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This is a special occasion place for sure! We had a wonderful meal here. The food, the atmosphere, the service were all top tier. This was our first night in Old San Juan and we had heard this was a great spot. We arrived just after they opened and were seated immediately. The server recommended a Spanish wine (blend) and it was wonderful. We shared the salad with shaved pickled vegetables. The fresh baby greens were so tender and flavorful. It was like someone just picked it 10 minutes before making the salad. For dinner, I had the Moroccan Lamb Stew and rice. It was delicious, but there are many small bones so watch for that. It came with a the same salad again, although a smaller portion. The waiter recommended the Arroz Verde Mesa topped with the octopus appetizer, so that's what my husband had. The octopus was very tender. We decided to get the chocolate mousse for dessert. It was really good, but we both thought the portion was a little small, not really meant for sharing. Overall, the entire experience was wonderful. It's a little more than we like to spend very often but well worth it.
What a gem! We almost missed having dinner here because we kept trying to call the restaurant to make reservations but no one was picking up. So we just decided to walk in and at first we even thought that they were closed because of lack of signage and because it was practically empty. Staff assured us they can serve us so we sat down and had a meal. It turned out to be a wonderful dinner! The décor is interesting and the cuisine is definitely not what you would typically find in San Juan. I highly recommend you pay a visit if you are in San Juan!
I was really looking forward to my meal here, and while some things were good I think most of the meal fell flat. It could be the dishes we ordered, or maybe it just wasn't my favorite. We waited for about an hour at a nearby bar, and was seated around 9pm on a Saturday night. Once seated, we ordered wine with the octupus to start. The octupus was delicious, and was the best dish of the night. For entres, we ordered the lamb stew, sirlion and swordfish. I didn't like my stew at all - they sub'd beef for lamb which threw off the flavor. The beef was way too gamey and chewy and overall a very heavy dish. The salad that accompioned the dish was nice and light. The sirlion initially came out cold and needed to be reheated. The swordfish was just OK. Was expecting more, but perhaps that is just me. I would still to local PR restaurants when I am here.
Our friend had recently visited PR and told us this place was a must-try. We're thankful for his recommendation! The cozy spot is on a beautiful street by the bay in Old San Juan. The inside has a rustic and homey feel, with mason jar lights strung form the ceiling, white marble tables and French bistro chairs. It's comfortable and calming, without feeling pretentious. The food is some of the best we had ever had and by far the best we found in Puerto Rico. The octopus app was seasoned and seared perfectly and resting in a special house made sauce that was addictive. The swordfish was served medium well and crispy on the outside. A salad mix with a tangy dressing surrounded it. And the lamb curry was hearty and bursting with flavor. All the food was made with the best ingredients and by a talented team of chefs -- served to us by hospitality experts. Five stars for sure!!! Thanks guys.
A lovely lovely little spot tucked into the hillside of Old San Juan. It has an eccentric feel with interesting garage-sale-like decor and mismatched furniture. We ordered a couple of spiked coolers and hot stew dishes - maybe not the best decision considering the 90 degree weather outside but they were so worth the sweat. You can immediately tell that the quality of Verde Mesa's meat and seafood are top notch. They do not skimp on portions either. Sure the service was a bit slow, but that's just the dining culture of Puerto Rico; you're never supposed to rush a meal. We ordered 2 dishes off of their lunch specials menu. The Lamb Stew was perfectly spiced and tender, with a lot of flavor that gets your taste buds dancing. The Swordfish Marmitako had a distinct flavor that was a little bit sour and so refreshing, combined with delicious cut-up swordfish filet meat and root vegetables. The rice, oh god, the rice. You know it was good steamed rice because it had a little bit of oil seeping through each individual piece of rice. I usually tend to stay away from rice because of the carbs, but I definitely ate my fair share there. Highly recommend for an awesome, authentic meal that won't make your pockets bleed.
What a divine experience. The service was incredible. The botanicals of the day were a delightful way to enjoy a few cocktails. Have one while you wait, because with limited seating and a beautiful menu, this place is busy but never feels if from your seat, which is unique unto itself. The interior decor is beautiful from mismatch chairs to hanging lit jars filled with moss. The small space utilizes many mirrors to feel open and relaxing. Now to the food. The arroz verde is incredible, perfect as a vegetarian entree or to complement any dishes at the table. The sword fish was divine in its preparation, rich and meaty, with lovely greens on its side. This restaurant is a must eat (and see) . Don't forget to check out the window to the kitchen on the exterior of the building!
We absolutely loved this place -- definitely in our top 3 favorites from all the restaurants we went to in Puerto Rico. It's a cozy little vintage-looking place that's easy to miss if you're walking too fast, but it's absolutely a little gem. Our server (Paola?) was one of the best we've ever had. Friendly, attentive, knowledgeable about all the food and ingredients, and truly seemed like she loves her job. I highly recommend this place if you'd like a break from some of the heavy food everywhere else, and you'd prefer something more refreshing or slightly on the healthier side. That's not to say it's not delicious (trust me, I usually don't look for "healthy" food) -- but even the vegetarian options like the beet salad were fantastic, and we're devoted carnivores! They take great care sourcing their food and having a nutritionist review it, so if you have dietary restrictions, this place still has a variety great options for you. I highly recommend trying whichever ceviche happens to be on special. Ours was fresh, tender, and zesty -- perfect after days of heavy eating. We also thought the octopus was one of the best we've ever had -- and we eat a lot of octopus. We opted for ordering 4 appetizers instead of apps and mains, and it was a perfect light dinner.
Walking around Viejo San Juan all day and there is so much selection to choose from but nothing truly got my attention until I walked into Verde Mesa. Besides the eclectic styling from floor to ceiling, I loved that they had a short menu, just a few well curated items for the day (and the menu varies from lunch to dinner is what Jose told me). I had a salad with radishes, chayote, some mango sesame seeds and a dressing that I think had wasabi in it. I chose steak as my protein. The chef recommended it rare for my meal and he had it so right. It was perfect. I was satisfied with my meal, which means I wasn't stuffed and I wasn't hungry. A good human sized portion. It was also well seasoned. There is no salt or pepper shaker in sight and there is no need! The server suggested a light red and then for dessert we had the tembleque. It was just a really great find in a neighborhood that is very touristy. I don't live in San Juan but the next time I'm there I will for sure go and have another meal there!!!
PROS: I really enjoyed the food. Particularly the ceviche special, the rice dish, and the curry chickpea stew special. It's hard for a picture of the rice dish to do it justice. It tastes healthy but tasty. It had carrots, cranberries, cheese, etc. The ceviche on the special menu was beautiful and tasted amazing. The little pieces of mango have it a nice sweetness. I only wish there were more. The chickpea curry stew on the special menu had a nice flavor. It was mild. The ground almonds on top were a nice touch. CONS: It was warm inside, the weather felt nicer outside with a breeze than inside the stuffy restaurant. It's a small restaurant so not ideal for big groups. The wait staff got very busy at times and would then take a while to attend to you. At times there would be people standing inside the door waiting to be seated and it could be awkward since it's such a small space between the door and the tables.
Loved this little spot in Viejo San Juan! I found it on yelp and was not disappointed. It's not very big inside so it's possible you might wait for a table. There is a small bar where you can stand and wait. This is more of a current, trendy type restaurant. They use Puerto Rican flavors and many of their dishes are variations on local classics, but you won't find the super traditional dishes here. I really loved the yellowfin tuna entree. The tuna was so fresh and cooked to perfection. There is a small but lovely wine, beer and juice menu. They also make their juices into cocktails. The staff were all friendly and attentive. The decor inside is so cozy and welcoming. I would love to come back here on a future trip to San Juan.
For two chefs to arise from the decimation of two Cat 5 hurricanes that hit within one month and still receive James Beard nominations the next year is a true testament of resilience. We dined at both restaurants with Chef Hernandez's Verde Mesa being our final and best meal while on the island. A menu focused on fresh, local ingredients along with impeccable service made our lunch quite memorable. It felt like we stepped into an antique shop in Boulder City, NV with the vintage furniture, ceramic pitchers lining the walls, and unique glassware lighting. We were happily greeted with "Welcome my friends!" by the manager who immediately seated us and gave a full run-down of the regularly changing menu. Service was friendly and detail-oriented by everyone throughout the meal. For example, one of the team members would frequently come by and wipe the condensation of water from the table as it collected under your drinking glass. At this Sunday lunch, they offered two multiple course prefix meals which were both ordered and shared by my wife and I. In addition to the meals, we also ordered an extra appetizer and dessert. Every dish was presented beautifully with appropriate portion sizes. I'm as big a carnivore as you'll find, but the vegetarian dishes we started the meal off were our favorites. The first course was the mesclun composed of local greens and it had it all: salty, sweet, sour, and bitter. The local chayote was our other appetizer and our first taste ever of this plant. The ceviche style preparation with lime, cilantro, and mango made this dish another winner. That's not to say the lamb stew or the coconut custard were slouches either, because they were are next favorite dishes. I could eat the tender Moroccan lamb stew served with rice and beans every day, just watch out for the bones. The coconut custard was a nice, light finish. We did not partake, but they also offer cocktails featuring a local ingredient, such as tamarind, which you can mix with the liquor of your choice. The price for our meal was $78 before tip which we thought was a bargain for what we had just experienced. Verde Mesa represents the pinnacle of what a restaurant sustained by local products can achieve even it means overcoming a natural disaster.
The food at Verde Mesa is pretty pricey, but the quality definitely lives up to its price tag. The place is a cute little cafe that has this rustic look. They can't accommodate large parties, so our group of nine had to sit at two separate tables. To start, our table shared the ceviche. It came topped with some mango. I'm not sure what kind of fish the ceviche was made from but it tasted really fresh. It had the right amount of citrus, and it didn't overpower the fish at all, like some places tend to make it. It was probably the best ceviche I've ever had in my life. We also shared the salmon tartare, which was served on a bed of avocado. This was also very fresh but if you're only ordering one raw fish dish, deffo go with the ceviche. For my entree, I decided to keep with the fish theme. I had the tuna nicoise. This was slices of seared tuna served with a perfectly boiled egg (which in my opinion, is when the yolk is slightly undercooked), some asparagus, goat (?) cheese, and cous cous. The tuna was perfect, and I really liked the cous cous, which isn't something I would normally order - but I'm glad I did. I wasn't a fan of the cheese because it had this weird gamey or goaty taste. For a drink, I ordered this cucumber mint concoction with some rum. I really couldn't taste any alcohol in there at all. So if you want a drink, you should probably just go with some wine. For dessert, we had "the cloud" which is a fluffy pile of raspberry merengue with some fruits. It came with some lavender seeds, which I could have done without. I don't like lavender in my food because it makes me feel like I'm eating soap. Other than that, the dessert was light, and it was the perfect way to end the meal. Would def recommend Cafe Verde!
We came here on a Friday night and were actually the first ones in the restaurant for dinner. The atmosphere is really cool- unique decor, dimly lit, and comfy couches/chairs for seats. There were three servers working and it honestly felt like all 3 of them were working as a team with all the tables which I thought was cool. All three of them came to our table several times (but it wasn't too much) to see if we wanted more food or how our drinks were. My boyfriend had the lamb which was great but look out for bones! I had the vegetable rice dish but unfortunately can't remember it's name- they said it was one of their most popular dishes. We also shared all three of their appetizer small plates to start, all were great but the highlight was the ceviche. Make sure to get the purple cloud for desert. Do not pass this up! It was the highlight of our entire meal.
Verde Mesa has reopened with the same outstanding service and a creative menu that earned it a James Beard award in 2018. The COVID-19 pandemic closed the restaurant for nearly 3 years, but now it's open again and better than ever. For now, hours are limited to lunch service most days, plus dinner service on Fridays and Saturdays, but they plan to continue expanding hours as they staff up. Prices are higher too, but the preparations are first class and worth the splurge. "Infusion" beverages in the trademark Verde Mesa Rice are still must-order items. That eponymous rice dish is more sophisticated than ever, and honestly is a fantastic meal if it's the only thing you order. It's a tantalizing concoction filled with eggplant, zucchini, pumpkin, mushrooms, caramelized onions, walnuts, cranberries, and peppers, topped with pecorino. Toss it with the accompanying green vinaigrette and it's one of the best vegetarian meals in town. Another vegetarian hit is the sourdough toast, which is slathered with a cabbage-fried egg spread, date jam, cheese, and sunflower seeds. It's listed as a starter, but it's pretty darned filling, and of course delicious. And don't worry, there's plenty for carnivores too. This would be one of my favorite restaurants in any city in the world. read more
2 years ago
What a special place!!! From the top notch service, the eccentric food choices, the owners story, and the delicious botanical drinks, we highly recommend visiting this gem. read more
8 months ago
This is a special occasion place for sure! We had a wonderful meal here. The food, the atmosphere, the service were all top tier. This was our first night in Old San Juan and we had heard this was a great spot. We arrived just after they opened and were seated immediately. The server recommended a Spanish wine (blend) and it was wonderful. We shared the salad with shaved pickled vegetables. The fresh baby greens were so tender and flavorful. It was like someone just picked it 10 minutes before making the salad. For dinner, I had the Moroccan Lamb Stew and rice. It was delicious, but there are many small bones so watch for that. It came with a the same salad again, although a smaller portion. The waiter recommended the Arroz Verde Mesa topped with the octopus appetizer, so that's what my husband had. The octopus was very tender. We decided to get the chocolate mousse for dessert. It was really good, but we both thought the portion was a little small, not really meant for sharing. Overall, the entire experience was wonderful. It's a little more than we like to spend very often but well worth it. read more
What a gem! We almost missed having dinner here because we kept trying to call the restaurant to make reservations but no one was picking up. So we just decided to walk in and at first we even thought that they were closed because of lack of signage and because it was practically empty. Staff assured us they can serve us so we sat down and had a meal. It turned out to be a wonderful dinner! The décor is interesting and the cuisine is definitely not what you would typically find in San Juan. I highly recommend you pay a visit if you are in San Juan! read more
I was really looking forward to my meal here, and while some things were good I think most of the meal fell flat. It could be the dishes we ordered, or maybe it just wasn't my favorite. We waited for about an hour at a nearby bar, and was seated around 9pm on a Saturday night. Once seated, we ordered wine with the octupus to start. The octupus was delicious, and was the best dish of the night. For entres, we ordered the lamb stew, sirlion and swordfish. I didn't like my stew at all - they sub'd beef for lamb which threw off the flavor. The beef was way too gamey and chewy and overall a very heavy dish. The salad that accompioned the dish was nice and light. The sirlion initially came out cold and needed to be reheated. The swordfish was just OK. Was expecting more, but perhaps that is just me. I would still to local PR restaurants when I am here. read more
7 years ago
Our friend had recently visited PR and told us this place was a must-try. We're thankful for his recommendation! The cozy spot is on a beautiful street by the bay in Old San Juan. The inside has a rustic and homey feel, with mason jar lights strung form the ceiling, white marble tables and French bistro chairs. It's comfortable and calming, without feeling pretentious. The food is some of the best we had ever had and by far the best we found in Puerto Rico. The octopus app was seasoned and seared perfectly and resting in a special house made sauce that was addictive. The swordfish was served medium well and crispy on the outside. A salad mix with a tangy dressing surrounded it. And the lamb curry was hearty and bursting with flavor. All the food was made with the best ingredients and by a talented team of chefs -- served to us by hospitality experts. Five stars for sure!!! Thanks guys. read more
A lovely lovely little spot tucked into the hillside of Old San Juan. It has an eccentric feel with interesting garage-sale-like decor and mismatched furniture. We ordered a couple of spiked coolers and hot stew dishes - maybe not the best decision considering the 90 degree weather outside but they were so worth the sweat. You can immediately tell that the quality of Verde Mesa's meat and seafood are top notch. They do not skimp on portions either. Sure the service was a bit slow, but that's just the dining culture of Puerto Rico; you're never supposed to rush a meal. We ordered 2 dishes off of their lunch specials menu. The Lamb Stew was perfectly spiced and tender, with a lot of flavor that gets your taste buds dancing. The Swordfish Marmitako had a distinct flavor that was a little bit sour and so refreshing, combined with delicious cut-up swordfish filet meat and root vegetables. The rice, oh god, the rice. You know it was good steamed rice because it had a little bit of oil seeping through each individual piece of rice. I usually tend to stay away from rice because of the carbs, but I definitely ate my fair share there. Highly recommend for an awesome, authentic meal that won't make your pockets bleed. read more
2 years ago
7 years ago
What a divine experience. The service was incredible. The botanicals of the day were a delightful way to enjoy a few cocktails. Have one while you wait, because with limited seating and a beautiful menu, this place is busy but never feels if from your seat, which is unique unto itself. The interior decor is beautiful from mismatch chairs to hanging lit jars filled with moss. The small space utilizes many mirrors to feel open and relaxing. Now to the food. The arroz verde is incredible, perfect as a vegetarian entree or to complement any dishes at the table. The sword fish was divine in its preparation, rich and meaty, with lovely greens on its side. This restaurant is a must eat (and see) . Don't forget to check out the window to the kitchen on the exterior of the building! read more
10 years ago
We absolutely loved this place -- definitely in our top 3 favorites from all the restaurants we went to in Puerto Rico. It's a cozy little vintage-looking place that's easy to miss if you're walking too fast, but it's absolutely a little gem. Our server (Paola?) was one of the best we've ever had. Friendly, attentive, knowledgeable about all the food and ingredients, and truly seemed like she loves her job. I highly recommend this place if you'd like a break from some of the heavy food everywhere else, and you'd prefer something more refreshing or slightly on the healthier side. That's not to say it's not delicious (trust me, I usually don't look for "healthy" food) -- but even the vegetarian options like the beet salad were fantastic, and we're devoted carnivores! They take great care sourcing their food and having a nutritionist review it, so if you have dietary restrictions, this place still has a variety great options for you. I highly recommend trying whichever ceviche happens to be on special. Ours was fresh, tender, and zesty -- perfect after days of heavy eating. We also thought the octopus was one of the best we've ever had -- and we eat a lot of octopus. We opted for ordering 4 appetizers instead of apps and mains, and it was a perfect light dinner. read more
7 years ago
Walking around Viejo San Juan all day and there is so much selection to choose from but nothing truly got my attention until I walked into Verde Mesa. Besides the eclectic styling from floor to ceiling, I loved that they had a short menu, just a few well curated items for the day (and the menu varies from lunch to dinner is what Jose told me). I had a salad with radishes, chayote, some mango sesame seeds and a dressing that I think had wasabi in it. I chose steak as my protein. The chef recommended it rare for my meal and he had it so right. It was perfect. I was satisfied with my meal, which means I wasn't stuffed and I wasn't hungry. A good human sized portion. It was also well seasoned. There is no salt or pepper shaker in sight and there is no need! The server suggested a light red and then for dessert we had the tembleque. It was just a really great find in a neighborhood that is very touristy. I don't live in San Juan but the next time I'm there I will for sure go and have another meal there!!! read more
10 years ago
PROS: I really enjoyed the food. Particularly the ceviche special, the rice dish, and the curry chickpea stew special. It's hard for a picture of the rice dish to do it justice. It tastes healthy but tasty. It had carrots, cranberries, cheese, etc. The ceviche on the special menu was beautiful and tasted amazing. The little pieces of mango have it a nice sweetness. I only wish there were more. The chickpea curry stew on the special menu had a nice flavor. It was mild. The ground almonds on top were a nice touch. CONS: It was warm inside, the weather felt nicer outside with a breeze than inside the stuffy restaurant. It's a small restaurant so not ideal for big groups. The wait staff got very busy at times and would then take a while to attend to you. At times there would be people standing inside the door waiting to be seated and it could be awkward since it's such a small space between the door and the tables. read more
8 years ago
Loved this little spot in Viejo San Juan! I found it on yelp and was not disappointed. It's not very big inside so it's possible you might wait for a table. There is a small bar where you can stand and wait. This is more of a current, trendy type restaurant. They use Puerto Rican flavors and many of their dishes are variations on local classics, but you won't find the super traditional dishes here. I really loved the yellowfin tuna entree. The tuna was so fresh and cooked to perfection. There is a small but lovely wine, beer and juice menu. They also make their juices into cocktails. The staff were all friendly and attentive. The decor inside is so cozy and welcoming. I would love to come back here on a future trip to San Juan. read more
For two chefs to arise from the decimation of two Cat 5 hurricanes that hit within one month and still receive James Beard nominations the next year is a true testament of resilience. We dined at both restaurants with Chef Hernandez's Verde Mesa being our final and best meal while on the island. A menu focused on fresh, local ingredients along with impeccable service made our lunch quite memorable. It felt like we stepped into an antique shop in Boulder City, NV with the vintage furniture, ceramic pitchers lining the walls, and unique glassware lighting. We were happily greeted with "Welcome my friends!" by the manager who immediately seated us and gave a full run-down of the regularly changing menu. Service was friendly and detail-oriented by everyone throughout the meal. For example, one of the team members would frequently come by and wipe the condensation of water from the table as it collected under your drinking glass. At this Sunday lunch, they offered two multiple course prefix meals which were both ordered and shared by my wife and I. In addition to the meals, we also ordered an extra appetizer and dessert. Every dish was presented beautifully with appropriate portion sizes. I'm as big a carnivore as you'll find, but the vegetarian dishes we started the meal off were our favorites. The first course was the mesclun composed of local greens and it had it all: salty, sweet, sour, and bitter. The local chayote was our other appetizer and our first taste ever of this plant. The ceviche style preparation with lime, cilantro, and mango made this dish another winner. That's not to say the lamb stew or the coconut custard were slouches either, because they were are next favorite dishes. I could eat the tender Moroccan lamb stew served with rice and beans every day, just watch out for the bones. The coconut custard was a nice, light finish. We did not partake, but they also offer cocktails featuring a local ingredient, such as tamarind, which you can mix with the liquor of your choice. The price for our meal was $78 before tip which we thought was a bargain for what we had just experienced. Verde Mesa represents the pinnacle of what a restaurant sustained by local products can achieve even it means overcoming a natural disaster. read more
The food at Verde Mesa is pretty pricey, but the quality definitely lives up to its price tag. The place is a cute little cafe that has this rustic look. They can't accommodate large parties, so our group of nine had to sit at two separate tables. To start, our table shared the ceviche. It came topped with some mango. I'm not sure what kind of fish the ceviche was made from but it tasted really fresh. It had the right amount of citrus, and it didn't overpower the fish at all, like some places tend to make it. It was probably the best ceviche I've ever had in my life. We also shared the salmon tartare, which was served on a bed of avocado. This was also very fresh but if you're only ordering one raw fish dish, deffo go with the ceviche. For my entree, I decided to keep with the fish theme. I had the tuna nicoise. This was slices of seared tuna served with a perfectly boiled egg (which in my opinion, is when the yolk is slightly undercooked), some asparagus, goat (?) cheese, and cous cous. The tuna was perfect, and I really liked the cous cous, which isn't something I would normally order - but I'm glad I did. I wasn't a fan of the cheese because it had this weird gamey or goaty taste. For a drink, I ordered this cucumber mint concoction with some rum. I really couldn't taste any alcohol in there at all. So if you want a drink, you should probably just go with some wine. For dessert, we had "the cloud" which is a fluffy pile of raspberry merengue with some fruits. It came with some lavender seeds, which I could have done without. I don't like lavender in my food because it makes me feel like I'm eating soap. Other than that, the dessert was light, and it was the perfect way to end the meal. Would def recommend Cafe Verde! read more
We came here on a Friday night and were actually the first ones in the restaurant for dinner. The atmosphere is really cool- unique decor, dimly lit, and comfy couches/chairs for seats. There were three servers working and it honestly felt like all 3 of them were working as a team with all the tables which I thought was cool. All three of them came to our table several times (but it wasn't too much) to see if we wanted more food or how our drinks were. My boyfriend had the lamb which was great but look out for bones! I had the vegetable rice dish but unfortunately can't remember it's name- they said it was one of their most popular dishes. We also shared all three of their appetizer small plates to start, all were great but the highlight was the ceviche. Make sure to get the purple cloud for desert. Do not pass this up! It was the highlight of our entire meal. read more
2 years ago
7 years ago
Unique flavors at this farm to table gastronomic restaurant with a Puerto Rican influence. Also very Vegan friendly! Ambiance: The interior decor reminds me of your grandmother's shabby chic cottage with repurposed Singer sewing tables & mismatched chairs. Cozy & quaint! I found a table facing the window which gave me a tiny view of the ocean. Attention here is focused on the food and beautiful plating rather than what's outside. Food: I ate here for lunch & had 2 appetizers & one main dish. Was very full afterwards and could have probably stuck with the typical 1+1. Appetizer #1: Raw Squash Salad My favorite item on the menu! This dish is very light, but packs a punch with its sauce & scattered bites of sweet greens. Appetizer #2: Beet & Smoked Beef Tartare Recommended by the server. Honestly, was skeptical about this dish, but it was delicious! Highly recommend. Main Dish: Traditional codfish salad Not my favorite dish. This was definitely bacalao, but I think this dish would have been better served as 1/3 the size and as an appetizer. It gets very hard to eat the whole dish as bacalao is quite fishy and salty. I did love the flavors but could have sufficed with just a few bites. Wine List: I had a glass of Albariño, but the wine list features a variety of interesting wines that would intrigue even the most curious oenophile! read more
7 years ago
We stopped by for our last lunch in San Juan, PR. We nearly missed the entrance and thankfully we found it! This place is a hidden gem! The food locally sourced and farm to table was not the only highlight. The welcoming atmosphere, the decor and the outstanding service is beyond five stars! Add this place on your to do when in old San Juan. read more
3 years ago
7 years ago
7 years ago
7 years ago
9 years ago
3 years ago
This came up in our search for highly rated restaurants in Old San Juan. While I don't believe they specialize in Puerto Rican cuisine per se, they've got a creative menu and food definitely tasted fresh which is always a plus for me. The server said they use locally sourced ingredients which again, is a plus. the ahi tuna cooked medium was wonderful. My husband had the Arroz con Verda Mesa which was vegetarian. He loved it! Before our entrees we shared a starter that consisted of chopped smoked pork with beets, sunflower seeds and some kind of citrus sauce. Amazing! So refreshing and perfectly smoky and salty. Highly recommend if you're in Old San Juan! read more
7 years ago
So this place is a totally different culinary experience than restaurants in OSJ. They have also told us that most folks come because they want something different than what a lot of the restaurants offer, I guess a sort of respite from fried foods for a night. Indeed this is what you'll get. Eccentric yet delicious food and drinks. They have these weird but good for you mocktails as well and they will tell you which spirit goes best with it such as my Tamarind Bontanical water that I had with rum. My husband had the Orange and pineapple tonic instead...but mine was better :-) I'll def be checking out this place again next one I'm here. For sure! read more
7 years ago
8 years ago
7 years ago
So unique! What a great find along the edge of Old San Juan. The food was locally sourced and so creative. We had a kale salad, the Arroz Verde Mesa, and the Swordfish. All were delicious and very creative in the flavor. The servers were so pleasant and helpful. The decor is really cool and unique - right on the edge between funky and elegant. They have a great wine selection and the desserts were again very unique and flavorful. The purple cloud is a must! Light and fluffy and not too sweet but just right. We had a wonderful, memorable dinner! read more
I was very excited to go to Verde Mesa. It was billed as a vegetarian/fish restaurant, but I understood the emphasis to be on the vegetarian part. I was a bit disappointed as I thought they had few vegetarian meals. I also found most of the items on the regular menu and the specials to be a bit uninspiring. I had their signature rice dish that others have mentioned here. I went back to the Verde Mesa website to get the exact name of it and was reminded that their website is not very good. For one thing, the menu is not up yet. I think posting the menu online should be a priority and should not be that difficult to do. The rice dish was fine. It was very pretty, and the cheese on it was tasty and just the right amount. It came with a side dish of chick peas. I am not sure how the chick peas were prepared, but this was the only time in my life that I did not enjoy chick peas. They were cooked fine, but whatever spices they had on them did not work for me at all. Table service was excellent, friendly, and prompt. They were about 10 minutes late opening for dinner the night I went, and no one bothered to so much as to stick their head out the door and tell us they'd be open a few minutes late. There was a line to get in too! So a quick shout to those of us waiting would have been helpful. I went on a Saturday night and arrived right at 6:00 and was about the 6th person in line. They do not take reservations. However, there was probably room in the restaurant for parties of two until about 7:00. Then it seemed like a wait was getting started. As others have said, the décor is just gorgeous. If you are visiting San Juan, you should go just to experience that much alone. The food will be fine. read more
12 years ago
An amazing find in Old San Juan! We found this restaurant on HappyCow. As a vegetarian, I was initially nervous about our move to SJ because I know that PR food is meat-heavy. Our trip to Verde Mesa alleviated all of my fears. It is GOURMET vegan/vegetarian/pescatarian. The place is totally cute - just the right amount of kitsch for me as they aim for a French vibe. They don't take themselves too seriously, though, which is great. The staff is open, friendly, and helpful. We had lots of questions about the wonderful ingredients used, and everyone was very knowledgeable. We enjoyed two drinks: the Strawberry Limeade and Green Fusion, both with gin. I loved the paper straws as this restaurant tries to be sustainable. We had the roasted beets appetizer with papaya remoulade. It was unlike anything I'd every tasted and I definitely recommend it. We shared the Mesa Rice entree and I was floored with every bite. I loved the combination of sweet, savory, and tart. You will not find a better dish. We ate the Purple Cloud dessert thanks to a Yelp recommendation and it was epic. Every bite is different, since there are so many different berries and pieces of meringue. I think we'll be back once a week for the next two years. read more
3 years ago
This restaurant is a great find. Pay attention to business hours. There is a WAIT!!! However when you are seated service is relatively fast compared to PR standards. We had the Naploean salmon salad and Tuna steak cous cous. Absolutely delicious!!!!! Must try restaurant ;) BTW dinner is virtually impossible to get in, unless you are camping out in front the restaurant for 30-60min before open (not happening) lunch was relatively easy to get seating. read more
Verde Mesa is an awesome little restaurant specializing in native Puerto Rican vegetarian and seafood dishes. It's operated by a young couple - Gaby and Joyda, who focus heavily on organic ingredients produced locally to support the produce growers of the island. Since we were new to PR and it's cuisine, we pretty much went with Joyda's recommendations and were pleasantly impressed. Definitely check it out. read more
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More info about Verde Mesa
Calle Tetuán 107
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901
Directions
(787) 390-4662
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http://www.verdemesapr.com
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