Good to know
Good to Know
- Puerto Rico uses the US Dollar (USD) exclusively—no currency conversion needed for US visitors
- Old San Juan restaurants typically charge 30-50% more than equivalent establishments in Santurce or neighborhood spots for identical dishes
- Neighborhood dining in Santurce offers better value than tourist-heavy Old San Juan while remaining close to attractions
- Cash is essential for local food vendors, street food, and many independent restaurants; major credit cards work in tourist zones and chain establishments
- Traditional Puerto Rican food—mofongo, lechón, arroz con gandules—forms the culinary backbone; these are widely available and authentic even at budget venues
- Vegan/vegetarian dining exists but operates on limited hours (many close by 3-4pm); plan ahead and verify hours before visiting dedicated plant-based restaurants
- La Plaza del Mercado de Santurce doubles as a daytime farmers market and nighttime social hub—excellent for prepared local foods, tropical fruits, and authentic atmosphere
- Michelin recognition (launched 2022) validates Puerto Rico's fine dining scene; three one-star restaurants operate in San Juan (1919, Marmalade, and others) alongside Michelin-listed mid-range establishments
Supermarkets
Supermax Convenient Grocery Store
- Location
- Old San Juan
- Notes
- Only grocery store in Viejo San Juan; convenient for Old San Juan visitors
Supermercado Pueblo
- Location
- Miramar/Condado area
- Notes
- Well-managed chain supermarket with local produce and products
Walmart Supercenter
- Location
- San Juan center
- Notes
- Large format supermarket with groceries and general merchandise
La Plaza Del Mercado De Santurce
- Location
- Santurce
- Notes
- Traditional marketplace with local produce; transforms into block party Thursday-Saturday; open 6am-6pm weekdays, until noon Sunday
Budget
Café Puerto Rico
- Price Range
- $17
- Neighborhood
- Old San Juan
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Puerto Rican diner classics, mallorcas
Kasalta
- Price Range
- $12
- Neighborhood
- Ocean Park
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Bakery, pastries, Puerto Rican breakfast
Raíces
- Price Range
- $24
- Neighborhood
- Old San Juan
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Puerto Rican mofongo, traditional comida criolla
Bebo's Cafe
- Price Range
- $14
- Neighborhood
- Calle Loiza
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Traditional Puerto Rican, pasteles, empanadillas
High End
1919 Restaurant
- Price Range
- $150
- Neighborhood
- Condado
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Michelin one-star, tasting menus
Marmalade Restaurant & Wine Bar
- Price Range
- $115
- Neighborhood
- Old San Juan
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Michelin-recognized, French-Caribbean-Spanish fusion, sustainable farm-sourced
Pikayo
- Price Range
- $90
- Neighborhood
- Condado
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Fine dining, Puerto Rican-inspired, grilled meats and seafood
Mid Range
Santaella
- Price Range
- $60
- Neighborhood
- Santurce
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Elevated comida criolla, Puerto Rican cuisine
Vianda
- Price Range
- $55
- Neighborhood
- Santurce
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Farm-to-table, local ingredients
SUR Barra Nikkei
- Price Range
- $65
- Neighborhood
- Santurce
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Peruvian-Japanese fusion, ceviche, nigiris
Café Caleta
- Price Range
- $35
- Neighborhood
- Old San Juan
- Cuisine Or Dish
- All-day café, natural wines, sharing plates
Delivery Services
Food Delivery Available Through Major Platforms
- Notes
- Credit cards widely accepted in tourist zones; many local restaurants and food vendors accept cash only
Local Must Try Dishes
Mofongo
- Description
- Mashed fried plantains mixed with garlic, pork cracklings, and broth; typically served as a main with shrimp, chicken, or steak on top
Arroz Con Gandules
- Description
- Puerto Rico's national dish—rice with pigeon peas, sofrito, and pork
Lechón
- Description
- Whole slow-roasted pork seasoned with adobo, garlic, and citrus; crispy skin and tender meat
Bacalaitos
- Description
- Crispy codfish fritters, thin and golden, served as beach/street food
Tostones
- Description
- Twice-fried green plantains, crispy outside and soft inside, typically served with garlic dipping sauce
Alcapurrias
- Description
- Deep-fried fritters made with mashed yuca or green plantains, filled with seasoned ground meat or seafood
Empanadillas
- Description
- Small folded pastries stuffed with cheese, chicken, beef, or seafood
Asopao
- Description
- Traditional soup/stew made with chicken, rice, herbs, and seasoning—hearty and comforting
Pernil
- Description
- Slow-roasted pork shoulder marinated in adobo with paprika, salt, vinegar, garlic, and oregano
Bistec Encebollado
- Description
- Adobo-marinated beefsteak combined with sautéed onion sauce, served with rice, beans, and fried plantains
Vegan Vegetarian Dining
- Description
- San Juan has a growing plant-based dining scene concentrated primarily in Santurce and Condado neighborhoods, with both dedicated vegan establishments and many traditional Puerto Rican restaurants offering creative vegetarian/vegan adaptations of local dishes. However, dedicated vegan/vegetarian venues often have limited hours (many close by 3-4pm), requiring advance planning
Venues
100% HP
- Neighborhood
- Santurce
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Vegan Puerto Rican dishes, plant-based alcapurrias, burgers
- Notes
- Unique plant-based menu featuring signature Puerto Rican dishes
La Buena Mesa De Oscar
- Neighborhood
- San Juan
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Vegan/vegetarian comida criolla buffet, pasteles, alcapurrias, pastelones, chickpea-based rellenos de papa
- Notes
- Cafeteria-style with plant-based Puerto Rican specialties; very limited hours—verification needed before visit
Café Berlin
- Neighborhood
- Old San Juan
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Diverse vegan brunch options, vegetarian dishes
- Notes
- Colorful ambiance on Plaza de Colón; vegan breakfast and lunch options
Marmalade Restaurant & Wine Bar
- Neighborhood
- Old San Juan
- Cuisine Or Dish
- Fine dining vegan cuisine, hand-rolled black truffle pasta, spaghetti squash red curry ramen
- Notes
- Michelin-recognized with excellent vegan tasting menu options; upscale pricing
International Cuisine
- Description
- San Juan has a vibrant international dining scene alongside local Puerto Rican fare, with representation of Asian, Mediterranean, European, and Latin fusion cuisines concentrated in Santurce, Condado, and Old San Juan neighborhoods
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this food & dining research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.traveltourister.com
- 2.theinfatuation.com
- 3.stayotium.com
- 4.discoverpuertorico.com
- 5.veggiesabroad.com
- 6.happycow.net
- 7.discoverpuertorico.com
- 8.wanderlog.com
- 9.puertorico.com
- 10.welcome.topuertorico.org
- 11.delightfultravellers.com
- 12.jamesbeard.org
- 13.royalcaribbean.com
- 14.viator.com
- 15.touroldsanjuan.com
- 16.relocatepuertorico.com
More About San Juan
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.