How To: Eat Like a Local in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Santurce is one of San Juan’s current “It” neighborhoods, though it’s far enough off the tourist track to still feel like a discovery for most travelers. Chef Jose Santaella has won countless honors and awards, published a wildly popular cookbook (“Cocina Tropical”), and has worked alongside international celebrity chefs like Eric Ripert. His menu takes criollo home cooking to elevated levels, drawing on a diverse array of traditions from French gastronomy to pub fare. Menu highlights include alcapurrias, which are a type of fritter, lobster mofongo, and lechon, or suckling pig. From Thursday to Sunday, head to La Placita after your meal, which is just across the street. The area is a collection of bars and restaurants surrounding an old market that bumps with live music, crowds, dancing, and amazing people watching.


Santaella is located at 219 Calle Canals, San Juan.

Who doesn’t like a pretty view with their meal? The Condado neighborhood is San Juan’s answer to South Beach and Oceano fits perfectly within the neighborhood’s posh vibe. The restaurant occupies a glimmering glass building that sits next to the palm trees lining Condado’s gorgeous beach. Pulling items from local purveyors, chef Eric Gonzales goes big on seafood, and the presentation is pure drama and Caribbean flair. Flavors incorporate Mediterranean, Asian, and Caribbean influences, and the restaurant draws plenty of well-heeled guests to its outdoor terrace and sleek bar. And vegetarians are also in luck: This is one of the more veggie-friendly spots in the city, which can be a challenge in meat-happy Puerto Rico.


Oceano is located at 2 Calle Vendig, San Juan.

Don’t miss this gem, which has been cranking out down-home plates of local food for over 80 years. There are no major hotels nearby, and it’ll require an expensive cab ride to reach it from most parts of the city, but the traditional criollo dishes are worth the trek. This perpetually busy and utterly charming restaurant is about as authentic as it gets, and you’ll be rubbing elbows with plenty of locals -- from business types to families to groups of friends -- in the open-air dining room. There’s a massive tree growing out one window, and the decor is part vintage living room, part tropical bungalow. The restaurant uses herbs and vegetables grown on its rooftop to create vinegars and hot sauces that accompany cocina del barrio dishes like bacalaito (cod fritters), patitas (pork trotters), and arroz con pollo. The daily menu is written on a portable chalkboard and it’s especially popular at lunchtime -- so expect a wait.


La Casita Blanca is located at 351 Calle Tapia, San Juan.

"Iron Chef" contestant Roberto Treviño’s Asian-Latin fusion restaurant sits just above Condado’s poshest strip, Avenida Ashford, and has prime views out over Ventana al Mar, a lovely plaza next to the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. This restaurant’s wildly eclectic menu and swish interiors would be right at home in Miami, as would its see-and-be-seen vibe. Unlike most trendy dining establishments, though, the food and drinks are anything but an afterthought at Budatai. Wash down dishes like crab and chorizo shumai, lo mein with chicken chicharron, and pork and black truffle dumplings with white or red sangria, or any number of chic cocktails. There’s also live entertainment throughout the week.


Budatai is located at 1056 Ashford Avenue, San Juan.

Waffle-era Tea Room sits within walking distance of the cruise terminals in Old San Juan, so while it's firmly inside of the tourist trail, it would be remiss to pass over on a culinary tour of San Juan. Waffle-era rides the Belgian pastry craze that’s swept plenty of cities across the U.S., and the restaurant serves a sprawling menu of sweet and savory waffle-based dishes. Try the Big Breakfast, with prosciutto, Manchego cheese, and eggs, as well as a dessert waffle with tamarind and ice cream. The restaurant is only open for breakfast, brunch, and lunch, and has an impressive selection of hot and cold teas, including a coconut-infused brew that’s perfect on a warm afternoons.


Waffle-era is located at 252 Calle San Jose, San Juan.

Nestled inside of the ever-charming Olive Boutique Hotel, this steakhouse is a newcomer to the San Juan dining scene. The restaurant serves a hearty menu that features prime cuts and seafood. Chef Mario Pagan, one of San Juan’s top chefs and a former “Next Iron Chef” contestant, serves classic comfort foods like mac ‘n cheese and gnocchi made from blue yucca alongside perfectly grilled meats with sauces incorporating French, Caribbean, and Asian influences. Indulgent ingredients like burrata and bone marrow also find their way into the elegantly composed dishes. The dining room is chic and rustic, with an intimate area that could be great for larger, private dinners. Head upstairs to the rooftop at the Olive for the perfect after-dinner drink and view.


Sage Steak Loft is located in the Olive Boutique Hotel at 55 Aguadilla Street, San Juan.

Argentine chef Martin Louzao is laying down solid roots in San Juan, and his trendy outpost in Condado is an omnivore's delight. It’s hard to label exactly what he does at Cocina Abierta, but it’s a satisfying blend of Latin American and Caribbean culinary traditions with a few dashes of Asian flavors for good measure. The menu has an eye towards current trends in dining -- think small plates, adventurous pairings, and eye-catching presentations alongside killer cocktail and wine lists. The stylish dining room has a bright, almost industrial look, with glazed concrete floors and colorful mod furniture. There’s also an outdoor terrace.


Cocina Abierta is located at 58 Calle Caribe, San Juan.


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