Where to Eat in San Juan with Kids
Ella and I just got back from our second trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico so you know that my first article about Puerto Rico has to be Where to Eat in San Juan with Kids! These 12 San Juan Restaurants are family-friendly but with real foodie cred!
12 Fantastic Places to Eat in San Juan Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria
While Puerto Rico continues to recover from Hurricane Maria, San Juan is back and ready for business.
As might be expected after such a tragedy, many of San Juan’s restaurants closed for good after the hurricane. Others reinvented themselves to cater more to local tastes and preferences. Either way, some of the best places to eat in San Juan are ready when you are!
While planning your trip to Puerto Rico and San Juan, choose local restaurants that bring the real Puerto Rico to life in each bite. Everything is made with love and perseverance.
Here’s my list of the 10 best places to eat in San Juan with your entire family.
For straight-up delicious food in a cozy and relaxed atmosphere, it’s hard to beat El Jibarito. This highly recommended spot offers Puerto Rican comfort food for breakfast or dinner. Introduce kids to the local cuisine in a family-friendly way. Learn more at their Facebook page.
Handcrafted Puerto Rican tacos await you at Acapulco Taqueria Mexicana. While the al pastor tacos are the highlight of lunch here, don’t overlook the other smoked and barbequed meats. Sip a coffee or a cocktail while you unwrap tamales and roll your tacos at one of two locations.
Cafe Cola is a great place to grab a morning coffee and breakfast for the kids. Seating inside is limited, but it is located right on the water so if the seats are taken, head outside and enjoy the view with your breakfast! The kids stole my breakfast sandwich and enjoyed madelines cookies.
When you want to eat where the locals go, try Lote 23. This food truck hangout lets you sample from talented chefs turning out authentic food on demand. See the map at the Lote 23 website.
With tables nestled within lush native plants, dinner at Santaella is the perfect way to wind down from a busy day of traveling. Enjoy cocktails created by mixologists while your locally sourced dishes are crafted in the kitchen. Check out their website here.
You likely won’t need a lot of convincing to try Chocobar Cortes where chocolate takes center stage across the menu. Artfully combined with other local ingredients, chocolate is woven in each dish, cocktail, and bite they serve. Drool over the menu online.
La Bodega is a fun restaurant that offers both Cuban and Puerto Rican classics in a cozy, air conditioned setting. Everything we ate – from mofongo to mojitos – was absolute perfection.
For gastropub fare in a family-friendly spot, Soda Estudio de Cochina fits the bill. Kids will appreciate the skillet mac and cheese and parents will love the fresh seafood and flavors. Check out their Facebook page for details about the specials. https://www.facebook.com/SodaEstudioDeCocina/
Café Manolin is the perfect place to stop when your group is hungry, and your feet are tired. The dishes are based on Creole flavors and combined with local fresh seafood and ingredients. The service is quick, and the prices are affordable. http://www.cafemanolinoldsanjuan.com/
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For the most flexibility and options for dinner, try Kasalta. They offer tapas, cheese and wine pairings, or countless local sandwiches. It’s nearly guaranteed even the most suspicious eaters can find something they love. See their menu online. http://www.kasalta.com/index.html
Coffee is serious business in Puerto Rico, and Café Sombras is one of the best. See their micro-roasting operation up close while you sip on the fruits of endless labor and love. Buy a bag to take home! https://cuatrosombras.com/pages/coffeehouse
Explore another side of dining at Cocina Abierta. This eclectic restaurant asks you to choose your own dining experience. The seasonal menu includes five courses where you build your meal and sample the best the chefs can offer. https://cocinaabierta.net/
Pin this Post for your future Puerto Rico vacation planning:
Which restaurants were your favorite in San Juan? Which would you like to try next?
