I'm still thinking about this meal... hands down the best dinner I've had on vacation--maybe ever. Santaella absolutely blew me away. We started with the tuna pinchos, and wow--fresh, perfectly chunky, and packed with flavor. Then came the goat cheese quesadilla, which might honestly be one of the best things I've ever eaten in my life. Creamy, rich, and just unreal. I finally had the chance to try escargot for the first time--and now I feel completely spoiled for life. If that was my introduction, the bar has officially been set sky high. Even the Caesar salad stood out--crisp, balanced, and done exactly right (which is rarer than it should be). But the real star of the show for me? The guava and cheese bread pudding. I'm not exaggerating when I say I would 100% pay to have that Ubered all the way to me in Miami. It was that good. What blew my mind was the staff it looked like a hive of well trained bees just buzzing around this insanely packed room doing the best job. The general manager should be proud. Every bite felt intentional, elevated, and memorable. This place didn't just meet expectations--it completely redefined them. Spectacular doesn't even begin to cover it. BRAVO. Chefs kiss. read more

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Wasn't aware Sundays had a completely different setup, and we were disappointed to be seated on the patio. Half of the chairs were wet when we arrived, and the waiter had us wipe them down ourselves. On top of that, several menu items we wanted were unavailable, and one of our drinks never even came out, despite reminding the waiter multiple times. We also received an email only a few hours before our reservation saying it had been moved two hours earlier, even though nobody from the restaurant contacted us directly or confirmed the change with us. Overall, the atmosphere just wasn't pleasant and the service felt off the entire night. The food was alright, but definitely nothing memorable. The staff also seemed very unwelcoming, which added to the strange vibe overall. read more

definitely my favorite restaurant i went to in san juan! the vibe is elevated chic - the most similar to nyc vibes you'll find. and the food DELIVERED. our waiter was a sweetheart. put a candle in the dessert for my friend's birthday stars: TUNA (must get), cucumbers, goat cheese quesadilla!!!! read more

Santaella - octopus - Puerto Rican Near Me - San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Wow! This was an excellent afternoon! On a culinary tour of San Juan we had lunch at Santaella great food and service from beginning to end. A beautiful cafe with great ambiance. We had a large group and a tasting menu of several items on the menu and I can say you can't go wrong with anything we had. Absolutely will be back on my next trip to Puerto Rico read more

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When understated luxury meets chef-driven Puerto Rican cuisine, Santaella delivers a refined but slightly uneven fine-dining experience. Walking up, the entrance is almost hidden--you see the sign, but you're not entirely sure where the door is. Once inside, the space opens into a sleek, square dining room with a lush, enclosed garden feel. It's cozy, intimate, and secluded from the outside world, with a beautiful bar anchoring one side of the room. The atmosphere is polished and upscale without being overly flashy. Service & Atmosphere * Refined, professional service * Calm, luxurious dining room with a secluded garden vibe * Strong cocktail and wine program Food * Alcapurrias (root vegetable fritter with crab) - flavorful and creative; a great start with layered textures * Creamy Garlic Shrimp - rich, well-seasoned, and satisfying * Chilean Sea Bass - expertly cooked fish, though the accompanying sweet sauce slightly missed the mark * Sweet Plantains with Maple Syrup - indulgent and beautifully executed The kitchen clearly has technical skill, and several dishes hit well. However, some flavor pairings felt just a touch off balance given the price point and fine-dining positioning. Verdict Santaella offers a sophisticated setting and strong culinary foundation, but it doesn't quite fully align with its elevated aspirations across every plate. Still a very good meal in a beautiful space--solid four stars, with the potential to climb higher with a bit more refinement. read more

Santaella - Seabass - Puerto Rican Near Me - San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Walking through the Santurce, I stopped here for lunch and had a great meal. The entrance was kind of discrete, and it was the valet who showed me the thin door that is the entrance. The inside was quite big and elegant. I had morcilla (Puerto Rican blood sausage) as an appetizer and lacon asado (caramelized pork shank caramelized and potato salad) as the main entree. Both were delicious. I have had blood sausage where it was mostly blood, but this one was a balanced mixture of pork blood, beans, and rice. It was fried crispy on the outside. The pork shank was super soft on the inside, and caramelized with a syrup glaze on the outside. The potato salad was similar to the ones from Austria with a tad vinegar dressing, which complemented the sweet pork shank very well. The restaurant has canvas made with quotes from other famous chefs praising the food of Jose Santaella. Kind of cool. Kind of vain. Kind of collegial. I just have never seen that done before. read more

Went here primarily for drinks and appetizers on a Friday night! Highlights: - cocktails were well made and well thought out ("spiced old fashioned" was really well balanced, "perfect lady" was delightfully herbal, "barrilito daiquiri" was a thoughtful riff on a classic) - "mini tacos" (ahi tuna) were a good light snack with a generous amount of guacamole - "Bizcocho de Chocolate Caliente" - a warm chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream really hit the spot for a dessert (pair with a tawny port!). I really liked the crunchy top layer and the gooey lava. I like that it was dark-chocolate-esque and not too sweet. I'd have this solo and not to share haha... that's how well I enjoyed it. Meh points: - rice chicharron in the tuna pinchos were a bit stale - really particular, but we were seated on the end of the bar closest to the entrance and the loud club music next door was really mixing into the chilly ambiance of Santaella - if you're seated here on a weekend, I'd politely ask if there's another bar seat available. - service from the bartender was great! But the welcome receptionist had us wait a little longer than needed, it was almost a downer - he was just staring around (likely a reservation system error, but there were a lot of bar seats open where we were going to be seated anyways per our reservation). read more

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Parking is hard. Street is filled up, but you can drive a little more down and find parking near the highway. Valet is available but not sure of the cost. Chili Fritto, 10/10: Everyone's favorite. The whole grilled fish was so delicious and it's big too. Def get this! Pastelon, 10/10! So delicious. It's extremely big so def share with others. It tastes like a sweet lasagna. Beef is well seasoned and not oily at all. Very hearty and savory. Maybe too much plantain to beef ratio but it's still solid. Get this! Daily Special, shrimp and Bulgao salad, 3/5: seasoning isn't special, I think it's a simple lime dressing? The plantains fritters being salty was perfect with the cold seafood, making a great pairing. Compared to the others, not worth it. The interior is beautiful! Very moody but also very loud. It's hard to have conversation here. read more

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Absolutely AMAZING! The atmosphere was beautiful, service was incredible and the food was so good there are not even words for some of the dishes. Everything was great and I would travel to PR just to eat here!!! We had a large group and tried the following: Ahi Skewers - 10+ Veal Cheeks - 10+ Hen of the Woods Mushroom - 10+ Quesadilla- 10+ Salted Caramel Dessert - 10+ Gorgonzola Pasta - 10 Octopus - 9 Pastelon - 8 (A bit sweet for me. Everybody else loved it!) Chocolate Cake - 8 (Nothing special, but good) Shrimp - 7 (Least favorite for everybody, but still good) I highly recommend. You won't regret eating here! read more

We were on a cruise that stopped in Puerto Rico for one of its ports. We walked to El Morro to see it, but sadly there were no tours since the government shutdown had just started. We took an uber to head back to the ship and my husband found this place to eat that had great reviews. We had to stop by to see if it lived up to the hype. We arrived before 5 which was good since we did not have reservations. There was only 1 other table of people when we got there. We tried a few of the appetizers that the server recommended and they were all delicious. Even the popcorn chicken was the best popcorn chicken I've ever eaten. I got the Camarones and it was amazing. The trifongo was sweeter than I expected. It was fun to try authentic Puerto Rican food and this place was a good spot. Honestly the only thing we didn't like was the baked Alaska dessert because the alcohol flavor didn't burn off of it so it tasted bleh on the outside. The server did warn us it had an alcohol taste so we would not order that again. Everything else was amazing and the service was great too. I'm sure we were under dressed in our swimsuits, but the restaurant was great. If we ever come back to Puerto Rico - we will come again! read more

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Beautiful restaurant in Puerto Rico, I highly recommend you make reservations in advance before coming out as even the bar seats are able to be reserved and if they are full you might not be able to go in or have a very long wait. I ordered a drink, some apps, one main dish, and a dessert to spit with my sister For apps we ordered the famous octopus and the shrimp bao buns. The octopus was good but the bao buns were the star of the night for me. A must have! We ordered the arroz con pollo off the specials of the night menu and it had good flavor but the best part were the plantains on top. To end we got the Nutella toast, I personally thought this was okay and wouldn't order it again. The mojito was good, on the stronger side and not a classic mojito since the mint was on top and not muddled in, I just took my straw and muddled it in to get the mint flavor Service was very nice as well. read more

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Había escuchado muchas recomendaciones sobre Santaella, pero mi experiencia no estuvo al nivel de lo que esperaba, y no estoy segura de si le daría otra oportunidad. En cuanto al ambiente, la música de fondo me encantó y el lugar, aunque pequeño, resulta acogedor. Para cenar, ordené los cachetes de ternera por recomendación del mesero. Si bien la carne estaba muy suave, como era de esperarse, el caldo no me encantó (7/10). La base de puré tampoco fue de mi agrado; me pareció que le faltaba buen sabor (5/10). El servicio no fue rápido pero fue muy cordial! read more

Santaella - CACHETES DE TERNERA EN FRICASÉ CRIOLLO - Puerto Rican Near Me - San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Loved my experience at Santaella! I was dining solo, made a reservation earlier in the day and was seated right away. I started with an incredible passionfruit cocktail- can't recall the exact name but it was fresh and strong! As an entree, I ordered the pastelon, which was HUGE. This is definitely a dish better suited for a larger table (and possibly an entire family, lol) but I could not pass up the opportunity to try pastelon and really enjoyed it- it was kind of like a lasagna with beef, cheese, and plantains. I think the best part of my meal was the dessert, which was salted caramel pot de creme. The caramel flavor was incredible, it was topped with flaky sea salt and came with a side of fresh whipped cream. Even being full from way too much pastelon, I still finished it (thankfully it's a lighter dessert!). I had a great server, Eduardo, who was attentive without being overbearing at all. He had excellent recommendations (I tried the pastelon and salted caramel pot de creme because of him!) and was kind and professional. The interior of the restaurant is lovely as well. Highly recommend! read more

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Originally, we had planned to tour the San Cristobal fort, but due to the federal shutdown that wasn't possible. We managed to catch a break and got into Santaella without a reservation and the six of us enjoyed their outstanding cuisine. We expected a small delay due to our party size, but twenty minutes is a bit much. The service was seriously lacking. Even though they overlapped, I feel they were spread too thin. We're convinced our main guy was hammered and he's the one I liked best. The food was fabulous. The calamari is a must try, as was the Pinchos De Atún (ahi tuna skewers). The highlight being the Red Snapper with cilantro chimichurri and fried plantains. I understand fine dining and culinary experience being incredibly expensive, but in my opinion this place was simply overpriced and overrated. Naturally, portion size was small, but it was far more than fashionably expected. 12/25 read more

We had a great meal at Santaella. Everything we ordered had great flavor and the service was also good. We also appreciated having valet service. read more

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We've been in Puerto Rico for two weeks now bouncing between Condado and Santurce and I have to say this is the BEST spot I've had for food, drink and service while in San Juan. If you are in condado area take an uber to the restaurant for dinner! It's well worth the uber trip. The steak was prepared fantastic - a perfect medium and my tamarindo marg was amazing. The bruschetta was my favorite.. who knew fruit and cheese could be such a good combo?! The restaurant was also wonderfully decorated with low lights and completely instagramable. read more

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Santaella is a classic and it's no wonder why when you enter and get the chance to dine in. The restaurant was quite full, both with tourists and regulars alike, and we were promptly seated and whisked to a table near the back. Initially, we were slightly disappointed not to have a full view of the unique interior and also realized (unfortunately!) that we were seated underneath a very cold section of the restaurant. I mentioned this to our waiter who was very kind and came back with both a blanket and a cardigan for my partner to wear. We started off with some safe bets, between the arancini style tostadas and octopus which were both fantastic. My partner ordered the veal cheeks which were diving (~$46) and I ordered the pork shank but ultimately regretted not swapping dishes! The veal cheeks were soft, tender and bursting with flavor while the pork shank, while good, was a bit on the saltier side. We also ordered a side of sweet plantains not realizing what a large portion they end up giving you! All in all I was impressed by both the service and quality of food provided. Though San Juan restaurants tend to over-salt many of their dishes I thought Santaella's was quite good (with a small exception with the pork shank). Portions are quite sizable so recommend coming in hungry! read more

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We made a reservation which is recommended. Location was great with placita outside. Cocktails were stellar, strong wine list too. Atmosphere was tranquil and really pretty. Service was 10/10 friendly, casuals, but very on point. Fun and good recommendations. Apps were a true highlight, with some local favorites. I got a special pasta which was decadent. read more

Let's start with parking: we chose the valet option and since we're tourists, we're not sure where else there was parking. When you get inside for dinner, you're hit with a very dimly lit, beautifully aesthetically organic interior. Our standout favorites were the PULPO A LA PARRILLA, LACON ASADO Y CARAMELIZADO, POLLO DESHUESADO EN CREMA DE SOFRITO CRIOLLO and the PINCHOS DE ATÚN. For dessert, we ordered a BAKED ALASKA, and although it was a cool little fire show, every single bite tasted like liqqaaaa so order at your own risk. We chose this place for our "nice dinner" and the prices reflect that. Regardless of cost, we did enjoy our experience here and we definitely enjoyed the food. Next trip, we would love to return! read more

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Have dined here twice now when in Puerto Rico and both the food and service are incredible! Amazing dishes crafted with pride of the Puerto Rican culture that perfectly pair innovation and taste. This most recent visit on 17-Feb wowed me with a unique take on a caprese appetizer made with Parmesan Ice Cream and tomatoes, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. WOW! An incredible combination that I'll be attempting at home. You can't go wrong with any of the selections here! Santaella is always on my "to do" list in PR. read more

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The only reason this isn't 5 stars is because of how our server made us feel rushed the entire time. Im not sure if he thought he was being attentive, but checking on us and asking whether we're done with our plates every ~5 minutes is excessive. Now for the food; everything was delicious. The entire meal, my friends and I were sharing appetizers and our entrees because of how tasty each thing was! A chorus of "mmm", "wow", "taste this", "so good, right!?" could be heard from the very first appetizer that hit the table. We recommend everything we had. Truly. Sashimi de Salmon Tacos de tartar de Atun Calamari Fritos Chillo Frito con tostones Lubina Asada Camarones en Crema Al Ajillo Reservations can be hard to get but the food is totally worth it! read more

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A delicious spot! If you have trouble making reservation call in and they have an easy to use automated AI reservation system. The tuna, lollipops and octopus were perfection. Great cocktails, and service. read more

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Santaella is easily one of the best restaurants in Puerto Rico, hands down. We were lucky to get an early dinner reservation, and even though we brought our toddler, the staff was welcoming and kind. The atmosphere is elegant and lively. I would say it is definitely more suited for couples or business dinners, but still a memorable experience. We ordered the Goat Cheese Quesadilla (Quesadilla de Queso de Cabra) and the Red Snapper. The quesadilla completely stole the show, it was so good that I honestly can't even remember how the snapper tasted! At first, the quesadilla came out quite burnt, but the waiter handled it wonderfully and quickly brought us a new one. The second one was perfect. I don't even like goat cheese but I loveeee this. It is very creamy, flavorful, and the goat cheese taste isn't too strong that it bothers me. In fact, it is perfect! The food, service, and ambiance together make Santaella a standout spot in San Juan. It's definitely a place I'll remember and would love to come back to for a special night out. read more

Santaella where do I start? Let's just say this place is very exclusive. I mean, you can't even get in without a reservation. I've been to this area several times and this was my first encounter. From the vibe to decor this place does not disappoint. We sat at the bar which was fine. I couldn't get a table in time. The bartender was very cool and his drinks were splendid. We ate the scrumptious tuna pinchos, the quesadillas (don't be fooled these are different) Filled with goat cheese and topped with honey and arugula. Next level joining of flavors! We also had the pork belly! Everything was so good and flavors paired so well together. If you're looking for that exclusive vibe in Puerto Rico this is the place to be. Buen Provecho! read more

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I would definitely recommend this spot for drinks at the bar! We had 2 rounds of our drinks. Not sure if you need reservations for that but I'd definitely get some because it was hard to reserve. Our reservation was for 10:30! The place was very intimate with the dim lighting and small space. Good for date night. Everything was pricey - just appetizer options were $18+ but we knew that before coming. I liked the tuna skewers the most but wish it came with more (esp for the price). The calamari was just okay. We also tried the popcorn chicken but it had a very weird aftertaste so we sent it back immediately. It's unfortunate because it was the dish with the most portion. Didn't even get a photo of it. I have a sweet tooth and love chocolate so I tried the warm chocolate cake and it was delicious! The staff was very welcoming and our waiter was attentive and nice. read more

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This is my favorite restaurant in the whole island! It's very cozy and intimate, and the interior design of the space is very beautiful. My friend and I got several dishes here to share: octopus, tostones and ceviche, and a baked lasagna (made with plantain). They were all delicious and was an elevated twist of the traditional Puerto Rican dishes. The service was also great. We sat at the bar where the bartender was serving and talking to us, but there are also ample table seating inside the restaurant. We had reservations here so there was no wait upon arriving, but I think this restaurant does get busy during peak hours. The octopus was good (4/5): Cooked really well and loved the sauce that it sat on top. I didn't care much for the hard boiled egg that it came with, I thought it was pretty random and didn't add to the dish. Tostones and ceviche (5/5): This was good, I really liked the tostones. It's not made with the typical plantains, but I can't remember what these tostones were made out of :( I do recommend asking the staff and trying it though! Lasagna (5/5): This dish was amazing!! My favorite out of everything we ordered. The portion is huge, so if you are coming with a big group, this would be a great dish to do family-style with. It's like a lasagna layered with plantains and meat, so it's savory and sweet. read more

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First time visiting Puerto Rico and this restaurant did not disappoint. I will say it is very pricey and most dishes are a bit on the pricier side ($40-$60 entrees). They also charge you for water which we were unaware of (they only offered still or sparkling and charged $8 for still). We order two appetizers, 1 entree and 1 dessert and it was all delicious. The Lubina Asada (sea bass) was the star of the show in every way possible. It is a must order! Our server/waiter recommended it and he was spot on. We also ordered the alcapurrias with crab meat and the calamares in what tasted like an Asian inspired sauce. Lastly we ordered the bizcocho de caramelo y merengue dessert which was delicious but too big and very sweet/decadent. We had amazing service and the ambiance was beautiful. We had a reservation and when we arrived, we asked for a table near the wall due to a hearing issue and they were graciously able to accommodate us. read more

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Very fun club! Great drinks, better music and lots of space to dance. Can't wait to go back :) read more

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We had a lovely experience at Santaella! We had a large group and our waiter always made sure our drinks were full throughout dinner and we were satisfied. What we got, starting with our favs first: -sea bass -shrimp in garlic cream sauce- the shrimp was PERFECTLY cooked -empanadillas- a great starter for the table Pork shank -goat cheese quesadilla -risotto de orzo criollo read more

Santaella - Empanadillas - Puerto Rican Near Me - San Juan, Puerto Rico

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Updated review - Came by 1/17/25 for dinner. My friend clearly stated upfront that she had a serious eggplant and bell pepper allergy. Our waiter, I believe his name is Fernando, acknowledged the allergy and took our order. We ordered the Alcappurio, which wound up having bell pepper in the topping. My friend got violently sick immediately and ran to the bathroom to vomit. It was truly terrible. We let our waiter know and turns out one of our entrees also had bell peppers! He was extremely unapologetic and dismissive, didn't even say sorry. We wound up getting the manager involved, but all in all it was a bit of a sh*tshow. I love Santaella, the food is top notch, but this experience has really turned me and my friends off. On the flip side, the busboy was super sweet and helped us navigate the situation. read more

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AMAZING. Made a reservation for a party of 5 (HIGHLY recommend reserving a table prior to coming in) to celebrate my Birthday and this place exceeded my expectations. The decor was so sexy; dark colors, lots of reds and low-light, candle lit mainly. The staff was friendly, quick. For my drink, I wasn't too impressed by it but the food, the food was 10/10!! I ordered the Salmon with Stir Fry Noodles and it was absolutely delicious!! Flavorful and just cooked to perfection. Their Tostones with chives were so good I wanted to ask for a plate to go!!!! Highly recommend this restaurant for a nice dinner if you're visiting Puerto Rico! read more

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Yes the appetizers was more delicious than the entrees meats. The service was up to par and the entrance was almost hidden! They open the door for you and immediately the inside shows elegance. Its lit up barely and was lively. My fav was the refreshing cucumber avocado salad and popcorn chicken. The chicken and pork shank was salty and a bit bland at the same time. Our collective favorite was the double fried tostones. And they loved the burrata w pears. They offer sparkling and still water, but be mindful only tap water would be free. Bathroom was interesting only one woman one man, but you can simply go in the man bathroom bc the stall is separate and the urinal is right outside the man stall.. which would make it a bit awkward if you choose that. Theres a door to the stall in mens but theres a small see through glass/window.. read more

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If you blink you'll miss this place. Found it on a google search while looking for vegetarian friendly places. Next to a few divey places (no judgement, love a dive bar) plain all gray building outside where you can't see in at all but when you walk in, dim room with nice candle lite tables and lush greenery. Cocktails were outstanding, goat cheese quesadilla was very rich and filling I'm glad I only ordered that bc I could not finish it. Got the cheese empanadas for my son who loved them. Tasted like a great veggie cream cheese and lightly fried. Husband got alcapurrias and rice and beans and said it tasted amazing. Shared the cauliflower hummus app and it was great Friendly and knowledgeable wait staff. Good for celebrations, date night, family dinner. The house made chocolate banana ice cream was fantastic I suggest making reservations bc the place is on the smaller size. Kids ok if they're well behaved bc it's on the quieter side. Nice size bar area read more

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I have been here many times and I always come back for the consistency of great service and quality of the food. Although is located in the heart of La Placita de Santurce, which is considered a hipster area, the restaurant gives a more upscale vibe with great ambiance. My go to drink is the Old Fashion perfectly made with smoky hints. For appetizers you cannot go wrong with the freshest ahi tuna skewers, crispiest morcilla bites and the creamiest croquetas, all a hit!!! Sometimes I order the goat cheese quesadilla with truffle honey as a main course even though it's a starter because is that good. For main course this time we had the crisp whole Red Snapper and the special of the day 'Pastelon', which you can describe as a Puertorrican lasagna made with plantain. Both equally delicious and generous. I must admit that The Pastelon dish was one of the best I've ever had and it was so big it could have been shared. Don't leave without trying one of my absolute favorite dessert in the world, La Cocada. Is coconut and almonds baked to perfection with an ice cream scoop, perfection. read more

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Great drinks! The tostones were also great. The servers were very attentive and helpful and it was a beautiful place to have a meal and some drinks. It's close to the placita but it's like a little oasis of its own which I appreciated. Would definitely go back here if I was in PR again. read more

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This was by far my favorite restaurant on the island! The atmosphere was so classy, dim and romantic. The greenery with the lighting was a perfect touch to the decor. The service was top notch, staff was super friendly, professional and accommodating. At one point my utensils hit the floor and without even blinking servers that weren't even assigned to my table rushed over with a brand new set. The drinks were very pretty and tasted so good. I thoroughly enjoyed the refreshing soursop drink with shaved chocolates on top. Their expresso martinis were divine and they coat the foot of the glass with powdered sugar, a very nice touch. My red snapper was cooked and seasoned to perfection! The tostones were nice and crispy, the rice was cooked perfectly and with the habechulas on top added a nice touch with layers of flavor. The refreshing watermelon salad was delicious. 10/10 would definitely be returning. read more

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Stellar dining experience in San Juan! The restaurant requires a reservation and credit card to hold it, so make sure to make one several weeks in advance. They offer valet parking service for $10 and have a valet stand right at the main entrance. All of the menu items we had from appetizer to dessert were excellent. Our group started with the Pinchos de Atun (ahi tuna skewers), had entrees of the antarctic sea bass, whole fresh red snapper, steak, and jumbo shrimp, and ended with the almond/coconut custard, which was spectacular. The sandia mojitos were good, but pricy at $17 each. Would highly recommend Santaella for a date night out or while visiting the island of Puerto Rico! read more

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Both the food and service were excellent. We lived the atmosphere, it was quiet and classy. Staff is friendly and professional read more

Santaella - CAMARONES EN CREMA AL AJILLO - Puerto Rican Near Me - San Juan, Puerto Rico

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We started with the calamari--perfectly crispy and packed with flavor . For our mains, we had the camarones and the salmón asiático--both were super fresh, beautifully cooked, and full of bold flavor . The drinks were a total standout --you can definitely tell the bartenders are true mixology pros. I had the mojito de sandía , made with real blended watermelon juice--so refreshing and naturally sweet. Then the Green Dragon came out with a fire garnish and looked as cool as it tasted! And shoutout to the bartenders--they were so nice and attentive The ambiance is tropical and chic --perfect for a date night or a girls' night out. Amazing vibes, top-tier service, and unforgettable flavors. Make a reservation--Santaella is a must when in San Juan! read more

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We made a confirmed reservation for Santaella through OpenTable for a Sunday evening, fully expecting the celebrated experience of this renowned restaurant. However, upon arrival, we were shocked to discover that the restaurant had been completely replaced with a new concept, new staff, and an entirely different menu -- with zero on OpenTable Instead of apologizing for the confusion or taking even a moment to acknowledge the error, the owners and staff tried pin the blame on us for not "reading the signs." That is an outrageous excuse when our reservation, photos, and confirmation all clearly indicated Santaella -- not whatever new place has taken over the location. Their attitude was dismissive, petty, and frankly unprofessional. They offered no accommodation, no apology, and no courtesy. It is unacceptable to mislead paying customers with a bait-and-switch situation, then gaslight them for showing up in good faith with a valid reservation. Be warned: if you book "Santaella" through OpenTable, you may walk into a completely different restaurant run by people who refuse to own up to their lack of communication -- and who will treat you as the problem if you dare to question it. Shame on this management team for their arrogant and condescendingg handling of loyal diners. We will never return read more

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