito, 'Feliche' yogurt. Really delicious and probably best for sharing among 3-4 people as it's a bit heavy given the lamb. Nevertheless, it was really good and we finished it! For entrees, we tried the (1) rice with rabbit, sweet plantain in its leaf and the (2) breaded pork loin, mushroom cream, cherokee tomatoes from San Lorenzo, tostones. Our server was super excited when we ordered the rice with rabbit and I understand why. It was insanely flavorful. Also a massive portion haha. We really enjoyed this. The pork loin was delicious as well, especially with the mushroom cream. Plantains are one of my favorite foods, and these tostones did not disappoint. The restaurant itself is beautiful. It's a nice mix of modern decor with homey, vintage elements. There is a very large outdoor space, but I'm really glad we ate inside. Definitely recommend - especially for a group that likes to share!

    What a perfect dining experience. The staff genuinely seem thrilled to work there. They made us…read morefeel so welcome. They were also so excited to recommend dishes from their expansive menu! Beautiful layout with roomy indoor seating arrangements and a lovely outdoor seating space. Bathrooms were pristine with a changing table Food: Corn fritters with cod & heirloom tomatoes - light and delicious, packed with layers of flavor. Nice blend of textures from crispy to the savory tender fish and the tomato crisp Chicken thigh chicharrones - wow. So good. Tender and flavorful Prawns - plump and tasty. Soaked in a wonderful stew I would say 3-4 dishes is good for 2 people with a healthy appetite Would 100% like to come back the next time we are in Puerto Rico

    Photos
    Cocina Al Fondo
    Cocina Al Fondo - La Maja cocktail, Beets and 'Lucía' goat cheese terrine, honey, cherry tomatoes, almonds, artisanal bread toast - lovely

    La Maja cocktail, Beets and 'Lucía' goat cheese terrine, honey, cherry tomatoes, almonds, artisanal bread toast - lovely

    Cocina Al Fondo - Funky Fashion - their twist on Old Fashioned

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    Funky Fashion - their twist on Old Fashioned

    Santaella - puertorican - Updated June 2026

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