Santaella

The 26 Best Restaurants in San Juan, Puerto Rico | Eater

"Santaella, located near the vibrant La Placita market, has been setting the standard for upscale Puerto Rican cuisine for over a decade. Chef José Santaella, a culinary veteran who trained with luminaries like Ferran Adrià and Eric Ripert, brings his expertise to a contemporary interpretation of Puerto Rican classics, often referred to as “Puerto Rican nouvelle cuisine.” His menu is filled with must-try dishes like tuna skewers, crispy artisanal morcilla (blood sausage), fried red snapper with cilantro mojo and tostones, goat cheese quesadillas, and a pastelón del día. Don’t miss the creamy guava and cream cheese budín for dessert. The ambiance is just as noteworthy; think lush indoor garden, exposed brick walls, Edison bulbs, and a vibrant bar that’s perfect for sipping inventive cocktails like a watermelon mojito or St. Germaine-infused Perfect Lady. This is the place to see and be seen while enjoying impeccable service and a wine list as fun as the colorful, pop art-inspired restrooms​." - Paulina Salach Antonetti