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    Don Tello

    3.3 (88 reviews)
    ModerateCaribbean
    Closed 12:00 pm - 8:00 PM

    Don Tello Photos

    DON TELLO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Touristy
    Loud
    Good for kids

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    Mofongo
    Mike F.

    The service here is really bad. No warm welcome. Not friendly. Took forever to get the bill. Overpriced for what you get and the food isn't that great. A waste of time.

    View of the coast
    Azariah H.

    Upstairs is a nice view of the coast but when you're seated above, you can't order from any of the Puerto Rican dishes (you are limited to the Mexican menu when seated upstairs which is a bummer) they should have made it possible to order from both menus whether you are above or below.

    Entrance
    Shenique B.

    On a recent trip to PR, we took the ferry from San Juan over to Cataño. We came specifically for this restaurant because we stopped here almost a decade ago, on our way to the Bacardi Factory. This time around we had the lobster turnover, alcapurria, fried snapper, and bistec encebollado. The appetizers were good, the fried snapper was seasoned nicely but needed a little side sauce (e.g., pepper, garlic) or something, and the bistec looked good. Our food did not take long, as other reviewers mentioned, and the customer service was good.

    Can can chop

    Talk about amazing food. I had the most incredible pork chop I've ever had in my life. If you take the ferry over from San Juan or youare already in the area, you have to stop by and give this place a try.

    Margarita R.

    Cute restaurant located in Cataño near the ferry to Old San Juan. A friend who lives on the island recommended I eat lunch here. When I arrived, it was fairly empty outside and it was a beautiful day so I decided to sit outside. My waiter took my drink order as I reviewed the menu. I ordered the masitas de pollo Al ajillo with rice and tostones. The food was good but nothing super impressive. The drinks were okay too. I was left a but surprised by the bill as it was fairly expensive for what I had and what I am use to paying on the island. This restaurant felt very touristy and I probably wouldn't return.

    Lashanda L.

    Don Tello is the first restaurant we encounter after the ferry ride over from San Juan. The top floor was closed so we ate outside. The drinks were fine, but the food was not good. I ordered a burrito and it had no beans, rice, and the cheese arrived unmelted. It did not seem put together with care. The queso fundido arrived stiff and without meat. When we asked for chorizo and for the cheese to be reheated, it was not the chorizo I have ever had before. The meat was some type of hard sausage chopped into square size pieces. I'm sure the Puerto Rican dishes offered at Don Tello were divine and we should have stuck with that. However, the Mexican dishes were less than authentic.

    Michele C.

    Save your money and time. The food was not good and the service slow. I am no stranger to island time, but having to flag the server down three times was a drag. We had to send back our starter because it was missing chorizo and it lacked warmth/heat causing the dip-ability of the queso to be nearly impossible. When the dish resurfaced it was returned microwaved with the addition of what appeared to be a hot dog. Thankfully there was hot sauce at the table so we doctored the fundido up as much as we could. We were served multiple turnovers but they all looked and tasted the same. We were even served and charged for turnovers that we did not order. One in the party took one bite and wanted no more. The restaurant was less than happy or willing to make it right.

    Stephanie O.

    Don Tello has a lovely cafe to sit outside and enjoy the breeze. We went for lunch as a nearby option before a Bacardi Tour. We ordered mojitos with no sugar- delicious! We had one lobster turnover and one crab with manchego turnover. The hot sauce they make is a must! Next we went for the seafood salad and upgraded the side to tostones. The turnovers were so nice we ordered a second lobster turnover. The crab was just as delicious but a little heavier. The seafood salad was light and full of flavor. All in all we loved our lunch overlooking the water. Everyone was very friendly and helpful, and the restrooms were spotless!

    Strawberry frappe
    Adele P.

    We stopped in for a late lunch after our visit to the Bacardi Distillery, and it was packed! Lots of local families were having their Sunday dinner. They found us a table for two and we were seated quickly despite the crowd. We had to wait a bit for a waiter, but once he arrived our orders were taken and we were served quickly. I decided to try the Chuletas Kan-Kan, mostly because I didn't know how it would be and wanted to try something different. My friend had grouper with a garlic sauce. He thought his grouper was outstanding, nice and tender, with good flavor. While I thought the pork was very good, the outer skin was tough and hadn't been fried to that distinct crispness one gets when one orders chicharron. I had a strawberry frappe, my friend elected to have water. We weren't too keen on having more alcohol after consuming rum at the Bacardi Distillery. All in all Don Tello's is a very nice place and is worth visiting. We were surprised to see such a nice place right across from the ferry dock.

    Food takes more than one hour to be serve,very slow... poo presentation of food,flavor not the best Servers are great,but the rest will take away.

    Nachos con Queso
    Victoria J.

    This place was suggested by my Uber driver. I arrived too early for my Bacardi Tour so he dropped me off here. I enjoyed every bit of it. The atmosphere was great the food was great. If you are visiting the bacardi factory, ride the ferry over from Old San Juan and walk across the street to Don Tello, you won't be disappointed!

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    5 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Over an hour no food. Do not recommend. Server dropped off water and disappeared. Did not get food

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Delicious food, wonderful service and hospitality. The paella was wonderful and they had an assortment of Mofungo dishes and tostones!

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    2 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

    La atención no muy buena, de mexicano no tiene nada,la música muy alta en el segundo nivel.

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Excelente restaurant Las comidas de gran calidad. El servicio inmejorable. No se lo pierdan.

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Stopped by this place for lunch. Their chiletas rice and beans was so simple, yet delicious.

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Food was mediocre. We waited an hour and a half for our food! Not worth the wait. And the food was luke warm when we got it.

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    6 years ago

    Don't support this business. Bad actitude. Overpriced local food and beverage. The food it's service doesn't have what it takes.

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    La Casita Blanca

    La Casita Blanca

    4.4(683 reviews)
    6.6 km
    $$

    Outstanding food. Every bite was delicious. Definitely really popular lunch restaurant and filled…read morewith both locals and tourists. We arrived at 11am on a Monday because that's when we thought they opened. They actually opened at 11:30am, so we were 2nd in line at 11am. Once 11:30am rolled around, the line was very long. It's an old house that was transformed into a restaurant. It's pretty big in there and they have an upstairs as well. It really feels like you're eating in a Caribbean home, from the colorful tablecloth to the things on the tables. The menu is on a board, and they have a Spanish and English version. They give you a cup of complimentary plantain soup which was amazing. We also ordered the fried cheese app which came with a delicious guava sauce. For mains, I had the fried pork with tostones and my husband had the mamposteado (corned beef, fried eggs, and rice). My husband cleaned his plate, while I took leftovers back to the hotel (which we actually ate later because it was that good). They were out of tres leches that day, so we had the coconut pudding for dessert. It was my first time trying coconut pudding and it did not disappoint! For drinks, we had the passionfruit sangria. When we left, there was a very long line outside. Despite the line, they did not rush us out. Definitely recommend and would go out of my way to come back next time I'm in PR.

    Keepin' it a buck! Eating here is like eating the ultimate home-cooked Puerto Rican meal…read more Rating places in Puerto Rico is tough. There are so many spots that are authentic and incredible, but La Casita Blanca stands out in its own lane. It's gotten more popular and touristy over the years, but that's because they've stayed true to who they are. The authenticity here hasn't changed, and that's exactly why people keep coming. This is the kind of place where the menu brings you right back to your upbringing. You'll find dishes like corned beef, tostones con bacalao, and other classics that just hit differently. And the vibe? It feels like family. Someone who looks like your aunt might be cooking your food, your cousin might be serving it, and everyone treats you like you belong there. Food-wise, everything we had was fire. One of the people I was with is basically an "aguacateologist," and even he said it was one of the best he's ever had. That alone says a lot. Chuletas fried to a perfect golden crisp. The pollo fricasé (pollo guisado, if you know, you know) was on point and even came in a little pot that made it feel extra homey. Arroz con gandules? Off the hook!!!! And to top it all off, they had salsa playing in the background... which honestly had me sold the moment I walked in. Disclaimer/Warning; There will be a line!!! And if you're lucky enough to get a table, sit back and enjoy every second of it.

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    La Casita Blanca
    La Casita Blanca
    La Casita Blanca - Sangria

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    La Cueva del Mar - Mofongo with Ropa Vieja

    La Cueva del Mar

    4.4(518 reviews)
    6.3 km
    $$

    I highly enjoyed La Cueva Del Mar! I wanted a mix of Latin and seafood and this was the perfect…read morechoice. It was recommended by one of our tour guides so it is a great option for both locals and tourists. It had a nice atmosphere and very large menu with many different types of options. The Frutti di mare was one of the best pastas I've ever had! It had almost every type of seafood you could want. A great option for someone who wants to try a bit of everything. It was large enough to satisfy you but not too large where you have to take leftovers it back to your hotel. It also came with a salad and delicious bread. My husband ordered the yucafongo pollo, and was very impressed. It was also filling and well made. The drink menu also had a lot of options. I went with the sangria which was super tasty! It's more on the fruity side. Our service was great and we didn't have to wait long for a table or our food, although it seemed busy. Whether you live in the area or are just on vacation, I would recommended trying it out!

    This is the "main restaurant" in the Embassy Suites Hotel and Casino…read more It's seafood based and has a pretty extensive menu. We got the Tuna nachos and the shrimp tacos to share. Everything was fresh and delicious! The portions were perfect for sharing and had a wonderful flavor! The shrimp tacos were lightly breaded and had a good flavor. The nachos had fresh ahi tuna and a great flavor with the seaweed salad! The service was good and fast too! The price was a bit high, but it's what you expect in a hotel lobby.

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    La Cueva del Mar - Inside

    Inside

    La Cueva del Mar - Fish tacos & Sangria

    Fish tacos & Sangria

    La Cueva del Mar - The bar area

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    The bar area

    Marmalade - Popcorn Shrimp

    Marmalade

    4.7(1.7k reviews)
    2.5 km
    $$$$

    We chose this restaurant to celebrate our friend's birthday. We chose it because the food was…read morehighly rated and it was noted to have a romantic ambience. There is a main central area with tables and then pockets of enclaves along both sides. We were seated in one of those enclaves that had four tables for four and unfortunately a large round table in the center. I don't think it was because I'm getting old. I know I get easily annoyed by bad acoustics but this was another level of noise. There was a group of women celebrating a bride for her bachelorette. She made sure we all knew how special she was by screaming and screeching to get her friends' attention the entire night. A couple who were seated after us immediately moved. Yes we had a chance to do the same but we decided to stick it through because we thought they were almost done. Well they stayed until we were at our dessert course. So why 5 stars?? Because the service (and attention and acknowledgement) and the food were outstanding. Easily the best choice to celebrate our friend's birthday. Everything was delicious but what the chef does with white beans was especially incredible! Ending with the passion fruit trilogy was perfection!

    We came here for a birthday and dont regret it at all. Everything was great about this restaurant…read morefrom the atmosphere to the food. Its a fine dining restaurant so the restaurant is really upscale but they also made the restaurant a bit cozy at the same time. The service was amazing as well. Im sorry I forgot his name but he paid really good attention and constantly checked on us especially for my allergies. The food was some of the most delicious food ive ever tasted, especially the risotto (10/10). There was one dish that my girlfriend didnt like but they went immediately to get her something new. Im only giving a 4 star because the dessert i had did have something I was allergic to despite reassurance which cause swollen lips and throwing up outside. Im not sure if the dessert was pre-made but having the allergens directly on the menu may help. Otherwise I completely recommend trying here.

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    Marmalade - Cozy seats

    Cozy seats

    Marmalade - Three Little Pigs

    Three Little Pigs

    Marmalade - White Hominy Soup with Truffles

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    White Hominy Soup with Truffles

    Manzana de Java - Gelato de Galangal  Cheese flan

    Manzana de Java

    4.6(11 reviews)
    6.2 km

    Located at the edge of a residential area, parking on the street if you can find it. There are 3…read moreseatings and we had an early one. We arrived a little early so we walked around a little beforehand then sat on the bench in front until they were ready. The space is narrow. A row of tables on the right, steep stairs in the back to an intimate space for 6 people, a tiny kitchen in the back where all the magic happens. We ordered 11 dishes for 4 of us to share. The tostanos, the ceviche, I enjoyed it all. The waitstaff were friendly and accommodating. Most fascinating was the wall hanging along the right side. It was waving the entire time. Of course we asked about it, and we were told that there is no fan blowing behind it. The waving tapestry was caused by a suction from the kitchen.

    i'm torn about this place. some of the bites i had were AMAZING. some i really didn't like but…read moremaybe that's just puerto rican cuisine and i'm just not used to it. as for atmosphere - it was very quaint and cute. small spot so you definitely need a reservation. favorites: crudo!!! fish chiccarones, tostones, pork dislikes: fish cocktail, crab service was UNMATCHED. the waiter recommended ordering the whole menu because we were 4 people and they suggest 3-4 small plates per person. but he checked in with us after about 75% of the dishes came out and we were full so he stopped bringing the rest! very sweet because we wouldn't have been able to finish the rest. bill was very reasonable

    Photos
    Manzana de Java - Bar and food prep area

    Bar and food prep area

    Manzana de Java - Seafood cocktail  Ceviche

    Seafood cocktail Ceviche

    Manzana de Java

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    Bebo's Café - Vanilla flan

    Bebo's Café

    3.9(952 reviews)
    5.8 km
    $$

    We drove past Bebo's in our Lyft ride and our driver said it was very good so we decided to visit…read morethe next day. It is a great option if you want local food without the tourist price tag. The inside looks like a cafeteria but it stays busy. We were seated quickly although it seemed packed. They have a good amount of menu options and cross out what isn't available. They also have drink options that our server listed to us. To start, we ordered the lobster empanadas and sangria. The empanadas were delicious! Very tasty and fresh. The sangria however, was not great. It just tasted like juices that don't really work together. I couldn't taste the wine. We ordered the roasted pork and skirt steak. The steak was really tasty, and juicy. But the roasted pork was very dried and hard. It had some good bits in it but there were quite a few pieces that were too cooked to eat. The rice and beans were cooked very well. This is the perfect place for quick local food where you won't spend too much. But if you want a very high quality, I would choose elsewhere.

    We ate at both Bebo's and Los Piños -- our two attempts at typical PR food. Both errr fine, but…read moreBebo's was our favorite of the two. It has a small parking lot in the back, which was a huge plus. Service was nice and our waitress was truly bilingual-- able to help us understand nuances of between the Spanish we use in California and Spanish in PR. The mofongo was really good -- better than any time we had it in the past or during the rest of our trip. The ropa vieja was good, but standard. My son had the churrasco (skirt steak) and it was excellent. We ordered sides of amarillos (sweet plantains) and they were the best ones we had the trip -- soft, juicy, with caramelized exterior. We wanted tres leches for dessert, but it sold was sold out. If you only had one "typical" PR dinner, I would suggest Bebo's.

    Photos
    Bebo's Café
    Bebo's Café - Chicken soup

    Chicken soup

    Bebo's Café - Steak with a side salad

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    Steak with a side salad

    Don Tello - caribbean - Updated May 2026

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