Fidias’s Miramar, San Juan, PR guidebook
Food scene
Great spot for breakfast, lunch and early dinner. 5 minutes walking distance.
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La Hacienda
762 C. CuevillasGreat spot for breakfast, lunch and early dinner. 5 minutes walking distance.
Its name a play on the colloquial “bueno, bonito y barato” (good, nice and inexpensive), this outdoor restaurant (built around shipping containers) serves an impressive array of frituras (the empanadilla selection is vast, including lobster and crab), plus other local favorites, like marlin skewers and churrasco a la parrilla (grilled skirt steak).
134 íbúar mæla með
Tresbé
1765 C. LoízaIts name a play on the colloquial “bueno, bonito y barato” (good, nice and inexpensive), this outdoor restaurant (built around shipping containers) serves an impressive array of frituras (the empanadilla selection is vast, including lobster and crab), plus other local favorites, like marlin skewers and churrasco a la parrilla (grilled skirt steak).
This Santurce restaurant’s magic theme runs strong, down to its nostalgic carnival accents inside. On Saturdays and Sundays, the beloved “Magic Brunch” features offerings like veggie-packed omelets, fruit-and-Nutella pancakes, and croque madame or monsieur. Mimosas go beyond the typical orange juice (think passion fruit, tamarind, mango and acerola). Lunch offerings include wraps, panini and burgers, and on some occasions, breakfast is served all day.
99 íbúar mæla með
Abracadabra
1661 Av. Juan Ponce de LeónThis Santurce restaurant’s magic theme runs strong, down to its nostalgic carnival accents inside. On Saturdays and Sundays, the beloved “Magic Brunch” features offerings like veggie-packed omelets, fruit-and-Nutella pancakes, and croque madame or monsieur. Mimosas go beyond the typical orange juice (think passion fruit, tamarind, mango and acerola). Lunch offerings include wraps, panini and burgers, and on some occasions, breakfast is served all day.
This outdoor food park, a local favorite, is a patchwork of cuisines dished out of kiosks and Airstream trailers, serving everything from Puerto Rican frituras (fried finger foods, like the alcapurria, a stuffed yuca or plantain fritter), Belgian-style fries, pizza, Southern-fried chicken, heavy-duty burgers and Mexican cantina nachos.
BTW: Lote 23 also hosts events, which it promotes on social media, such as yoga sessions, film screenings, artisans’ markets and more.
224 íbúar mæla með
Lote 23
1552 PR-25This outdoor food park, a local favorite, is a patchwork of cuisines dished out of kiosks and Airstream trailers, serving everything from Puerto Rican frituras (fried finger foods, like the alcapurria, a stuffed yuca or plantain fritter), Belgian-style fries, pizza, Southern-fried chicken, heavy-duty burgers and Mexican cantina nachos.
BTW: Lote 23 also hosts events, which it promotes on social media, such as yoga sessions, film screenings, artisans’ markets and more.
(It's called Los Pinos)
Quality comida criolla — or traditional local cuisine — such as arroz mamposteao (Puerto Rican rice and beans) or bolitas de yuca (fried yuca balls), is served 24/7 at this go-to cafe for late-night meals in the Miramar area. If you’re looking to soak up too many Medallas (the popular local beer), though, go for the super-starchy mofongo (mashed plantains).
44 íbúar mæla með
Los Pinos Cafe
659 C. Salva(It's called Los Pinos)
Quality comida criolla — or traditional local cuisine — such as arroz mamposteao (Puerto Rican rice and beans) or bolitas de yuca (fried yuca balls), is served 24/7 at this go-to cafe for late-night meals in the Miramar area. If you’re looking to soak up too many Medallas (the popular local beer), though, go for the super-starchy mofongo (mashed plantains).
Atop Hotel Milano on Calle Fortaleza, Punto de Vista, like its name suggests, offers gorgeous views of Old San Juan. What makes this rooftop restaurant and bar great, though, is that, unlike some flashier counterparts, the casual environment doesn’t lead to a less-than-upscale treatment from staff. Throw back a cleansing chichaíto shot (anise and rum) after working your way through a hearty meat- or seafood-packed mofongo (mashed plantains, often stuffed), sip a meticulously crafted mojito made with Puerto Rico’s Ron del Barrilito, or make a snack of your drink with a tropical-fruit-filled cocktail.
25 íbúar mæla með
Punto de Vista
307 C. de la FortalezaAtop Hotel Milano on Calle Fortaleza, Punto de Vista, like its name suggests, offers gorgeous views of Old San Juan. What makes this rooftop restaurant and bar great, though, is that, unlike some flashier counterparts, the casual environment doesn’t lead to a less-than-upscale treatment from staff. Throw back a cleansing chichaíto shot (anise and rum) after working your way through a hearty meat- or seafood-packed mofongo (mashed plantains, often stuffed), sip a meticulously crafted mojito made with Puerto Rico’s Ron del Barrilito, or make a snack of your drink with a tropical-fruit-filled cocktail.
The greenery adorning the outside is telling: Omrkt is an agricultural oasis that’s both a local produce market and a sunlit farm-to-table restaurant next door, whose ingredients, picked right off the market’s shelves, are sourced from small farms still recuperating post-Maria. Dishes, all of them health-conscious, range from Asian to criollo to Mediterranean.
BTW: There are plenty of vegetarian-friendly options here.
OMRKT (Cupey)
166 Av. Winston ChurchillThe greenery adorning the outside is telling: Omrkt is an agricultural oasis that’s both a local produce market and a sunlit farm-to-table restaurant next door, whose ingredients, picked right off the market’s shelves, are sourced from small farms still recuperating post-Maria. Dishes, all of them health-conscious, range from Asian to criollo to Mediterranean.
BTW: There are plenty of vegetarian-friendly options here.
A few reasons make this deli, more than two decades old, a favorite: Its freshly baked pan sobao, a chewy, sweet bread. Its classic tripleta sandwich is upgraded way past triple-meat status with steak, turkey, chorizo, pernil (roast pork) and more. And the bakery’s staple sweets — pastelitos de guayaba (stuffed guava pastries), quesitos (a sticky, cream cheese-filled croissant) and doughnuts — are all made in-house.
9 íbúar mæla með
Moncho Pan Panadería
Avenida Winston ChurchillA few reasons make this deli, more than two decades old, a favorite: Its freshly baked pan sobao, a chewy, sweet bread. Its classic tripleta sandwich is upgraded way past triple-meat status with steak, turkey, chorizo, pernil (roast pork) and more. And the bakery’s staple sweets — pastelitos de guayaba (stuffed guava pastries), quesitos (a sticky, cream cheese-filled croissant) and doughnuts — are all made in-house.
Korean fare meets comfort food at this rustic quick-serve restaurant off the main street, on the corner, and decorated with figurines of roosters and airplanes. Vegetarians will flip for the fresh fried cauliflower “wings” and the slaw-topped veggie sliders, while meat eaters will be more than satisfied with the drumsticks and (actual) wings.
15 íbúar mæla með
Volando Bajito
Korean fare meets comfort food at this rustic quick-serve restaurant off the main street, on the corner, and decorated with figurines of roosters and airplanes. Vegetarians will flip for the fresh fried cauliflower “wings” and the slaw-topped veggie sliders, while meat eaters will be more than satisfied with the drumsticks and (actual) wings.
If this restaurant feels as cozy as someone’s home kitchen, that’s because it sort of is: Ana is behind much of the comida criolla served here, cooking everything with love, from early breakfast to late-night dinners.
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Ana's
1909 Calle LoízaIf this restaurant feels as cozy as someone’s home kitchen, that’s because it sort of is: Ana is behind much of the comida criolla served here, cooking everything with love, from early breakfast to late-night dinners.
Pure & Natural: Fresh Food & Juice Bar
954 PR-25Great for healthy food alternatives.
Stuffed Avocado Shop
209 C. de San FranciscoHealthy and fresh food. 5 minutes walking distance.
Pizza e Birra
653 PR-25Great for pizza and artesanal beers.
Coffee Shop
Best coffee spot for caffeine, breakfast and dessert lovers. 3 minutes walking distance.
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Gustos Coffee Co. Miramar
950 PR-25Best coffee spot for caffeine, breakfast and dessert lovers. 3 minutes walking distance.
Tostado
610 C. CondadoBreakfast, Brunch Spot
Café Cuatro Sombras
259 C. del Recinto SurGreat coffee shop in Old San Juan
Artisanal sweets are handmade daily, the coffee is local and a rotating drink menu features specials like prosecco spritzers. Bask in the sun in a booth up front (with a mural in view) or head to the dim, cozy area in the back to relax.
15 íbúar mæla með
Kudough's Donuts & Coffee Bar
1503 Calle LoízaArtisanal sweets are handmade daily, the coffee is local and a rotating drink menu features specials like prosecco spritzers. Bask in the sun in a booth up front (with a mural in view) or head to the dim, cozy area in the back to relax.
Sightseeing
Contemporary Art by Latin American and Puerto Rican Artists.
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Museum of Contemporary Art of Puerto Rico
Contemporary Art by Latin American and Puerto Rican Artists.
Puerto Rico ráðstefnusenter
100 Blvr. Saint JohnEvents establishment.
El Morro
Calle BeneficenciaNational Historic Site. A must see.
Old San Juan. Lots of shops, restaurants, bars, history and amazing architecture.
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Viejo San Juan
Old San Juan. Lots of shops, restaurants, bars, history and amazing architecture.
Ocean Park is a tranquil coastal neighborhood between the hotel-heavy tourism zones of Condado and Isla Verde, peppered with restaurants and shops just outside a gated residential area. One tucked-away sanctuary in high demand is the 19-room Dreamcatcher, known for its vegetarian meals (with some ingredients picked from the courtyard papaya, acerola and avocado trees) and inviting courtyards with hammocks and fountains.
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Ocean Park
2059 Cll ItaliaOcean Park is a tranquil coastal neighborhood between the hotel-heavy tourism zones of Condado and Isla Verde, peppered with restaurants and shops just outside a gated residential area. One tucked-away sanctuary in high demand is the 19-room Dreamcatcher, known for its vegetarian meals (with some ingredients picked from the courtyard papaya, acerola and avocado trees) and inviting courtyards with hammocks and fountains.
Easily the most scenic of San Juan’s coastlines, the Balneario El Escambrón has three beaches with calm, relaxing waters, a park on its outskirts, and is surrounded by Old San Juan. It’s ideal for laid-back sunbathing; quiet, leisurely soaks; and snorkeling — particularly at Playa 9, where fish gather around concrete boulders. Guided scuba dives are available; check local companies (Scuba Dogs is one) for tour info.
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Balneario El Escambron
Easily the most scenic of San Juan’s coastlines, the Balneario El Escambrón has three beaches with calm, relaxing waters, a park on its outskirts, and is surrounded by Old San Juan. It’s ideal for laid-back sunbathing; quiet, leisurely soaks; and snorkeling — particularly at Playa 9, where fish gather around concrete boulders. Guided scuba dives are available; check local companies (Scuba Dogs is one) for tour info.
This Santurce street is buzzing practically ’round the clock. After the last of the street’s late-night clubs and bars finally close — some at sunup — restaurants take over and serve breakfast to early risers. Over the past decade, Calle Loíza has become a hub for ambitious businesses, and because it’s within walking distance to the beach, Airbnb hosts and hostels have capitalized on the influx of tourists.
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Calle Loíza
Calle LoízaThis Santurce street is buzzing practically ’round the clock. After the last of the street’s late-night clubs and bars finally close — some at sunup — restaurants take over and serve breakfast to early risers. Over the past decade, Calle Loíza has become a hub for ambitious businesses, and because it’s within walking distance to the beach, Airbnb hosts and hostels have capitalized on the influx of tourists.
Campamento Piñones
Lots of local restaurants close to the beach.
Groceries
Pueblo
PR 0090Closest Supermarket. 5-7 minutes walk.
Avenida José de Diego
Calle de Diego(Pueblo)
Supermarket 24hrs
Walmart Supercenter de Santurce
701 Avenida Roberto H. ToddOpen till late.
Walgreens
685 Avenida Teniente César Luis GonzálezOpen 24hrs
Bars
This no-frills corner bar is a neighborhood favorite: It’s tiny, so everyone drinks and socializes outside, munching on frituras (fried finger foods) from nearby outdoor vendors. The best time to visit is on Thursdays, when there’s live bomba and plena music.
58 íbúar mæla með
Esquina El Watusi
801 Cll Elisa CerraThis no-frills corner bar is a neighborhood favorite: It’s tiny, so everyone drinks and socializes outside, munching on frituras (fried finger foods) from nearby outdoor vendors. The best time to visit is on Thursdays, when there’s live bomba and plena music.
At this popular plaza, restaurants and bars are clustered around a daytime market. Highlights include the Cuban fare at Asere and the San Juan Smokehouse for barbecue. Nearby, Paxx Caraballo Moll, named one of Food and Wine Magazine’s best new chefs of 2019, helms the kitchen at Jungle BaoBao, inside the neon, tiki-style bar JungleBird.
BTW: La Placita gets busy as the night progresses, with dancing patrons spilling into the streets. Arrive early to eat; stay late for drinks and entertainment.
605 íbúar mæla með
La Placita
300 C. dos HermanosAt this popular plaza, restaurants and bars are clustered around a daytime market. Highlights include the Cuban fare at Asere and the San Juan Smokehouse for barbecue. Nearby, Paxx Caraballo Moll, named one of Food and Wine Magazine’s best new chefs of 2019, helms the kitchen at Jungle BaoBao, inside the neon, tiki-style bar JungleBird.
BTW: La Placita gets busy as the night progresses, with dancing patrons spilling into the streets. Arrive early to eat; stay late for drinks and entertainment.
Playfully named cocktails and a low-key vibe belie the fact that La Penúltima takes its bar seriously, with smart mixology (the El Bandolero has flavors of poblano, pineapple, lime and mole bitters), craft beers and carefully curated wine. This Santurce spot also serves up stellar food, like ceviche, cubanos and “disco fries,” with cheese, aioli and scallions, topped with a poached egg.
605 íbúar mæla með
La Placita
300 C. dos HermanosPlayfully named cocktails and a low-key vibe belie the fact that La Penúltima takes its bar seriously, with smart mixology (the El Bandolero has flavors of poblano, pineapple, lime and mole bitters), craft beers and carefully curated wine. This Santurce spot also serves up stellar food, like ceviche, cubanos and “disco fries,” with cheese, aioli and scallions, topped with a poached egg.
The premier venue for Puerto Rico’s arts and music scenes. Local independent bands and artists of all styles — metal, salsa, pop, punk, hip-hop and more — take the stage here, as well as U.S. and international touring acts. Mondays are a guaranteed hit: DJs spinning hip-hop and reggaeton get crowds dancing at Lunes Clásico.
58 íbúar mæla með
La Respuesta
1600 Av. Manuel Fernández JuncosThe premier venue for Puerto Rico’s arts and music scenes. Local independent bands and artists of all styles — metal, salsa, pop, punk, hip-hop and more — take the stage here, as well as U.S. and international touring acts. Mondays are a guaranteed hit: DJs spinning hip-hop and reggaeton get crowds dancing at Lunes Clásico.
More than 14 local breweries are represented here, plus a slew from outside the island (46 taps of beer in total, and wine and sangria). Relax with a drink in a sunlit window spot or take a growler to go.
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El Tap
1969 C. LoízaMore than 14 local breweries are represented here, plus a slew from outside the island (46 taps of beer in total, and wine and sangria). Relax with a drink in a sunlit window spot or take a growler to go.