Cafe Caleta

Cafe Caleta - Review - Old San Juan - San Juan - The Infatuation

"Cafe Caleta is a cafe and wine bar that excels in the all-day meal and casual-sip-and-snack department. Think of it like the restaurant equivalent of three-in-one body wash—just as great for brunch as it is for a glass of orange wine and a kale salad with heaps of parmesan. The menu of predominantly sharing plates changes often, but you can expect citrically gifted crudo, mallorca sandwiches, or an egg-on-toast situation, and a concise selection of natural wines. Aside from a few counter stools across from the kitchen, most seats are outside on the gravity-defying picnic tables along the sloped street. It’s perfect for watching the sunburnt tourists and stray cats of Old San Juan stroll by. Tables outside fill up during every meal, so come at an odd hour (say 4pm)—they don’t take reservations. Food Rundown The menu changes often, but here’s what to expect. Jerk Chicken An all-around exemplary sandwich. Every nook and cranny of the baguette loaf is loaded with juicy chicken chunks. You get a hint of sweetness from the bits of fried plantain scattered beneath the papaya slaw like Easter eggs. photo credit: Mariana Trabanino Mallorca This sandwich never leaves the menu. The mallorca has a flaky, croissant-like consistency and comes with boiled eggs, ham, and cheese. It’s perfectly fine, but we’ve had better, like the one at Cafetería Mallorca. photo credit: Mariana Trabanino Triple Kale Salad Every kale salad should aspire to be topped with this much grated parmesan. Candied almonds and cashews add a wonderfully sweet crunch. photo credit: Mariana Trabanino Challah French Toast Thanks to the mound of dulce de leche plopped on top, it’s best to treat this as dessert after a long, lazy breakfast of avocado toasts and sandwiches. The passion fruit compote cuts through the sweetness of the dulce de leche. photo credit: Mariana Trabanino" - Mariana Trabanino