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    Tropical Taste Restaurant

    4.4 (344 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 6:00 pm

    Tropical Taste Restaurant Photos

    TROPICAL TASTE RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Tropical Taste Restaurant

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    Mofongo with shrimp
    Agta B.

    A local friend recommended this spot and warned us that it's in the back of some Shops. We had to go follow some signs to find the restaurant. It was airy and colorful and just the right size. Service was great and the food was delicious. We had margaritas which were yum. The mofongo was spot on. The shrimp and the sauce were amazing. Love these types of hidden gems.

    tropical taste
    Beth M.

    Had lunch here with friends after I saw it recommended a few times online. Getting to the restaurant- which is in the back of a shop was interesting but not difficult. Don't let it put you off! Our server was enthusiastic and helpful. Food and drinks were great! I loved my tostones and the flavor on the shrimp was just right. There were cute signs throughout the restaurant. I do wish they served the drinks in real glasses and not plastic, but otherwise a great meal and a good time with friends.

    The bar :). Let me tell you, it works just fine :)
    John Z.

    WOW! What a find, and we would have never found it without the help of Yelp. Thank you Yelp! In old town San Juan. It had the highest Yelp Rating for lunch so we went for it. Very basic - it's in the back of a gift shop! Super friendly and hardworking staff. I think I may have had the best chicken and creole sauce of my life there. I will spend the next several months trying to figure out the recipe. The chicken was so ... um ... fluffy for the lack of a better word. Almost like pulled pork. Great drinks too! Just wonderful!!

    Silvia D.

    Walked in to this store and ended up walking through it to get to this place. Super small spot... about 10 tables which sit 4 each. Food: food was good. Ordered 4 mofongos for 6 of us and had plenty left over. Mofongo dishes are pretty basic: plantain and meat. Drinks: Virgin piña coladas were delish Service was quick and decent.

    Michael R.

    They really do have good Mofungo. We got the one with fried pork and it was excellent even if some of the meat was a bit overcooked. Fried appetizer sampler was also okay. This is a serious dive, you enter through a tourist shop, the resturaunt is downstairs in the back. pros - scratch made - decent food cons -boom box in my ear playing tejano music -overall overpriced

    TRIFONGO with fish
    Louella E.

    All I can say is WOW. We asked the waiter to give us some suggestions and wow. My brother in law had trifongo with shrimp, I had the dish, hubby had the pulled pork with yellow rice. That yellow rice was amazing. My sister had the steak with yellow rice. The waiter gave us a sample of their holiday drink called coquito. Freaking amazing. I had the Pina Colada, so delicious. So so good. A++++

    Mofongo y pernil - seasoned pork and YUMMy!
    Kayli M.

    Delicious food, great music, clean bathroom, and a fun "hole in the wall" vibe. Bathroom was clean and smelled good. Plenty of toilet paper!

    Crab w rice and beans
    Pamela B.

    Wow. When they say they have the best mofongo. They aren't lying. We came here after the free walking tour of old San Juan. The drinks are strong. I had a Mojito and it's definitely kicking me in the butt. We also tried to large sampler, which was perfect for our group of 4. I had Mofongo with churrasco which was beyond delicious. My boyfriend had Tostones with churrasco, he cleaned the plate. One from our hardly had crab w tostones and she loved it.

    Oksana P.

    Our server was both hilarious and attentive. Mojitos are damn good and the red spicy sauce that come with the sampler platter is DELICIOUS!!! Plus if you're unfamiliar with Puerto Rican slang, this place has got you covered!

    Mofongo in spicy criollo sauce
    Michelle G.

    I can't say I understand the reviews about this restaurant being in a back of a store - when we went, there were clear signs and it was super easy to find and it also takes 2 seconds to ask someone. The spot is casual but I liked that they have a list of Puerto Rican slang as part of their decor and define a bunch of terms. The service was also great and they encouraged me to practice my rusty Spanish. On to the most important thing--food! The food was delicious. We got an order of the tostones in criollo sauce with chicken and it was so good. We also got the mofongo with pulpo and the spicy criollo sauce. The waiter said it wasn't too spicy and I agree, just yummy and very manageable. Definitely recommend this spot.

    Chicken plate with yellow rice
    Kailey P.

    5/5 stars! Food was so delicious, flavor was so good and the chicken breast was cooked very well. The starter plate was very good as well! Our server, Emmanuel was fabulous! Very prompt to seat us, take our order, and gave us his recommendations as well. We got a couple drinks as well, and they were very good. Would definitely recommend!!!

    The rice with veggies cooked in coconut milk and Mofongo with veggies

    Amazing food and felt like we got an authentic taste of Puerto Rican cuisine. There were many vegetarian options, which was great for us given we are vegetarian. Service was very efficient

    Pulpo
    Tira M.

    Quaint little restaurant, but you have to walk through a boutique with multiple pictures of naked women on display. Ironically, there is a sign near the host front desk of the actual restaurant that says: "Family friendly restaurant." Pulpo in spicy criolla sauce with rice and beans: A. Individually, the Pulpo and rice tasted delicous, but the two did not go well together. The pulpo should probably be served with plain rice. Large portion. Whole Snapper with yucca fries: A+. The fish was fresh and tasted great,but the yucca fries were amazing. Large portion. Pasta con churrasco: B+. The pasta in the house made alfredo sauce was divine. However, the steak was tough and chewy. Very large portion. Tostones Mondatitos with churrasco: A. Excellent dish, and the steak was cooked perfectly. Medium portion. Small sampler: A. True appetizer portion. It's just enough to quell your hungry for a few minutes. Service was fun. The waiter danced to the ambient music as he took our orders. He was also very helpful with explaining the menu.

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    6 months ago

    Best mojitos! Bacalaitos are delish and so is everything else. The service is A1. Always a vibe here I love it. So fun

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    4 months ago

    WOW. Service was amazing, food was amazing, atmosphere was amazing! Server was very kind and helpful and the music is amazing!

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    10 months ago

    Some of the best food in all of PR! The service was fantastic and the flavors are incredible

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Excellent drinks. Good tasty food. A bit crowed but worth the wait. User multi function friendly waiter.

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    Page 1 of 9

    Review Highlights - Tropical Taste Restaurant

    I loved the sample platter and thought it was a good variety of dishes and also the mofongo was amazing!

    Mentioned in 56 reviews

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    El Jibarito - Flan de coco and flan de chocolate

    El Jibarito

    3.9(2k reviews)
    0.4 km
    $$

    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!

    We came to El Jibarito for dinner after it was recommended by Yelp as it had a 4-star rating. We…read moredid have a bit of a wait, but it was worth it. The restaurant is absolutely adorable inside and has a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Once we were seated, the service was quick and attentive. There were four of us in our party, and we started with the pizza turnovers. They were delicious, although I do wish they had a little more filling. I ordered the tamale. While it wasn't quite to my personal taste, I could tell it was well made and I'm sure others who enjoy that style of tamale would love it. My husband had the baked chicken and really liked it. My friend ordered the salmon and said it was moist and very flavorful, and her husband had the garlic chicken, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Overall, everyone in our group was happy with their meals. Between the cozy atmosphere, friendly service, and tasty food, I would definitely recommend this restaurant if you're visiting Old San Juan.

    Photos
    El Jibarito
    El Jibarito - Fried snapper

    Fried snapper

    El Jibarito

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    Deaverdura - Sampler

    Deaverdura

    4.2(1.2k reviews)
    0.2 km
    $$

    This restaurant has been on my San Juan list and it happened to be near my Airbnb so it was a no…read morebrainer for my friends and I to visit. Since I've always seen the long lines outside this store when I passed by, we decided that we try to go in as soon as it opened. So, we lined up around 11:30am. We barely waited much and we got seated. The server that day was quick/efficient/friendly despite the fact that she was running a one woman show. And the food arrived within a decent time. My friends and I decided to order the PUERTO RICAN PLATTER with a side of a side salad. This platter comes with everything you could want & maybe something that might be a bit adventurous for you to eat like blood sausage. Despite that, it's a nice platter to share and try a bit of everything. It's really nice that if you order for 4 people, they give you exactly the amount of pieces that are divisible by 4 (so everyone can try 1-2 pieces of each thing evenly). It also comes with a decent amount of rice/pork as a supplementation, which was nice. It's a balanced meal. And I think the side salad did well to balance out all the fried foods. Overall, we really enjoyed this place. It's a great place to come with friends/families to share. It's a great place as a visitor to try a bit of everything. The platter is a great introduction of puerto rican fried finger foods. And it all taste great! From the presentation of the food to the service here, it's all good. I would recommend this place to others.

    We were in old San Juan and wanted some authentic Puerto Rican food. I found this spot on Yelp and…read morewas surprised to know this was a TikTok favorite. The restaurant is medium sized, so for the sake of space they make you wait outside for a table. Our group of 7 was seated pretty easily but it also wasn't too packed when we arrived. Their menu is written on a chalkboard and from my knowledge, they don't provide any physical copies. My table got a variety of things but me in particular, I ordered the Puerto Rican sampler. We split it between 3 people and they said it could feed 4 but hmmm, I'd be skeptical of that. I think no more than 2 comfortably honestly as a meal. The sampler was delicious though and had all the main things I wanted. The corn fritters were a hit and the steak was well cooked and seasoned. While the food was good, the wait was a little long and the service was mid (not bad but not the best we've had). Solid 4 stars

    Photos
    Deaverdura - The ambience

    The ambience

    Deaverdura - Small house salad

    Small house salad

    Deaverdura - Passion fruit juice

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    Passion fruit juice

    Borikén - Passion fruit mojito and rum punch

    Borikén

    4.3(8 reviews)
    0.6 km

    I remember coming to this restaurant aBout 5 years ago oomph my layover in San Juan. The food was…read moreso memorable that I decided to come back in 2020 to see if it was still good. Well good news, the food is still good! I stopped in during the festival of San Sebastian and the restaurant was packed! We luckily got a seat for two and were able to order right away. I order the mofongo de pollo and my friend ordered a different meal with a soup. I am not going to lie, the service was extremely slow and the food took about 30 to 40 mins maybe to come out. I expect this was because of the festival and how busy the restaurant was. When the food came out, it was delicious! The chicken was great and drenched in a salsa criolla sauce. It was definitely worth the wait! After my meal, I ordered a coffee to digest the food. Luckily this didn't take as long as the food. I would definitely recommend this place however if you are in a rush, it might be best to go somewhere else. The food is very tasty!

    This is a difficult review to do because technically we only had an appetizer and drinks. First of…read moreall the rest is located next to the Christopher Columbus Plaza in Old San Juan which makes it an ideal location for tourists coming in and out. The restaurant is very small inside but they do have outside dining which is what we chose to do. The service was good, they were very attentive to our needs. Unfortunately, the appetizer we ordered was just awful. We ordered a mix of very traditional Puerto Rican bites-small alcapurrias, sorrullos, chicharrónes de pollo and some fried cheese. There was absolutely nothing good about the mix. The alcapurrias has no meat whatsoever, the chicharrónes were not crispy and the cheese was just awful. I wanted to give them a 1star review but I felt this would not be fair because we did not try an entree and I hope that would be better. The 3star was because the service was good. In addition to the service later on in the evening they had live music which was essentially old traditional Puerto Rican music which was excellent. So to be fair I thought a 3 star review would be the right thing to do. Hopefully the entrees are much better just stay away from the surtido appetizer because it was not good.

    Photos
    Borikén - Live music.

    Live music.

    Borikén
    Borikén - Appetizer-

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    Appetizer-

    Casa Luna Rest. - Avocado salad

    Casa Luna Rest.

    4.4(42 reviews)
    0.6 km

    I discovered a quaint little spot on YouTube while researching my cruise that serves authentic…read morePuerto Rican food. I was really craving fried snapper, but unfortunately, it was too large for me to eat by myself. To my disappointment, it was served family style, and my family wasn't in the mood for fish. Instead, we ordered several items from the menu, including stew chicken, fried pork chops, which my son really enjoyed. We also had mofongo with chicken and creole sauce, white rice and beans, fried plantains, and another side of beans and rice. We definitely over-ordered, as the food was plentiful and very filling. In fact, that was the only meal we had that day. If you're ever in San Juan, Puerto Rico, I highly recommend this restaurant. It's a hidden gem tucked away on a side street. You will not be disappointed! I can't wait to go back.

    Try. the. Mofongo. The skirt steak mofongo, with garlic…read moresauce. Order it, possibly to share -- it's a big portion. You will not be sorry. Your date might be a little over-garlicked if you try to kiss them without letting them at least try it, though. Definitely a vampire-free zone. Delicious! And the best I have ever had, anywhere. We tried a little of a lot of things, kind of a meal of sides to go with our mofongo, and the empanadilla pastry was flaky and light. Hubs liked the chicken one best, I preferred the ground beef. But the big takeaway is the mofongo with garlic sauce. They even let you choose from a list of other sauces if you don't want garlic, but frankly, there's a reason it's listed first and it's not just tradition.

    Photos
    Casa Luna Rest.
    Casa Luna Rest. - Red snapper!!!

    Red snapper!!!

    Casa Luna Rest. - Weak Piña Coladas

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    Weak Piña Coladas

    Mallorca - mallorca w/ butter

    Mallorca

    4.2(847 reviews)
    0.4 km
    $$

    A MUST if you're staying in Old San Juan!! The greatest breakfast in a really traditional…read moreold-school cafeteria. Pictures of Old San Juan in the early 1900s line the walls to show how little the town has changed in the past century, and Mallorca Cafetería is a gem that has withstood the test of time. Definitely an affordable breakfast as the most expensive mallorca is still under $10. Cafe con leche in styrofoam cups is a staple that is great even in the heat. Definitely worth getting a cup of orange juice as it is freshly squeezed to order. During my stay in Puerto Rico I had several mallorcas around the island but none come close to what I consider the original. Pressed and doused in powdered sugar it's surprisingly both light and filling. We had tried coming at around 9a the previous day and there was already a long line outside so we chose go to somewhere else but made sure we were out the door by 6:30a the next day to get to Mallorca before it opened and there was still a bit of a line. We were able to get in and situate ourselves once they opened at 7a; there are lots of small tables with chairs which we chose because we had a larger group but if dining solo or with one person it's definitely a great experience to sit at the bar for a more traditional feel. Again, this is a must for me every time I am in San Juan and I'm happy to carve out some time for one of the greatest breakfasts you can have. Would rate ten stars if it were possible.

    Consider this place like a diner. Sure, you have options but you come here for one thing: Mallorca…read more This restaurant has been open since the 1940's and they haven't changed. Service is prompt, environment is lively. I highly recommend coming here at 7AM the day you leave, otherwise you'll have to wait a queue. The line There are no fancy coffee drinks. It's coffee, milk, and sugar. I got the Mallorca with eggs, ham, and cheese with a small glass of jugo de china. It was an incredible way to start the day.

    Photos
    Mallorca
    Mallorca - Mallorca w/ ham and cheese

    Mallorca w/ ham and cheese

    Mallorca - Mallorca with ham n cheese

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    Mallorca with ham n cheese

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

    Casita Miramar

    4.5(1.7k reviews)
    3.6 km
    $$$

    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!!

    Casita Miramar absolutely lived up to the hype. It was at the top of my foodie list while visiting…read moreSan Juan, Puerto Rico, and it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. We visited on a Monday night without a reservation and almost didn't get a table. The hostess was incredibly kind and explained that there was an 8:00 p.m. reservation that hadn't been confirmed. She offered to seat us if the party didn't arrive within the grace period. Thankfully, they never showed up, and the table became ours. From that point on, everything was fantastic. The food was spectacular, and the service was just as impressive. Every dish was beautifully prepared and full of flavor. The restaurant itself is charming and inviting--it really does feel like dining in a cozy "casita." If you're visiting San Juan, Casita Miramar is absolutely worth a visit. Great food, excellent service, and a memorable dining experience.

    Photos
    Casita Miramar - Indoor Dining Room

    Indoor Dining Room

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

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

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

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

    Cayo Caribe - Red snapper it's about $30/lb

    Cayo Caribe

    4.0(223 reviews)
    0.5 km
    $$

    Whew! Sooooo good!…read more My husband ordered the ribeye and subbed out the mushroom risotto with cheese and it was perfectly cooked and seasoned! Easilyyyy the top five steaks I've ever had in LIFE and I'm a foodie. Kids ordered Alfredo and it didn't disappoint! We also ordered the lobster risotto and it was SOOO delicious and flavorful! Perfectly cooked! Our waitress was also very attentive and helpful with suggestions with the menu. If we're ever in town we are definitely coming back!

    When you want an easy, reliable seafood lunch near the San Juan port, Cayo Caribe hits the mark…read more Our walking tour guide recommended this spot, and it ended up being one of the better casual lunches of the trip. It's located close to the cruise port area, making it an effortless stop if you're exploring Old San Juan. The vibe is straightforward and comfortable--think casual, sit-down seafood spot where you can relax, grab a drink, and not overthink the menu. It's not flashy or upscale, but that's part of the appeal. Just friendly service, cold drinks, and solid food. Service * Very friendly and welcoming * Easy walk-in experience * Relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere Food & Drinks * Standard beers and cocktails--perfect for a mid-day refresher * Seafood Fried Platter - especially the fried cod; crispy, flavorful, and well-executed * Tacos (Fried Shrimp & Fried Cod) - the standout; fresh, generous portions with crunchy slaw and spot-on sauce The tacos were the surprise hit--bright, crispy, and packed with flavor. Exactly what you want from a Puerto Rican seafood lunch. Verdict Cayo Caribe is a dependable, casual seafood stop near the port. Nothing overly complicated--just good service, fresh seafood, and a relaxed setting. A great lunch choice if you're in the area and craving fried seafood and tacos. Solid four stars.

    Photos
    Cayo Caribe - PICKLEBALL AT THE BAR!!!

    PICKLEBALL AT THE BAR!!!

    Cayo Caribe - 1.5lb snapper

    1.5lb snapper

    Cayo Caribe - Crazy shrimp

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    Crazy shrimp

    Tropical Taste Restaurant - puertorican - Updated July 2026

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