Where to Find the Best Food in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico’s distinct combination of African, French, Spanish and Caribbean influences and its local access to fresh seafood make for some of the most delicious culinary creations anywhere in the world, from crunchy tostones to freshly caught mero glazed with Creole spices and fresh tropical fruits.

Puerto Rico’s culinary scene consists of warm, comforting foods that showcase the rich history and tradition of the Caribbean island nation. There’s something for everyone regardless of budget, from formal beachfront dining to food shacks and fondas, small, off-the-beaten-path mom-and-pop restaurants where you’ll find hearty, traditional meals made from recipes passed down over generations.

Here are some of the things you have to eat on your next visit and some tips on where to find them.

Fresh seafood is a must in Puerto Rico. Local favorites include camarones (shrimp), mero (grouper) and chillo (a variety of red snapper), that can be ordered battered and fried, cooked al ajillo (with garlic sauces) or esilo criolla (Creole style). The seafood recipes are simple, letting the freshness of the food speak for itself. Oceano, in the Condado area, is the perfect place for beachfront seating, and José Enrique, located in San Juan’s Santurce neighborhood, prides itself on using fresh Puerto Rican produce. For a laid-back atmosphere, head to Varadero Seaside Grill in Fajardo, 45 minutes from San Juan, offering fresh seafood on the docks along with authentic live music.

Mofongo is a classic Caribbean dish made by mashing plantains into a bowl with seafood, chicken, beef or pork, flavored with salt, garlic and chicharrones. Almost every restaurant in Puerto Rico offers the delicacy and gives it a new spin. Mojitos in Old San Juan is a great place to find mofongo. Try it stuffed with house specialties like pork or codfish stew. Another popular spot is El Libarito, known for its flavorful garlic sauce.

Sorullitos de maiz, resembling a mozzarella stick, consists of mashed sweet cornmeal, deep-fried in a buttery batter. This crunchy and savory treat can be made with or without cheese. Grab these deep-friend delights at Café Puerto Rico in Old San Juan.

For a salty snack, grab some tostones, fried plantains, flattened and sliced, served with a creamy dip. They’re crispy and hot on the outside and soft on the inside — the ultimate snacks to pair with a few Piña Coladas, the national beverage of Puerto Rico. Crab-stuffed tostones at Yerba Buena in Condado are a local favorite.

Warm up with a bowl of asopao, a version of gumbo made with rice, shellfish, chicken, chorizo and vegetables. La Villa Dorada de Alberto in Dorado earned itself the reputation of best asopao on Puerto Rico, while El Bohio in Fajardo follows close behind for its lobster asopao.

El Jibarito in San Juan offers some of the best pastales, iconic Puerto Rican tamales made with a dough of milk, green banana, squash, plantains and starch roots filled with flavorful meat.

The great thing about Puerto Rico is that wherever you go, you can easily find something fresh and delicious for an affordable price. Enjoy!