Guidebook for San Juan
Food Scene
Its the best place for local food...fresh, great price and a nice selection of cocktails.
Inarú Restaurant
311 C. del Recinto SurIts the best place for local food...fresh, great price and a nice selection of cocktails.
When we want to enjoy a nice vegetarian dinner we go to Verde Mesa. Our usual is the Verde Mesa Rice and we never say no to dessert...enjoy the purple cloud (nicely crushed meringue mixed in moose with bits of lavender and berries).
Please take note that waiting to be seated can take more than an hour so we recommend arriving at 6:00,
67 locals recommend
Verde Mesa
Calle San JoséWhen we want to enjoy a nice vegetarian dinner we go to Verde Mesa. Our usual is the Verde Mesa Rice and we never say no to dessert...enjoy the purple cloud (nicely crushed meringue mixed in moose with bits of lavender and berries).
Please take note that waiting to be seated can take more than an hour so we recommend arriving at 6:00,
This is where the locals go for a Puertorrican lunch. Its fast, great service and affordable. We usually go to Manolin for a quick breakfast or lunch. Ask for George - he is stationed in the center booth. George has worked in Manolin for 30+ years. He is family!
58 locals recommend
Cafe Manolin
251 C. de San JustoThis is where the locals go for a Puertorrican lunch. Its fast, great service and affordable. We usually go to Manolin for a quick breakfast or lunch. Ask for George - he is stationed in the center booth. George has worked in Manolin for 30+ years. He is family!
Hands down the best coffee in town! The owner, Erika, is one of the pioneers for the local coffee scene. She also owns the Barista and Coffee School in Puerto Rico. They open early (6:00am) week days, they are friendly and offer quick service. Plus her coffee shop is located in the port area - on your there you will enjoy the views of San Juan Bay. Sit outside tables in the garden area. We designed and build the renovation of the Cafe Cola'o (I designed the planters and garden).
18 locals recommend
Café Cola'o
Calle MarinaHands down the best coffee in town! The owner, Erika, is one of the pioneers for the local coffee scene. She also owns the Barista and Coffee School in Puerto Rico. They open early (6:00am) week days, they are friendly and offer quick service. Plus her coffee shop is located in the port area - on your there you will enjoy the views of San Juan Bay. Sit outside tables in the garden area. We designed and build the renovation of the Cafe Cola'o (I designed the planters and garden).
Located in Recinto Sur Street (right next to First Bank). If you have time and need a place to sit for chat or meeting this is the place to go. Great coffee, service and ambiance. They have a beautiful, cozy, interior garde. Please try there guava butter toast.
83 locals recommend
Café Cuatro Sombras
259 C. del Recinto SurLocated in Recinto Sur Street (right next to First Bank). If you have time and need a place to sit for chat or meeting this is the place to go. Great coffee, service and ambiance. They have a beautiful, cozy, interior garde. Please try there guava butter toast.
They serve a wonderful brunch! But I come here for the ginger lemonade...its perfect (for me!). Refreshing for our hot and humid weather. If you get tired of eating local food (which can be heavy) this is a great place to go. They offer a nice variety of salads, sandwiches and quiches. Sundays brunches can be hectic so we recommend going early or after 11:00am.
70 locals recommend
St. Germain
156 Sol StreetThey serve a wonderful brunch! But I come here for the ginger lemonade...its perfect (for me!). Refreshing for our hot and humid weather. If you get tired of eating local food (which can be heavy) this is a great place to go. They offer a nice variety of salads, sandwiches and quiches. Sundays brunches can be hectic so we recommend going early or after 11:00am.
If you have sweet tooth go to this Gelateria. They make fresh gelato everyday from local fruits.
Trapiche Gelato
251 C. San JoséIf you have sweet tooth go to this Gelateria. They make fresh gelato everyday from local fruits.
When we want to travel to Italy we go to Il Bacaro. We've been visiting this restaurant for more tan 10 years. We've celebrating family gatherings here. Its a casual place and the owner, Ricardo, is usually there to greet you. Everything on the menu is great... our family favourite is Frutti di Mare and Lamb Chops with Mushroom Risotto.
20 locals recommend
Il Bacaro Venezia
152 C. de La CruzWhen we want to travel to Italy we go to Il Bacaro. We've been visiting this restaurant for more tan 10 years. We've celebrating family gatherings here. Its a casual place and the owner, Ricardo, is usually there to greet you. Everything on the menu is great... our family favourite is Frutti di Mare and Lamb Chops with Mushroom Risotto.
Lote 23
1552 PR-25Basico Jugueria y Catina Saludable
318 Avenida José de DiegoPirilo
207 Ca. de la TancaLa Bombonera
Calle de San FranciscoDrinks & Nightlife
La Factoria is top 50 best bars of the world...its a must stop. But what makes it special is the concept. They have several bars... a cocktail bar, a wine mixology bar, a beer bar. Plus they have live music on the weekends.
369 locals recommend
La Factoria
148 C. San SebastiánLa Factoria is top 50 best bars of the world...its a must stop. But what makes it special is the concept. They have several bars... a cocktail bar, a wine mixology bar, a beer bar. Plus they have live music on the weekends.
La Cubanita is a classic bar. Just recently La Factoria renovated the space. Great ambience (not loud). Try the Concubines Kiss (original drink by bartender Nabil).
30 locals recommend
La Cubanita
51 C. San JoséLa Cubanita is a classic bar. Just recently La Factoria renovated the space. Great ambience (not loud). Try the Concubines Kiss (original drink by bartender Nabil).
CAFÉ NEGRO
52 C. San JoséParks & Nature
Paseo de la Princesa is a great place to walk and people watch. Its was build around the 1850 as a gift for Princess Isabel of Spain. Also built during that time was the first Botanical Garden of Puerto Rico. El Paseo de la Princesa leads to the last door of San Juan. Its a great route for a running or speed walking. Plus its super close to the apartment.
162 locals recommend
Paseo de la Princesa
54 C. de la Fortaleza Paseo de la Princesa is a great place to walk and people watch. Its was build around the 1850 as a gift for Princess Isabel of Spain. Also built during that time was the first Botanical Garden of Puerto Rico. El Paseo de la Princesa leads to the last door of San Juan. Its a great route for a running or speed walking. Plus its super close to the apartment.
If you want to experience tropical floral and are willing to venture out of Old San Juan then you must visit the botanical garden. Great place to relax, enjoy a picnic among tropical flora and large scale art work. Famed landscape architect James Corner (Field Operation) designed a master plan for the renovations of the botanical gardens. The entrance is free. Please take note the garden does not have a restaurant or any food stations.
23 locals recommend
UPR Botanical Garden
If you want to experience tropical floral and are willing to venture out of Old San Juan then you must visit the botanical garden. Great place to relax, enjoy a picnic among tropical flora and large scale art work. Famed landscape architect James Corner (Field Operation) designed a master plan for the renovations of the botanical gardens. The entrance is free. Please take note the garden does not have a restaurant or any food stations.
Sightseeing
El Morro is El Morro...amazing architecture and engineering project build 500 years ago.
442 locals recommend
Castillo San Felipe del Morro
501 Bulevar del ValleEl Morro is El Morro...amazing architecture and engineering project build 500 years ago.
If you enjoy architecture or have an interest for engineering this is must visit. El Paseo offers a different perspective of the El Morros wall. Plus its amazing and breath taking to see the ships come and go. We recommend walking El Paseo early morning or evening.
8 locals recommend
Paseo del Morro
Paseo del MorroIf you enjoy architecture or have an interest for engineering this is must visit. El Paseo offers a different perspective of the El Morros wall. Plus its amazing and breath taking to see the ships come and go. We recommend walking El Paseo early morning or evening.
Shopping
This is our shop! We offer a great curated selection of objects and clothing designed locally and internationally by independent brands. We hope to see you there!
15 locals recommend
Luca
58 Calle TaftThis is our shop! We offer a great curated selection of objects and clothing designed locally and internationally by independent brands. We hope to see you there!
If you are a fan of totes bags this the place to go. In Concalma you will find locally made totes following the standards of the fare trade community.
23 locals recommend
Concalma
208 C. de la LunaIf you are a fan of totes bags this the place to go. In Concalma you will find locally made totes following the standards of the fare trade community.
Collective Request
159 C. de la LunaFor trendy evening wear this is the place.
Essentials
SuperMax
114 Avenida José de DiegoLa Hacienda
762 C. CuevillasGreat take out food, fresh produce and good meat cuts.
This good neighbour pharmacy has been around form 100+ years. Please support our local pharmacies. Here you will find everything you need from medicines to gift wrapping services. The pharmacist are friendly.
41 locals recommend
Puerto Rico Drug
157 C. de La CruzThis good neighbour pharmacy has been around form 100+ years. Please support our local pharmacies. Here you will find everything you need from medicines to gift wrapping services. The pharmacist are friendly.
Walgreens Pharmacy
1963 C. LoízaUnited States Postal Service
100 C. P.º de ColónAshford Hospital
1451 Ave Dr AshfordArts & Culture
The local organic farmers market is located here. It takes place every Saturday from 8:00am-1:00pm. You will find great local produce, food and tropical cut flowers.
51 locals recommend
Museum of Art and History
150 Bulevar del ValleThe local organic farmers market is located here. It takes place every Saturday from 8:00am-1:00pm. You will find great local produce, food and tropical cut flowers.
Ballajá
Museo de las Américas
Calle BeneficenciaMuseo de Arte de Puerto Rico
299 Avenida José de DiegoMuseum of Contemporary Art of Puerto Rico
Conservatorio de Musica de Puerto Rico
951 PR-25