Where to eat

Eat

Every place we might eat, each with a real menu and a working link. Tap a menu to open it.

On the prices: figures without a tilde are pulled directly from the restaurant's own current menu. A ~ means an estimated range, used where a place doesn't publish full pricing. Menus rotate and prices move, so treat everything as a strong guide and confirm when you book. All prices in US dollars, before tax and tip.

Bocaito

Vega Baja · Puerto Rican-Italian · $$

Family-owned since 2014, creative criollo cooking with an Italian streak. Mofongo, churrasco, fresh fish, pastas, even a good burger, plus craft beer, wine, and house mojitos. The closest real sit-down to the house, on Route 2.

Menu & prices

Platos principales

Mofongo relleno de polloGarlic plantain mash stuffed with chicken$21
Pechuga rellenaStuffed chicken breast$27
Pechuga a la planchaGrilled chicken breast$18
Salmón marmoleadoMarbled glazed salmon$28
Carne fritaFried pork chunks$17

Aperitivos

Pastelillos de ropa viejaShredded-beef turnovers$11.50

The full menu also runs churrasco, pastas, burgers, vegetarian plates, sides, kids' dishes, and desserts, with a full bar, sangria, and mojitos. Prices shown are from their online ordering menu and may run a touch above dine-in. Lunch specials 11:00 to 2:30. 787-807-1346.

Facebook Reviews

Lobster pasta, representative of the seafood

Kikita Beach House

Dorado · Oceanfront · $$

Beachfront Puerto Rican seafood and fusion with direct Atlantic views and a strong sunset. Appetizers get the loudest praise; the lobster linguine and whole red snapper are the standouts. Narrow one-way access road, but it has its own lot.

Menu & prices

To start

PulpoGrilled octopus appetizer, a favorite~$16–22
Mushroom appetizer~$14–18
Ceviche~$16–20
Tostones & dips~$10–14

Mains

Linguine de langostaLobster linguine, the signature~$36–48
Chillo fritoWhole fresh red snapper~$28–38
MofongoSeafood, chicken, or steak~$18–32
Seafood paella~$28–38
Ribeye~$32–42
Catch of the dayFrom local fishermenmarket

Drinks

Piña colada & signature cocktails~$12–16
Wine by the glass~$11–16

Most entrees land in the $15 to $35 range; lobster runs higher. Kikita doesn't post a full priced menu, so these are estimates from current dish reports. Open Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 10. Reserve on weekends: 787-619-0809.

Website Map

Roadside fritters, representative street food

Puerto Nuevo beach kiosks

Vega Baja · Street food · $

The chinchorro row at the beach: the cheapest, most authentic option on the list, with no reservations and no menus to speak of. Order at the window, eat with your feet in the sand.

Map

Criollo rice plate, representative of the cuisine

Raíces

Old San Juan · Criollo · $$

The comida-criolla institution since 2006, on Calle del Recinto Sur, where servers arrive in traditional dress and portions are famously huge. Come hungry and as a group. No reservations, so arrive by 5:30 to beat the line.

Menu & prices

To start

Festival BoricuaFried sampler: bacalaítos, alcapurrias, sorullos, more~$16–22
BacalaítosSalt-cod fritters~$9–13
Sopa de pollo / asopao bowl~$10–16

Signatures

MofongoShrimp, chicken, pork, steak, mahi, or grouper; garlic-butter or criollo~$22–36
Chuleta Kan KanTowering crispy fried pork chop, easily shareable~$28–38
Asopao de polloHearty chicken & rice stew~$18–26
PaellaSeafood~$28–38

Sides & drinks

Arroz con gandules, tostones, amarillos~$6–10
House sangria, piña colada, mojito~$9–14

Raíces doesn't publish a full priced menu online; these are typical current ranges for the dishes it's known for. The Kan Kan is built to share. Bottled water is charged. 315 Calle del Recinto Sur.

Info Map

Grilled steak, representative of the grill

El Asador Grill-house

Old San Juan · Steak & seafood · $$–$$$

A wood-charcoal grill-house at the entrance to the old city, with an open-air interior patio and live jazz. The easiest of the three Old San Juan options to seat six; staff routinely handle 20-tops. Known for the churrasco and the "best mojito in town." 350 San Francisco St.

Menu & prices

To start

Ceviche~$14–18
Grilled octopus~$16–22
Fish tacosA standout~$14–18

From the grill

ChurrascoGrilled skirt steak, chimichurri~$30–40
RibeyeLa costra perfecta~$38–48
Lamb chops~$36–46

From the sea

Tuna steak~$30–38
Mahi-mahi / red snapperGrilled catch~$28–38
Lobster risotto~$34–44

Sides & dessert

Yucca & sweet-potato purée, tostones~$8–12
Crème brûléeThe one to get~$10–14

El Asador's website lists dishes without prices, so these are estimates; expect roughly $55–65 a head with a drink. Best mojito in town, plus red sangria and wine. Open daily from 10am. Call 787-289-9966 to book a six-top.

Website menu 787-289-9966

Marmalade

Old San Juan · Tasting splurge · $$$$

A AAA Four-Diamond tasting-menu room on Calle Fortaleza, 4.8 rated over thousands of reviews. Tasting only, no à la carte. As a party of six you'll be seated for the Chef's seasonal group tasting. No sandals, no Discover cards, books about 30 days out.

The menu & pricing

Group of six

Chef's fixed group tastingMulti-course seasonal menu, one experience for the tablefrom $175
Optional sommelier wine pairingadd-on

Five-course, for reference (parties of five or fewer)

Five-course tasting, per seat$155

Dishes guests rave about

Plantain carpacciocourse
Cilantro-garlic grilled shrimpcourse
White bean soupcourse
Seared pork belly, smoked-honey glazecourse
Lamb taginecourse

The menu changes seasonally; those dishes are constant favorites, not a fixed list. Price is per seat for every guest. Three parking garages one block south on Recinto Sur.

Reserve OpenTable

Nigiri sushi, representative of the menu

Positivo Sand Bar

Dorado Ritz Reserve · Sushi splurge · $$$

Open-air Asian and sushi with half the room literally on the sand, inside Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. The farewell candidate. Reservation required, valet only, gated resort, dinner 6:00 to 10:00. Confirm non-guest access for six the moment dates firm.

Full menu & prices

Starters & small plates

Edamame$12
NemsCrispy spring rolls$22
Crispy sushi$26
Puerto Rican pineapple$13
BBQ brisket bánh mì$27

Crudo & raw

Scallop crudo$32
Hamachi tiradito$32
Toro nam jimTuna belly, Thai chili-lime$36
Akami kinilawLean tuna, Filipino ceviche$42
Spicy tuna$28

Nigiri & sashimi

MaguroBluefin tuna loin$19
Chu-toroBluefin tuna belly$27
HotateHokkaido scallop$23
Shima ajiStriped jack mackerel$20
UnagiFreshwater eel$32

Rolls & poke

California roll$18
Acevichado roll$36
Yasai makiVegetable$22
Tuna poke$34
Salmon poke$32
Veggie poke$21

Wok & noodles

Char siuOver fried rice or noodles$27
Tom yum fried riceSpicy$29
Chow fanChinese fried rice$18
Khao soiThai curry noodle soup$38
Dan dan noodlesSichuan$45
Wagyu yakisoba$46

Large plates

Black cod$44
Coffee-glazed pork ribs$53
Sambal udangIndonesian spicy prawns$52
Soft-shell crab wok curry$56
Dry-aged wagyu$68

Sides

Steamed jasmine rice$9
Grilled sticky rice$11
Garlic-ginger pak choy$14
Charred shishito peppers$14

Dessert

Dark chocolate crémeux, Earl Grey$18
Thai coconut ice cream$15
Mango sago$15
Mochi$5

Omakase counter (6 seats, separate booking)

Chef's omakaseSeatings 6:15 and 8:30 PM, Wed to Sun$250 / $350

À la carte is built for sharing and averages around $27 a plate. The 6-seat omakase counter is a separate, fixed-price experience. 100 Dorado Beach Dr, 787-278-7231. Parking is valet only.

Reserve (OpenTable) Details

La Terraza

Dorado · Mid-range · $$

An easy Caribbean-and-seafood middle ground in Dorado with tropical cocktails, for a relaxed night that isn't a production.

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