El PicoteoOld San Juan is a gastronome’s delight. The options are just about endless.  Whether you are looking to sample the local fare or looking for a Latin fusion cuisine, you can find it in Old San Juan. For innovative, top of the line cuisine, head to the Sofo (South Fortaleza St) neighborhood. There you will find a trendy array of restaurants that blend traditional Latin American ingredients with more exotic flavors from Asia, Europe, and more.

¡Buen Provecho!

Recommendations:

 

Our Season’s Top Picks:

Authentic Puerto Rican Cuisine: Café Manolín – If you are searching for authentic Puerto Rican cafeteria-style food, this is your place. Located at Calle San Justo, Manolin has a “w”-shaped bar and a few tables serving breakfast and lunch. This is a very popular location for both locals and tourists, so expect to wait a bit before you eat. We recommend you eat at the bar to speed up the wait time.
Fine cuisine: Marmalade
Great brunch: St Germain
Great brick oven pizza: Pirilo Pizza Rústica – This is not your typical pizzeria. The ambience is exquisite. They have a wide variety international and Puerto Rican pizza. Located in Fortaleza Street, Pirilo’s is also a popular bar with one of Old San Juan’s largest selection of beer from around the world. You can combine any pizzas you want. We recommend an appetizer, a small pizza and a nice beer.
Trendy Mexican cuisine: La Madre
Budget friendly Puerto Rican Lunch Buffet: Barrachina – This is the so called birthplace of the Piña Colada and a cozy location for breakfast, lunch, or an early dinner. It has a colonial atmosphere where diners can eat in their Spanish-style open patio or inside on either the first or second floor. If you are in a hurry, try their daily lunch buffet special from Monday to Friday for less than $10. Important tip: Mofongo is only served on Wednesdays.

The restaurants listed below are organized by price range.
Budget Friendly – $ | Mid Range – $$ | Fine Dining – $$$

Budget Friendly

Mallorca thumb
La Mallorca  $
300 Calle San Francisco
787-724-4607
Puerto Rican – Latin Bakery
“House of the Mallorcas”
Breakfast & Lunch
Everyday until 5:30 pm
Aureola thumb
Aureola  $
106 Calle San Sebastian
787-977-0100
Mexican Cuisine
Lunch & Dinner
Every day
Cafe Manolin
Café Manolín  $
251 Calle San Justo
787-723-9743
Latin – Puerto Rican
Breakfast & Lunch
Everyday until 4:30 pm; Closed on Sunday
Fonda del Jibarito thumb
Fonda del Jibarito  $
280 Calle Sol
787-725-8375
Authentic Puerto Rican
Lunch & Dinner
Everyday until 9:00 pm
ElMeson
El Meson Sandwiches  $
Calle San José, Corner of Calle San Francisco
787-721-5286
Authentic Puerto Rican Sandwich
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Everyday until 10:00 pm

Ajo del Pais$
253 Calle San Francisco
787-724-2025
Authentic Puerto Rican
Lunch & Dinner
Everyday 1:00 pm – 12:00 am
Marilyn's Place
Marilyn’s Place Deli & Bar $
100 San Francisco
Appetizers, Smoothies & Bar
Everyday until 8:00 pm
St Germain
St. Germain Bistro & Café   $
156 Calle Sol
787-725-5830
Lunch, Dinner & Sunday Brunch
Tue. – Sat. from 11:30 am – 3:30 pm; 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sun. 10:00 am – 3:00 pm; 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
TropicalTasteTropical Taste  $
156 Calle Cristo
787-723-1458
Caribbean
Lunch
Everyday until 7:00 pm
YeyosCafetería Los Yeyos $
353 Calle San Francisco
787-725-9362
Puerto Rican – Locals Favorite
Lunch Only
Closed on Sunday
Mofongo $
Kiosk in Plaza Colon
787-977-4287
Lunchtime – 6:00 pm
daily
Birra & Empanadas $
150 Calle Cruz
Beer & Empanadas
Tues. – Sun. 3:00 pm – 12:00 am
Closed Monday
Genesis RestaurantGenesis Restaurant $
327 Calle Recinto Sur
787-725-1273
Caribbean
Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner
Greengos Caribbean Cantina $
310 Calle Fortaleza
787-705-2530
Mexican
Open daily 11:00 am – 5:00 pm; Fridays open late
Maví $
366 Calle San Francisco
787-725-0271
Puerto Rican
Han Cream $
205 Calle Tanca
787-723-6222
Authentic Chinese Take-out
Ito’s Thin & Crispy Bacalaitos Shop $
107 Calle San Jose
(707) 273-1084
Wed. – Sun. 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

 

Mid Range

RaicesRaices Restaurant $$
315 Recinto Sur
787-289-2121
Authentic Puerto Rican
Lunch & Dinner
Everyday
El Campeón  $$
201 Calle San Justo
787-399-0444
Caribbean, Latin, Spanish cuisine
Lunch & Dinner
Everyday
Las Palmas ThumbLas Palmas  $$
281 Calle San Sebastian
787-630-4725
Caribbean
Lunch & Dinner
CafeElPuntoCafe El Punto  $$
105 Calle Fortaleza
787-646-4943Latin Fusion
Lunch & Dinner
Everyday until 7:30 pm
BarrachinaBarrachina   $$
104 Calle Fortaleza
787-725-7912
Puerto Rican & Latin Fusion “House of the Piña Colada
Lunch & Dinner
Everyday
SanSe Marisquería Bar y Tapas   $$
152 Calle San Sebastian
787-724-1668
Seafood
11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Casa Cortes Chocobar   $$
210 Calle San Francisco
787-722-0499
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Tues. – Sat. 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
La Bodega   $$
409 Calle San Francisco
787-508-8579
Lunch & Dinner
Open Wed – Sun
PiriloPirilo Pizza Rustica  $$
201 Calle Fortaleza
787-721-3322
Pizzeria & Beer
Lunch & Dinner
Mon. – Wed. & Sun. until 12:00 am; Thu. – Sat. until 2:00 am
Pizza e BirraSantisimo  $$
100 Calle Cristo
787-723-9200
Pizzeria & Beer
Lunch & Dinner
Everyday
PatiodeSamEl Patio de SAM  $$
102 Calle San Sebastian
787-725-7912
Burgers & International Cuisine
Lunch & Dinner
Everyday
ElAsadorEl Asador    $$
357 Calle San Francisco
787-289-9966
Grill, Steak & Seafood
Lunch & Dinner
Everyday
La Cucina de Ivo  $$
356 Calle Fortaleza
787-729-7070
Italian
Lunch & Dinner
Everyday
II Bacaro Venezia Ristorante e Taverna   $$
152 Calle Cruz
787-729-7575
Italian Cuisine
Dinner
Everyday (call for reservations)
PalioPalio    $$
Sheraton Hotel
Ave. Gilberto Concepción de Garcías
787-721-5100
Puerto Rican Fusion
Breakfast & Dinner
Everyday
El Masa   $$
51 Calle Cristo
939-451-4922
Pizzeria
Tues – Fri, Sun 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm, Sat 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
Closed Monday
MarmaladeMarmalade    $$
317 Calle Fortaleza
787-724-3969
Creative, Eclectic Fine Cuisine
Dinner
Everyday Call for reservations
Tijuana’s Bar & Grill   $$
Avenida Gilberto Concepcion Pier #2
787-724-7070
Mexican
Dinner & Lunch
Everyday
MadreLa Madre   $$
351 Calle San Francisco
787-647-5392
Mexican Fusion Cuisine
Lunch (Sat & Sun only)
Dinner
Mon. – Thu. until 11:00 pm; Fri. – Sat. until 12:00 pm; Sun. until 11:00 pm
Istanbul RestaurantIstanbul Turkish Restaurant  $$
325 Recinto Sur
787-722-5057
Turkish & Mediterranean
Lunch & Dinner
Everyday
CafeBerlinCafé Berlin   $$
407 Calle San Francisco
787-722-5205
Latin American Vegetarian
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Everyday
La Sombria Rosa thumbLa Sombrilla Rosa $$
154 Calle San Sebastián
787-725-5656
Local Cuisine & Bar
Lunch & Night Bar
Everyday
Colmado Moreno $$
361 Calle Tetuan
787-723-8653
Caribbean
Daily 7:00 am – 4:00 am
LaCuevaDelMarCayo Caribe $$
305 Calle Recinto Sur
Seafood
Lunch & Dinner
Sun. – Thurs. 11:00 am – 9:30 pm, Fri. – Sat. 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Deaverdura $$
200 Calle Sol
787-463-1038
11:30 am – 8 pm daily
Closed Sunday
El Parnaso   $$
251 Calle Cristo
787-723-4548
Mexican
11:00 AM – 8:00 pm daily
The Stuffed Avocado   $$
209 Calle San Francisco
787-303-1111
Mon. – Fri. 11:00 am – 8:00 pm, Sat – Sun. 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Parrot of Old San Juan   $$
363 Calle Fortaleza
787-729-4600
Puerto Rican
Daily 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Tango House $$
311 Calle Recinto Sur
787-517-5570
Argentinian Churrasquería
Mon. – Tues. 11:30 am – 10:00 pm, Thurs. – Fri. 11:30 am – 10:00 pm, Sat. – Sun. 2:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Sofia’s Steaks & Pasta $$
364 Fortaleza
787-727-6161
Tues. – Thurs. 11:30 am – 10:30 pm, Fri. – Sat. 11:30 am – 11:00 pm, Sat. – Sun. 11:03 am – 10:00 pm, Monday closed
Don Tako $$
364 Fortaleza
787-786-3055
Mexican
Sun., Tues. – Wed. 11:00 am – 10:00 pm, Thurs. – Sat. 11:00 am – midnight, Monday closed
352 Guest House Restaurant $$
352 Calle San Francisco
787-367-0636
Sun – Sat. 7:00 am – 10:00 pm
Al Fredo $$
359A Calle San Francisco
787-360-5901
Mon. – Fri. 6:30 am – 6:00 pm, Sat. 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sunday closed.
Mercado La Carreta $$
279 Calle Luna
787-306-9237
Mon. – Thurs. 7:00 am – 3:00 pm, Fri. – Sun. 7:00 am – 10:00 pm
A’Huevo $$
54 Calle San Jose
939-655-9999
Mexican
Wed. – Sunday 5:00 pm – 12:00 am
The Chapel $$
250 Calle Cristo
787-242-3498
Puerto Rican Cuisine
The Cave $$
200 Calle Cruz
(720) 292-3870
Cuban Cuisine
Sun. – Thurs. 12:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Fri. – Sat. 12:00 pm – 2:00am
Pizza Pirata $$
200 Calle Fortaleza
Pizza
Tues. – Sat. 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Sun. 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
La Danza $$
56 Calle Fortaleza
787-723-1642
Puerto Rican Cuisine
Thurs. – Mon. 11:30 am – 6:30 pm
Eñe
208 Calle O’Donnell
787-342-9655
Caribbean Cuisine
Thurs. 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Fri. – Mon. 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm, Tues. 3:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Nono’s $$
100 Calle San Sebastián
787-725-7819
Puerto Rican Cuisine
Daily 10:30 am – 2:00 am
Johnny and Junes $$
52 Calle San Jose
787-903-4648
Puerto Rican Cuisine
Thursday-Sunday 6:00 pm – 3:00 am
Los Domirriqueños  $$
314 Calle Fortaleza
787-241-6153
Caribbean
10:00 am – 12:00 am daily
Ambrosia   $$
107 Calle Cristo
787-438-3161
Puerto Rican Cuisine
10:00 am – 10:00 pm daily
Singular   $$
100 Calle Cristo
787-723-9020
Latin American, International
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Everyday

 

Fine Dining

Carli’s Fine Bistro and Piano   $$$
500 Calle San Justo
787-725-4927
Piano & Fine Cuisine
Dinner & Bar
Call for reservations
OstraCosaOstra Cosa  $$$
154 Calle Cristo
787-722-2672
Puerto Rican Fusion & Seafood
Lunch & Dinner
Everyday til 12:00 am; Fri – Sat til 2:00 am
TrianaRestaurante Triana Tapas & Flamenco   $$$
251 Calle Recinto Sur
787-725-8819
Spanish, Tapas, Puerto Rican
Lunch & Dinner
Everyday
Vaca Brava  $$$
Next to Estacionamiento Doña Fela
787-723-3700
Puerto Rican & Grill
Lunch & Dinner
Everyday
Mon – Fri 11:00 am – 10:00 pm; Thu – Sun 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Casa Campeche  $$$
49 Calle Cruz
787-640-2833
art-Bistro-Cafe
Lunch & Dinner
Everyday
11:00 am – 2:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm