A veritable Caribbean paradise, Puerto Rico is a haven for couples seeking a foodie adventure with the most breathtaking tropical backdrops. From the vibrant, cobbled streets of San Juan to the ever-sunny palm-lined beaches, there’s plenty for the soul and palate to explore.
Puerto Rico’s culinary identity is a delicious blend of indigenous Taíno, Spanish, and African influences. From the soul-comforting mofongo (a mashed plantain dish) to the spirited salsa of arroz con gandules, the Island’s food is a carnival for the senses. Alongside its more home-spun, unbuttoned restaurants is an emerging fine-dining scene with intriguing tasting menus accompanied by elegant wine pairings. Puerto Rico’s gastronomy feels as varied as the Island itself, with its vast array of landscapes and surrounding waters offering up fresh, exotic bounty for chefs to play with.
One feature, however, that remains consistent across the Island is the warmth of its people – a warmth best experienced and understood as part of its hospitality and dining rituals. What’s more, for Puerto Ricans, romance is practically synonymous with food. So prepare a Piña Colada as you plan out your foodie focused honeymoon… here are the most romantic restaurants in Puerto Rico.
Epicuro Culinary Center
True to its name, the Chef’s Table feels gloriously indulgent, inviting lucky diners on a hedonistic journey encapsulating Chef Antonio Pérez’s life in Puerto Rico and his culinary adventures across South America, Europe, and Asia. The setting feels intimate and wildly special, with just 12 seats surrounding Chef Pérez’s kitchen, complemented by a brooding lounge area for those pre-game cocktails or a post-tasting menu digestif.
The seasonally-driven five-course tasting menu receives a monthly shake up, where Chef Pérez boldly explores new flavours and erring-on-alchemic combinations – expect dishes such as grouper slowly cooked in fragrant olive oil, tender duck with a creamy coconut sauce, morish purple potato gnocchi, and the like. The menu is accompanied by Perez’ wife, Diana’s, deftly chosen wine pairings that truly makes every course and flavour sing.
The Chef’s Table is not merely another swishy dining experience; it’s an intimate journey through the heart and soul of Puerto Rican and global culinary influences. Our highlight dish was the succulent pork belly served with a spirited sofrito.
Discover more here.
RAYA
Chef Mario Pagán’s RAYA cleverly stitches together the vibrant tapestry of Caribbean and Asian culinary traditions. Diners can expect artfully-presented dishes, adorned with edible flowers and photogenic splashes of colourful sauces.
Standout creations include the tuna poke pegaíto and the Mongolian wagyu brisket, where the combined flavours have been finely tuned, while dishes such as honey garlic chicken chicharrón showcase the chef’s ability to elevate traditional ingredients to lofty culinary heights.
True to Puerto Rican form, the first-rate food is accompanied by an impressive array of innovative cocktails – wasabi margaritas, sake, Japanese whiskey-infused concoctions and the likes. After wowed, diners can head up to the hotel’s rooftop bar, with its heart-thumping views of the Condado lagoon.
Discover more here.
Marmalade Restaurant & Wine Bar
With its flickering, candlelit space and soothing live jazz, Marmalade is romance personified. Chef Peter Schintler curates a menu that marries local ingredients with a splash of global flair, promising an indelible dining affair. Marmalade feels unapologetically exclusive, offering solely tasting menus; opt for five-courses or bank your good conversation and embark on a fourteen-course epic, with meticulously plucked wine pairings for each dish. The array of options caters to all tastes (fussy eaters, take note), spanning an impressive selection of vegetarian, meat, and fish delights.
The Three Pigs dish is one of the many highlights from the menu, comprising seared local pork belly draped in smoked honey and braised pork cheek atop Puerto Rican black rice. The homemade truffle rigatoni is equally divine.
Discover more here.
1919 Restaurant
Located in the legendary Condado Vanderbilt Hotel in Puerto Rico, 1919 offers a sophisticated setting where Old World elegance is given a gently modern treatment, and views are everything you’d hope for in a coastal Caribbean restaurant. Executive Chef Juan José Cuevas sits at the helm, curating a menu that artfully showcases Puerto Rico’s rich culinary heritage through the use of locally-sourced ingredients.
Veer towards the signature dishes – such as the trio of crudo; acquerello risotto, and the mighty swordfish served with chickpeas, buche bacalao, pancetta and a shrimp curry jus – and you’ll leave wondering if any future dinners can reach the dizzying culinary standards. This restaurant’s wine list has won some well-deserved awards and can be finely-tuned by the sommeliers to compliment each dish,
Smooth-as-butter service renders this 1919 Restaurant an ideal choice for those seeking a special celebration or a romantic evening in a comfortingly old school (with a modern twist) setting.
Discover more here.
Verde Mesa
Verde Mesa’s quaint charm comes with a radical farm-to-table ethos. Occupying a historic building, the restaurant draws inspiration from Puerto Rican traditions and global culinary influences, with its spanking fresh ingredients left to do most of the talking.
Within the intimate setting, adorned with antique decor and vibrant artwork, Verde Mesa cultivates an atmosphere that is both snug and hopelessly romantic. Kick things off with a delectable red lentil hummus, followed by the signature Verde Mesa rice. If the swordfish ceviche graces the menu, it’s a must. However, the seafood offerings depend entirely (and wondrously) on the day’s catch. What’s more, a comfortingly limited wine selection suggests great thought has gone into the seafood pairings.
Discover more here.
Restaurante Alexandra
Located in the Copamarina coastal hotel, this award-winning fine-dining haunt, headed up by the talented Chef Fernando Nieves, is a glowy, marina-edged elegant affair. With a modern twist on traditional Puerto Rican flavours, Chef Nieves keeps diners on their well-heeled toes.
To really lean into this restaurant’s innovative approach to cooking, indulge in the pastelillo de mofongo, a delightful turnover that reimagines the essence of a classic Puerto Rican dish. The salmon tiradito, infused with fruity notes, and the prawns sautéed in a lively white wine, and parsley sauce showcase the chef’s wizard-like knack for blending unusual flavours. Save room for the grand finalé – the sinfully delicious apple and whisky cake – all oozy and caramelised.
For those seeking something special, there’s an option to arrange a private table on the beach, so all the aforementioned culinary muscle can be enjoyed with a yolky sunset (and no one else).
Discover more here.
Vianda
Nestled in the heart of hip Santurce, Vianda is this enchanting farm-to-table experience. Expect laid-back charm and the sophistication reminiscent of a contemporary country house, characterised by its pristine white walls, verdant hanging plants, and a tastefully minimalist vibe.
Highlights from the menu include calamares fritos and crepas de morcilla. The bacalao fresco and the berenjena empanada ‘a caballo’, both robust in flavour and artfully presented, beckon as stellar choices for the main course. Vianda also offers a four-course tasting menu, showcasing its farm-to-fork highlights, which are duly dialled up with a superb wine pairing option.
Discover more here.
Casita Miramar
Casita Miramar offers a repertoire of traditional Puerto Rican dishes within an easy-going chic space – one that spills onto a sun-drenched terrace. It’s a weekend hotspot, so opt for an early weeknight dinner if you’re keen to avoid the bustle.
Begin the evening with the tasty buñuelos con chorizo y alioli, a crispy fried dough fritter paired perfectly with a refreshing pitcher of sangria. For the main act, indulge in the rich, traditional flavours of cabrito (goat stew), the tantalisingly tender duo de carne frita y ahumada (fried and smoked pork), or the empanada del jefe (fried chicken), all accompanied by their signature mamposteao rice (an intensely flavoured mix of rice and beans).
Casita Miramar captures the essence of a bygone era, making it a haven for those seeking both traditional flavours and a laid-back, nostalgic vibe. It’s that perfect mix of traditional, hearty plates, just with an elevated lick and without the stuffiness of an olde worlde institution.
Discover more here.
Cuatro 16
Located above Casita Miramar, Cuatro 16 has a speakeasy quality to it – with arrivals escorted up from the same entrance. Housed in the former Toro hotel, Cuarto 16 is a quirky spot with two lively outdoor terraces and an open kitchen immersing diners in a convivial mood from a hedonistic era. Walls and shelves are adorned with antique trinkets and an eclectic layout sets a playful, topsy-turvy mood. Here, Chef Giancarlo Ramírez, infuses creative twists and Spanish influences into his ever-evolving Criolla dishes, shifting the menu towards seasonal ingredients and his own culinary whims every month.
The focus is simple and clear: fresh, local produce, with a considerable part of the menu devoted to ‘del día’ selections of ceviche, crudo, croquetas, rice, fish, and ‘grill cuts.’ It’s worth noting that reservations are required, so ensure you book well in advance.
To learn more about Puerto Rico as a honeymoon destination, visit: discoverpuertorico.com
Related Article: Top Cultural Things To Do In Puerto Rico
