Discover Puerto Rico through its vibrant culinary offerings – an Island with a vibrant food scene that continues to evolve and focuses on celebrating the local ingredients and heritage with a touch of innovation.
Start your journey in Old San Juan with dinner at Cocina al Fondo, where Award-winning James Beard chef Natalia Vallejo creates unforgettable dishes inspired by Puerto Rico’s rich culinary traditions, while also embracing global influences. The restaurant offers fresh, elevated Puerto Rican cuisine crafted with locally sourced ingredients, including produce from its own garden. Each dish celebrates sustainability and creativity, providing a sensorial experience.
Then, head to Gurabo for an incredible farm-to-table experience at Finca La Zafra: this family-run agroecological farm offers the immersive “From Harvest to Cook” menu including experiences such as Family styled lunch with Wine, Beer and Rum and immersion into agricultural techniques like harvesting, educational information about flora and fauna and more. Finca la Zafra offers an unforgettable blend of learning and indulgence, immersing guests in sustainable farming practices whilst savouring meals crafted with the freshest local ingredients.
For a memorable and intimate culinary experience, savour a Chef’s Table Dinner at the 12-seat venue Epicuro Culinary Center, a truly intimate dining experience where guests can observe the chef’s artistry in an open kitchen setting, showcasing creative Puerto Rican cuisine that feels like a theatrical performance. The menu and wine pairing are refreshed every month offering a dynamic experience guiding diners through a curated five-course tasting menu lasting about two hours.
Wake up to the rich aroma of artisanal coffee with a Breakfast & Coffee Tour at Hacienda San Pedro in the picturesque mountains of Jayuya. Visitors can explore the plantation while learning about the coffee-making process, tour the grounds and enjoy food and coffee in the breathtaking views of Puerto Rico’s highest peaks. Another fantastic option is Hacienda Muñoz, a coffee plantation located in San Lorenzo. The Hacienda features the brilliant on-site Yiya’s restaurant, which offers creative takes on traditional cuisine of the Island. The menu incorporates coffee throughout – don’t miss their coffee beer and coffee flan. Visitors to the Island can also purchase freshly roasted coffee or enjoy a Coffee Blond Craft Beer at Amanda’s Garage inside the Hacienda.
For lunch, delight in authentic Puerto Rican flavours at Aguzao Restro Bar, or go to Celeste, located in Puerta de Terra, between Old San Juan and Condado, the restaurant blends a seafood’s bar essence with a wine bar’s sophistication. Chef and owner Sebastián Martínez Tully crafts refined dishes inspired by the rich flavours and ingredients of the Island – the menu evolves seasonally, beginning with crudos such as squid ink ceviche or aged tuna paired with Meyer lemon. Guests can then enjoy dishes like tamarind brown butter anchovy toast or grilled sepia.
Wrap up your culinary adventure with dinner at Patio del Níspero, the exquisite restaurant in the courtyard of the historic and newly renovated Hotel El Convento, a converted monastery in Old San Juan. Indulge in a menu that embodies the essence of Puerto Rico’s gastronomy, creating the perfect ending to a flavorful journey.
Let Puerto Rico’s cuisine guide you as you taste your way through the Island’s rich culinary heritage and innovative gastronomy.
For more information, please visit: Discover Puerto Rico
