I don't write reviews often, but this experience was absolutely worth taking the time to write one. All I can genuinely say is WOW. And honestly... how is Cocina Abierta not Michelin rated?! I decided to do four courses, and every single one was incredible. I started with the Crudo de Salmón Hawaiana with mango pascual, watermelon radish, and hibiscus flower. Then the Robalo al Horno de Leña with coconut beurre blanc, salicornia, and tamarind. For the main course, the Mofongo de Pato Criollo with duck chicharrón, duck and shiitake broth, and guava hoisin. And dessert was the Café with requesón, pâte à choux, and carambola. This was one of the most dynamic meals I've ever had. Every course was completely different, yet everything felt intentional, creative, and incredibly well-balanced. The flavors, textures, presentation, and creativity were on another level. What made the experience even more special was knowing that the ingredients are locally sourced and thoughtfully incorporated into the menu. You can genuinely taste the care that goes into every dish. And the hospitality? Unforgettable. From start to finish, the entire experience was exceptional. Cocina Abierta absolutely blew me away. This is the kind of meal you remember long after you leave, and I will 100% be back. If you're in San Juan and looking for an unforgettable dining experience, go here. read more

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PHENOMENAL This is not just a restaurant, this is a dining experience. This is upscale elegance in a relaxed environment. This is global techniques blended with locally sourced Puerto Rican ingredients. From the moment you walk in, you feel welcome. I was there to celebrate my birthday (a reservation is a must). I asked if I could be seated in a different section of the restaurant, and even though they were packed, they said absolutely and found me a lovely seat in the bar area. The staff is knowledgeable and attentive. I suffer from severe food allergies but wanted to experience their tasting menu. My server spoke to the chef directly and then took the time to walk me through every option. I TRULY appreciated that they did not take anything off the menu but rather told me how they could adjust for my allergies. That is very rare and so very much appreciated that they went that extra mile for me. I highly recommend the tasting menu. It's 5 courses and they give you 3 options to choose from, within each course. And for the price ($85), a great value. Everything was delicious but I highly recommend the Breadfruit Gnocchi, Rainbow Runner Crudo, and Criollo Duck Mofongo. Chefs kiss! What I also noticed was, even though they were insanely busy, they didn't make you feel rushed. The invited you to savor the experience - which I did. Next time you are in San Juan, make a reservation and go. You won't be disappointed! read more

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4.5 stars. Cocina Abierta was one of the better meals of our trip. The food was excellent overall, with the lone exception being the empanadas, which were simply too salty. Everything else was very well done. The two of us split one order of the five-course tasting menu plus an additional starter, and it ended up being a nice light meal. Had we each ordered our own tasting menu, it would have been far more food than we wanted...something we found to be a fairly common theme with portion sizes throughout Puerto Rico. The standout of the evening was the Criollo Duck Mofongo, which was absolutely exquisite and easily the best mofongo we had on our trip by far. The cocktails were tasty and unique, but a bit small for the price. This definitely isn't an every-night kind of restaurant...the prices are on the higher side. But if you're looking to splurge a little, it's a fun place to do it. read more

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Cocina Abierta was literally downstairs from where we were staying, so it was an easy choice for dinner. They have a lovely outdoor seating area, but we opted to sit inside for the ambiance, which turned out to be a great call. Service was excellent from start to finish. Our waiter was knowledgeable, attentive, and gave great recommendations. We decided to go all in on the $85 per person tasting menu. The food ranged from good to very good, and there was a *lot* of it. Standout dishes for me were the ceviche and the desserts, both of which were exceptional. The beef empanadas and breadfruit gnocchi were also highlights. My one criticism is that the tasting menu didn't feel particularly cohesive. We started with yellowfin tuna, moved on to wood-roasted fish, then suddenly shifted into Italian territory with breadfruit gnocchi in a rich buttery sauce before continuing on to beef steak and duck. Individually, many of the dishes were delicious, but together they felt more like a sampler of the restaurant's assortment of dishes rather than a thoughtfully sequenced tasting menu with a clear theme or progression. That said, the quality of the food, generous portions, and outstanding service made for a very enjoyable evening. If you're looking to experience a wide range of the kitchen's offerings, Cocina Abierta delivers. read more

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A real culinary experience! They offer a 5 course meal that will surely give your tastebuds a roller coaster of unique tastes. All the staff are VERY knowledgeable about the food and ingredients. Cocktails very good as well. read more

What a great anniversary dinner at Cocina Abierta. We ordered a la carte from the tasting menu -- 10 dishes simply would have been too much food for the two of us. While all were great, some were naturally better than others. Each dish was prepared carefully and presented beautifully. The menu changes pretty regularly and will be completely different when you eat there. But if Earlin is your waiter, go with her recommendations. Service could not have been better. Earlin, our waiter, was helpful without being intrusive. Tip: We are glad we chose to eat on the terrace. Inside was both too cold -- puertoriqueños love air conditioning almost as much as Atlantans do -- and too noisy. read more

Cocina Abierta - My sweetie on our anniversary. - Puerto Rican Near Me - San Juan, Puerto Rico

I can't remember or describe all the dishes we had but it was a really fun experience. We walked in before they opened and were able to be seated at 5pm to a largely empty restaurant since it was early. I was glad they allowed us to order one set from the tasting menu u, which enabled me to order all the appetizer offerings. I added a picture of the menu and circled our selections. One of the appetizers, the naan, was replaced with a cassava cheese bread. The menu changes since they use farm to table local ingredients. Love the concept. Service was attentive. Some highlights: - cassava cheese bread came with two spreads - honey butter and a guava jam. Sooo good! - Cacao dessert had a rum sauce that was yummy! Some items we weren't too impressed with: - beef empanadas were dry - beefsteak was good but overcooked read more

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Wow. This has to be one of my favorite restaurants ever! I visited late June for a birthday dinner and was treated with kind hospitality and delicious, unique and intentional food. Every single dish I had was brilliant! I think my favorite was the lobster pasta (I don't remember the correct name). I did a wine tasting with the meal and the whole experience was delightful. It was calm and easy to dine there, dimly lit and elegant while still casual enough. I can't wait to return ! read more

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When you want to ease into a Puerto Rico trip with something thoughtful but not overly formal, Cocina Abierta is a strong start. Located in San Juan and an easy walk or quick Uber from many hotels, Cocina Abierta is fairly unassuming from the outside. Inside, it's cozy and welcoming--refined but relaxed. The service set the tone immediately: warm greeting, attentive pacing, and a staff that made the experience feel intentional without being stiff. The highlight here is their five-course tasting experience, which they structure as "five acts." It's elevated, but not pretentious. You're not getting a theatrical monologue with each plate--instead, you're choosing between multiple options per act, often a seafood, meat, and vegetarian route. The format feels approachable, almost like elevated tapas portions, letting you sample a variety without feeling overwhelmed. Food * Duck Mofongo - standout dish; rich, deeply flavorful, and very well executed * Skirt Steak - tender and satisfying, cooked properly * Fresh Snook - delicately oven-roasted and cleanly prepared * Seafood selections overall were especially strong * Menu leans seasonal and locally inspired, which comes through in freshness and composition Each dish carried complexity and balance. Nothing felt sloppy or rushed, and while not every course was unforgettable, the overall progression worked well. Drinks * Cocktails were solid and thoughtfully crafted * Good complements to the pacing of a tasting menu Verdict Cocina Abierta is a great choice if you want to make a night of it. The tasting format encourages you to slow down, talk, and enjoy the flow of the evening. It's refined without being intimidating, seasonal without being gimmicky, and consistently good across courses. Not quite transcendent, but a very enjoyable four-star experience to kick off a San Juan vacation. read more

Cocina Abierta - Gnocchi and pancetta - Puerto Rican Near Me - San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Honestly it's a bit of a shame to write this but Cocina Abierta has gotten progressively worse over the years. It was 1 of the best meals I've had in PR, period, back in 2022. But I've gone about 4 more times since then and it's declined each time. The last time was quite disappointing- the food was overly salty and really lacked a lot of the flavors that I experienced initially. I hope they can restore some of those old dishes or techniques from before. read more

Beautiful atmosphere. Very modern vibe. Great service. Outstanding tasting menu. I did the 5 course tasting and it didn't disappoint. Fresh ingredients, bugs burst of colors and flavors. Every dish was made to perfection and I will definitely be back. Servers were attentive and very welcoming and informative. read more

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The concept of cooking with locally sourced ingredients in their natural cycles is appealing and was finely showcased in the five course tasting dinner. It really brings to live, in the best possible way, the concept of "less is more." I enjoyed every single dish I had (some pics below) and the night's wildcard cocktail on offer was triumphant! read more

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We had a lovely experience at this restaurant. They were able to give us a reservation same day, and sat us outside on the lovely patio. The dishes were innovative and delicious, with the duck mofongo a win and the gnocchi our absolute favorite. I'd highly recommend the wine pairing- it was fun and each dish had their own so if your partner got a different dish then they got different wine. Side note- I don't eat fish, but was told they could make some things vegetarian for me. They verbally explained it, and it was a tad confusing- but in the end it worked out. It was a bit pricy, but a fun night out. read more

This place is so amazing. I don't know where to begin. The menu changes weekly so what I review today may change next week. The way it works is you choose from three options of a five course menu. If you have a specific allergy, they will substitute what they can to allow you to enjoy each course. You can also order off the menu à la carte, but I recommend doing the five course so you can try all kinds of flavors and if you are hungry you will need all 5 courses. It is small plates but they are good portions. My favorites included the Crudo, breadfruit gnocchi and Carpaccio (see menu below). However, everything that I ordered was made to perfection! The way the chef balances different flavors is amazing. A true connoisseur! The service was on point and the waitress very attentive. The restaurant is located in Condado and walking distance from La Concha. The area and scenery are very nice and welcoming. The perfect spot for romantic dinner or just small plates between friends. The drinks were intricate and well balanced. I cannot wait to return to this restaurant! read more

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The hostess is by far the worst person ever to work for you! Came in when the restaurant was completely empty. Asked to sit down. Yes we did not have a reservation but the whole place was empty. She sat us outside. After about 3mosquito bites we asked if we could move inside- she refused but offered us bug spray. SMH! We would've left but already ordered the food and didn't want to do that to the chef. Ok, no problem we will be quick. We ate an amazing prepared and well orchestrated delight but we're also the dinner for the mosquitoes. As we were about to wrap up a couple sits down beside us and we're contemplating going somewhere else, we said to them the food is fantastic. They were afraid that the mosquitoes were going to eat them up so they asked if they could go inside- just like we requested but the same hostess who refused us let them go in!' And they were full at this time!! The whole place full! what the literal mess is this!! Clearly they don't care about their customers so that says plenty- makes me wonder what's going on in the kitchen. If I could give them negative stars I would! Shame on this place! This treatment will come back to you- read more

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Really inventive menu bursting with local ingredients and surprising combinations. Very dish is an adventure! The service was good, not great, everyone super nice but there was a mishap with our drinks and we felt somewhat neglected at times. Another small note that it was my birthday celebration and they didn't really do anything special other than acknowledge it. read more

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I definitely recommend getting the prix-fixe menu: 5 courses for $85. Pretty much each dish was creative, delicious, and seasonal. I even added a duck croquette and cassava bread, which were enjoyable as well. The only dish that I did not like was the duck mofongo -- it was very salty and I am just not a fan of savory mashed plantains. This is a dish that has been on their menu for many years, but I truly do not understand why...it's the worst dish on the menu. Maybe it's there for tradition sake. Given that Cocina Abierto prides itself on its seasonal menu, it does not make sense to have any item on the menu year-round, and year after year too. read more

Cocina Abierta deserves some serious accolades. The execution in service, cocktails and culinary technique were top tier, in fact, the best I experienced in PR. Easily made reservations on Open Table within the week on a Thursday night for two. Minutes walking distance from where we were staying in Condado. Minimal, sleek and modern look with a play of natural elements, the soft lighting creates a romantic setting. Patrons have the option of ordering a la carte or going with the five course set with options for each course for $85 each. Hubby & I went with the five course and chose different dishes for each course so we could try the most. Every item was incredible but the 3rd and 4th acts were mind blowing! Hats off to Executive Chef Martín Louzao! 1st Act Crudo: Rainbow ranner, Totapuri Mango Watermcion radish, Hibiscus, Rose apple Carpaccio: Mafajo plantain, Yellowfin tuna, Shiitake marmalade, Avocado 2nd Act Soup: Coconut, Starfruit, Conch, Mandarin leaves, Pink oyster mushrooms, Meringa Spotted spiny lobster: Tomato Gajilete, Diamond squid, Gentlemen hot pepper chilli crisp 3rd Act Root vegetable pastel: Rabbit, Turmeric, greens, Ginger, Mexican marigold, Congo ñame Breadfruit gnocchi: Barrilito smoked pancetta, Cabachuelas, Rúcula 4th Act Squash Wellington: Mushroom duxelles, Chayote leaf, Squash blossom, Goat cheese, Zucchini Criollo duck mofongo: Quacklings, Duck run-off, Duck & shiitake consume, Guava hoisin 5th Act Coffee: Requesón, Pâte a choux, Starfruit Cacao: Bullhead pineapple, Toasted Swiss merengue, Banana and rum caramel We sipped on some fantastic signature cocktails while enjoying the courses too! The Lavanda 75 was a nice twist on the French 75 with Bravada Vodka, lavender, prosecco, and candied lemon. The Metro consisted of Bravada Vodka, Cointreau, guava y acerola reduction, and lemon. Husband gambled by ordering the Wild Card, which is the bartender's recommended cocktail. He enjoyed both of the drinks he got! Overall, we had an exceptional experience. I'd return in a heartbeat. James Beard and Michelin, wya?! read more

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This had to be my absolute most favourite meal and restaurant we went to during our stay in San Juan! It was 10/10 with absolutely everything from the locally sourced ingredients, to the unique cocktails, spectacular service, and the flavourful and well thought out out courses - or Acts as they are called on the menu! We opted for the 5 course tasting menu, and were not disappointed with any of our selections!!! From the Rainbow Runner Crudo, to the Breadfruit gnocchi, and Croillo Duck Mofungo - EVERYTHING was amazing! I've never been a huge fan of gnocchi- but I honestly could eat the gnocchi from Cocina Abierta every day without complaint!! The ambience in the restaurant is stunning -- and definitely makes it a restaurant that you can go to for date nights, special celebrations or whenever you feel deserving of a treat!! Next time I visit San Juan, I will definitely be back! read more

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This was a wonderful fine-dining experience that I got to share with my friends while on my bachelorette trip! On the tasting menu, you get 5 courses. Each course you have 3 options to select from. We had a group of 7 so we all pretty much got to try everything on the menu. And I have to say you cannot go wrong with any dish! The space was warm and intimate. The staff were so kind and explained every dish and where the ingredients came from! This is a beautiful restaurant that works to give back to the farmers they resource from. All ingredients used are produced in PR. We love a restaurant that answers YES to the question "is it local?" Cocktails are also out of this world! read more

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Tasting menu meets Puerto Rican cuisine meets exceptional service and unique design (shoutout to our top notch server, Glauco, and his assistant Yaneliz). A cozy and relaxed atmosphere for a tasting menu, compared to some of the uptight tasting spaces in America and Europe. Our Abierta experience was elevated by our server, Glauco. He truly went above and beyond to provide excellent service and show us the test kitchen, Atelier. Your Abierta experience can be as special as you make it. Savor every sip from the wine pairing, and allow each bite to light up your senses. You will not be disappointed (unless you don't live nearby and wish you could visit every season - like us). The farm to table experience introduced fruit, seafood, and meat into one - my favorite! While I am no longer vegan, I recommend Cocina Abierta to all vegans and vegetarians. The incorporated fruit left my heart whole and happy! Gastronomy at its finest. Little did we know, Cocina Abierta is owned by the same group that runs other restaurants in PR that we planned to visit during our trip to beautiful Puerto Rico! While so many different reasons will bring us back to Puerto Rico, the openess and experience at Cocina Abierta with Glauco is one of the top three reasons! read more

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So my wife and I stumbled on this cozy establishment by accident. We came in around 5pm and there were maybe 2 other couples there. We were told by the hostess they were booked and the only place they could seat us was the patio. We didn't think anything of it as we got seated. We didn't even have our waters when my wife started to get eaten alive by mosquitoes. I asked if we could come in because we are quick eaters. The hostess said no and gave us some bug spray. The food was actually very good, but it's hard to enjoy when you are getting bit by mosquitoes. Here is why I am giving 1 star... a couple sat next to us about halfway through our meal and they were getting bitten as well. They asked to be seated inside and guess what? They got a table. . No questions asked. I thought I would call the restaurant and give them a heads up that this happened. The manager Santiago totally dismissed me and talked over me. Told me to get a reservation next time. read more

Cocina Abierta - Receipt - Puerto Rican Near Me - San Juan, Puerto Rico

I have been to Cocina Albierta a few times over the years. The last time I went was sometime in 2021. In my memory, Cocina was an amazing restaurant, food was amazing and the wine pairing was intentional and impactful. However, my recent visit left a lot to be desired. The food was incredibly disappointing. Some dishes were very salted and others were bland. The one dish that was supposed to be a Puerto Rican dish (duck mofongo) was barely edible. Duck is not a good flavor for mofongo. I could not recommend Cocina to my friends in the future. Staff and ambiance was great otherwise. No complaints there. read more

I love this place! I do their tasting menu and found everything spot on! Opted for a cocktail (amazing) and glass of wine with my meal instead of the wine pairing. I'm sure that would have been fabulous too. Service was over the top. From my greeting (cocktail offered while I waited for my table) to the patient wait staff to the manager walking after me to deliver me lan item I'd left at the table. Loved the ambiance, food and service! read more

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I wish we'd had the same experience as the other reviews on here describe. On a Monday night at 8PM the kitchen was extremely backed up; it took a long time for our first course to arrive, which came out before the starter bites we ordered. Service was slow and uneven, and the third course (a lobster "lasagna") arrived cold. The server asked what we wanted him to do instead of just making some type of recovery. The meal plus two rounds of drinks came to over $300 after tip. Overall, we found Cocina Abierta to be overly ambitious and overpriced with poor execution and would not return. read more

Came back again for another great meal. My party of two was an early arrival without a reservation on Monday. We were seated without delay. Nice cocktail list but a wine list that's a little limited. 5 course meal was very good. Our only complaint might be a little too much soy/salt on the beef steak. Great service. read more

This is one of my favorite meals in San Juan. We opted for the tasting menu and it's kind of a must when you are here vs al la carte. Except - I had to add in an appez of empanadas. While everything was favorable, I most appreciated my sesame ice cream and cake dessert. This is a very modern take on Island cuisine with great cocktails set in Condado. The only meh was it was not a true open kitchen scene per described, otherwise service was also top notch. read more

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Tasting menu about $80 and so worth it. Very good farm to table. Excellent explanations and service. Good advice to find exactly what you want. Best drinks we've had in a while. Even one with recap that sounds like it wouldn't work but so does! read more

Wow! Wow! Wow! What an amazing meal. The food is amazingly delicious. The ambience is stellar. The service is great as well. This truly is an elevated experience. I wish it were in Miami!!! read more

The cocktails and food were absolutely amazing. Every dish was beautifully prepared and full of flavor. The service was exceptional as well--the servers were incredibly kind, attentive, and professional. It truly made the entire dining experience special. I would definitely come back again. read more

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Outstanding. Flavors galore! Incredible combinations. Nice ambience. Good service. Go for the tasting menu. Portions are small so you will need all 5 acts. Highly recommend read more

Cocina Abierta is casual fine dining. The restaurant gets right to the point with a five course tasting menu for $75. The tasting menu provides there options for every course. If nothing listed in the course appeals to you, there is a gnocchi course available. 18 year old and I shared our dishes so we got to taste most of the menu. The menu changes seasonally. I already checked the website and the menu looks different already. My favorites were two dishes from Act 1, wild leaves and fresh ceviche. My least favorite dishes were from Act 2, the butternut squash and conch. The other dishes were good but were not as fabulous as other tasting menus I have had. Service was attentive. There is an inventive cocktail menu. Lovely place for a night out in San Juan. read more

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We went to PR for a week to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary. We chose this restaurant for the actual night of our anniversary. We were not disappointed. I do not normally give out 5 star ratings, but this restaurant deserves one. The dining room was small and intimate. They only serve the tasting menu and we were initally concerned about that, but once things got rolling, we knew we were in for a treat. We started with the ceviche and butternut squash soup. Both were fantastic. I loved the spicy nature of the soup and the freshness of the ceviche. Then we had mushroom al pastor tacos and duck. Both were phenomenal. For our entrees, we had the local catch which was snook and beef filet. We traded back and forth and could not determine which was better. For our deserts, we had a lemon item a rich chocolate tort cake. They were the perfect ending to our meal. I definitely recommend this restaurant for a fantastic experience. read more

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Cocina abierta es un de los mejores restaurantes que he ido en mi vida! y no estoy exagerando y he ido a restaurantes de las listas de los mejores del mundo! Eleven Madison Park, Azurmendi, Disfrutar, Enigma, Carbones, Le Bernadine, entre otros Cada plato nos sorprendió gratamente! de verdad que unos sabores, unas texturas, todo estuvo a la perfección El servicio top!! nos atendio Megan, fueron muy amables de movernos de mesa a una que tenia mejor vista del restaurant y ella fue un amor, me encanta que nos decía "familia" algo que voy a adoptar para el resto de la vida. Gracias Cocina Abierta! read more

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Cocina Abierta was highly recommended by a guide when we did a walking food tour of Old San Juan. This restaurant is a few yards off the Ashford Ave strip, so it was a bit quieter than the other joints right along the main avenue. We opted to order a la cart, rather than the 5-course tasting menu. The servers were friendly and quick with recommendations based on our tastes, the cocktails were delicious -- the bartender made one up for me that was dark rum with chocolate shavings over top. I wish I could remember the other ingredients, but it was great! The yellowtail carpaccio was one of the highlights, as was the skirt steak. We tried the squash vegetarian dish, and it lacked the same character of flavor that the other dishes showcased. It seemed to be that obligatory "we need a vegetarian option" dish on the menu. Overall an excellent meal, and after tip, it was just north of $200 for 4 drinks and 4 dishes. read more

The atmosphere is ok but the music is way too loud for a "high end dining restaurant" it didn't feel like high end, the wait time is astronomical, although we had a reservation. We did the tasting experience 5 course meals, it took over 2 hours for us to receive all of the meals, very slow service, the waiter was really friendly, but the food portion was tiny, for the price you'd pay for 2 people $220 plus I would say there are better restaurants that have better food than this and bigger portions. They also charge 7 dollars for tap water which is crazy for a place that has people in tank tops and a very loud environment... 5 stars for the friendly waiter. The food is below average and most of the dishes were cold when they got to the table. read more

So good and great price! Plus the drinks were amazing! The bartender who created the menu was so nice to talk to with great suggestions. Also they make suggestions based on allergies read more

Overall the customer service was very good and the food was also tasty and the price were very reasonable read more

Cocina Abierta - Overall customer service was excellent food was very good the prices were just right - Puerto Rican Near Me - San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Five course meal that is out of this world! The flavors, preparation, and presentation is impeccable. Must do the wine pairings first each course. Wait staff is friendly, knowledgeable and engaging. Medium size location with the perfect atmosphere and musical accompaniment. Highest recommendation! read more

OMG! It's 5 courses of fine dining and culinary greatness for $75! It's a fixed menu and you make sections for each course. The hubs and I sauntered in with no reservation hoping to give it a whirl. Lucky for us, there was a single table available. The server was friendly and offered us great recommendations for our course selections. The beef Wellington, duck, causa, and the ceviche were my favorites, but everything was divine (and perfectly prepared) from top to bottom. All of these amazingly presented dishes (and high-end proteins) for this price is a steal, actually. This experience was worth every penny and more. Compliments to the chef(s)! read more

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