Puerto Rico: A Food Lovers” Paradise
May 25, 2018
Photo: Left to Right – The Art of Mofongo, Picoteo Plate, Tembleque, Credit: Puerto Rico Restaurant Week
Whether you’re into mofongo or arroz con pollo, in the last few years, Puerto Rico has experienced a culinary revolution transforming the Island into a Caribbean foodie hub. With over 4,000 restaurants open and back in business island-wide, Puerto Rico is a culinary haven.
In so many ways, food plays a huge role in traditions and history. The best way to find authentic cuisine? Visiting the local restaurants. A recent study* found that nearly all Americans (90%) like it when the money they spend on vacation helps the local economy of a destination. And, what better way to do so than visiting Puerto Rico, an island escape requiring no passport for U.S. citizens or residents.
From elaborate and high end cuisine, to local favorite food trucks, here is a list of upcoming events and popular spots that will enchant your taste buds.
Upcoming Culinary Events and Tours
Puerto Rico Restaurant Week (June 1 – 10) – This dining event takes place once-a-year and
showcases Puerto Rico as a premier gastronomic destination while highlighting the diversity of culinary experiences the Island has to offer. Restaurants offer prix-fixe dinner menus that include options for appetizers, main courses and desserts. Just simply make a reservation at the restaurants participating to get a taste of the action.
Festival Gastronómico Portal del Sol (June 15 – 17) – Presented by the Western Puerto Rico
Chamber of Commerce, this food festival in Mayagüez on the west coast of the Island invites
attendees to a weekend at the seashore. In attendance are more than 80 exhibitors featuring
Puerto Rican dishes, wine, beer and spirits.
Old San Juan Food Tour – Take a food tour and get a taste for the flavor and culture of Puerto
Rico with an Old San Juan food tour featuring several local eateries. It’s a 3-hour walking foodie experience where a local bilingual guide will take you through the downtown area of Old San Juan, stopping at several different restaurants for a meal where you will taste Puerto Rican dishes and drinks. The walk features a sampling of the Island’s most iconic and delicious dishes.
Popular Food Spots
Lote 23 – A favorite for locals and tourists alike, this casual food park in Santurce has 14
offerings which range from burgers to ice cream.
La Casa de los Pastelillos – Located in Guayama, La Casa de los Pastelillos is a casual, family-
friendly restaurant along the beach. The Puerto Rican street food and amazing views of the ocean are the biggest draws to this off-the-beaten-path location.
Mario Pagán Restaurant – Experience culinary magic at Mario Pagan Restaurant in Condado
that offers a subtle balance of traditional elements of classical Caribbean heritage and a variety of international flavors. The restaurant showcases a multitude of local specialties, such as small bites of typical Puerto Rican cuisine, including alcapurrias, bacalaitos and tostones.
SODA Estudio de Cocina – SODA’s dishes are vast in their variety. Inspiration comes from
vegetarian, French, Asian, Caribbean and many more styles. The restaurant specializes in
Creole-style tapas.
Bananas Beach Bar and Grill – Located right on the Malecon, the seaside boardwalk on
Esperanza Beach in Vieques, this is one place you do not want to miss. The bar specializes in
frozen drinks like piña coladas and dirty bananas so expect to enjoy a very relax atmosphere.
For more information on the wide variety of things you can do in Puerto Rico, visit: SeePuertoRico.com
*About the Survey
Puerto Rico Tourism sponsored this study, conducted by an independent global market research firm. The online omnibus survey was conducted May 8-9, 2018 among a national probability sample consisting of 1,098 Americans 18 years of age and older, living in the continental United States. The total sample data was weighted to be nationally representative regarding age, gender, region, ethnicity and educational attainment. The margin of error for the total sample of each survey at the 95% confidence level is +/- 3 percentage points.
