This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Jeanny Sánchez Gómez. Find them on Instagram at @jeanny_sanchez. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
If you are not a foodie, most of your vacation planning revolves around finding fun activities, Airbnbs, must-see sights of the island, and the vague idea that you have to eat the best Puerto Rican food you can find. The local cuisine can show you so much about a culture and once we started exploring the island, it became our favorite activity to find as many local spots to eat at throughout the trip. So here are the best spots for food on the island.
We got lucky that we had a family member plan an itinerary ahead of time that included some must-see spots and eats, so we had some spots that were already on our radar once we landed. After successfully arriving in San Juan and following my partner’s cousin around the city, we came across the first food stop of the trip.
Pilao Bakery Cafe
Following along the cobblestone streets, and admiring the colorful shells of the surrounding buildings, we entered a small and bustling brunch spot. Filled to the brim with tourists and some locals, we got in line, ordered food, and sat down to a somewhat underwhelming meal. Blaming our breakfast pick for being at fault as we just picked out a meal with eggs and toast, we had not noticed that they had a multitude of dishes that were made with Churrasco (skirt steak), which after five days on the island is sold everywhere, or Pernil (slow-roasted pork shoulder) which my partner was looking forward to eating again. So if you decide to visit the bakery, order out of your comfort zone and try their San Juan del Havana.
Now if you’re like me and are an absolute coffee fiend, ordering coffee at the bakery visited made it worth it either way. With the Alto Grande logo on the cup, I quickly learned that this would be some of the best coffee I’d ever have. Produced since 1839, Alto Grande has a long and rich history that is amazing to taste.
After exploring San Juan a bit, we hit the road for our four-hour drive to Cabo Rojo where we booked our Airbnb. The first few hours of driving and exploring pass by until you’re hangry and decide that the next local spot you’ll stop for food. Despite having an itinerary full of suggestions, you come across a few problems. One, there are no suggestions for the current area you’re in and problem number two becomes clear as you can keep driving and somehow only manage to drive by fast food chains that you would find back in your old neighborhood. You remember hearing about the gentrification of Puerto Rico and suddenly the five Wendy’s down the street from each other makes a lot of sense.
Deciding that stumbling across a hole in the wall might be an issue for the area you’re in, Google Maps becomes your new best friend for finding spots. Hitting the road again to get some beach time before the day ends, you find the most randomly located food truck on the route there.
Otra’h Kosa Food Truck
Located near Joyuda Beach, had the best empanadillas we tried during the whole week. The steak and cheese empanadilla was a good appetizer to go with the Sancocho stew we also tried. With no line, cheap bites, and a rotation of daily lunch specials, that little food truck left an impression even after all the other food we tried.
Beach Pinchos
The following day was spent at Crash Boat Beach, where we spent the day in the water drinking Piña Colados and trying as many fried items as we could. Set up near other food tents, Beach Pinchos had the longest line which is what helped us decide which tent to try. Getting a chicken empanadilla, tostones, Bacalaitos (fried codfish fritter), Alcapurrias (stuffed Yuca fritters), and a chicken Pincho (skewer), we feasted for less than $20. Beach day would not have been the same without this place to fuel us up.
D’Landing Bar and Restaurant
For a nice birthday dinner, we landed on a seaside restaurant where we watched a beautiful sunset while trying the first Mofongo of the trip. For those who don’t know, Mofongo is a traditional Puerto Rican dish made of mashed, fried plantain usually mixed with some garlic and and a choice of protein. Their specialty Mofongo D’landing had a mix of meats drenched in a garlic sauce that made it my personal favorite of the trip. Great food combined with some delicious cocktails, D’Landing was an amazing last-minute find.
Sha’s at Cascada Gozalandia
Venturing out to visit Cascada Gozalandia, a breath-taking waterfall located in San Sebastían, we sat at the restaurant located there for a quick bite, where we had Arroz Mamoposteao, a combination of beans, rice and plantains. Paired with Pitorro, the national drink of PR which we were excited to try after listening to Bad Bunny’s song PIToRRO DE COCO, Sha’s was an amazing vibe in between exploring the two waterfalls.
Off the Wall and Ricomini Bakery Pueblo
Inspired by Young Miko’s guide to Puerto Rico, we went to two of the rapper’s favorite spots Off the Wall pub, where we had the biggest mojitos for only $11, and Ricomini bakery where we walked to to sober up and tried the best quesitos and pastelitos. Aside from the yummy pastries, the menu featured Tripletas and other staples. Both were must-visit spots in Mayagüez.
El Pescador & Tapas
On our last night, near Fajardo, we dined at El Pescador where we again had Mofongo, this time with shrimp, and paired with Mamoposteao. With some more delicious Mofongo in our stomachs. The restaurant was a nice stop before heading back to Texas.
Getting out of your comfort zone and asking for some suggestions from a local and letting your stomachs guide you to the best places, you too can find the best food wherever you go.
What is some of the best Puerto Rican food you’ve had? When traveling what’s you’re favorite way of finding local eats?
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