The Best Restaurants For Local Flavor In Puerto Rico

The Caribbean Island of Puerto Rico, Spanish for ‘rich port,’ was originally inhabited by aborigines, known as Taíno, until 1493, when Christopher Columbus claimed the island for Spain. The island was transformed by European culture, the remnants of which can still be seen in the beautiful historical architecture and diverse culinary scene of cities like San Juan. Here is an updated listing of the 10 best cultural restaurants in the country’s capital.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Ali Baba Restaurant

Ali Baba’s Turkish restaurant, renowned for its excellent service, attracts a loyal and satisfied customer base. Conveniently located in the Condado Village, the restaurant offers a taste of something different in the heart of Puerto Rico’s capital. Try the iskender, thinly sliced lamb in a tomato sauce served on a fresh pitta and with yogurt on the side, for a truly authentic flavor of the Middle East. Wash it down with a pitcher of the house’s secret recipe sangria to bring you back to the Spanish flavors of San Juan.

Cafe Cola’o

Marmalade Restaurant & Wine Bar

Marmalade’s menu is a diverse and vibrant mixture of flavors ranging from vegan friendly choices to complex meat dishes and fragrant oriental classics. More than just somewhere to eat, Marmalade is a cultural destination in itself and offers a 15 course group sharing menu for the adventurous, inquisitive diner. It includes white bean and black truffle soup with pancetta followed by warm banana and butterscotch bread pudding served with Brazilian nut and rum ice cream. Chef Peter Schintler sticks firmly to his ethos of using only the finest locally sourced organic ingredients, helping to support the small Puerto Rican producers as well as ensuring that the best flavors reach the plate.

Don Ruiz – Roastery, Museum & Café

Cafe Don Ruiz is a newcomer to the artisan coffee shops of the old town, located in the beautiful Cuartel de Ballajá. Complete with its own museum, it showcases the traditional methods and antique equipment involved in the coffee making process that Don Ruiz and his family have been mastering since the beginning of the twentieth century. Still a family operated organisation, every cup has generations of craft and passion poured into it. Whilst emphasis remains on the strong, potent flavor of the coffee, customers can enjoy a simple accompanying menu of homemade pastries, sandwiches, thin crepes layered with cream and even specialty drinks and cigars.

Santaella

Out of a run down handy store comes an architectural triumph. With an internal tropical garden in the center of the restaurant and beautiful abstract wallpaper, Santaella is a delight for the eyes as well as the tastebuds. A stone’s throw away from the traditional local farmer’s market, or ‘La Placita,’ the menu prides itself on its locally sourced, organic ingredients. One of the best tapas restaurants in the area, popular dishes include the ahituna skewers, marinated in oriental spices and served with rice paper fritters, baby octopus casserole with chorizo and chickpeas, and the fried Nutella dessert.

St Germain Bistro & Café

Located in a beautiful colonial building just off of the old town, St Germain Bistro and Cafe offers a European dining experience, paying homage to the Parisian neighbourhood of St Germain-de-Pres. Its location means the cafe relies largely on the advertising of its regulars, so tourists will be warmly invited into an authentic San Juan restaurant much loved by its locals. Fresh, delicious and reasonably priced dishes occupy St Germain’s menu, including gourmet sandwiches, salads and a taste of the Caribbean with an exquisite shrimp ceviche. There is also a separate Sunday brunch menu for lovers of classic dishes such as eggs Benedict, L’epinard and Floreli, a perfect justification to enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon European-style.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.