Had a wonderful time at Casita Miramar. Aalyah, our server did an amazing job of being able to…read morecommunicate and inform us about the dishes and accommodate anything we needed. Aalyah, thank you so much for making our last meal in San Juan so special!! The portions are huge! I split an app with 3 people and honestly the main dishes can be split among two people as well. It was very tasty especially the chicken, and the ribs! The place also looked amazing and we were given a semi-private room for such a large group. Thanks for having us!!

For my last night in Puerto Rico, I wanted to go all out, and I ended up somewhere pretty special…read more Casita Miramar sits in a gorgeous old villa in the Miramar neighborhood, all hanging plants, twinkle lights, and vintage furniture, and the décor and ambiance alone had me sold before the food even showed up. I sat at the bar, and the staff absolutely made the night. Insanely nice and receptive, they talked with me the entire time, made recommendations, walked me through the dishes and the culture behind them, and kept the strong drinks coming, which I will never complain about. That kind of hospitality is rare and I can't say enough about it. Now for my one nitpick, and this is a me problem more than a them problem: I don't totally love Puerto Rican food. This is authentic comida criolla, which pulls from Caribbean, Latin American, and Spanish influences all at once, and my picky palate keeps asking what exactly it's trying to be. But the vibes, the people, and the setting made the whole experience more than worth it. Come for the criollo cooking, stay for one of the warmest rooms in San Juan.

Sábado 11 de febrero de 2023 queríamos almorzar y sentir el frío montaña adentro así que nos fuimos…read morepara el pueblo de Aibonito. Llegamos a este pequeño restaurante que tienes mesas al frente como adentro. Nos sentamos al frente que mira hacia la calle. Me tuve que poner el abrigo hacia fríos y los residentes de allí también estaban con sus abrigos. Hay muchas combinaciones con mofongo para escoger y también platos criollos. Sencillo, acojedor pero sobre todo la comida lista excelente. Hay muchos lugares para chinchoriar pero para comer a este bebes de ir. Personal muy amable y servicial!! Aprovecha que hace frío en la montaña y pásala bien.

Excelente comida, todo natural. Excelente servicio, y trato amable. 100% recomendado!read more

We stopped here on the road between Ponce and San Juan, and since we didn't have a lot of time, we…read moredidn't wander too far down the Ruta del Lechon (Pork Highway). This place is right on the main highway, it's huge and packed so plan accordingly: we arrived before noon on a Friday, so we probably got one of the last parking spots (there's a guy managing or charging in the parking lot? not sure) and the line was manageable. A large group and some buses showed up after us, so it got really crowded! Anyway, we had a short line, had no idea what we were doing to order (I should have researched better) but pointed and nodded, and with some help from the nice people in line, ended up with two huge platters of pork, rice and some other sides - way more food that we probably needed. The food: delicious! I would say our #2 favorite meal in Puerto Rico, after Marmalade (but that was more than 10x the price!) The pork was delicious, juicy, flavorful, and the crackling was to die for! I wish they would package those and sell them - probably only good fresh, though. Rice and sides were adequate: my son tried to be healthy and said the salad and potatoes were ok, but you're really there for the pork. Cost etc.: we paid less than $50 for 2 enormous plates of food and some sodas. It was enough for 3 lunch servings, plus enough leftovers for 2 people to have the rest for dinner - so I guess 5 servings? The wait was not bad early on a weekday, but they must get incredibly overrun on weekends. It is entertaining to see the pork cooking on a spit (please don't come if you are vegetarian and sensitive to such things) and watch them hacking away with machetes. My husband wondered if the machetes are the same once used for sugar cane!

During our trip to Puerto Rico, we made a stop at a lechónera- a restaurant that serves lechón (one…read moreof PR's unofficial national dishes), which is a whole, slow-roasted pig. This restaurant is just one of many open-air roadside spots that serve lechón along "La Ruta del Lechón", aka the "pork highway" in Guavate. We got a half pound of lechon along with Mamposteao, which was delicious and filling. The pork skin hit a level of shatteringly crispy texture that I have never had from non-fried pork skin. We came later in the day, which unfortunately meant that the pork was slightly dried out. However, the texture and flavor of the lechón was absoutely delicious. It's a "build your own box" style restaurant where you choose which sides you want on the dipslay. Besides the mamposteao there were also other delicious-looking sides such as plantains/mofongo, beans, fruit, etc. There's a small parking lot outside the restaurant- one where the rule is you can only back your car into your parking space. Interesting. Would definetely come to try lechón here again!

When planning my first trip to PR I scoured tiktok for food recommendations! And this place was…read moreremarkably noted as Bad Bunny's favorite restaurant, and I understand why! The service was immediate & so welcoming! The restaurant had a very homey feel, like you know someone's family recipes are being used. The food was 10/10, hands down, everything was absolutely delicious! The sangria - to die for! Loved every bit of it! Def a staple if you plan on making the trip!!!

Food is good, service could have been much better!!…read more We got in line and we were seated within 10 minutes of arriving Initially our server was very attentive, took time to explain the menu however after we got our food it took us over 45 min to pay even after asking 2 times. Decor is nice, food is good. Drinks could have been a bit better prices are reasonable

Servicio excelente. Los dueños muy atentos y servicial. Mara y Andres did an excellent job getting…read moreour drinks and food order . We had vegetarians in our group and they acomodated us all. The food was delicious and so was the service. They open Fri- Sunday only after 5. Service was shorthanded so wait time was a little long but it was worth the wait. Food was delicious. Highly recommend mofongo mero and arroz mamposteado. The drinks ALL of them were top notch. Plus lots of beautiful photo ops around the restaurant. Can't wait to come back!

Excelente Lugar para compartir con la Familia. Deliciosa comida y mojitos. Todo muy buenoread more

A True Taste of Tradition: El Jibarito Delivers on Every Front…read more​If you are looking for an dining experience that feels like a warm embrace from family, El Jibarito is an absolute must-visit. From the moment you step through the doors, you are wrapped in a vibrant, welcoming ambiance that perfectly balances lively energy with cozy, authentic charm. ​But the true star of the show is the food. Every single dish bursts with rich, ancestral flavors, serving up exceptional quality that respects deep-rooted family traditions.The absolute standout is their Bistec Encebollado (beef steak with onions). The steak is perfectly tender, marinated to perfection, and smothered in a mountain of sweet, caramelized onions. Paired with a side of fluffy white rice, savory beans, and perfectly caramelized sweet plantains (maduros), it is pure culinary comfort. You can quite literally taste the love and history in every bite--it doesn't just feel like you're eating at a restaurant; it feels like you've been invited into a family's home kitchen where recipes have been perfected over generations. ​The Verdict: Incredible food, an unforgettable atmosphere, and a beautiful dedication to heritage. El Jibarito is a masterclass in tradition done right. Don't pass this one up!

El Jibarito is absolutely worth the visit if you're looking for authentic Puerto Rican food. We had…read morethe lechón con salsa de plátano, and it was absolutely delicious--full of flavor and cooked perfectly! We were a large group, so there was about a 30-minute wait for a table, but that's part of the fonda-style experience. Tables turn over as people finish their meals, and while you're waiting, you can relax with an ice-cold Medalla, which makes the time go by quickly. A special thank you to the staff for the excellent service and warm hospitality. The food, the atmosphere, and the friendly staff made this one of our favorite dining experiences in Old San Juan. We will definitely be back!

This time I did not have sny food. The service was prompt and ambiance is rustic. I have been here…read morebefore and had some food which was basic but good. Not so fresh!

Off the beaten path restaurant which seems like a "hole in the wall" from the outside but is full…read moreof surprises inside: amazing food, lovely breeze, excellent service and wonderful and relaxing view. My husband ordered the shrimp soup which was made from scratch to order and I had mofongo relleno. Both exceeded our expectations. Our son had pasta. So glad we made the trip up the mountains for this amazing lunch. We will be back!

Appetizers were great. We tried the fish nuggets and the tostenoes. We got the lobster dish and it…read morewas great. It was very busy.

I do have to say that I haven't been there in a while but the food is GREAT!…read moreWill I return; YES! Will I recommend it; YES!

Very good!! Would go every day if I could will definitely return!…read more The omelets are phenomenal

Amazing place, a must do if you're in the area. Real authentic mom and pop seafood highly…read morerecommend.

Best lechon I've ever had. Excellent staff and loved the atmosphere feels like I'm at my…read moregrandparents backyard celebrating a family rvent.

Only a few words needed best lechon on the island many of the best chefs in the world will attest.read more