Vianca made me a fan for life…read more We arrived really late after our flight and were scrambling to find somewhere to eat. St. Germain Bistro Bar happened to be right across from our Airbnb, and honestly it felt like we got lucky. Even though it was late, they seated us right away and helped us pull together two small tables so our family could sit comfortably. My kids were starving, so that alone was a huge relief. The portions for the kids' pasta and chicken nuggets were a little smaller than expected, but the flavor and quality were excellent. You could tell the food was made with care. I ordered the onion soup and the fried cheese with guava dip and wow. Absolutely delicious. The guava dip especially was incredible. I also had a mojito that was perfectly made. But what really made the night unforgettable was the kindness of the staff. My son had forgotten his inhaler and was having a hard time adjusting to the humidity. He was coughing a lot and clearly uncomfortable. Vianca noticed right away and went out of her way to help. She brought over honey and encouraged him to take a little shot with ginger and honey, then brought hot tea as well. She even suggested things like putting socks on him and using Vicks when we got back. When I mentioned that my kids are half Puerto Rican and their abuela already swears by those remedies, she just lit up and said, "Well you're home then, you already know what to do." That moment really stuck with me. The warmth, the care for kids, the genuine hospitality. It's exactly the kind of Puerto Rican kindness people talk about. The kitchen is small, so service can be a little slower, but it's absolutely worth the wait. The food is great, the drinks are great, and the people make the place special. If you're nearby, definitely stop in. Places like this are why people fall in love with Puerto Rico.

Does NOT honor reservations. We reserved a table, and then watched another group of young men step…read moreinto the store and sit down at the table we had been promised. The hostess refused to kick them out. I overheard the group behind us who had made a reservation also be denied. After finally being seated, it took over an hour to get our food. The poulet was very good, but the bread we ordered was smeared with a red sauce where it been cut with an obviously dirty knife. At the end of the night, they gave us a free piece of cake on the house, which is the only reason why this review isn't one star. Also, our waitress was really nice and friendly, which raised the mood of the evening considerably. Other than that, though, I'm afraid I can't recommend this restaurant.

We really liked this place! It's like Chipotle but with avocado as the base. It's definitely…read moreexpensive but you get to add a lot of fun sides. We got the medium size with ground beef, rice, and plantains. Great easy location and fast service. I would definitely recommend if you're in the area!

Great bowls! I got the Fish Ceviche and it was delicious (no rice by default). Family had Spicy…read moreSalmon and Mango Tuna and raved about them. The person making our bowls was great. The person checking us out, not so much. We were a family of 4 and he tried to make people check out before everything was ordered and put together (tip: help out making bowls instead of just standing there and the line will go faster). Ambiance is fine for a grab and go place. Sufficient tables and turnover. We did not have to wait. Good eats!

If you're walking by, this restaurant would be very easy to miss. The entrance looks like a doorway…read moreleading to a stairwell or service entrance, and I honestly didn't even notice a sign. Luckily, there was a gentleman outside directing people in, otherwise we may have walked right past it. Once you climb the two flights of stairs, you're rewarded with a beautiful dining space. The restaurant has a rustic, old-world charm with gorgeous décor and an Italian-inspired atmosphere. It immediately felt warm and inviting. There were four of us dining, and we started with two appetizers: the Setas Rellenas and the Chorizo al Vino. Both were excellent, but the Chorizo al Vino was my absolute favorite--absolutely delicious! For my entrée, I ordered the chicken lasagna. I expected chunks of chicken, but it was made with shredded chicken, and wow--it was incredible. The flavor was outstanding, and it ended up being one of my favorite meals of our trip. My husband ordered the beef lasagna, which was also made with shredded beef rather than traditional ground beef. He absolutely loved it. Our friends ordered the Milanesa de Berenjena and the Milanesa de Pollo with a side of gnocchi, and both raved about their meals as well. Since nearly every table seemed to be ordering pizza, we knew we had to try one. We ordered a small pizza for the table, and each of us had a slice. Now we understand why they're known for their pizza--it was fantastic! A special shoutout to our server, Rouil Rodz, who was attentive, friendly, and provided excellent service throughout the evening. Don't let the unassuming entrance fool you. This restaurant is a hidden gem with a beautiful atmosphere, outstanding food, and excellent service. If you're visiting Old San Juan, I highly recommend adding it to your list.

Killer pizza in an old school Puerto Rican spot. Kids loved…read morethe pizza. Wife smashed a sangria. I enjoyed a couple local beers.

Very cute place, be prepared to sit outside but the breeze is nice from the bay. The food took a…read morewhile to come out but it was absolutely delicious. Will be trying to recreate it at home myself for a while! Raymond was amazing and so kind and offered a lot of knowledge about the area. Highly recommend!

We really enjoyed this restaurant! We were a large group, we called and they prepared a table for…read moreus. We sat outside b the water. They have a really nice bar inside. The menu is pretty simple. We had several appetizers and meals. Their drinks were 10/10!! Our server was very helpful and friendly. Highly recommend if you're in San Juan.

We had an amazing meal at La Madre! We ordered the chicken tacos, chicken broth soup, chicken and…read moreshrimp fajitas, cheese quesadilla, fresh watermelon juice, and a watermelon margarita. Every single dish was excellent, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. The service was friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere was vibrant and welcoming. If you're looking for great Mexican food in Old San Juan, La Madre is definitely worth a visit.

La Madre in Viejo San Juan really hit the spot when we were all craving something other than hotel…read morefood--and specifically, good Mexican food. It absolutely delivered. The vibe was great, the food was fresh and well made, and the service was friendly overall. A fun bonus: we actually got to see the famous rock band Maná dining there, which was such a cool surprise! We ordered quite a bit--the chips and queso, chips and guac, hot sauce, tamale, rice and beans, kids cheese quesadilla, and veggie fajitas. The kids' quesadilla was a huge hit with our 5-year-old (who is a picky eater and devoured it). The veggie fajitas were decent and tasty, though for the price I would have liked a bit more on the plate in terms of sides. There was a small hiccup where cilantro was accidentally added to one of my dishes, and it did take quite a while for the corrected dish to come out, but they were very kind about it. That said, everything else was enjoyable and the overall experience was still very good. Overall, a great spot for solid Mexican food in Old San Juan with a fun atmosphere and fresh flavors.

Café Manolín was the perfect place to start our day in Old San Juan!…read more From the moment we walked in, the staff made us feel like regulars. Everyone was so friendly, chatty, and welcoming, creating a fun and authentic local experience. Breakfast was outstanding. We enjoyed the avena, a delicious Cubano sandwich, a ham, egg, and cheese sandwich, a mortadella sandwich, and, of course, an excellent cup of authentic Puerto Rican coffee. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and prepared with care. A special thank you to the staff for the wonderful hospitality. Great food, amazing coffee, and even better service made this one of our favorite breakfast spots. We can't wait to come back the next time we're in Old San Juan!

Great service and great environment. Our uber driver recommended this place and told us the locals…read morecome here for lunch. The Churrasco came with a chimichurri sauce and the tees leches was bomb. Wish we had come here earlier on the trip! It's giving cafe style, I wish we had tried the coco flan but they were out.

One of my favorite coffee shops in old San Juan! I love walking here from caribe…read more Atmosphere is quaint and welcoming. The staff is always friendly :) Coffee is smooth and strong!

Great coffee and extremely friendly service. The cortado was strong, delicous, and well made…read more We also loved the art and decor inside. Definitely recommend checking out this spot

An unexpected stop for lunch during a cruise stop in Old San Juan, PR, the Istanbul Restaurant was…read morea combination of Turkish dishes along with dishes native to Puerto Rico. My brother and I tried dishes from both menus, and found it to be quite good. As we were walking past, a small sign for 'Grandma's Kitchen' caught our eye. My brother had been encouraging me to try Puerto Rico's national dish: Mofongo - mashed fried plantains. Unfortunately, restaurants were just packed with long waits and I wasn't in the mood to wait outside in the sun for a long time. The door next to the sign stated that it was a restaurant called 'Istanbul'. We peaked inside, and was welcomed warmly by a host, who let us know that the restaurant was both Grandma's Kitchen/Istanbul. There was nobody else dining inside, which was weird considering how every other restaurant in the area was packed. The dishes are made to order, so took a bit of time for it to come out one at a time. Mixed Seafood Stuffed Mofongo ($25) - served in a wooden pilon, the tall and narrow neck was stuffed with the mashed plantains, topped with a seafood blend of clams, dense fish pieces, octopus, and squid. The sauce was really well done, not too rich, but buttery enough to accentuate the seafood. I have to believe the seafood was prepared from frozen, but it tasted really good: a definite notch up from the seafood I've been having on the cruise boats. It was the first time having mofongo, and I liked it. This version had fried plantain chips, mixed with the mash of more plantains. I don't think this version had pork skin rinds, and I didn't miss it. It's extremely dense, so ended up eating maybe a third of it while finishing the seafood. It's a solid alternative to rice, though definitely can't eat too much of it. Doner Kebab ($18) - from the Istanbul portion of the menu, this dish was tasty, though the meat was cooked on a flat top grill like a burger patty, instead of on a vertical rotisserie. The lamb/beef patty was loosely formed and well seasoned, with the accompanying tzatziki sauce being a good add-on. Both dishes were cooked very well, the back kitchen has some skills. Service was friendly throughout. Water is not offered, but guessing they will give to you if asked. Payment was provided after the meal, and they do stick on a mandatory 15% gratuity for all party sizes.

I love to use Yelp to find local spots when traveling; however I can't get on board with the high…read morereviews of this spot in old San Juan. The falafels were doughy and undercooked and the chicken kabobs very tough. Service was good, and we were the only ones in the restaurant. It's a little dark but clean.

Nice place in old San Juan. Interior is cute, with 2 different sections. The back area has a high…read moreceiling and lots of plants. We tried a couple of different dishes and enjoyed each one. The breakfast burger was well seasoned and hit the spot! The coffee and beer were nice additions to our late brunch! Server was friendly and let us know that she was going on break, and who to look out for. Place was packed but things came out quickly. A nice place to stop and have a break from walking if you get the chance!

Would recommend (breakfast). Stopped by during a morning of exploration in Old San Juan, wanted to…read morestart the day off right with a good meal. They had about 20 min wait for 2 on Saturday morning/afternoon which wasn't bad. Just walked around for a little bit then came back when they called. They have a few outdoor seating chairs but primary seating is indoor, interior was well decorated, well-lit, lots of greenery. They did not have physical menus, had QR codes to scan (I think maybe if you ask them, they might have few physical ones). To start, we didn't order any drinks/alcoholic beverages that morning but they have an extensive list of beverages, cocktails, coffees, juices, wines, etc. to do so, so I wouldn't discourage trying them at all. For food, we ordered the French Mallorca sandwich and the Omelette w/ bacon, potatoes, & toast. Off the bat, it was clear that the French Mallorca was a very popular choice, that sandwich was just good, period (Rating: 8.7/10), soft bread w/ crispy edges, dipping in the syrup was a requirement for this sandwich. On the other hand, the omelette with potatoes, bacon, toast weren't as good. I asked for vegetables cooked into the omelette but it looks like they didn't really cook them down. Potatoes were very good though, seasoned well, honestly carried the meal along with the crispy thick cut bacon (Rating: 6.1/10). I think I really ordered it just as a healthy option, I next time would order something else because they still do have a lot of good option on that menu that I didn't take advantage of. Overall, the service was amazing, very hospitable from the host all the way down to our server. We even had the chance to enjoy live music as a band came in and performed temporarily during our meal. If you are around the area and want to stop by, you have my recommendation. Not bad option at all.

Looked into the top coffee spots of Puerto Rico, this stood out. It doesn't get better than…read morefarm-to-cup type of coffee. AMBIANCE Parking: Old San Juan rules--come early or be ready to walk. Seating: Multiple seating areas for individuals and small groups but it's also a cafe too so there is seating in the back too. Vibes: Clean, modern café with a mix of locals and tourists. You can tell people come here for the coffee, not just to pass through. It leans more intentional and coffee-focused rather than just aesthetic--which I appreciated. FOOD / DRINKS Coquito Frap (Recommend) When in Puerto Rico, Coquito. Creamy, coconut-forward, and lightly spiced--like a frozen coquito with a coffee twist. Sweet, smooth, and definitely more of a dessert drink than a regular latte. CUSTOMER SERVICE Friendly and efficient. Even with a crowd, things moved quickly. TL;DR OVERALL 4.5 Stars. Solid spot. Great drink options at a reasonable price. They know what they're doing. Whether you're a coffee person or just need a reset, this place delivers. Salute to the Munoz family for sharing their coffee to the world! TIPS * Try their house coffee if you want the full experience--that's what they're known for.

Café Cuatro Sombras in Old San Juan is a lovely café with wonderful staff and a really welcoming…read moreatmosphere. We loved it so much we actually went twice during our trip - and even made a final stop before heading to the airport to go home. On our first visit, Hector (the roaster) happened to be there, which made the experience feel even more special. The staff overall were all so kind and attentive. The coffee is absolutely excellent - velvety smooth, rich, and delicious. I could easily drink more than one cup. I had a latte, and my husband had a macchiato, and both were great. They have a cute little outdoor atrium seating area, but we preferred indoors where all the comfy pillow seating was. Just a note - they don't offer decaf - but for regular coffee drinkers, it's a must-visit. Such a gem in Old San Juan!