9 Best Restaurants in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Michelin-starred, Puerto Rico–born chef Juan José Cuevas operates this successful fine-dining restaurant in San Juan's most striking hotel, built in 1919 by the Vanderbilt family. The international dishes—served prix fixe or à la carte—change seasonally and emphasize local ingredients. The main dining room overlooks the Atlantic Ocean; elegant and sophisticated, it is large yet intimate, with Brazilian-tigerwood tables spread out to allow for privacy and comfort. Dark wood floors and three striking chandeliers with drooping pearl shells are other decor features that evoke the Gatsby era. You may find a sashimi trio of hamachi, scallops, and tuna; local honey-roasted duck breast; or cochinillo ravioli with burrata and caramelized eggplant on the menu. For pairings, choose from more than 200 wines, or take advantage of the champagne table service.

If you want to try local, single-origin, shade-grown coffee, this micro-roastery and café is the place to do it. Owners Pablo Muñoz and Mariana Suárez grow their beans in the mountains of Yauco on a hacienda that has been in the Muñoz family since 1846. The wooden planks lining the banquette are from coffee storage pallets, and red accents recall perfectly ripe coffee beans. Cuatro sombras (four shades) refers to the four types of trees traditionally used in Puerto Rico to provide shade for coffee plants. And although it's the delicious, medium-bodied brew that steals the show, there's also a small menu of tasty pastries and sandwiches.

The Cortés family has been making bean-to-bar chocolate for more than 90 years, and, in 2013, they opened Puerto Rico's first "chocobar" to share their passion. The walls in this vivid, modern space are decorated with ads from the 1950s, original chocolate-bar molds, a timeline of chocolate, and two flat screens showing the chocolate-making process. From pastries and breakfast sandwiches to panini and tapas, the chef integrates chocolate into every bite without overpowering. Bonbons, chocolate bars, and even chocolate soaps are available for sale. People from all over the metro area flock here for weekend brunch; arrive early to avoid a long wait. An upstairs gallery offers a glimpse of the family's personal collection of contemporary Caribbean art.

This family-run restaurant in the heart of residential Miramar is known for its traditional comida criolla. It feels more like a home than a restaurant, so it's a great place to just sit back, relax, and enjoy your meal. The menu, written on a chalkboard, changes often and features local fruits, vegetables, and seasonal fish. Favorite dishes include aguacate relleno con salmorejo de jueyes (crab-stuffed avocado) and chillo fresco with mojo isleño (red snapper with a sauce of tomatoes, olives, and green peppers). The old photos of Miramar, vintage furniture, and colonial architecture will surely transport you back in time.

Dining at chef Natalia Vallejo's restaurant in the heart of Santurce is a magical experience. The restored home is simply yet tastefully decorated and leads to a large outdoor patio in a lush and vibrant setting. The small kitchen churns out tasty Puerto Rican dishes with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. The James Beard nominee and her friendly staff will make you feel right at home.

Peter Schintler, the U.S.-born owner-chef of Old San Juan's hippest—and finest—restaurant, apprenticed with Raymond Blanc and Gordon Ramsay. His dishes incorporate local and organic ingredients, and his cuisine is influenced by both California and French styles of cooking, resulting in complex flavors and strong aromas. Yellowtail is served with lemongrass and compressed watermelon while the pork cheeks are served with a peach-poblano marmalade. For dessert, indulge in the Millionaires ice cream, topped with honeycomb and shaved truffles. You can build your own four- to six-course tasting menu, perhaps choosing wine pairings from the excellent list, and the restaurant accommodates vegetarians, vegans, and those with dietary restrictions. The sensual, minimalist, orange-and-white decor features high-back chairs and cushioned banquettes that are comfortable and modern.

A career working with top chefs and a successful catering business prefaced chef José Santaella's namesake restaurant in La Placita marketplace. The menu is dominated by tapas, and favorites include the ahi tuna skewers, goat-cheese quesadilla, and morcilla (blood sausage) fritters. The neighborhood is anything but chic, but the restaurant is packed every night with well-dressed socialites, trendsetters, and the "who's who" of Puerto Rican society. The decor is rustic yet elegant, with exposed walls, Edison light fixtures, an interior garden, and a sparkling, tropical bar. Chef Santaella fuses local and international ingredients to perfectly execute Puerto Rican nouvelle cuisine. The cocktail bar is one of the best on the island, so don't leave without trying one of the concoctions by Santaella's mixologists. We can't get enough of the Perfect Lady! Their new rooftop, Azotea, opens on Sundays.

There's nothing more refreshing on a hot day than an ice pop from Señor Paleta. All the ingredients used to make these artisanal paletas are fresh, and many use local fruits. Choose from strawberry mojito, watermelon, coconut, dulce de leche, and more. The flavor of the month might be an exotic fruit like guanábana (soursop). The lines on weekends may be long, but they're well worth it.

Driven by local ingredients and seasonality, chef Francis Guzman’s dishes are culinary delights (think: California cuisine with Puerto Rican and Caribbean influences). The service is fantastic, and the wine list and cocktail menu are strong—anything with mezcal is a particularly good choice. Start with the roots salad with roasted beets and horseradish or the almojábanas (a type of cheese bread) with candied papaya. If there's a crudo on offer, order it without hesitation. Reservations are strongly recommended.