Restaurants in Old San Juan (San Juan)

Parrot Club

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.

Carli Café Concierto

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.

Hard Rock Café

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.

Barrachina

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.

Panorama Terrace Bar & Latin Grill

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.

Al Dente

Al Dente is one of the loveliest places in the Old City, offering exquisite Italian cuisine in a colonial Spanish setting. This unpretentious restaurant has a decor that evokes a trattoria similar to those found in Palermo, Italy. One might sample the scallops on a bed of spinach, gnocchi with pesto, or well-seasoned calamari. The chef also makes his own desserts, including cheesecake, tiramisu and chocolate tortes. Brochettes of fresh tuna laced with pepper and Mediterranean herbs are an excellent choice. Nearly all dishes are genuinely satisfying, and the restaurant delivers quality food at a reasonable price.

Lupi's

Lupi's Mexican Grill & Sports Cantina is clearly marketed to attract the tourist trade. The place is hopping with activity and music. When you're not listening to live entertainment here, no doubt you will want to tune into one of their many TV monitors to catch a game—college football, NBA, MLB, NHL, boxing and more. Food is Tex-Mex. A menu "must" is "PUERTORICAN FAJITAS" and the Sauza signature MARGARITAS. Other less Mexican items available are soups, salads, sandwiches and steaks. Free local delivery is available. Daily Happy Hours are 4p-7p,with live music daily. On weekdays kids under ten eat FREE until 5.30p! Lupi's Isla Verde is a sister restaurant.

Divino Bocadito

Divino is one of the more modern tapas bars in Old San Juan, but has quickly captured the attention of both the local and the visiting crowds. It serves the famous, hearty Spanish appetizers in an exhilarating atmosphere. In fact, there are daily Flamenco or Spanish guitar performances. The decor is traditional Spanish tavern-style. Energizing folkloric music is also performed here. Tapas choices include Serrano Ham, Iberian Chorizo, Manchego Cheese, and Ali-Oli Potatoes. There is also full bar service available, with excellent Spanish wines on offer.

Nono's

Located on Calle de San Sebastián, Nono's is known by locals and visitors alike as the best bar in the old city, for its excellent atmosphere and its "hip" crowd. While American specialties like burgers and salads are served, Nono's is best known for the partying spirit of its visitors. Full bar service is also available with frequent Happy Hours. The bar is housed in a colonial-style building overlooking San José Square. There are two floors, the first contains the bar and a seating area and the second features pool tables and other entertainment. The clientele comes from all walks of life.

La Mallorquina

Noted as the oldest Puerto Rican restaurant, this dining operation claims to have first opened in 1848. Visited by locals and tourists alike, it offers great service. Mallorquina specializes in authentic Puerto Rican fare such as Rice and Beans and Asopao, a heavy rice soup. The exquisite colonial ambiance is unique, and its centric location in Old San Juan makes it the ideal afternoon meeting location.

El Patio de Sam

El Patio de Sam is a Puerto Rican institution on Calle de San Sebastián. It is frequented by all types of personalities, American expatriates and local celebrities. Best known for its burgers, patrons are also impressed by its Creole cuisine. While the prices may appear steep, the burger plates(loaded with extras) are quite filling. The establishment features live entertainment M-Sa. Even though the dining room is indoors, one gets the sense that they are dining al fresco, under a skylight. Creole specialties include Asopao (heavy rice soup), rabbit, and seafood crepes.

Los Amigos

Los Amigos is a traditional cafeteria located in the center of the Old San Juan, catering mainly to hungry visitors and locals. They quench their thirst with a US$1 Medalla (the local beer). The fare consists mostly of 'grande' traditional sandwiches. For visitors, décor doesn't matter much: Los Amigos does its job in an excellent way.