Hotels in Puerto Rico - Restaurants

We went in April when wave season is starting to die down but it still can be good. Happy Bellys is a seaside bar/restaurant. It's very rustic but the location and view are great. It's built right over the sand dune and from your table you look out over endless sets of waves and surfers. Some of the food is excellent like the stuffed tostones (fried green plantains stuffed with crab), fish poppers (very fresh) and the fried mozzarella (also very fresh). Ok, most of the food is basic and fried but it's fresh and goes great with beer or sangria. There is also live music many nights and a great bar scene.

This hotspot is located in the trendy district of South Fortaleza Street. This Nuevo Latino cuisine powerhouse offers some excellent Caribbean fare with a gourmet flair. One of the specialties is the deep-fried chicharrones over a bed of a fresh Caesar salad. The restaurant also offers a full bar service. The menu will change periodically. While it is a little bit on the pricey side, the uniqueness of the Parrot Club allows it to attract families and professionals as well as tourists.

Located on the street level of the Banco Popular Building in the middle of Old San Juan, the owner and pianist Carli Muñoz turned this sidewalk café into an Old San Juan institution.Continental creations include duck rissolé, cod dumplings, breast and leg of duck, and filet of salmon with mustard-cream sauce. The seared loin of lamb is known to be one of the best offerings from this excellent restaurant. Desserts include favorites like Creme Bruleé, Tart Tatin, and the decadent Kahlúa-3-leches. The restaurant has a contemporary New York-style bistro appeal.

The famous Hard Rock chain opened in San Juan some years ago and has been a resounding success. Still popular with tourists, families love the place for lunch or early dinners. Serving a "classic" American cuisine against a backdrop of loud rock music, this member of the American chain packs in the crowds for drinks, burgers and T-shirts. Check out the chain's trademark rock n' roll memorabilia! Well-stuffed sandwiches and juicy burgers are served throughout the day, although many prefer to head here for dinner, filling up on fajitas and barbecued chicken.

Elegant atmosphere and delicious dishes go hand-in-hand here. Service is very attentive in this very popular spot. Puerto Rican-international specialties are on the highlights. Try the langosta rellena a Los Santos (stuffed lobster), or the paella Marinera. The veal chop is served in a huge portion and is definitely one of the best selections of the house. There is also a full bar on premise. The décor has dark tones, lending itself to quiet conversations. Patrons are mostly mature professionals and families. Located in Hato Rey, Johnnie's is popular with the business crowd at lunch time. Book early for dinner on the weekends.

This is a traditional sidewalk bar-café that is located in the middle of Old San Juan on Calle Cristo. Its claim to fame is that the world-famous Piña Colada was invented there. Your knowledge of this makes for great bar banter with the locals. But in addition to the PC, other excellent drinks are available. Nice place to stop in for a 'attitude adjustment', with a traditional Puerto Rican beverage and perhaps some afternoon snacks.

This restaurant dates back to 1902 and offers exceptional value at affordable prices. Known for its homemade pastries and endless cups of coffee, for decades it was a rendezvous for the island's literati and for Old San Juan families. Today, the food remains authentically Puerto Rican, including rice with squid, roast leg of pork and seafood asopao. For dessert, select an apple pie, or one of the many types of flan. Service is polite, if a bit rushed, and the place fills up quickly at lunchtime.

On Roosevelt Avenue, this hip sports bar and restaurant is located right off the Hato Rey business district and caters mainly to young professionals. Coaches serves up a blend of American and Puerto Rican fare including pasta, baby-back ribs, several delicious appetizers and some very decadent desserts. The restaurant features cable TV monitors situated throughout the bar so fans can catch all types of international sporting events.

Located in the Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino on Ashford Avenue expect this famous American chain to serve up some of the best juicy ribs in town. With its fun, clubhouse ambience, it makes a good choice for a family meal. It's very casual, the service is fast and the food is tasty. The cooking is American with Cajun influences. Try recipes such as Bountiful Beef or Cajun, or the traditional Baby-Backs. Don't miss the ample appetizers and desserts here either. The service is excellent and there is a full bar.

This popular, eclectic restaurant is located in the glamorous Magdalena Avenue and attracts an upscale clientele. Service has its problems sometimes, but is generally good, taking into consideration the huge crowds that flock this fashionable establishment. The menu features international dishes such as venison, lamb, and several choices of seafood.

This Puerto Rican-style grill offers patrons one of the best views of the San Juan Bay available. This bar and grill is set atop the charming, European-style Hotel Milano. You'll find the clientele a mix of hotel guests, local business people and other visitors. The menu is predominantly Puerto Rican with several grilled beef specialties. A good pick for a business lunch.

For over 25 years, the Greenhouse has ranked as one of San Juan's favorite dining and drinking places. It does a brisk business with tourists and locals alike. The dinner menu is American with grilled favorites like steaks and chops. For those that prefer chicken, try the crêpe a la maison. The most expensive entree is the lobster but the rest of the entrees are very reasonably priced. The wine list is also competitively priced. This smart urban eatery is accessible to Ashford Avenue's evening action.

Chef Phil Belshew proudly offers Caribbean creations at the award-winning Cobia, located in the Condado Plaza Hotel and Casino on Ashford Avenue. Cobia combines a gourmet blend of Caribbean flavors with a focus on fresh seafood. Enjoy the tapas bar, accompanied by a glass or bottle of wine from their vintage wine cellar. The restaurant has been honored with the, "Excellent Cuisine Award" by the local newspaper El Nuevo Día.

Located at the Inter-Continental San Juan Resort and Casino, Martini's is a hopping sophisticated disco and lounge. Join the party for live music, dancing, mingling and lively drinks all week long. It all happens in a stunning elliptical room, evocative of a ship in the ocean, with colorful glass backlit walls to set the stage. You may be lucky enough to be on hand for one of Martini's fun themed parties, popular with both locals and visitors to Puerto Rico. Dance your heart out in the discotheque and then take a breather on the romantic balcony overlooking the Grand's pool area. Be sure to arrive early as lines can be awfully long here.

Pizzeria Uno, the famous American franchise, has made an impact in the Puerto Rican dining scene with its excellent service and trendy Chicago-style offerings. Granted, this is a cookie cutter franchise, but it's a proven smash in the mainland and just as popular here. Known as the home of the original deep-dish pizza, this place won't disappoint. Great for families.