These are a few of my suggestions for places to check out if you find yourself exploring with the time you have left in PR, or next time you are here:
Old San Juan
La Factoria - A top 100 bar of the world. Many different rooms including the legendary salsa room - make sure you explore the whole place including the secret room between the EDM room and La Cubanita.
La Tortuga - local music in the evenings on the weekends. Good empanadas.
La Sombrilla Rosa - cheap and crowded but fun
El Viejo Almacén - Old San Juan Argentinian food - one of my favorites in all of San Juan - three locations around the city.
Barrachina - Birthplace of the Pina Colada - don’t know how the food is.
The Gallery Inn/Jan’s Bar - great atmosphere and drinks. Sunset views.
Casa Monte Cristo Cigar Bar - good drinks, nice place if you like cigars
Marmalade - supposed to be five-star - pricey, never been.
Charlie’s - A diner-themed spot next to Plaza Colon - service very good, atmosphere good, food average - a rare breakfast place in Old San Juan.
Cafe Lab for tasty Puerto Rican coffee - to drink there or take bags from different regions of the island home with you. Run by the nicest people!
St. Germain - rooftop bar - the chocolate pina colada is fantastic for something different.
Cafe Berlin on Plaza Colon - good food. Sangria is very good.
Mar Y Rosa on the top of the Alma Hotel is a new favorite spot - located at Plaza Colon.
Malavita - An Italian sandwich shop @ 320 Calle Fortalezza in Old San Juan
Other parts of the island:
Ali Bababa - Condado - Greek/Mediterranean
Paulina Esconces - Condado - local fresh
Vanderbilt Hotel - drinks by the sea - pricey, but beautiful - Condado
La Concha - Nice hotel bar and a casino - Condado
Rakuten - basic American/Asian food- Chinese and sushi - Condado
Numero Uno - Beach Bar - Ocean Park
Ujeong Korean BBQ - ujeongkoreanbbqpr.com
Nonna Cucina Rustica - Made from scratch Italian - 103 C. San Jorge, San Juan
Ropa Viejo Grill - never been but heard it is good Cuban food - Condado
La Placita - late Thursday, Friday, and Saturday party zone. The real Puerto Rico :) Enjoy the show.
Santaella - Never been there, but have heard people rave about it. Very close to La Placita
Mai Pen Rai - favorite Thai food - also near La Placita
San Juan Smokehouse BBQ in La Placita - owned by a friend and pretty tasty. It’s not Texas BBQ but a nice surprise in PR.
Dulcesalado - Very tasty brunch - can get busy - make reservations. Ocean Park area.
Terrra 18 - Carolina - Family-style restaurant recommended by clients. I’ve never been there, but they said it was fantastic.
La Santurcina, 125 Juan Ponce de León, San Juan -cauliflower appetizer amazing, stromboli amazing, pizzas unique and wood-fired, desserts … carrot cake sundae a must-try.
La estacion - https://www.laestacionpr.com/ - Another favorite. BBQ using local meats. Fresh and tasty. Reservations are a good idea. In Fajardo, East end of the island.
If you want to venture out of San Juan to the best food discovered on the island: Boca Finca + Fogon - address: 31 kM 22, Juncos, 00911 - https://bacoapr.com/en/
Latin Gyro in Luquillo is a favorite breakfast/lunch spot if you’re on the east end of the island.
Anita’s Gelato is in Condado and Old San Juan - their gelato is good and so is their coffee!
Interesting links:
Puerto Rico … it’s complicated: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sPRFvWOBwo
This display was just removed for placement in the museum due to the building falling apart: https://www.puertorico.com/puerto-rican-flag-door
Puerto Rico’s narrowest house: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdCU-ic78Es
Spanish like a Puerto Rican: https://bit.ly/3AlJMfs