Be sure to visit these exquisite Old San Juan restaurants
Old San Juan is more than a colorful and enchanting 500-year-old city. It’s home to the best restaurants in Puerto Rico, and the food is just as colorful and fascinating.
This historic colonial city hosts a highly sophisticated food scene adept at impressing the toughest food critics. From local fare to contemporary fusion cuisine, Old San Juan is a food Mecca for the adventurous and pleasure-seeking palate.
1. Marmalade Restaurant & Wine Bar
Cuisine: Caribbean, French
Calle Fortaleza 317
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901
Tel. 787-724-3969
Behind a traditional and unassuming Old San Juan façade, you will find modern, colorful decor, impeccable service and mind-blowing flavors. Led by innovative, globe-trotting Chef Peter Schintler, a veteran of world-class restaurants such as Le Cirque, Marmalade is a must-have experience.
2. Dragonfly
Cuisine: Latin-Asian, Sushi
364 Calle Fortaleza
San Juan, PR 00901
Tel. 787-977-3886
Dragonfly is one of Old San Juan’s hippest spots. It succeeds at combining great food with great ambience. Cutting-edge Asian-fusion cuisine served in an super chic, dark red, dimly lit interior makes for a memorable meal. The cocktails are not to be missed. Try a “Dragon Punch,” if you dare.
3. Aguaviva
Cuisine: Seaside Latino, Caribbean
364 Calle Fortaleza
Old San Juan, PR 00901
Tel. 787-722-0665
Aguaviva specializes in serving fresh seafood with a Caribbean flair, such as mahi-mahi in guava balsamic syrup or fried red snapper with lobster in plantain mash and butter. You can enjoy fresh oysters at the ceviche bar while you wait for your meal You know what they say about oysters…
Cuisine: French, European
311 Calle Fortaleza
San Juan, PR 00901
Tel. 787-725-7959
If you’re in the mood for French fine dining, look no further. Established in a former cinema warehouse in the heart of Old San Juan, 311 Trois Cent Onze features old world charm and class. It has received numerous awards for its classic, refined French cuisine. Oh, and it’s perfect for romantic dinners.
5. El Jibarito
Cuisine: Criolla, Puerto Rican
280 Sol Street
Old San Juan, PR, 00901
Tel. 787-725-8375
You can’t leave Puerto Rico without having big plate of Comida Criolla, a food like no other. El Jibarito is a Puerto Rican landmark that has been serving authentic traditional Puerto Rican food for decades. Enjoy rice and beans, mofongo, pasteles, cubed steak and onions, spit-roasted pork, fried plantains and much more at moderate prices.