Now that we have a home in Puerto Rico, we mostly prepare home cooked meals because it is healthier and less expensive. But we do eat out and here are the places we return to every time we go to Puerto Rico.
Canovanas
La Sevillana This local bakery and lunch café got a total makeover during COVID. We first started going here because they carry Tembleque all year instead of just at Christmas. Now it is our go to spot for coffee and pastries as well. My husband very rarely walks out of a panaderia with just one treat.
Esquina de Sid (Sid’s Corner) is literally a hole in the wall in the best sense of the expression. Syd is very friendly and prepares amazing, inexpensive lunches. There are a couple of benches under the trees (mango and quenepa) but during COVID he switched solely to takeout. Syd introduced us to the wonders of breadfruit or pana as a taco shell or nachos chips. UPDATE – This shop is closed.
Zimple – This is our new favorite for an exquisite dinner!
Palmer
Puertorrican Cafe – We discovered this local hangout on our very first trip. It is incredibly busy so get there early for the best selection. We go early and skip the breakfast fare (which is usually a cubano style sandwich) and go straight for the lunch specials. Sunday is their day to prepare Sancocho (a hearty local stew) which is simply amazing.
Mi Vida Cafe is on same side of the street as the Puertorrican cafe towards the other end of the street has great burgers! They also make refreshing mojitos and tasty empanadas. After they expanded to include a backyard patio, they are open later. Before they closed when they ran out of fresh beef!
Degree 18 Smoothie Bar – Smoothies, acai bowls, etc. you can find some healthy and tasty selections here. I love the colorful and relaxing setup with a beautiful tropical garden. There is a morringa tree on site and they will add fresh leaves to your smoothie on request.
Peccas Helado Artesal – Started by two women entrepreneurs, this shop has local homemade ice cream, smoothies and crepes. They have a list of naughty flavors that include alcohol. UPDATE – This shop has moved to San Juan.
Rio Grande
El Terruno is our current favorite Luquillo Kiosko (#20). There is outdoor seating at the back and you can see a bit of the ocean. Over the weekend, there is life music. They have good rabbit empanadas and seafood arrepas. Sometimes we are just happy with these appetizers and drinks.
Don Peppe – A lot of the restaurants in Rio Grande cater to the tourist groups from the nearby resorts and this is definitely one of them. But the food here is delicious and generous.
W Sushi Bar Latin-American fusion sushi? It definitely sounds odd, but if you put aside the skepticism, you will discover some delicious combinations. The mojito’s are huge and wonderful. I recall one evening when Supriya and I were seated outside, the waitress popped her head out the door and said, “Ladies, are you ready for round two?” What else can you do but nod in agreement?
It’s Five O’ clock Somewhere Bar at the Wyndham Rio Mar is a fun touristy bar right next the beach. It was weirdly quiet one September weekend. I asked the bartender why and he replied, “It’s hurricane season.” Of course, that did not keep us away from our island retreat!
Carolina
Econo – This grocery store is a great place for wine, sushi, takeout and groceries. It is a grocery store chain, so specifically go to the Carolina/Los Colobos store as this one has the best selection. (Per wikipedia, singer Bad Bunny worked there before he became famous.)
El Toston Criola – The Carolina area is where we do most of the shopping – Costco, Sam’s and Home Depot. Exhausted we would look for a place to eat. Unfortunately Carolina is full of mainland chain restaurants. We were so happy to find El Toston in the area. It is a family restaurant where they sing “Feliz Cumpleanos” at the table. It is great family cooking with so much wonderful food. Best fried pork per my husband. Crispy on the outside, moist on the inside and seasoned just right.
Fajardo
Pescadería Don Candi – This little seafood joint is only open in the weekends and is always packed! It boasts he best arrepas we have ever had! Coconut arrepas are great without any stuffing. My son loved their fried red snapper. It is quite a production, this little place sells many meals each day. Once we went with our friends and there was live music next door. It was fun trying to salsa in the hot Caribbean sun.
Old San Juan
Punta de Vista is another spot we discovered on our first trip. Its a popular spot but you can wait at the bar and have a heavenly cocktail while you wait. The you can enjoy a delicious meal either inside or outside. SAD, THIS PLACE IS NOW CLOSED PERMANENTLY. WE WILL HAVE TO FIND ANOTHER FAVORITE IN OLD SAN JAUN 🙁
