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We tried the Lala restaurant in San Juan this month. It's Bad Bunny's restaurant located inside the mall. Since it's located in the mall, parking was easy. The restaurant is on the 1st floor. The space is very modern, elegant, and fancy. The staff was great and friendly. Our waiter, Chris, and his helpers, took amazing care of us. They checked in on us often, kept our drinks full, and just made the whole experience feel special. The cocktails were creative (and the menu was cool, but a little hard to read). I tried their lychee vodka drink first which was refreshing and tasty, and then went for an espresso martini because I needed a little boost (delicious). For appetizers, we ordered the focaccia, shrimp tempura, and the French onion escargot, all fantastic. For my entrée, I got the Italian sausage orecchiette pasta, which was very flavorful and delicious. My only criticism is the pricing. My pasta was around $40, which feels steep for what it is. The food is tasty, but the cost doesn't totally match what you get. We finished with the bread pudding accompanied by goat cheese ice cream, and that dessert is a must‑try because it was absolutely delicious. Overall, we had a fun experience with great service, beautiful space, tasty food. Just be aware that the prices are on the higher side. Expensive doesn't always mean it's better.
Had 1 day in San Juan, PR & booked LaLa for a quick bday dinner. The exterior/interior are trendy, minimalistic, but also inviting. We ordered: - Guava Agua Fresca (non-alcoholic): 9/10 - Hamachi Al Pastor Crudo: 10/10!!! - Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice: 8.5/10 - Short Rib Mushroom Truffle Tortellini: 10/10! - Tres Leches cake & 1 other dessert that is no longer on the menu, but it tasted like a banana bread cake with ice cream. Both desserts were phenomenal 10/10. Tip: LaLa is all for the experience and encompasses a slower dining pace.
Lala es un restaurante hermoso y las vibras son impecables, pero la comida está sobrevalorada y cara. Para empezar, el crispy tuna rice estaba demasiado crujiente--básicamente quemado--y era difícil de masticar. El atún estaba bueno, pero no fue agradable comerlo con el arroz quemado. El tempura de camarón estuvo pasable, pero muy aceitoso. El pan focaccia estaba denso en lugar de ser ligero y esponjoso como debería ser. La pasta con vodka picante tenía buen sabor, pero he probado mejores, y estaba tan picante que dejó de ser disfrutable. Lo mejor de la comida fue el tres leches de coco, pero ni siquiera fue el mejor que probamos en la isla. En general, aunque el ambiente es precioso, gastamos más de $200 en una comida mediocre que no valió la pena. Lala is a beautiful restaurant and the vibes are immaculate, but the food is overhyped and overpriced. To start, the crispy tuna rice was extra crispy--basically burnt--which made it hard to chew through. The tuna itself was good, but it wasn't enjoyable paired with the burnt rice. The shrimp tempura was just okay, but very oily. The focaccia bread was dense instead of being light and fluffy the way focaccia should be. The spicy vodka pasta had decent flavor, but I've definitely had better, and it was so spicy that it wasn't enjoyable. The best part of the meal was the coconut tres leches, but even then, it wasn't the best we had on the island. Overall, while the atmosphere is stunning, we spent over $200 on a mediocre meal that just wasn't worth it.
Came for my 40th birthday with a party of 7. Service was absolutely amazing. Attentive and on point. Ambiance was nice but it was almost too dark to see the menus and the food when we got it. The appitzers were perfect and super tasty. The main dishes could have been better but overall a great experience. The whole branzino was good! I would come back for drinks and a table of appitizers! (The crispy rice was a favorite. The shrimp tempura was delicious and a great appitizer to share as it comes with plenty).
Service was top tier. Drinks were delicious My bestie & I ordered tomahawk steak. We love our steak medium. Was juicy and delicious. Was very big. She is also gluten free & they were able to make accommodations to our food. Ambiance was gorgeous!!! Low dim lighting. Perfect for a date. Perfect for even a hang out. Bathroom was even nice too!
Joel was our server and he was amazing . Thank you for explaining and clarifying any concerns you made my experience amazing . I definitely recommend! Ambiance is new and modern. Food was great thanks to Joel's recommendations . Thank you Joel ' can't wait to upload more pictures for our first time . Joel's thank you for informing and being so attentive.
Overall, I had an amazing birthday dinner at Lala and would definitely come back! The restaurant is gorgeous inside, which ambient lighting, a huge bar, and a DJ that comes out as it gets later. I started with an espresso martini, which was expensive, but one of the best espresso martinis I have had. The menu highlights a wide variety of cuisines from sushi to French food to Italian pastas. Everything we ordered was delicious with some of the highlights being the burrata and the spicy vodka rigatoni. They even gave us a private room for our larger party and let us connect to the sound system, which is a testament to how awesome their service was. Only deducting one star because the food took almost 2 hours to come out, but our server was super great and very apologetic.
This was our first time having an early dinner after a long day of shopping, and it could not have been more satisfying. We started with the chicken and cheese croquettes--absolutely delicious, rich, and melt-in-your-mouth. They would have been perfect if served just a touch warmer. The French onion escargot, however, was impeccable: decadent, flavorful, and served piping hot with Gruyère and baguette--pure comfort and indulgence. For our main courses, the crispy-skin duck breast was nothing short of extraordinary. Served medium-rare, it was incredibly tender and luscious, paired beautifully with a red wine reduction, cranberries, cherries, and pancetta. Hands down, the best canard du magret I have ever eaten in my life--truly worthy of classic French fine dining. The rack of lamb was equally fabulous, arriving with a generous portion of eight ribs, perfectly cooked and served with a rich au jus. It was accompanied by creamy Parmesan spinach that complemented the dish beautifully. Dessert was pure heaven and the perfect ending to an outstanding meal. Our server Carlos was bilingual in Spanish and English--professional, impeccable, and genuinely attentive throughout the evening. Service felt seamless and personalized, with an impressive server-to-table ratio that was nearly one-to-one, something rarely seen and truly appreciated. The ambiance leaned toward a lively, bar-like energy and was quite noisy at times; however, the space itself was elegant, open, and generously laid out, creating a sophisticated atmosphere despite the buzz. Aloha
Whenever you find yourself in San Juan Puerto Rico find your way over the lala located in San Juan Mall!! This large, elegantly appointed and luxurious space is serving up some of the tastiest and most innovative dishes around the island. We did not have a reservation but they were able to accommodate us at the bar which was spacious and lush! We ordered a beautiful Cabernet and the Burrata appetizer....then it arrived. Most of us have had burrata, but I can assure you never like this!!! Of course the burrata was fresh, heirloom tomatoes perfectly ripe...parmesan crisp, rich and crunchy but then there was the TOMATO SORBET..OMG...WOW...this was true FLAVOR-PACKED PERFECTION!! It was like one of those things you would never think a dish needed and then you try it and realize all other preparations were lacking. An absolute STUNNER!! My entree was up next.. the Spicy Rigatoni with Shrimp. Truth be told I am not a big pasta eater but once in a while, I go for it. I cannot express how thankful I am that I had that desire at Lala!!! What arrived at the table was art! A boldly colored rich tomato sauce enveloping perfectly cooked rigatoni studded by canelles of fresh creamy stracciatella with basil and plump, juicy shrimp finished with toasted lemon breadctumbs. As beautiful as the presentation was it could not hold a candle to the ABSOLUTELY AMAZING flavor of this dish!! The spices were intricately nuanced and created a balanced infusion of heat within the rich, sweet tomato gravy. I will go out on a limb and say this is the best pasta dish I have ever had in my life ..and I have had many living in NYC and visiting Italy several times Last up we tried a few desserts...a Banana Bread Pudding and a luscious Coconut Ice Cream. The bread pudding was supple and delicious,and brilliantly garnished in gold..it was not overly sweet but certainly satisfying of a sweet tooth. The coconut ice cream was garnished with a toasted fresh coconut crumble and was a truly delightful bite that truly encapsulated and exclaimed the island vacation experience. The menu at lala has so many gems to be excavated and indulged in...do not miss all this jewel has to offer!!
We visited Lala in San Juan and had a mixed experience. It took about 10 minutes before the hostess acknowledged us, which set a slightly off tone from the start. We ended up sitting at the bar. The pan was easily the highlight -- a solid 5/5. It tasted like classic old-school Pizza Hut dough in the best way possible. I ordered the chicken, and my partner ordered the duck. My chicken was under-seasoned and really only flavorful when eaten with the skin, though the skin itself was nicely crispy. On the other hand, my partner loved the duck, along with the creamed spinach and beets (and he usually doesn't even eat beets). Overall, some highs and some misses. Great bread and a strong duck dish, but service and seasoning could use improvement.
BIG SPENDER$ One of Puerto Rico's classiest restaurants is a sizeable splurge. My wife and I always go out for a fancy date night when visiting her family in the Caribbean. On our most recent trip to PR for New Years' 2024, we chose Lala as our destination de jour, having followed them on Instagram for many months. Lala sits at the north end of the Mall of San Juan and valet parking is advised. It was busy when we arrived around 7pm and got our drink orders in shortly after being seated. I loved the mezcal bramble ($19), a potent cocktail with a wonderfully smoky flavor profile, muddled berries and mint sprig. They also had non-alcoholic cocktails for $12. Lala has a separate menu for their raw bar, which had lavish offerings. My wife got a half dozen oysters (6pc for $32)--one each with lemon, tropical granita, passion fruit mignonette, tomatillo & bacon, nampla & papaya, and tomato XO with ponzu gelee. I'm not into bivalves, but I trust my wife's opinion that they were "phenomenal". If you're particularly affluent (or just feeling rich for a day), you can add 1oz of Siberian Sturgeon caviar ($130) or Royal Ossetra caviar ($220) to your dining experience. I'm pretty sure I saw shaved black truffle as an option, too. The Ora King Salmon nigiri (2pc for $8) was brushed with a sweet miso mustard and topped with scallions. The crispy rice (5pc for $18) were delicious oval rice cakes with spicy tuna tartare, mirin and chives. We also got the Hamachi crudo ($24), sashimi-style yellowtail with roasted pineapple, avocado, radish, and jalapeno. My wife got the dayboat scallops ($40) served with cauliflower, crispy leeks, bacon-sherry vinaigrette and parsley oil. They were cooked perfectly with tasteful accompaniments. The swordfish schnitzel ($32) was an alternative take on a classic cutlet which came with a lightly dressed arugula and fennel salad. The creamed spinach ($10) was mediocre, the only weak link in an otherwise terrific meal. Bread = 5 Circuses = 4.5 Desserts were $14, aside from the boozy Amaretto affogato which was $18. Their tres leches was of the highest caliber: a coconut cake soaked in coquito (an eggnog-like specialty from the island), served with a mascarpone Chantilly and toasted merengue. The atmosphere is intimate and beautiful. It's connected to the Mall of San Juan, so you'll see a few diners dressed casually but spruce up if you're planning to eat here. Our server was fine, however there was a long gap between dinner and dessert where we had trouble tracking him down. My biggest hangup is that Lala charges for water. I'm no stranger to this practice, having encountered it at Michelin-starred restaurants like Chicago's Sepia, Next, and a few others, but Lala hit us with charges for REFILLS. That was absurd and something I would've protested had I not been in a medicine-induced haze all night. This wasn't VOSS or Perrier, either, I'm talking standard table water in a clear glass bottle. When our waiter asked if we wanted "flat or sparkling", I should've known that bullshit would rear its ugly head on the final tab. * TL;DR * Lala is one of the finest restaurants on the island, but get ready for a potentially eye-watering bill. For those planning on making a reservation here, be prepared to shell out upwards of $250 on dinner for two, though perhaps that should be expected from a place co-owned by *THE* Bad Bunny and run by award-winning chef Guillermo López (formerly of New York's famous Le Bernardin, where a meal costs a small fortune). I held off on posting this review for a long time as I couldn't decide whether or not Lala was too pretentious. Ultimately, I decided that while the high cost deters me from returning, I'd still recommend them. The food was outstanding and the vibes were great. Service was generally attentive but the water thing was awfully sneaky. Getting dinged not once, but twice for basic water was a 'WTF' moment of ritzy nonsense. I considered docking them a star for this outlandish tactic, but as the meal itself and overall experience was delightful, I'll still give them the full "cinco estrellas".
Only because my son follows and is a fan of Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio a.k.a Bad Bunny and that he owns a restaurant inside the mall of San Juan, is the reason we made reservations at his restaurant Lala. At first no dinner reservations available at all for the whole time we are here in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Since lunch reservations are available we made them for the day before we leave. I was a little skeptical about the reviews I've read. Some saying they are pricey and some saying service was mediocre for a fancy restaurant. The one thing I was not sure about are their menus. Do they have a lunch menu or is there only one for dining the whole day? My questions could not be answered due to no website information on Yelp. Once we got there and got seated, I see they work off one menu which can actually be a really good thing. The other unknown are their menus serving sizes. As we have been to real fancy gourmet restaurants, most often they are small servings. We each found an entree we like without duplicating so we can sample from each other. We also agreed on appetizers that we all want to try. My wife got an order of assorted sashimi for her, but we shared a focaccia, tempura shrimp which is very similar to Fire cracker shrimp or like the honey walnut shrimp without the walnuts, and the French onion escargot gratin. All three appetizers came out as expected and all delicious. Our entrees came out and we were all very surprised by the portion sizes and the appetizing appearances. We each got a portion or bite of what we wanted to try, but for our own orders, I loved the lamb I chose. For most of the entrees they were a la carte unless otherwise described and even the water had a fee to it. Reviews are really based on the individual's opinion and what they mean by certain descriptions. One Yelp review said it was pricey. To me pricey means expensive with the portions not equaling to the portion size. I found that yes, most entrees here are expensive, but the portion sizes being so big, it was acceptable. Another review said their server made them order everything including dessert all at once and for us, that was not at all true. Our server was actually great by pacing things out so we can enjoy our lunch. As for dessert, I'm glad he didn't have us decide before we have eaten or I would have wasted an order of dessert. I was so full, there would have been no way I could have eaten another bite. We are glad we came here and got to try the delicious food of (in a Puerto Rican accent) Bad Bunny's LaL read more
2 months ago
We love Lala! The food and service were great. Servers were friendly, attentive and professional. Very nice ambiance. I personally ordered the Spicy Vodka Rigatoni with shrimp. It was delicious. Not very spicy at all. We also ordered crispy rice and shrimp tempura at the suggestion of our server, and they did not disappoint. I wish I could get shrimp tempura like that back here in the states. So delicious. And for dessert we had the banana bread pudding-- what a delicious treat! read more
We tried the Lala restaurant in San Juan this month. It's Bad Bunny's restaurant located inside the mall. Since it's located in the mall, parking was easy. The restaurant is on the 1st floor. The space is very modern, elegant, and fancy. The staff was great and friendly. Our waiter, Chris, and his helpers, took amazing care of us. They checked in on us often, kept our drinks full, and just made the whole experience feel special. The cocktails were creative (and the menu was cool, but a little hard to read). I tried their lychee vodka drink first which was refreshing and tasty, and then went for an espresso martini because I needed a little boost (delicious). For appetizers, we ordered the focaccia, shrimp tempura, and the French onion escargot, all fantastic. For my entrée, I got the Italian sausage orecchiette pasta, which was very flavorful and delicious. My only criticism is the pricing. My pasta was around $40, which feels steep for what it is. The food is tasty, but the cost doesn't totally match what you get. We finished with the bread pudding accompanied by goat cheese ice cream, and that dessert is a must‑try because it was absolutely delicious. Overall, we had a fun experience with great service, beautiful space, tasty food. Just be aware that the prices are on the higher side. Expensive doesn't always mean it's better. read more
18 days ago
10/10 experience for my bachelorette party. The ambiance, drinks, food, and service was all amazing. It's a little pricey but the food is delicious! Would recommend!! read more
7 months ago
Had 1 day in San Juan, PR & booked LaLa for a quick bday dinner. The exterior/interior are trendy, minimalistic, but also inviting. We ordered: - Guava Agua Fresca (non-alcoholic): 9/10 - Hamachi Al Pastor Crudo: 10/10!!! - Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice: 8.5/10 - Short Rib Mushroom Truffle Tortellini: 10/10! - Tres Leches cake & 1 other dessert that is no longer on the menu, but it tasted like a banana bread cake with ice cream. Both desserts were phenomenal 10/10. Tip: LaLa is all for the experience and encompasses a slower dining pace. read more
Lala es un restaurante hermoso y las vibras son impecables, pero la comida está sobrevalorada y cara. Para empezar, el crispy tuna rice estaba demasiado crujiente--básicamente quemado--y era difícil de masticar. El atún estaba bueno, pero no fue agradable comerlo con el arroz quemado. El tempura de camarón estuvo pasable, pero muy aceitoso. El pan focaccia estaba denso en lugar de ser ligero y esponjoso como debería ser. La pasta con vodka picante tenía buen sabor, pero he probado mejores, y estaba tan picante que dejó de ser disfrutable. Lo mejor de la comida fue el tres leches de coco, pero ni siquiera fue el mejor que probamos en la isla. En general, aunque el ambiente es precioso, gastamos más de $200 en una comida mediocre que no valió la pena. Lala is a beautiful restaurant and the vibes are immaculate, but the food is overhyped and overpriced. To start, the crispy tuna rice was extra crispy--basically burnt--which made it hard to chew through. The tuna itself was good, but it wasn't enjoyable paired with the burnt rice. The shrimp tempura was just okay, but very oily. The focaccia bread was dense instead of being light and fluffy the way focaccia should be. The spicy vodka pasta had decent flavor, but I've definitely had better, and it was so spicy that it wasn't enjoyable. The best part of the meal was the coconut tres leches, but even then, it wasn't the best we had on the island. Overall, while the atmosphere is stunning, we spent over $200 on a mediocre meal that just wasn't worth it. read more
2 days ago
6 months ago
Came for my 40th birthday with a party of 7. Service was absolutely amazing. Attentive and on point. Ambiance was nice but it was almost too dark to see the menus and the food when we got it. The appitzers were perfect and super tasty. The main dishes could have been better but overall a great experience. The whole branzino was good! I would come back for drinks and a table of appitizers! (The crispy rice was a favorite. The shrimp tempura was delicious and a great appitizer to share as it comes with plenty). read more
4 months ago
Service was top tier. Drinks were delicious My bestie & I ordered tomahawk steak. We love our steak medium. Was juicy and delicious. Was very big. She is also gluten free & they were able to make accommodations to our food. Ambiance was gorgeous!!! Low dim lighting. Perfect for a date. Perfect for even a hang out. Bathroom was even nice too! read more
1 year ago
Joel was our server and he was amazing . Thank you for explaining and clarifying any concerns you made my experience amazing . I definitely recommend! Ambiance is new and modern. Food was great thanks to Joel's recommendations . Thank you Joel ' can't wait to upload more pictures for our first time . Joel's thank you for informing and being so attentive. read more
1 year ago
Overall, I had an amazing birthday dinner at Lala and would definitely come back! The restaurant is gorgeous inside, which ambient lighting, a huge bar, and a DJ that comes out as it gets later. I started with an espresso martini, which was expensive, but one of the best espresso martinis I have had. The menu highlights a wide variety of cuisines from sushi to French food to Italian pastas. Everything we ordered was delicious with some of the highlights being the burrata and the spicy vodka rigatoni. They even gave us a private room for our larger party and let us connect to the sound system, which is a testament to how awesome their service was. Only deducting one star because the food took almost 2 hours to come out, but our server was super great and very apologetic. read more
6 months ago
This was our first time having an early dinner after a long day of shopping, and it could not have been more satisfying. We started with the chicken and cheese croquettes--absolutely delicious, rich, and melt-in-your-mouth. They would have been perfect if served just a touch warmer. The French onion escargot, however, was impeccable: decadent, flavorful, and served piping hot with Gruyère and baguette--pure comfort and indulgence. For our main courses, the crispy-skin duck breast was nothing short of extraordinary. Served medium-rare, it was incredibly tender and luscious, paired beautifully with a red wine reduction, cranberries, cherries, and pancetta. Hands down, the best canard du magret I have ever eaten in my life--truly worthy of classic French fine dining. The rack of lamb was equally fabulous, arriving with a generous portion of eight ribs, perfectly cooked and served with a rich au jus. It was accompanied by creamy Parmesan spinach that complemented the dish beautifully. Dessert was pure heaven and the perfect ending to an outstanding meal. Our server Carlos was bilingual in Spanish and English--professional, impeccable, and genuinely attentive throughout the evening. Service felt seamless and personalized, with an impressive server-to-table ratio that was nearly one-to-one, something rarely seen and truly appreciated. The ambiance leaned toward a lively, bar-like energy and was quite noisy at times; however, the space itself was elegant, open, and generously laid out, creating a sophisticated atmosphere despite the buzz. Aloha read more
Whenever you find yourself in San Juan Puerto Rico find your way over the lala located in San Juan Mall!! This large, elegantly appointed and luxurious space is serving up some of the tastiest and most innovative dishes around the island. We did not have a reservation but they were able to accommodate us at the bar which was spacious and lush! We ordered a beautiful Cabernet and the Burrata appetizer....then it arrived. Most of us have had burrata, but I can assure you never like this!!! Of course the burrata was fresh, heirloom tomatoes perfectly ripe...parmesan crisp, rich and crunchy but then there was the TOMATO SORBET..OMG...WOW...this was true FLAVOR-PACKED PERFECTION!! It was like one of those things you would never think a dish needed and then you try it and realize all other preparations were lacking. An absolute STUNNER!! My entree was up next.. the Spicy Rigatoni with Shrimp. Truth be told I am not a big pasta eater but once in a while, I go for it. I cannot express how thankful I am that I had that desire at Lala!!! What arrived at the table was art! A boldly colored rich tomato sauce enveloping perfectly cooked rigatoni studded by canelles of fresh creamy stracciatella with basil and plump, juicy shrimp finished with toasted lemon breadctumbs. As beautiful as the presentation was it could not hold a candle to the ABSOLUTELY AMAZING flavor of this dish!! The spices were intricately nuanced and created a balanced infusion of heat within the rich, sweet tomato gravy. I will go out on a limb and say this is the best pasta dish I have ever had in my life ..and I have had many living in NYC and visiting Italy several times Last up we tried a few desserts...a Banana Bread Pudding and a luscious Coconut Ice Cream. The bread pudding was supple and delicious,and brilliantly garnished in gold..it was not overly sweet but certainly satisfying of a sweet tooth. The coconut ice cream was garnished with a toasted fresh coconut crumble and was a truly delightful bite that truly encapsulated and exclaimed the island vacation experience. The menu at lala has so many gems to be excavated and indulged in...do not miss all this jewel has to offer!! read more
7 months ago
We visited Lala in San Juan and had a mixed experience. It took about 10 minutes before the hostess acknowledged us, which set a slightly off tone from the start. We ended up sitting at the bar. The pan was easily the highlight -- a solid 5/5. It tasted like classic old-school Pizza Hut dough in the best way possible. I ordered the chicken, and my partner ordered the duck. My chicken was under-seasoned and really only flavorful when eaten with the skin, though the skin itself was nicely crispy. On the other hand, my partner loved the duck, along with the creamed spinach and beets (and he usually doesn't even eat beets). Overall, some highs and some misses. Great bread and a strong duck dish, but service and seasoning could use improvement. read more
9 months ago
Beautiful decor, awesome drinks, the food was delicious as well. Plenty of tables and a private area. We had a large group and they were able to accommodate without any issues. Perfect for a date. I loved it!!! read more
BIG SPENDER$ One of Puerto Rico's classiest restaurants is a sizeable splurge. My wife and I always go out for a fancy date night when visiting her family in the Caribbean. On our most recent trip to PR for New Years' 2024, we chose Lala as our destination de jour, having followed them on Instagram for many months. Lala sits at the north end of the Mall of San Juan and valet parking is advised. It was busy when we arrived around 7pm and got our drink orders in shortly after being seated. I loved the mezcal bramble ($19), a potent cocktail with a wonderfully smoky flavor profile, muddled berries and mint sprig. They also had non-alcoholic cocktails for $12. Lala has a separate menu for their raw bar, which had lavish offerings. My wife got a half dozen oysters (6pc for $32)--one each with lemon, tropical granita, passion fruit mignonette, tomatillo & bacon, nampla & papaya, and tomato XO with ponzu gelee. I'm not into bivalves, but I trust my wife's opinion that they were "phenomenal". If you're particularly affluent (or just feeling rich for a day), you can add 1oz of Siberian Sturgeon caviar ($130) or Royal Ossetra caviar ($220) to your dining experience. I'm pretty sure I saw shaved black truffle as an option, too. The Ora King Salmon nigiri (2pc for $8) was brushed with a sweet miso mustard and topped with scallions. The crispy rice (5pc for $18) were delicious oval rice cakes with spicy tuna tartare, mirin and chives. We also got the Hamachi crudo ($24), sashimi-style yellowtail with roasted pineapple, avocado, radish, and jalapeno. My wife got the dayboat scallops ($40) served with cauliflower, crispy leeks, bacon-sherry vinaigrette and parsley oil. They were cooked perfectly with tasteful accompaniments. The swordfish schnitzel ($32) was an alternative take on a classic cutlet which came with a lightly dressed arugula and fennel salad. The creamed spinach ($10) was mediocre, the only weak link in an otherwise terrific meal. Bread = 5 Circuses = 4.5 Desserts were $14, aside from the boozy Amaretto affogato which was $18. Their tres leches was of the highest caliber: a coconut cake soaked in coquito (an eggnog-like specialty from the island), served with a mascarpone Chantilly and toasted merengue. The atmosphere is intimate and beautiful. It's connected to the Mall of San Juan, so you'll see a few diners dressed casually but spruce up if you're planning to eat here. Our server was fine, however there was a long gap between dinner and dessert where we had trouble tracking him down. My biggest hangup is that Lala charges for water. I'm no stranger to this practice, having encountered it at Michelin-starred restaurants like Chicago's Sepia, Next, and a few others, but Lala hit us with charges for REFILLS. That was absurd and something I would've protested had I not been in a medicine-induced haze all night. This wasn't VOSS or Perrier, either, I'm talking standard table water in a clear glass bottle. When our waiter asked if we wanted "flat or sparkling", I should've known that bullshit would rear its ugly head on the final tab. * TL;DR * Lala is one of the finest restaurants on the island, but get ready for a potentially eye-watering bill. For those planning on making a reservation here, be prepared to shell out upwards of $250 on dinner for two, though perhaps that should be expected from a place co-owned by *THE* Bad Bunny and run by award-winning chef Guillermo López (formerly of New York's famous Le Bernardin, where a meal costs a small fortune). I held off on posting this review for a long time as I couldn't decide whether or not Lala was too pretentious. Ultimately, I decided that while the high cost deters me from returning, I'd still recommend them. The food was outstanding and the vibes were great. Service was generally attentive but the water thing was awfully sneaky. Getting dinged not once, but twice for basic water was a 'WTF' moment of ritzy nonsense. I considered docking them a star for this outlandish tactic, but as the meal itself and overall experience was delightful, I'll still give them the full "cinco estrellas". read more
9 months ago
Lala was soooo chic and special for all the bad bunny lovers out there. There's so many Easter eggs. Everyone was so attentive and the food was delicious. They gave recommendations based on what you liked. It's pricey but worth the experience at least once. Reservations are a must for ease. read more
1 month ago
1 month ago
My husband and I came here during our trip and from the second we walked through the door, we were blown away. The aesthetic ambience, and of course, service were all equally as impressive, welcoming, and refreshing. Our server was incredibly personable, attentive, and helpful in navigating the menu. We ordered each dish solely based off of our server's recommendations, and we were not disappointed - we loved every single dish. The presentation of each course was intentional, and everything was incredibly fresh - with a special shout out to the oysters, which were phenomenal. Although the price point of the menu items are on the higher end we quickly found out the reasoning behind this; which is because a great deal of items available on the menu, are locally sourced. We were happy to hear we were supporting the island and it made our experience a lot more special! The drinks and dessert were beautiful and tasted balanced, fresh and incredible! We will most certainly be returning on our next trip to Puerto Rico! read more
11 months ago
My friends and family and I came here for dinner on our girls trip and the inside of the restaurant was beautiful. We had great service and the food was super fresh and delicious. I think the all across the board favorites were the tempura shrimp, Crispy Rice, and the Sweet Corn Agnolotti. For dessert, we couldn't decide between the tres leches and the Berries and Cream so we got both. The Berries and Cream was soooo refreshing and definitely a great end to a good meal and the tres leches was my absolute favoriteee! read more
Lala is the Bad Bunny owned restaurant. The service was the highlight for me honestly. They were attending to us like if we were at a Michelin restaurant. We got up and they adjusted our napkins and chair for when we returned. My hates off to the team! The design of the place is cool and modern. The only place where it didn't land for me was the food. While it wasn't bad by any means at all, it is quite the premium you are paying for some dishes that left a bit to be desired. The salmon was excellent but some of the appetizers we had felt like they should have been either more adventurous or just better tasting. We spent a lot and for the novel it was fun I would go again. read more
1 month ago
This Bad Bunny restaurant is trash other than good service. The food is tiny and served on big plates for no reason. Everything tasted mediocre. Even the drinks were subpar. We ordered a ceviche and sashimi not impressed at all. Then we got the Beef Wellington and Short Rib tortellini as our mains once again severely disappointing. It ended up being a $500+ bill and we were not happy. If you are in Puerto Rico skip this spot. I do not recommend. If anything check Mar y Rosa in Old San Juan instead. Avoid Lala if you can. read more
10/10 food. Aesthetically pleasing service was very good. We had the tomahawk steak which was nice and flavorful. We also had the chicken and also the tortellini pasta drinks were very good. We tried bad bunnies favorite drink and that was really good. We are definitely coming back. read more
Such a pleasure to have been able to dine here. Tried many things from the menu and they were all delicious. Our server was so kind, she made the experience so much better walking us through the menu and giving recommendations. The restaurant itself is gorgeous- the floral arrangements placed around were mesmerizing. Highlights were the burrata, ravioli, and rigatoni. And the espresso martini read more
The ambiance of this restaurant is the main selling point. Definitely worth a visit if you're a support of Bad Bunny, other than that, the food was lackluster and overpriced especially considering the portions. We got there 3 hours before close and they were still out of many menu items, and did not let us know until we were already well into eating our other entrees. The drinks are good. read more
2 years ago
We had reservations at 5:00pm on a Sunday night. The restaurant was pretty busy but still had a few empty tables. We waited about 10 minutes after our reservation time to be seated. The ambiance is chic and elegant. There are 2 bars (one on the left and one on the right hand side of the restaurant) We started with 2 cocktails (Ahumado de Mejor and an Aperol Spritz). Both drinks took forever to come out. Our appetizer actually arrived before our drinks did. The Pan de Jardín was absolutely delicious! Very flavorful! For dinner, I had the Ricotta Cavatelli with chicken and it was superb! Found it slightly odd that the chicken was on a separate plate but it worked out in the end because I got to try it alone and it was cooked to perfection! The pasta was so flavorful and not too heavy. I loved every bite! The Spicy Vodka Rigatoni was also very flavorful with a slight kick. I would definitely come back to Lala in the future, however, don't make plans for afterward because they are sooooo slow! And don't forget to check out their awesome bathroom mirror (ladies room)! read more
Lala is gorgeous! We had a great experience with 5 girls for a bachelorette party. We were not the only party! The music is fun. Our server Carlos was super sweet and very helpful on the menu and all of the questions we had! Great drink recommendations! The ghost pepper drink was great with the perfect touch of spice. The food.... Was... amazing... every thing that came out! I went the sushi route and don't regret it. No added sauce needed. My friend's branzino was probably my favorite! They have the food down!! It was a little bummer when checks couldn't be split and only could use 4 cards to be divided especially using a system that I'm very familiar with and I know is possible and soo easy to have added the 5th. But, all is good. Great experience overall! read more
3 months ago
We flew from California and being my girlfriend's Birthday she wanted to eat here being Bad Bunny restaurant. The service was good! The food was bad! I ordered swordfish and it smelled so fishy that I couldn'teat it. I tried it but the taste was bad. The waiter could tell that I wasn't happy. Nothing happened. She good a Birthday card. Nothing special. The sushi was service with forks. I hoping for chop sticks. read more
5 months ago
WOW - the whole branzino was amazing and the table side service of bringing it out and cutting the spine out was neat. The spicy rigatoni is something not enough people are talking about!! This could give carbones spicy rigatoni a run for its money. I would 100% suggest visiting this restaurant when in San Juan. Full review on YT @theeestherperez read more
6 months ago
Four New Yorkers who pride ourselves on knowing good food landed in Puerto Rico and did what any loyal Benito fans would do. We booked a noon reservation at Lala on a Tuesday. We've been to PR several times, so we weren't just chasing hype. But from the moment we walked in, it was clear this wasn't just a celebrity-backed spot. It was the real deal. The hostess welcomed us warmly, the waitstaff was attentive without hovering, and the bartender struck that perfect balance of knowledgeable and effortlessly cool. Every interaction felt intentional. We truly felt like we were the most important table in the room. We ordered a variety of appetizers and started with a round of drinks. Each dish delivered bold, thoughtful flavors. Elevated but not fussy. The cocktails were equally impressive. Balanced, creative, and crafted with care. At some point, after we'd clearly enjoyed ourselves, the bartender offered to take over and select the next few rounds. We happily surrendered control. Each drink that followed felt curated just for us, and somehow better than the last. We did take a few photos, but not nearly enough. When you're that immersed in the food, the drinks, and the company, your phone becomes an afterthought. That said, the tres leches with coquito deserves its own spotlight. It was rich, perfectly soaked, and had just the right hint of that festive coquito flavor. Paired with a smooth café con leche, it was the kind of ending you talk about long after the check is paid. And as parents, one detail meant a lot. Our daughter was treated with genuine respect, and her pizza came out first without us having to make a big deal about it. That level of care says everything. We've already told friends and family that Lala is a must on their next trip to Puerto Rico, and we'll absolutely be back ourselves. If we could rate it higher, we would. Benito didn't just open a restaurant. He created an experience. read more
4 months ago
I along with many tourists visiting Puerto Rico for Bad Bunny's epic DTmF residency visited this restaurant because it is co-owned by him. It has a rustic yet modern decor with wooden cylinders from the ceiling apparently depicting the topography of Puerto Rico. The service is very courteous and attentive in the beginning, but then becomes more sporadic towards the middle and end. The cocktail menu is very interesting in theory, incorporating many inventive ingredients to represent Puerto Rican heritage but the execution is inconsistent. The 100x35 cocktail had very little actual drink in it, although the presentation was flashy. Standout menu items crafted with flavor and finesse included the hamachi sashimi al pastor with mezcal roasted pineapple, the dulce de lechoza y queso croquettes, the French onion escargot gratin with crunchy baguette, and the consommé with pork broth and shrimp mofongo. The swordfish schnitzel was tasty. The duck breast tasted gamey but was plated nicely with a beet purée. Overall overpriced but a strong representation of contemporary Puerto Rican cuisine. read more
2 months ago
Highly recommend making reservations because this place seems to stay pretty busy, but I can see why! The interior is so beautiful and perfect for a date night or to celebrate a special occasion. Our server was pretty attentive at the beginning of service, but a little less towards the end but he was very nice. I ordered the lalalandia which is recommend to any lavender lovers, very smooth! Oh my gosh the Pan Fried Gyoza was INCREDIBLE, such a different flavor profile than I've ever had with Gyoza 12/10! The Crispy Rice was really good, the tuna was so fresh, but my only complaint was that I'm not crazy about the batter they used to fry the rice. Other than that, so good and fresh 9/10! My boyfriend ordered the Wellington and wow, incredible I love the sauce they used. Such a beautifully balanced dish 10/10. I got the Shortrib Tortellini and so, so good another 10/10. Overall I'd highly recommend Lala, it's an entire experience from start to finish. read more
10 months ago
The food here was ok, the portions were decent but I left still feeling hungry. The drinks were fine but a bit overpriced of you ask me. Like many people there, we went for the name and experience so the vibes were what one would expect, love light, music, slower service...probably wouldn't come back unless someone really had their heart set on eating here, otherwise there are more cost efficient restaurants nearby that id go to over this. read more
5 months ago
I was visiting PR for a week and decided to have dinner on our last night here, which was a Thursday night. The ambience was friendly and lively! The service was attentive and the server suggested some excellent mocktails. We ordered the oysters Rockefeller, tempura shrimp, spicy vodka rigatoni and tres leches to share. Everything was delicious but the star of the show was the tres leches! This is a must visit if you're in PR. read more
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More info about Lala
1000 The Mall Of San Juan Blvd
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00924
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(787) 598-9000
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