Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    La Lanterna

    3.8 (60 reviews)
    Closed Closed

    La Lanterna Photos

    LA LANTERNA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - La Lanterna

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Cocktail
    Diana C.

    We stopped in because of the beautiful patio! They have a plant filled patio with a waterfall wall and it's gorgeous! The service was good. We mostly just got drinks but my friends had some pasta and soup they enjoyed. I think the drink was fine and the bread was good but unfortunately I couldn't have anything on the menu with my dietary restrictions and allergies here. It was lovely for the vibes though.

    Chelsea D.

    We visited this restaurant before our scheduled yacht cruise and it was SO GOOD!! We sat on the patio and the atmosphere is so dreamy!!! The craft cocktails were so so good!! And the made from scratch fresh pasta was life changing! So much so that we came back the night following our cruise. Service was also 10/10! Felt like we had 5 waiters. Just everything was so well done! Best date night ever!

    Interiors
    Annette R.

    A gem in Old San Juan. When you walk in, the dim lights in the hallway sets the tone for the dinning experience. The interior patio has a charming Spanish colonial vibe with greenery all around the place. Super romantic. You can hear the sublime Italian music in the background. First they take you to a unique and private bar to wait for a little bit until table is ready. The mixologists were very knowledgeable and experienced. My husband asked for an old fashion and candidly they respond, do you want the original or do you want to try our different versions. The same happens to me with the Expresso Martini, they made me a skinny version which was delicious. We were talkative and comfortable at the bar when they came to pick us up to take us to the table. Not only the place is beautiful, the food is outstanding! Our server guided us through out the whole experience with suggestions and specials outside the menu. He was very attentive and caring. We decided to start with a burrata salad, fresh and creamy. Then we had two amazing pastas, the spaghetti alla arrabbiata with a perfect spicy touch and a succulent black truffle tagliolini, both al dente. As entree we had the grilled branzino fillet and the seared sliced tuna with asparagus. Both plates, top-notch. For dessert the soufflé was our favorite but we also tried the crème brûlée and the vanilla ice cream. This restaurant is an absolute treat! Highly recommended.

    The courtyard.

    The ambience here is just amazing! Sit in the courtyard and enjoy a magical dinner! For the food....get the pasta, definitely get the pasta! We got a small pasta for an appetizer to try and it was by far the best thing we ate! I also ordered a filet mignon and it wasn't great.

    Drinks
    Audrey V.

    One of my favorite restaurants in Puerto Rico! I love getting a surprise cocktail from the bartender. All I have to do is tell him the kind of alcohol & the flavor I want. I also would highly recommend the truffle pasta & the Branzino is always cooked to perfection

    Desert
    Jackie H.

    The most beautiful restaurant in San Juan! With amazing waiters who are there to help with any questions you may have, very attentive. I loved how even the chef came out and explained the dishes, also the bartender! Over all amazing! Oh the food definitely delicious.

    Starting round... Arugula Soup, Lentil Soup and Beef Carpaccio
    Patricia D.

    As you walk inside La Lanterna, you find yourself in an interior courtyard very typical of all the Spanish architecture predominant in Old San Juan. But La Lanterna is not only about its amazingly charming ambiance. The service is incredible. The attentiveness to detail from every employee on staff ensures a fine dining experience for the patrons. The food was on point; the ingredients, including pastas, were fresh and of high quality. The cocktail menu and wine list were full of great choices. And even the dessert aspect of the meal was great and a fantastic ending to it. No wonder it's a local favorite in this area. It's on the expensive side but I recommend it if you are looking for a nice dinner in Old Dan Juan.

    penne vodka
    Bella L.

    wait for a table was not too long at all, crowd was much older than three girls in their 20s on vacation & wanting to go to bad bunny's signature date spot. however, the drinks were yummy & food delicious. the TikTok signature pasta (black truffle) is not on the physical menu due to the fact it is Uber pricey. however it was so delicious. I had a classic penne vodka which was more cost effective and I still enjoyed my plate very much. definitely a more intimate spot, with the moody lighting and romantic decor.

    See all

    23 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Dena H.
    518
    571
    1253

    11 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joe G.
    12
    15
    0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2
    Photo of Bella L.
    2
    51
    209

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Rude staff. Not really a luxury experience even just inquiring about a table. Quite off putting. The ambience is about the only up side.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ms P.
    7
    282
    22

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Marc B.
    763
    108
    185

    6 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ben L.
    1
    89
    3

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Food was amazing and service was excellent. Some of the best pasta I've ever had at an Italian restaurant.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mashenka S.
    62
    132
    166

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 2

    Page 1 of 2

    La Lanterna Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - La Lanterna

    While meandering around Old San Juan after missing dinner at another restaurant, Samantha and I happened upon La Lanterna.

    Mentioned in 9 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Pirilo - El Pecado

    Pirilo

    4.4(817 reviews)
    0.4 km
    $$

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

    It was well worth the wait!!!…read more My son wanted pizza and my wife and I wanted to walk around Old San Juan. This was the most popular pizza spot with the highest reviews. A brief aside: If you're driving here, expect a mess. Coming from SoCal, we make forays into DTLA and deal with similar stresses -- one way streets everywhere, dense traffic, extremely limited parking, pedestrians everywhere (many intoxicated and stumbling into traffic), potholes/construction, police closing lanes without reason, and stray cats running through the streets. Ubering here may be worthwhile! We had a 45 min wait, likely exacerbated by Spring break in PR. We used our free time to walk Calle de la Fortaleza -- very beautiful. They called my cell phone when the table was ready (don't forget to turn off your Spam blocker!). The interior is very unique and the place was buzzing. Service was slow, even by PR standards, and our waitress was the worst in the restaurant. She said little, brought us bottled water when we asked for tap, and never came back to check on us. We flagged other waiters for other incidentals like napkins and for our bill. The garlic knots and pizza were great. The pepperoni pizza was 10/10, with a fluffy crust but crispy otherwise. The Margherita pizza was average -- the tomato was sliced too thick and undercooked and the dough was soggy. In spite of some hiccups, the place was really good and I'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt that a second trip would be better -- other tables had good service and the other waiters were very helpful. I'm still not sure if we were give bottled water because we were gringo tourists and they figured they'd up charge us or if it was an honest mistake.

    Photos
    Pirilo - Beautiful inside

    Beautiful inside

    Pirilo - Caprese salad, was incredible

    Caprese salad, was incredible

    Pirilo - Margarepa

    See all

    Margarepa

    La Ó - Smoked Octopus

    La Ó

    4.4(157 reviews)
    0.6 km
    $$

    I walk into a cool looking cocktail bar, to get a drink while waiting, in need of a meal....waiting…read morefor the place at the corner...and find a great restaurant in the back...winner, winner (not) chicken dinner. Had the calamari, shrimp, and burrata app. Highly recommend the burrata. The sauce on the shrimp is delicious...the texture of the calamari was nice, but wished I asked for a marinara sauce, instead of the cilantro, which came off a bit like mayo. Had the octopus main and a chorizo pizza. Loved the chorizo on the pizza, and the tamponade on the octopus. Had the passion fruit creme brûlée...my daughter ordered it...those who follow me know I rarely order dessert...I drink more, have fresh fruit or cheese. It was the perfect texture, taste and that includes the passion fruit. Ambiance is cool...bathroom is ok. Service was lovely and the staff seemed to genuinely like the owners.

    Fantastic Drinks & Vibes!…read more Stopped in just for drinks, and let me tell you--the bartender understood the assignment. 1. Asked for a lavender drink with rum, and they absolutely delivered. Floral, smooth, perfection. 2. Had the Santo Pepi with vodka--delicious and dangerously easy to drink. Coolest part? They had their main drink menu on their wall. Love the concept! Only downside: they've stopped carrying Ron del Barrilito, so the 7:9 drink was off the table. A little sad, and it'd be great if they updated the website to reflect that. Otherwise? Vibes were immaculate. Sat at the bar, had a great time, and would absolutely come back just for the drinks!

    Photos
    La Ó - Inside

    Inside

    La Ó - Risotto and veggies

    Risotto and veggies

    La Ó

    See all

    Sofia's

    Sofia's

    4.1(184 reviews)
    0.6 km

    Absolute GEM of a restaurant and let me tell you, I am an absolute snob for Italian food. My…read moreboyfriend and I arrived around 7:30pm on a busy Saturday night and were lucky enough to grab the 2 open seats at the bar because there was a wait for a table. This meant the bartender David was our server who was SO incredible. He was professional, incredibly efficient, kind, patient, gave us tips about the area, and made great dinner recommendations. He never let our water get below halfway full which I truly value too. Now onto the food - we shared the caesar salad, vodka pasta with chicken, and guavanoli. What a treat!!!! The caesar was large and fresh. The vodka sauce was more tomato based rather than loaded with heavy cream, which made it fresh and flavorful rather than super heavy which we enjoyed. Now the star of the show - the Guavanoli - a chicken stuffed crepe topped with mozzarella and guava sauce. David said tourists usually stay away from this because it sounds so different but it's the locals favorite. I can attest this has been one of our favorite meals of the entire trip, and we agreed the guavanoli was one of the most delicious yet unique entrees we've ever had. We're here for 2 more days and want to come back to get it again. The crepe wrapping essentially tastes like an enchilada, and the guava sauce is NOT too sweet. It's mixed with a red wine reduction so it has a slightly sweet edge to it, but is 1000% perfect with the dish and delicious. The prices are on the higher size but the portions are large and totally justify it. With the 2 of us, we ended up having a very decent amount of the vodka pasta as leftovers to take back to the hotel. We didn't order drinks, but David was whipping up incredible looking cocktails! They also have really cool hand-painted large portraits around the room. Beautiful restaurant, amazing staff, and even better food!!

    Sophia's was AMAZING! They serve pasta and steaks and everything else as fresh and delicious. The…read moreservice was outstanding and location perfect for experiencing the city. We sat outside and watched enjoyed the happenings of the city. Alex was a wealth of information and so very kind.

    Photos
    Sofia's
    Sofia's - Lasagna

    Lasagna

    Sofia's - A delicious drink made with tequila! Superb! The name escapes me. I think it's called cactus blossom.

    See all

    A delicious drink made with tequila! Superb! The name escapes me. I think it's called cactus blossom.

    La Casita de Rones - Chicken Chicharrón with beans & rice

    La Casita de Rones

    3.8(513 reviews)
    0.4 km
    $$

    It was our last night in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and to be honest, we hadn't been completely…read morethrilled with some of our previous restaurants experiences. We decided to give it one more chance for our last dinner -- and I'm so glad we did. The food was amazing. We genuinely enjoyed every single plate we ordered. Everything was flavorful and well-prepared -- no complaints at all. The staff was great and very attentive throughout the night. And they even had a good spicy sauce! I have Mexican friends who love their food extra spicy, and this sauce definitely delivered. The vibe was tropical and beautiful. It's located right by the shore, so you get a nice view while you eat. It was the perfect way to end our trip. Honestly, we loved it. You must try their chicken Chicharron And Signature Stuffed Mamposteao!

    My wife and I arrived on a cruise ship and were looking for some authentic PR food. We didn't…read morerealize that most places that were recommended close early on Wednesday's, so we ended up here which is close to the cruise ship. There was no wait for a table, but it took a good 10 minutes for the waiter to even come to our table. Drinks took about 5-7 min, which isn't bad. We ordered dinner and the wait began. 20 minutes after we ordered, my wife's dinner came out, but mine didn't. She finished her food in about 10 min, my dinner still hadn't arrived. We waited another 30 min (1 hour after ordering) and my meal still hadn't come out. Our waiter never checked on us, never offered us more drinks, never apologized for the wait. After the hour, I walked up to our waiter and told him we were leaving. They did remove the food that never arrived but they didn't seem the least bit apologetic. For a first impression of Puerto Rican service and quality, I would never recommend this place.

    Photos
    La Casita de Rones
    La Casita de Rones
    La Casita de Rones - I think whisky old fashioned (hubs)

    See all

    I think whisky old fashioned (hubs)

    La Cucina di Ivo - Pasta prima vera

    La Cucina di Ivo

    4.7(149 reviews)
    0.6 km
    $$$

    Cucina di Ivo is one of those places that just feels like a hidden gem. The atmosphere is cozy and…read moreintimate, perfect for a nice dinner but still relaxed enough that it never feels too formal. The food is consistently really good. Everything tastes fresh and homemade, especially the pasta. You can tell they actually care about the quality and the flavors, not just throwing things together. The sauces are rich without being too heavy and everything is seasoned perfectly. The service has always been great when I've gone, super friendly and attentive without hovering. It's the kind of place you can go for a date night or just a good dinner and know it's going to be solid every time. Definitely one of those spots I keep coming back to when I want good Italian food.

    A truly delightful Italian restaurant in the heart of Old San Juan. I visited La Cucina di Ivo…read moremultiple times during my vacation, and it quickly became a place I wanted to return to -- which says everything. The food is consistently delicious and thoughtfully prepared. You can feel the care in every dish, from the quality of the ingredients to the balance of flavors. Everything tasted fresh, comforting, and authentic without feeling heavy or overdone. What made the experience even more special was the service. The young lady who took care of us was absolutely charming -- warm, friendly, and efficient -- making us feel genuinely welcome every time we walked in. Family-owned, full of heart, and clearly run with pride, this is the kind of restaurant you remember long after your trip ends. If you're in Old San Juan and craving excellent Italian food, this place is a must.

    Photos
    La Cucina di Ivo
    La Cucina di Ivo - Pasta di mare

    Pasta di mare

    La Cucina di Ivo - Front of La Cucina De Ivo

    See all

    Front of La Cucina De Ivo

    Fiore's Pizzeria and Bar - Meat lovers pizza small size

    Fiore's Pizzeria and Bar

    4.6(8 reviews)
    0.5 km

    Fiore's is such a cool spot to come in and grab a pizza while sightseeing in Viejo San Juan, it has…read morea really great atmosphere and the staff is amazing. We started with the pastelillo appetizer, they were fried to crispy golden perfection and both the beef and chicken ones were delicious. The green sauce that came with them was herbaceous perfection and we even got some more so that we can dip our pizza in. We got the pie with roasted garlic, prosciutto and pepperoni which was absolutely delicious. The pizza came out hot and fresh and all of the ingredients on it worked really well together and everything had great flavor. The little bites of whole roasted garlic cloves gives you that slightly sweet, caramelized garlicky goodness that us garlic lovers adore. The legal drinking age in Puerto Rico is 18 so my 19 year old nephew was over the moon that he was able to order himself a pomegranate margarita so it was fun to see him experience ordering his adult beverage! Overall we had a really great experience and the bartender was super friendly and helpful in all of the food and drink recommendations. Definitely add this to your next stop in Viejo San Juan.

    Okay, this is a super cool pizza joint located in San Juan near the ports. It is a great location,…read morewith a clean and cozy dining area inside and outside. They have big screen TV's and music. The service was great, our waitress/bartender made great drinks and our food came out quickly. The empanadas de pollo were hot, fresh, and really good! I would've ordered more but we didn't want leftovers. We ordered a really delicious pizza that had pepperoni, prosciutto, roasted garlic, and salad. It was perfection! The sauce ratio, the crust, the toppings, a true perfect blend! I know people don't travel to Puerto Rico for pizza but I had my fill of the traditional food and this pizza hit the spot! The margarita is basic, the pina colada was to be as expected, but the pomegranate mojito was extraordinary! (And really expensive! $13) Overall I really enjoyed this meal but $40 of the bill was food, $35 drinks! Next time I'll skip on the drinks or just get a beer.

    Photos
    Fiore's Pizzeria and Bar - Beautifully painted pizza peels

    Beautifully painted pizza peels

    Fiore's Pizzeria and Bar - Sampler Plate

    Sampler Plate

    Fiore's Pizzeria and Bar - Nice crunchy crust, won't disappoint

    See all

    Nice crunchy crust, won't disappoint

    La Lanterna - italian - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...