Puerto Rico

Eating out in Puerto Rico

Although Puerto Rican cooking is somewhat similar to both Spanish and Mexican cuisine, it is really a unique tasty blend of Spanish, African, Taíno, and American influences. Locals call their cuisine cocina criolla (creole cooking), which can be traced back to the Arawaks - the original inhabitants of the island - who thrived on a diet of corn, tropical fruit, and seafood. When Ponce de León arrived in 1493, the Spanish added beef, pork, rice, wheat, and olive oil. Soon after, the Spanish began planting sugarcane, and African slaves brought okra and taro (known in Puerto Rico as yautia). In recent years, many restaurants have developed a renewed appreciation for traditional Puerto Rican cooking, adding local specialties to the menus of leading restaurants which also offer American, Spanish, Chinese, Italian, French, and Greek food.

San Juan.

Gourmet

Ristorante II Perugino is nestled in the heart of the Old City and is a favorite of both gourmet-loving locals and international celebrities. Serving flawlessly exquisite food, it is known among travelers as having the best Northern Italian food in all of Puerto Rico. Calle Del Cristo 105, Old San Juan.

Highly Recommended

Amadeus Café pleases visitors with Puerto Rican nouvelle cuisine and treats them to the highest quality and friendliest service available, all within the historic colonial city walls. Artists, journalists, locals, and professionals alike go to the Amadeus to enjoy the tasty and creative European/Caribbean cooking. 106 San Sebastián Street, Old San Juan.

Local Flair

Reposteria Kassalta has cafeteria-style dining showcasing a vast selection of seasonal local specialties. Islanders come for the Caldo Gallego, a traditional vegetable stew. Calle McLeary 1966, San Juan.

Romantic

La Zaragozana is situated near the cathedral in Old San Juan, with wooden chairs and red tablecloths creating an authentic Spanish setting. Superior cuisine is perfectly complemented with the lilting music of strolling musicians. 356 Calle San Francisco, Old San Juan.

Dorado.

This is a resort area with most restaurants located within the resorts. There are, however, some worthy establishments also to be found around town.

Gourmet

The Surf Room serves international cuisine in a mixed casual and elegant setting at the Hyatt Dorado Beach Hotel.

Highly Recommended

El Ladrillo is Spanish for "the brick," and the reputation of this fine restaurant is as solid as its name suggests. Highly regarded as a steakhouse, but seafood and fish - caught fresh from island waters - are offered in a greater variety of dishes. Paintings by local artists decorate the walls and bar. Music, cigars, and a well-stocked wine cellar complete the first-class evening. Méndez Vigo 334.

Local Flair

La Terraza Patio Bar serves Caribbean International cuisine in a casual setting. C1 Calle Marginal.

Romantic

Mange're serves Italian cuisine in a cozy, soothing setting. Carrera 693 Km 8.5.

Humacao.

This is a resort area with most restaurants located within the resorts. There are, however, some worthy establishments also to be found around town.

Gourmet

Pier 27 Sea Food features an international gourmet menu at the Doral Palmas del Mar Resort.

Highly Recommended

Hermes serves fine food in a refined and elegant setting at the Doral Palmas del Mar Resort.

Local Flair

Tulio's Seafood serves Caribbean Puerto Rican cuisine in a casual setting. 5 Calle Isidro Andréu.

Romantic

Chez Daniel serves fine French cuisine in an intimate, relaxing setting at the Doral Palmas del Mar Resort.

Rio Grande.

This is a resort area with most restaurants located within the resorts.

Gourmet

The Rio Mar Grille Room serves international gourmet cuisine in an elegant setting at the Rio Mar Country Club.

Highly Recommended

Marbella serves American Caribbean fare in a casual setting at the Westin Rio Mar Resort.

Local Flair

Cactus Jack's serves Mexican food in a fun, casual setting at the Westin Rio Mar Resort.

Romantic

Palio serves fine Italian cuisine in an elegant setting at the Westin Rio Mar Resort.

Las Croabas.

This is a resort area with most restaurants located within the resorts.

Gourmet

Blossoms features three culinary styles, including a sushi bar, and boasts some of the freshest seafood in Puerto Rico. Sizzling delights are prepared on teppanyaki tables, and there's a zesty selection of Hunan and Szechuan specialties. Dishes include chicken, shrimp, filet mignon, and lobster. Sushi-bar selections include eel, squid, salmon, and giant clams. Wyndham El Conquistador Resort.

Highly Recommended

Cassava, a new and experimental restaurant, sports a highly colorful setting that bursts upon your eyes as the flavorful dishes do on your tongue. A meal enjoyed here is a treat in culinary combustion from the curried calamari appetizer, to the seafood mofongo medley, to the ever-changing home-made desserts. Wyndham El Conquistador Resort.

Local Flair

Iguanas is an outdoor restaurant that you reach by venturing across the water to private Palomino Island to delight in the savory food and pristine setting. Arrive early and have cocktails on the shore as the sun sets over the Caribbean! Wyndham El Conquistador Resort.

Romantic

At Otello's, you can dine by candlelight in the old-world tradition, indoors among the neo-Palladian decor or outdoors in the balmy breeze. A selection of poultry and vegetarian food is offered nightly, along with several shrimp and fish dishes, or you can opt for the chef's veal specialties. Wyndham El Conquistador Resort.

Going party in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rican nights bring lively streets and a great chance to people-watch in one of the many beautiful plazas of Old San Juan. Casinos are generally open from noon to 4am and are much more intimate and friendly than the gambling houses of Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Get-togethers and party places include Bogart-style bars and dance clubs. Puerto Ricans dress up and head for the Latin clubs with large dance floors and bands playing spicy Latin rhythms. Salsa leads the music scene, and is described as what happens when you cross the big band sound with Afro-Caribbean rhythms. For daily happenings, check with your concierge upon arrival or look up the nightlife section of the English-language San Juan Star newspaper.

San Juan.

Egipto Club

The Caribbean's most sought after nightclub with over $1,000,000 in state-of-the-art Egyptian decor takes you to another world. There's a wide variety of musical themes, a helpful bilingual staff, and gourmet cuisine.

Millamax

This casino reflects the tropical elegance of a by-gone era. Blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps, and new slot machines promise an exciting evening. The bi-level design creates a panoramic view from the adjacent lounge that serves exotic and mixed drinks, as well as light bistro fare. This is the most luxurious and largest casino in the Caribbean.

Violeta's

A stylish and comfortable bar that occupies a 200-year-old beamed house with an open courtyard. Its Old Town location draws a mixture of 20- and 30-something tourists and locals, and occasionally a piano player entertains.

Performing Arts

Opera, dance, symphony, and theatrical performances are hosted by various centers, including the Tapia Theater in Old San Juan, the Guaynabo Performing Arts Center, and the Luis A. Ferré Center for the Performing Arts. The latter is the largest of its kind in the Caribbean and home of the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra.

Dorado.

This is a resort area with most nightclubs located within the resorts.

Bacchus

A dance club playing a variety of music in a mixed casual/elegant setting at the Hyatt Regency Cerromar Beach Resort and Casino.

Casino and Bar

Casual and feature live music most of the week at the Hyatt Regency Cerromar Beach Resort and Casino.

Rio Grande.

This is a resort area with most nightclubs located within the resorts.

Casino and Bar

A mixed casual/elegant setting and feature live music most of the week at the Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort and Country Club.

Humacao.

This is a resort area with most nightclubs located within the resorts.

Casino and Bar

Casual and feature live music most of the week at the Doral Palmas del Mar Resort and Villas.

Chilis Grill and Bar

Features live rock music in a mixed casual/elegant setting at the Plaza Palma Real Mall.

Las Croabas.

This is a resort area with most nightclubs located within the all-inclusive resorts. There are, however, some worthy establishment also to be found around town.

Brass Cactus Bar and Grill

A lively, casual bar featuring salsa, merengue, and pop music at the Complejo Turístico Building in Luquillo.

Common events in Puerto Rico

Three Kings Day

The traditional Christmas gift-giving day and is celebrated with festivals, lively music, dancing, parades, puppet shows, caroling troubadours, and traditional feasts. Island-wide, January 6.

Danza Week

Commemorates the danza, the popular turn-of-the-century, waltz-like ballroom dance originating in Ponce. Historical and cultural events include danza concerts by string quartets, a parade, danza competition with senior couples in the dress of their youth. Closing day concert. Ponce, May.

Barranquitas Artisan's Fair

The island's oldest crafts fair, hosting more than 130 Puerto Rican artisans, traditional musicians, and island food. Barranquitas, July.

The International Light Tackle Tournament

A blue marlin fishing competition sponsored by three west coast deep-sea fishing clubs and takes place on the southwestern coast. Cabo Rojo, September to October.

Jayuya Indian Festival

Celebrates the culture and tradition of the island's original inhabitants, the Taino Indians, with exhibitions of their music, games, and food. More than 100 Taino artisans display and sell their work. Jayuya, November.

Las Mañanitas

A religious procession that starts from Lolita Tizol Street toward the city's Catholic church. Mariachis lead the way, singing songs to honor the city's patron saint, Our Lady of Guadalupe. A mass is served at 6am. Ponce, December.